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Flooring needs to have a suitable coating that keeps it protected for as long as possible. The material used for the coating will vary and depends on whether they will be used outdoors or indoor. Using all types of coatings can provide a layer of protection for the floor which enables the floor to achieve a nice aesthetic. In order to achieve this aesthetic, various materials need to be incorporated. Below are the different types of coatings currently available.
Epoxy Coating
Incorporating an epoxy-based floor coatings involves both a polyamine hardener and resin. Although the resin coating can create a nice appearance that is bright, it can also create a surface that is solid and able to last a long time.
Durability
The durability of resin is quite tough and once applied to a floor, it can last for a long time without having to be reapplied.
With pure concrete being the only other substance stronger than resin, the use of resin is a choice that many prefer to use because of its durable property. Under normal conditions, resin is able to last for decades, which enables you to save money as time goes by.
This durability is based on the way resin is made and applied. When a resin coating is applied, you achieve a surface that is smooth. The resin will not create seams or develop cracks and no weak spots will exist.
The resin can also carry weight and evenly distributes it, which makes it super strong and undamageable by constant foot traffic. Resin easily resists chemical spills and if a chemical is reactive or caustic, a blend can be developed to help resist the effects.
Benefits
High amount of resistance and durability - A resin coating is able to bond to all surfaces to create a quality surface that will last for decades.
Damage is reduced - Resin will not damage machinery that is used over it. This will reduce the amount of wear machinery causes and thus decrease the cost for maintenance.
Chemical resistance - Because of its high amount of durability, the coating can resist chemical exposure and will not be damaged. Because of this, this coating makes a perfect application for commercial floors.
Great appearance - This coating is chosen often because of the aesthetics. The aesthetics allows the floor to appear new by creating a surface that gleams. Also, with so many colors and finishes available, you are able to incorporate it into the existing flooring.
Creates safe areas - By having an array of colors available, you are able to create sections of flooring for different purposes. For example, these colors can be designated to have others aware of hazardous areas that would be coated in yellow. This coating is also perfect for making large spaces safe and where they need markings so that all persons in the vicinity are safe at all times. By having this coating, there will be no slippage and it is able to resist fire and impacts. This coating is also able to raise a space’s amount of brightness by reflecting sunlight off of the surface. This extra light will improve safety by increasing visibility and thus have no need to have additional light fixtures installed.
Types of Epoxy
This resin type is classified into various groups based on the chemical chain that it is made up of. Below are some types of common resin.
The Aliphatic Resin - This resin is developed by either an action incorporated with epichlorohydrin or an epoxidation that is double bonded.
The Cycloaliphatic Resin - As part of the makeup of the cycloaliphatic resin, it includes molecules from the Aliphatic resin. Its structure is recognizable and contains plenty of oxirane. Because of its chemical makeup, the resin experiences a resistance to extreme weather, low viscosity, and low dielectric constants.
The Bisphenol Resins - This resin is often seen commercially and is incorporated with epichlorohydrin to create its durable characteristics.
Novolac Resins - The Novolac resin provides strength while remaining functional and makes it an ideal resin for applications consisting of high heat and need to be able to resist chemicals. Epoxies made of novolac resin have no volatile solvents or compounds.
Glycidyl Amine Resin - This resin has various uses that stem from the mix of aromatic amines and epichlorohydrin. Known as Tetraglycidyl 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, this chemical is an industrial flooring grade resin that is processed easily with a room temperature viscosity that is low.
Resin Diluents - A diluent consists of either polyols or aliphatic alcohols. Their function can be multi-functional, monofunctional, or difunctional.
Aesthetics
This resin is able to provide a beautiful aesthetic to the flooring by incorporating a shine without being slippery. It also has a glossy finish that can resist abrasions and high traffic.
PVC Coating
A coating consisting of PVC is a polyvinyl coating found within flooring having vinyl characteristics. With this, the PVC coating will normally be referred to as vinyl coating.
Durability
The PVC coating has durability that can last close to 15 years However, it has the ability to last many more years when it is maintained and kept clean. The same goes for if the coating is high-quality as compared to lower quality coating.
Benefits
Easy to maintain - The PVC coating can create a surface that is waterproof and smooth and does not allow any debris to penetrate. Having this impenetrability allows it to be maintained and cleaned easily. Mopping is all that is needed in order to keep the floor hygienically clean. There are also many products that can be used for floor maintenance so that the floor care is appropriate in nature.
