warehouses

Resin flooring can sometimes be more expensive in the short term than using other materials, this can be as a result of a potential increased cost of materials as well as the outlay for specialist trained resin contractors to install the product, but its durability alone makes it an extremely cost-effective option, as you won’t need to replace it for many years.

And, when you take into account other savings that you can generate as a result of selecting resin flooring, such as reduced maintenance, cleaning and energy costs, it makes sense that an investment now will continue to pay dividends in the long term too!

An extremely flat finish can be critical in the finished goods or raw materials warehousing area of an industrial facility, where racking aisles may be narrow and stacked high. A slight deviation in the floor level could spell disaster for forklift truck operators attempted to retrieve goods.

Epoxy, polyurethane and MMA resin floor systems have a self-smoothing property and, provided their installed by an experienced applicator, are capable of achieving SR1 flatness, making them ideally suited to warehouse spaces.

Their seamless application also means that there are no grout lines or breaks in the floor surface in the driveways of warehouse aisles.

Demarcation and colour blocking across the floor space can be used in industrial workspaces to notify employees and visitors of workflows, warn of any potential risks, hazards or dangers as well as highlight safe walkways and / or areas that should remain clear and accessible.

Resins are also available in virtually an unlimited palette of RAL colours to complement any floor demarcation processes that you may have in place.

Slips and trips are one of the most common accidents that occur in the workplace, and one of the reasons for this can be unsuitable floor coverings. With a staff body to protect, it is important to consider this when choosing a floor finish, as well as the service criteria that a floor will be subject to.

For example, areas subject to either wet processes, frequent spillages or those that employ rigorous cleaning regimes such as steam cleaning or hot water wash downs should take particular care to ensure an anti-slip finish when replacing floor coverings or coatings.

Liquid-applied resin floor systems are great to custom build any safety features that you require from your floor within your workspace, surface profiles can be tailored to include quartz, aluminium oxide, glass spheres or silicon carbide in order to enhance the slip resistance profile of the floor finish.

Resins are seamless in nature and don’t include joints or grout lines, which are susceptible to harbouring dirt, grease, bacteria and stains in general. Dust and dirt can simply be swept, mopped or hoovered away and the floor cleaned according to manufacturer’s guidelines based on the surface profile of the floor.

Resin flooring is also extremely strong and durable, meaning that it has an extended service life compared to other floor coverings. Installed properly, and with the correct maintenance, it can last for years without cracking or peeling, meaning that you won’t have to replace the floor or carry out repairs as frequently than you would if using other materials.

Epoxy, polyurethane, MMA and polyurethane concrete all exhibit good resistance to a range of chemicals associated with cleaning agents or foodstuffs.

For more aggressive chemicals or food & beverages ingredients such as hydrochloric acid, sugars, oils, blood and detergents, heavy-duty polyurethane concrete provides a resistant surface underfoot.

That said, not all chemicals are created equal, so it’s important to check that your choice of flooring material will be suitable for the specific chemicals found in your processes or facility.

Industrial and manufacturing spaces are often subject to heavy loads, equipment and machinery as well as the constant coming and going of rubber-wheeled forklift truck traffic and other punishing processes.

As a result, durability in a flooring material is often critical to avoid the risk of floor failure or the surface wearing far too soon and having the headache of having to replace it all over again!

Epoxy, polyurethane and MMA resin surfaces have a longer lifespan compared to most other flooring solutions. Resin creates a hard, fast bond that is much stronger than just concrete and is highly resistant and able to withstand impact and heavy-duty industrial wear and tear.

Resin also has the advantage of offering a degree of flexibility under stress; this property gives it durability under impact and thermal shock.

The chemical resistance of flooring materials largely depends on a number of specific factors, including the type of chemical, its concentration, and the temperature and degree of surface contact time.

Polyurethane Concrete

Generally speaking, polyurethane concrete systems such as vebrocrete offer a good degree of chemical resistance to a wide range or acids, alkalis, and solvents. For low to medium concentrations of organic acids such as hydrochloric, acetic, lactic and formic, polyurethane systems demonstrate excellent chemical resistance.

However, some stronger concentrations of these types of acid can cause some surface staining, usually without loss of physical strength properties even at elevated temperatures over prolonged surface contact.

Additionally, polyurethane concrete systems offer excellent chemical resistance to solvents and alkalis at low, medium and high strength concentrations at prolonged periods of contact and temperatures with minimal surface staining and loss of physical strength properties.

