Industrial Coatings for Flooring

Durable Industrial Floor Coatings for UK Businesses

Rust-Oleum 7100 Industrial Floor Paint – Industrial Coatings Ltd

Industrial floors are subjected to constant wear. Forklifts, vehicles, machinery, foot traffic, chemicals, spills and regular cleaning can all place significant demands on concrete and other flooring surfaces.

The right industrial floor coating can help protect the underlying substrate, improve durability and provide a surface that is easier to maintain.

New Guard Coatings provides industrial floor coating solutions for manufacturing facilities, warehouses, workshops, engineering environments, commercial buildings and other demanding applications across the UK.

The correct coating system depends on the existing floor, level of traffic, environmental conditions and performance requirements.

What Are Industrial Floor Coatings?

Industrial floor coatings are protective coating systems designed for use on suitable floors and substrates in commercial and industrial environments.

They can provide a range of performance characteristics depending on the selected product and system, including:

Abrasion resistance
Chemical resistance
Durability
Slip resistance
Ease of cleaning
Moisture resistance
Protection against general wear
Improved appearance

Industrial floor coatings can be used in areas ranging from manufacturing facilities and warehouses to workshops, plant rooms and commercial premises.

Explore Industrial Floor Coatings →

Why Coat an Industrial Floor?

Unprotected concrete can be vulnerable to dusting, staining, abrasion, chemical contamination and general deterioration.

A suitable coating system can provide a protective layer over the prepared substrate while creating a more practical surface for industrial environments.

Benefits can include:

Protection of the underlying floor
Improved resistance to wear
Easier cleaning and maintenance
Reduced surface dusting
Improved appearance
Increased resistance to selected chemicals
A more durable working surface

The specific benefits will depend on the coating product and system selected.

Industrial Floor Coatings for Different Applications

Different industrial environments place different demands on flooring.

Manufacturing Facilities

Manufacturing floors can be exposed to machinery, vehicles, chemicals, oils, heavy traffic and regular cleaning.

The coating system should be selected according to the specific conditions within the facility.

Explore Industrial Coatings for Manufacturing →

Warehouses

Warehouse floors can experience continuous forklift and pallet truck traffic, impact, abrasion and regular movement of goods.

Durability and ease of maintenance are important considerations when selecting a warehouse floor coating.

Explore Industrial Coatings for Warehouses →

Workshops

Workshops may experience oil, grease, chemicals, tools, machinery and heavy foot traffic.

The appropriate coating should be selected according to the contaminants and mechanical demands expected on the floor.

Engineering Facilities

Engineering environments can place significant mechanical and chemical demands on flooring.

A suitable industrial floor coating can help protect the underlying substrate and provide a more durable working surface.

Explore Industrial Coatings for Engineering →

Types of Industrial Floor Coatings

Different coating technologies can be used for industrial flooring depending on the application.

Epoxy Floor Coatings

Epoxy coatings are widely used for industrial and commercial flooring applications where a durable, hard-wearing surface is required.

The appropriate epoxy system depends on the substrate, environment and required performance.

Heavy-Duty Floor Coatings

Heavy-duty systems can be considered for areas experiencing significant traffic, abrasion or mechanical wear.

The coating should be selected according to the expected loads and operating conditions.

Concrete Floor Coatings

Concrete is a common substrate for industrial flooring.

A suitable coating can provide protection against general wear and help create a more practical and maintainable surface.

Non-Slip Floor Coatings

Where slip resistance is a requirement, a suitable non-slip coating or aggregate system may be considered.

The required level of slip resistance will depend on the application and operating environment.

Explore Non-Slip Coatings →

Chemical Resistant Floor Coatings

Some industrial environments expose floors to chemicals, oils, fuels or cleaning products.

Where chemical exposure is expected, the coating should be selected according to the specific substances and conditions involved.

Not every industrial floor coating provides the same level of chemical resistance.

Before specifying a system, consider:

Type of chemical
Concentration
Exposure frequency
Contact duration
Temperature
Cleaning requirements

Always check the manufacturer's technical documentation for confirmed chemical resistance.

Explore Chemical Resistant Coatings →

Abrasion Resistant Industrial Flooring

Forklifts, pallet trucks, vehicles, machinery and heavy foot traffic can subject industrial floors to repeated abrasion.

Where high levels of mechanical wear are expected, coating selection should take abrasion resistance and the overall coating system into account.

The expected traffic and operating conditions should be considered before selecting the product.

Surface Preparation for Industrial Floors

Surface preparation is one of the most important stages of any industrial floor coating project.

The substrate should be assessed before coating for:

Dust
Dirt
Oil and grease
Existing coatings
Moisture
Cracks
Weak or friable areas
Surface contamination
Damage

Depending on the condition of the floor, mechanical preparation may be required.

Potential preparation methods can include:

Grinding
Shot blasting
Mechanical abrasion
Cleaning
Degreasing

The appropriate method will depend on the existing substrate and selected coating system.

A coating should not simply be applied over a contaminated, weak or unsuitable surface.

Read our Surface Preparation Guide →

Moisture & Concrete Floors

Moisture is an important consideration when coating concrete.

Before application, the substrate should meet the moisture and environmental requirements specified for the selected product.