Can be Incorporated with Floor Heating - A PVC coating is suitable with floor heating and other temperature changes. This is due to their heat resistance and the fact that it is made of a thin underlayer of plastic. This makes it a perfect choice with floor heating.
Soundproof - The coating of PVC can make a space soundproof by absorbing sounds. This makes it an ideal choice if you want to keep out noise from below due to its coating being a multi-layer application.
Resists Moisture - Being resistant to moisture makes the PVC coating a great choice for kitchen and bathroom floors. It can also be incorporated in areas where your children and pets are frequently in so that accidental spills and messes can be easily cleaned. The cleaning also does not involve the use of special chemicals for cleaning.
Types of PVC Floor Coating
Homogeneous PVC Coating - Homogeneous coatings are a cost effective method that allows you to enjoy the flooring for years. This makes them perfect for areas with constant foot traffic such as kitchens, hospitals, grocery stores, libraries, warehouses, and schools. Its surface is polyurethane and does not allow debris to stick to surfaces and allows easy cleaning.
Conductive PVC coating - PVC that is conductive is also homogeneous and capable of distributing static electricity. These coatings are able to provide protection to individuals who are in high static electricity areas or near machines that produce static electricity. This type of coating can also keep equipment protected from any static electric discharge. You will find this specific coating within hospitals, ICUs, and surgery centers.
Heterogeneous PVC coating - This coating is multilayer and involves a sub layer of foam. When a foam layer is present it is known as a warm floor and without foam, it is compact.
The layer of foam provides a good amount of insulation and has a surface that gets designed through a treatment or printing methods. Its ability to resist friction is based on the layer’s thickness. This also has a coating that covers printed designs and a final polyurethane coating and upholds high standards.
Having various colors, designs, and patterns makes the PVC coating a great option and the designs seem unlimited. This allows the coating to be easily incorporated with other materials used for construction of building spaces and homes.
Aesthetics
PVC coating has various practical uses but are unable to provide the right kind of aesthetics one may be looking for.
Polyurethane Coating
Covering the floor with a polyurethane coating is made up of a polymer or plastic and incorporates polymeric isocyanate with poly and utilizing additives and catalysts. Due to the various types of polymeric isocyanate and poly, the polyurethane coating is able to be incorporated into many uses.
Durability
The durability of polyurethane is extremely strong and due to many causes. One cause is because of the material it is made of, which is pretty much a mix of rubber and plastic. Your polyurethane coating is solid and does not crack, chip, or fade. This quality also makes the coating great for many applications in various floors and material found in patios and decks.The polyurethane coating can last a long time and will need very little maintenance in order to continue looking good.
Benefits
Resistance to chemicals - If a space holds chemicals that are corrosive or acidic in nature, the polyurethane coating is able to prevent the spills from causing further damage that a spill could cause, such as eating its way through the surface. With acid having a difficult time eating polymers, the chances of the polyurethane lasting is significantly high. The resin within polyurethane easily resists pothole, pitting, and cracks from developing This makes the polyurethane perfect for industrial flooring as well as keeping underlying concrete protected.
Resists Temperature Increase - Because of polyurethane having a finish that is uniform and impervious enables you to use high temperature for the washing. With the washing being quick, they are able to be conducted more frequently. These frequent washes are then able to maintain a clean area with little to no germs or bacteria present.
Good amount of longevity - The polyurethane coating has good longevity that can be increased when proper maintenance is used. Because the polyurethane can last a while, this coating is pretty cost effective and will make for a nice investment for your flooring.
Surfaces remain clean - Because of its construction, the polyurethane is able to provide a clean surface. When polyurethane is applied , it is able to prevent debris buildup and prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. With a polyurethane surface being impervious, there is no risk of these bad contaminants being left behind.
Enhanced drainage - The polyurethane surface is able to enhance drainage from the floor along with a slope being installed that allows drainage. This drainage is able to keep moisture from accumulating as cleaning is conducted.
Non Slip - Whether the floor is wet or dry, you will not slip. This is due to the amount of friction created by the coating. When the grip is tight, it is able to handle high traffic and not allow slipping to take place.
Types of Polyurethane Flooring
The polyurethane coating is either oil-based or water-based and both are able to protect the surface. The only difference among these two types is their appearance. Polyurethane coatings can be found a lot as a finish for hardwood flooring.
Aesthetics
Polyurethane coatings provide a nice shiny appearance once applied to a floor. No matter what type of coating it will be, you can expect your floor to become glossy after being applied and dried.