Helpful Criteria For Choosing A Floor Coating

by Robert F. Read My Articles, Learn More... Something many customers unexpectedly encounter when they begin shopping for a high performance floor coating is the fact that they need more information than they anticipated before choosing the right product. There are many different coatings, which fulfill many different necessary criteria; these criteria are sometimes things that the customer doesn’t consider on a frequent basis. As a result, the number of choices (and long list of questions) they encounter can be overwhelming. By preparing ahead of time the list of criteria the chosen coating should fulfill, they can save themselves a considerable amount of time. Here’s a helpful guide:

1.    Regulatory Standards and Policies

•    USDA/NSF Requirements

In the United States, ensuring that the coating meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and/or NSF International standards for the type of structure it will be used in is of the utmost importance. Outside of the U.S., customers should check with their regional regulatory bodies. This applies especially in cases where the floor coating will be used in an area related to the preparation, storage, or serving of food and beverages.

•    EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has regulations in place (at both state and federal levels) in regards to floor coatings, the most important of which are related to VOC emissions from these coatings. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds.

2.    Type and Amount of Traffic

Safety issues, insurance issues, and liability considerations come into effect when considering floor coating types, and many of these aspects are related to the amount of traffic and the type of traffic the area will experience. Consider whether or not slip- or skid- resistance is a necessary feature of the coating to be applied. Also, if the floor will experience high impact or particularly heavy loads, this should be taken into consideration, as an additional layer of coating or cushioning substance may be required between the original floor and the finish.

3.    Frequency and Methods of Cleaning

Some floors must undergo more frequent or rigorous cleaning than others; some require the use of harsh compounds, either for sanitation or because of the types of materials must be cleaned up. Consider the routine cleaning which the floor must undergo, as well as what cleaning methods and policies are used for emergency clean-ups. Take into consideration not only the cleaning chemicals that are used, but the method of cleaning—if the floor will be exposed to, for example, extremely hot water, high pressure, steam or some combination of the three is used to clean the floor.

4.    Application Conditions

Some of these conditions, in some facilities, can be controlled to an extent; however, they should be taken into consideration. Ask about the minimum and maximum temperature limits for application of the high performance coatings being considered. Other issues include moisture and humidity; some high performance coatings are very tolerant of differing conditions, while other requires a very specific set of conditions during application. Finally, have an estimate of how much time the area can be put out of commission during application, drying and curing.

Perth residents may find local resources on the following website:

High Performance Coatings Perth

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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