Floor coating systems are used in food and beverage operations and an array of industrial facilities to protect concrete floors and adhere to safety standards for staff and machinery. The right floors can increase safety, reduce maintenance, protect sensitive equipment, and provide the long-term durability you require to maximize production.
But what is ideal for food and beverage processing?
This guides provides guidance on:
- Flooring requirements for food and beverage processing facilities
- Resin floor coating options
- Flooring installation best practices
- Evaluating your options
To learn more, download Surface Technology’s Tips on Selecting the Right Flooring System for Food and Beverage Operations now.
Flooring Requirements for Food & Beverage Processing Facilities
Floor coating systems are used in food and beverage operations and an array of industrial facilities to protect concrete floors and adhere to safety standards for staff and machinery. The right floors can increase safety, reduce maintenance, protect sensitive equipment, and provide the long-term durability you require to maximize production.
But what aspects are ideal for food and beverage processing?
The go-to solution for food & beverage flooring is a seamless, polymer floor and wall system that includes the following features:
- Highly reflective surfaces to enhance the available light
- Antimicrobial surfaces to protect product safety and human health
- Seamless surfaces that are easy to clean and maintain
- Chemical and thermal shock resistance to increase the lifespan of your floor
- USDA and FDA compliant
- Moisture resistant
- Slip-resistant to increase safety
- Non-porous and waterproof
Resin floor coatings are commonly used in the food & beverage industry because they have the ability to mitigate bacteria growth, are easily cleanable, are durable, and can be visually customized to the needs of the space. Different systems can include characteristics such as impact resistance, abrasion resistance, thermal shock resistance, chemical resistance, and slip resistance.
Resin Floor Coating Options
Industrial facility flooring comes in a variety of systems tailored to meet the specific needs of the operation. These resin flooring systems can largely be divided into the following categories:
Epoxy – Epoxy flooring is a type of resin-based, seamless surface coating that can be applied to concrete surfaces.
Epoxy & Urethane – Urethane cement, sometimes referred to as polymer concrete, is a combination of a polymer binder (urethane) and fillers (cement and aggregate). Epoxy and urethane floors have an added top layer of urethane that acts as a seal and provides a seamless surface that is moisture and heat resistant.
Urethane Cement – Urethane cement coatings are well known for their chemical and temperature resistance. They also provide wear-resistant, durable, and seamless floor finishes that are easy to clean.
Acrylic (MMA) – MMA is a dual system polymer that is not as hard or durable as epoxy but is a formidable option for commercial flooring. MMA has a low glare satin finish and is resistant to weak acids, alkalis, solvents, and scratches. It is also highly flammable and odorous, so special ventilation and installation procedures must be implemented.
Polyurea – Polyurea is an organic polymer that is the result of a reaction from mixing an isocyanate and resin blend component. Polyurea has a rubber-like feel, making it not as hard as epoxy but still extremely durable. Polyurea flooring has a high-gloss finish, is highly stain and chemical resistant, and has a high heat tolerance.
Urethane cement, epoxy/urethane, and epoxy floor systems are great choices for food & beverage processing spaces, due to their durability, chemical resistance, and longevity.
Epoxy Flooring Installation
Installation is the most critical aspect of your epoxy or polyurethane flooring solution. If something goes wrong during the install—if the floor isn’t properly prepped, if mixes aren’t correct, or if the coatings are not properly allowed to cure between coats—your floor and its longevity will be compromised. That’s why it’s important to ensure that the people you are working with are highly experienced and respected in the flooring industry.
Evaluating Your Options
It’s a good idea to consider more than one flooring company when planning your food and beverage operation’s flooring system. By talking with different flooring specialists, you will be better able to understand the differences between their industry experience, installation approach, reputation for client satisfaction, and their ability to design and install custom industrial flooring and coating solutions for your operation.
It is equally important to consider different product brands. There are many different types of flooring solutions out there, and each one has its benefits and drawbacks. A good flooring contractor will be able to evaluate your situation and provide a recommendation for the best product that will create a customized flooring solution. Independent flooring contractors may provide an advantage since they are not locked into selling just one manufacturer’s solution.
Product quality is another important factor to consider. Common household epoxy paint is only good for light-duty applications and is not intended for industrial use. Epoxy paint is essentially latex paint with a small amount of added epoxy for increased durability. This type of product is best left for DIY home garage projects and is never an appropriate choice in food and beverage facility settings.
Industrial epoxy floor coating is a much more technical process that requires the expertise of a flooring professional to install it properly. The exact materials used vary depending on the type of flooring system required, but every floor system installation requires careful planning to ensure the essential performance characteristics are achieved with the finished floor. Floor coating systems require the proper preparation of the underlying concrete and subsequent layers to ensure the products bond correctly, and the coating is successful.
Don’t Settle for a Cookie-Cutter Flooring System
Since you are looking for the best flooring solution for processing food and beverage products, your needs and requirements are unique. Investing in the right flooring solution is important for long-term durability along with your safety and maintenance needs.
About The Author
Founder and President, Michael E. Greenblatt is an independent, nationally recognized industrial flooring and coatings expert with more than 35 years of industry experience.
As a former executive for leading polymer flooring manufacturers, Michael has been a pioneer of highly effective new applications and installation techniques in building custom industrial flooring, coating, and lining solutions. The Surface Technology, Inc. project engineering team, under Michael’s leadership, collaborates closely with clients to design the ideal solution for each custom set of application requirements.
Surface Technology, Inc. Has Over 35 Years of Flooring Experience
Surface Technology is a licensed, deadline-focused, national epoxy resin flooring contractor, providing industrial flooring, coating, and lining systems. High-profile companies rely on Surface Technology to protect, restore, and enhance their facilities’ most critical workspaces, including:
3 Reasons to Hire Surface Technology For Your Industrial Flooring Needs
Innovative and Complex Resinous Installations
Our experts know the right products and the proper installation techniques for any flooring challenge.
We bring over 35 years of hard work and problem solving into finding a solution for your flooring needs. You can rely on us for superior epoxy flooring, coating, and lining.
We’re Ready When You Are, Where You Are
Whether you want a new epoxy floor installed next year or next week, we’re ready to take on your project anywhere within the United States.
We are dedicated to delivering high-quality flooring, coating, and lining installations to large facilities 24/7/365.
Consistent High-Quality and Efficiency
We have successfully installed over 50 million sq. ft of high-performance flooring since 1988. We get the job done right and on-time, the first time.
All our work is backed by an industry-leading warranty, covering materials and labor, complete with yearly inspections.
