Resin flooring is a durable solution for decades of fortified, easy to clean surfaces. Each resin type carries a unique set of traits for protection and visual design. Resin floor professionals use these to optimize each layer of the system for its specific uses. When considering your options, prioritize real-world use cases, abrasion, chemical resistance and climate conditions to guide your choices.
Typically, a resin floor’s Polyurethane Resin Flooring surface is a hard, glossy finish that reflects light well and complements a streamlined aesthetic. This look is most commonly used in office spaces, retail environments and even homes, and is perfect for contemporary or Scandinavian schemes.
Because it’s more durable than concrete, a resin floor can withstand impact and abrasion. This is especially important for heavy use applications like warehouses or logistics areas. Resin floors also repel water and chemicals, so they’re not affected by moisture or other damaging materials that can ruin other floor types.
Resin floors aren’t suitable for every application though. The material can react to UV rays from the sun, which can cause the floor to fade over time. The surface may also crack over time, and this can make the substrate underneath vulnerable to damage. In these instances, a more traditional concrete flooring solution might be a better choice for your project.
While these potential drawbacks aren’t a deal-breaker for most commercial or industrial projects, they’re worth keeping in mind when choosing your project’s solution. To ensure your resin floors last, work with an experienced contractor to prepare the area and perform a thorough install. Prep work includes a deep clean, grinding the concrete substrate, removing any old paint or residues and testing for moisture. This is a small upfront cost that will prevent costly issues down the road.
The most popular and versatile resin type is epoxy. This resin offers chemical resistance, heavy durability and a variety of sub-types that carry unique perks. It is a bit more difficult to work with than PMMA, but it can be heated back up to liquid for quick repairs when needed.
Another great resin option is MMA, which is ideal for high heat use situations and can be cured with a sealant that protects it from caustic chemical byproducts. It can be a bit more challenging to work with than PMMA and epoxy, but it offers a wide range of benefits and is an excellent choice for dairy production or industrial ovens.
As the name suggests, slurry is applied as a thin liquid layer of mixed resin and fine sand. This material is troweled or broadcast for a uniform surface texture, and it’s often used to create text or other designs on the floor. Slurry is also a good option for adding traction to slippery surfaces. It’s important to choose the right slurry additive for your project, as this can have a significant impact on the final appearance and performance of your floor.