Methyl-methacrylate

For chemical resistance to high strength organic acids, even with prolonged exposure, methyl-methacrylate (MMA) chemistries such a vebrospeed offer superior resistance against surface staining without loss of physical strength properties. Additionally, MMA systems offer good chemical resistance to a variety of alkalis at various strength and concentrations. However MMA systems are generally not suited to solvents and should be avoided in facilities where solvents will be present.

Epoxy

Epoxy systems, such as various systems in the vebrores range, are generally suited to weak to medium strength acids including organic and inorganic acids like boric and phosphoric, but are not suited to high concentration organic and inorganic acids. Epoxy systems generally offer good chemical resistance to a variety of alkalis at various concentrations, but are more susceptible to attack from medium strength acids at elevated temperatures. Epoxy systems have limited chemical resistance to solvents dependant upon solvent type, temperature and duration of exposure.

Resin flooring can sometimes be more expensive in the short term than using other materials, this can be as a result of a potential increased cost of materials as well as the outlay for specialist trained resin contractors to install the product, but its durability alone makes it an extremely cost-effective option, as you won’t need to replace it for many years.

And, when you take into account other savings that you can generate as a result of selecting resin flooring, such as reduced maintenance, cleaning and energy costs, it makes sense that an investment now will continue to pay dividends in the long term too!

MMA is considered a specialist product; and due to the material’s reduced working time, applicators need to be trained on the correct installation techniques by the manufacturer to ensure effective installation. Vebro Polymers can recommend a number of trained applicator partners who are able to quote your MMA resin flooring project. 

The curing process of traditional epoxy and polyurethane systems with longer cure times could be affected by precipitation or temperature cycling, but owing to its incredibly quick speed of cure, MMA flooring systems can be installed outside with little concern for changing weather conditions.  

MMA systems are also UV-stable, so once they have been installed in outdoor locations, their colour will remain unaffected by exposure to sunlight. 

Slips and trips are one of the most common accidents that occur in the workplace, and one of the reasons for this can be unsuitable floor coverings. With a staff body to protect, it is important to consider this when choosing a floor finish, as well as the service criteria that a floor will be subject to.

For example, areas subject to either wet processes, frequent spillages or those that employ rigorous cleaning regimes such as steam cleaning or hot water wash downs should take particular care to ensure an anti-slip finish when replacing floor coverings or coatings.

Liquid-applied resin floor systems are great to custom build any safety features that you require from your floor within your workspace, surface profiles can be tailored to include quartz, aluminium oxide, glass spheres or silicon carbide in order to enhance the slip resistance profile of the floor finish.

Resins are seamless in nature and don’t include joints or grout lines, which are susceptible to harbouring dirt, grease, bacteria and stains in general. Dust and dirt can simply be swept, mopped or hoovered away and the floor cleaned according to manufacturer’s guidelines based on the surface profile of the floor.

Resin flooring is also extremely strong and durable, meaning that it has an extended service life compared to other floor coverings. Installed properly, and with the correct maintenance, it can last for years without cracking or peeling, meaning that you won’t have to replace the floor or carry out repairs as frequently than you would if using other materials.

During the cure process of MMA floor coating materials, each layer effectively welds itself to the previous coat. This creates a monolithic coating that is incredibly durable and will not delaminate. 

The seamless application of MMA flooring results in a surface that is free of joints, grooves and other areas where bacteria naturally builds up. 

Its impressive durability also minimises the risk of damage from dropped tools, objects or equipment, so the integrity and inherent seamless hygienic nature of the floor finish is maintained. 

Not only does MMA flooring cure in as little as one hour, meaning operations in facilities where the floor is being refurbished can return to normal quickly, MMA floor coating systems can also be installed over a variety of substrates, including steel, concrete and tiles. 

Cured MMA flooring does not smell, and while the smell exhibited by the liquid components of MMA flooring can be unpleasant, it is not considered dangerous. 

Installation teams can minimise the smell during installation, as well as any odours that may linger, by ensuring adequate ventilation and using appropriate extraction equipment. 

Because MMA flooring materials can cure in temperatures as low as -30°C, this ventilation is very unlikely to interfere with the curing process. 

MMA resin flooring is best known for its rapid cure and versatility. MMA-based acrylics can be installed fast and fully cure in less than two hours in temperatures as low as -30°C.

In addition, MMA resin flooring exhibits very high scratch resistance, can withstand service temperatures up to 70°C, has a low-glare satin matt finish and is often available in a decorative range of colours and finishes including decorative PVA flake and quartz blends.

MMA resin flooring also has an excellent chemical resistance profile and can withstand a wide range of acids and caustics, especially the organic acids used in the food processing industry.