Factors to consider include:

Moisture within the concrete
Surface temperature
Ambient temperature
Humidity
Condensation
Ventilation

Always check the relevant technical data sheet before applying a floor coating.

Choosing the Right Industrial Floor Coating

There is no single floor coating suitable for every industrial environment.

Consider the following before selecting a system.

1. What is the substrate?

Determine whether the existing floor is concrete or another suitable substrate.

2. How much traffic will the floor receive?

Consider:

Pedestrian traffic
Forklifts
Pallet trucks
Vehicles
Machinery
Heavy equipment

3. What chemicals will the floor encounter?

Identify any oils, fuels, cleaning chemicals or other substances that may come into contact with the coating.

4. Is slip resistance required?

Areas exposed to water, oils or other contaminants may require additional consideration of slip resistance.

5. What preparation is required?

The existing floor condition will determine the preparation required before coating.

6. What finish is required?

Consider colour, appearance, gloss level and the intended use of the space.

7. What maintenance will be required?

Consider cleaning requirements, expected wear and future recoating.

Industrial Floor Coating Systems

A floor coating project may require more than one product.

Depending on the system, the process may involve:

Surface Preparation → Primer → Base/Intermediate Coat → Finish Coat

The exact system will depend on the substrate, product specification and expected operating conditions.

Where a primer is required, it should be compatible with the subsequent coating layers.

Always follow the manufacturer's technical documentation for:

Mixing
Preparation
Application
Film thickness
Drying
Recoating
Curing

FeRFA & Industrial Flooring

FeRFA provides classification guidance for resin flooring systems and is an important reference when considering industrial flooring specifications.

The appropriate classification and coating system should be determined according to the intended use and conditions of the floor.

Where a project requires a specific FeRFA classification or specification, the applicable system and technical documentation should be confirmed before work begins.

Explore FeRFA Floor Coating Classification →

Applying Industrial Floor Coatings

Application requirements vary between products.

Depending on the coating, application may be carried out using:

Roller
Brush
Squeegee
Spray
Other specified application methods

Before application, always check the product's technical data for the recommended application method and environmental conditions.

Film thickness can also affect the final performance of the system, so the manufacturer's specified application rates should be followed.

Drying & Curing

Drying and curing times vary between products and environmental conditions.

Factors can include:

Temperature
Humidity
Ventilation
Film thickness
Substrate temperature

A coating being dry to touch does not necessarily mean that it has reached its final cured condition.

Always follow the manufacturer's specified drying, curing and return-to-service requirements.

Common Industrial Flooring Problems

Peeling or flaking

Often associated with inadequate preparation, contamination, moisture or coating incompatibility.

Blistering

Can be associated with moisture, contamination or unsuitable application conditions.

Poor adhesion

May result from an unsuitable substrate, inadequate preparation or incompatible coating.

Excessive wear

Can occur where a coating system is not suitable for the level of traffic or mechanical exposure.

Cracking

May be related to substrate movement, existing defects or coating-system limitations.

Identifying the cause of a flooring problem is important before simply applying another coating.

Maintaining Industrial Coated Floors

Regular inspection and maintenance can help identify deterioration before it becomes more extensive.

Monitor the floor for:

Wear
Scratches
Cracking
Peeling
Chemical damage
Loss of slip resistance
Areas of exposed substrate
Other coating deterioration

Cleaning requirements should be compatible with the selected coating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best industrial floor coating?

There is no single best coating for every industrial floor. The correct system depends on traffic, substrate, chemical exposure, abrasion, moisture, slip requirements and other site conditions.

What is the best coating for a concrete factory floor?

The correct coating depends on the condition of the concrete and the demands placed on the floor. Industrial epoxy and other protective floor coating systems can be suitable for different applications.

Can you coat an existing concrete floor?

Potentially, provided the substrate is sound, clean, suitably prepared and compatible with the proposed coating system.

How should concrete be prepared before coating?

Concrete may require cleaning and mechanical preparation to remove contaminants, existing coatings, weak surface material and other unsuitable substances.

Does an industrial floor coating need a primer?

Some systems require a primer while others may be designed for direct application to a suitably prepared substrate. Always follow the manufacturer's technical recommendations.

How long does an industrial floor coating last?

Service life depends on the coating system, substrate, traffic, chemical exposure, preparation, application and maintenance. There is no universal lifespan that applies to every industrial floor.

Can industrial floor coatings be non-slip?

Yes, suitable non-slip coating systems or aggregate finishes can be specified where slip resistance is required.

Are industrial floor coatings chemical resistant?

Some products provide chemical resistance, but the level of resistance varies. The coating should be selected according to the specific chemicals and exposure conditions involved.

How long before an industrial floor can be used?

Return-to-service times vary between products and environmental conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's technical data for curing and service requirements.

Find the Right Industrial Floor Coating

The performance of an industrial floor coating starts with selecting the correct system and preparing the substrate properly.

Whether you are coating a factory, warehouse, workshop, engineering facility or commercial building, consider the traffic, substrate, environmental exposure and performance requirements before choosing a product.

New Guard Coatings provides industrial floor coating solutions and technical information for businesses across the UK.