Whether your warehouse floor is a storage facility, a distribution center or an industrial space, having a good floor is critical to the smooth running of your operations. Choosing a durable and appealing flooring will also help you reduce maintenance costs and increase the safety of your employees and vehicles.
When it comes to a good floor for warehouses, concrete floors are one of the most popular options. They are abrasion-resistant and extremely durable. They can withstand heavy loads without damage, which is important in commercial spaces that see high levels of traffic. They are also cost-effective and easy to maintain.
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In addition to static loads from racking units, warehouses are also subject to dynamic loading caused by handling equipment. This can be a single machine or multiple machines that produce point loads along very narrow aisles. The resulting impact on the floor can be significant, particularly if the equipment is traveling on a grated surface.
Warehouse floors need to be tough and durable in order to withstand these types of impacts. A concrete floor that is properly treated and coated with an epoxy will be able to withstand this type of abuse. This will improve the efficiency and longevity of your concrete floor, which is a significant investment.
Traditionally, warehouse concrete has been coated with coatings such as epoxy. However, these coatings have been known to peel and flake over time. This bare concrete then becomes dusty, which can wreak havoc on the wheels and suspensions of forklifts and is an overall maintenance disaster. In many cases, polishing concrete is more affordable than re-coating your concrete floor and can last just as long or longer.