The low-temperature cure capability allows them to be used during cold weather and in freezers and coolers. They are highly resistant to UV light, staining and marring, and they do not chalk or yellow.

The chemical resistance of flooring materials largely depends on a number of specific factors, including the type of chemical, its concentration, and the temperature and degree of surface contact time.

Polyurethane Concrete

Generally speaking, polyurethane concrete systems such as vebrocrete offer a good degree of chemical resistance to a wide range or acids, alkalis, and solvents. For low to medium concentrations of organic acids such as hydrochloric, acetic, lactic and formic, polyurethane systems demonstrate excellent chemical resistance.

However, some stronger concentrations of these types of acid can cause some surface staining, usually without loss of physical strength properties even at elevated temperatures over prolonged surface contact.

Additionally, polyurethane concrete systems offer excellent chemical resistance to solvents and alkalis at low, medium and high strength concentrations at prolonged periods of contact and temperatures with minimal surface staining and loss of physical strength properties.

Methyl-methacrylate

For chemical resistance to high strength organic acids, even with prolonged exposure, methyl-methacrylate (MMA) chemistries such a vebrospeed offer superior resistance against surface staining without loss of physical strength properties. Additionally, MMA systems offer good chemical resistance to a variety of alkalis at various strength and concentrations. However MMA systems are generally not suited to solvents and should be avoided in facilities where solvents will be present.

Epoxy

Epoxy systems, such as various systems in the vebrores range, are generally suited to weak to medium strength acids including organic and inorganic acids like boric and phosphoric, but are not suited to high concentration organic and inorganic acids. Epoxy systems generally offer good chemical resistance to a variety of alkalis at various concentrations, but are more susceptible to attack from medium strength acids at elevated temperatures. Epoxy systems have limited chemical resistance to solvents dependant upon solvent type, temperature and duration of exposure.

Proprietary quick / fast drying semi-dry screeds, such as v-Screed Fast and v-screed Rapid, are suitable to be installed in the following types of installation…

Bonded

The screed is laid onto a mechanically prepared and suitably primed substrate using a priming adhesive such as PVA (polyvinyl acetate), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), epoxy resin, or as a slurry combination (using PVA or SBR suitably mixed with cement with the intention of maximising potential physical / chemical bond).

Unbonded

The screed is intentionally separated from the substrate by the use of a membrane (usually a plastic sheet, building paper / house wrap, or a cavity drain).

Floating

The screed is laid on thin sheet acoustic insulation, rigid thermal insulation or a void former with a separating membrane placed onto the rigid thermal insulation or void former.

What is a semi-dry, sand & cement screed?

A traditional semi-dry screed essentially consists of sand & cement, mixed at a ratio of between 3 to 5 parts sand & 1 part cement. In the majority of cases 4 to 1 is sufficient.

In the past, reinforcement was achieved by using hex wire (chicken wire) or D49 mesh. However, in the early 1990’s polypropylene fibres (PPF) started to become very popular, and today PPF is the most common used reinforcement used for traditional floor screeds.

By definition, a screed relies on water being one of the principal components added, and with watering involved the screed can shrink. To avoid shrinkage cracking occurring throughout the screed, appropriate polypropylene fibres can be added. Other additives, such as those with water reducing and strength gaining properties, can also be added to make the screed dry more quickly.

Traditional semi-dry screed drying times vary according to the weather conditions, humidity level and depth, as well as any admixtures that have been incorporated into the screed. Traditional semi-dry screeds generally dry at a rate of 1.0 mm/day for the first 40.0 mm, and 0.5 mm thereafter after the screed has been cured for 7 days.

Semi-dry floor screed systems are the only reasonable method to achieve a floor in a wet room type areas laid to falls.

What is a proprietary fast / quick drying, sand & cement screed?

Screed mixes generally contain more water in them than is required to hydrate the cement. Around 40–50% of the water added to a screed mix is used to hydrate the cement, whilst the remaining 50–60% takes up the role of making the screed workable in terms of ease of application.

A proprietary or fast / quick drying semi-dry screed (whilst being based on the same sand & cement ratio as a traditional semi-dry sand & cement screed) differs by the additional inclusion of either a liquid or powdered additive to quickly reduce the level of retained moisture within the screed. These types of additives allow for floor coverings or resin coatings to be laid over the screed much earlier than would be possible with semi-dry traditional screeds.

Additionally, the incorporation of such additives promotes quicker physical strength gain, facilitating early access to follow-on trades. The reduced water demand in these types of additive-incorporated screeds also reduces shrinkage compared with traditional sand & cement screeds.