9 Tips for Commercial Floor Coating Application
When entering a commercial building, workers and customers expect to walk upon sturdy, safe, and clean floors. Regular floor maintenance is meant to keep said floors in tip-top shape. However, even the best-kept floors will wear down, at which point new floor coatings must be applied. Plenty of preparation and technique goes into a successful coating job. With that in mind, here are 9 tips for floor coating application for commercial buildings.
How to Coat Commercial Floors
1. Schedule Strategically
Aside from the project’s scope, the major difference between residential and commercial floor coating jobs is scheduling. When a homeowner needs a new garage floor coating, they can simply steer clear of that area for a few days. Businesses, on the other hand, must coordinate several people in order to ensure the proper application of commercial floor paint with minimal operational interference. For this reason, many businesses will purposefully hire floor contractors to work during temporary shut-downs and/or slowed operations (i.e. holidays, weekends). Otherwise, certain areas of the building must be closed off at given intervals. The more thought you put into this planning, the smoother the job will go, and the better the results you’ll receive.
2. Clear and Inspect the Areas in Question
Once you’ve determined when, where, and how your floors will get coated, you must remove all equipment, furniture, and items from the areas in question so they don’t get in the way. Once the floors are wide open, experts should inspect them for things like water damage, mold, pitting, etc. If the signs are blatant and severe, the root problem must be resolved before the floors can be further prepared for coating.
3. Choose Your Coating
There are many floor coating options available for commercial buildings. Polyurea concrete floor coatings remain a popular option, and it’s worth noting that these coatings are multi-layered. They have a primer and basecoat of industrial epoxy floor paint. The polyurea coating is a flexible material that keeps moisture and chemicals away from the floor and helps prevent cracking. Aside from polyurea, you might opt for urethane cement coatings. At Anderson Painting, our specialists install Penntek polyurea floor coatings for their durability, versatility, longevity, and aesthetic appeal. Ultimately, your decision will be based on your budget, visual preferences, and specific flooring needs.
4. Thoroughly Clean Your Floors
No matter which type of coating you go with, they cannot be applied if your floors are filthy. The coatings will not properly adhere to and bond with your floors unless they’re sparkling clean. Cleaning can be done via power washing and/or manual scrubbing.
5. Make Necessary Repairs
Not only must your floors be clean to be properly coated -- they must also be in good shape. Cracks, pits, and contraction joints must be filled and smoothed over. Avoid using latex repair products when filling in your floor’s flaws, as these are soft and coatings don’t adhere well to them.
6. Ensure the Proper Environment
As with any painting process, factors like temperature and humidity can affect outcomes. So, it’s important to work in the proper environmental conditions. For proper polyurea floor coating application, make sure temperatures fall between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and avoid the application if humidity levels are 85% and above.
7. Apply Evenly and Quickly
Floor coatings can be finicky -- you often have a limited window of time to complete a coat after pouring it onto the floor. This is why such projects are best left to the professionals who know how to properly mix the coating, pour it, roll it out, and how many coats to apply.
8. Count the Coats
More than one coat is often necessary for coating commercial floors. When it comes to applying Penntek polyurea floors, for instance, we apply a base coat, layer of flakes for texture and flair, and a top coat for added gloss and protection.
9. Let it Dry
Each coat must be left alone for a given window of time before moving on to the next one. Likewise, the finished results must be completely cured and dried before anyone can set foot on the newly finished floors. It takes even longer for the floors to put up with vehicles and heavy machinery. While these times vary, 18-24 hours are typically required before people can safely tread upon the floors, another 24 hours should pass before objects can be placed on them, and another day or two should go by before vehicles are allowed. Failing to give your coatings the necessary cure times can result in major issues in the short- and long-term.
As you can see, proper floor coating application is no simple endeavor. Still, it’s an important investment for your commercial space. If the time has come to repair and refresh your floors, Anderson Painting is here to help. To learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
