In commercial and industrial environments, bare concrete flooring is vulnerable to chemical attack, heavy impact, and abrasion from traffic and equipment. Cracks, discolouration, and other damage inevitably set in.
Beyond structural damage, exposed concrete also makes it impossible to maintain hygiene, safety, and other operational standards. It harbours bacteria, releases fine dust that contaminates your site, and the uneven texture can become a trip hazard.
Fortunately, there is a straightforward and highly effective solution: resin flooring.
Resin flooring is a seamless and non-porous coating — typically epoxy, polyurethane, or PU cement resin systems — applied over concrete to make it stronger, safer, and more hygienic. It also looks better and more professional than bare concrete flooring. At Ascoat, we’ve been installing resin flooring for years. Here are the most common questions we encounter about resin floors.
Why Install Resin Flooring?
Resin flooring addresses most issues associated with bare concrete. It can:
- Withstand heavy equipment use and traffic without degradation or abrasion that releases particulates into the air.
- Prevent moisture intrusion to protect the underlying concrete from damage and maintain hygiene standards.
- Improve hygiene by eliminating seams and joints, as there are no places for dirt and bacteria to accumulate.
- Resist a wide range of industrial chemicals — including solvents, acids, oils, and alkalis — depending on the resin system specified. The right system can also withstand extreme temperatures and thermal shock.
- Be customised with a wide range of colours, effects, and decorative styles.
Where Can I Install Resin Flooring?
Resin flooring is suitable for any location where you need:
- Aesthetics. A high-gloss epoxy floor creates a more professional look in a warehouse, business premises, or showroom.
- Safety for workers, materials, and equipment.
- Strict hygiene standards, such as in biotech labs food and beverage facilities, and pharmaceutical environments.
- Resistance to chemicals and fluctuating temperatures.
- Ease of cleaning.
How is Resin Flooring Installed?
Resin flooring installation begins with surface preparation. This roughens the concrete substrate to create a mechanical key — a textured profile that the resin grips and bonds to. Proper preparation is what allows the finished resin coating to cure into a smooth, even, hard-wearing surface, and it’s the single biggest factor in the floor’s longevity.
At Ascoat, we use mechanical preparation methods such as shot blasting or diamond grinding. We also inspect the concrete floor for cracks and patch them.
After surface prep, we apply the resin coating in layers. Most resin floor systems include at least a primer, a body coat, and a sealer or topcoat, though some systems also incorporate intermediate broadcast layers for slip resistance or additional build. The thickness of each layer depends on the facility’s operational needs.
On a factory floor, the layers might be thicker to handle heavy machinery. An electronics assembly cleanroom may require an ESD (electrostatic dissipative) resin floor, while an industrial kitchen requires a non-slip finish that stays safe even when wet.
How Easy is it to Maintain Resin Flooring?
A resin floor installed by professionals is highly resilient and can last for years without cracking. It only needs to be cleaned regularly, which is easy thanks to the lack of seams or grout lines.
It’s also important to use the right cleaning products to avoid damaging the floor finish. Some resin floors can only handle mild detergents, but for environments such as food processing plants and healthcare facilities, we can install a polyurethane or PU cement system designed to withstand frequent washdowns with caustic cleaners, disinfectants, bleach, and other harsh chemicals.
How Long Does Resin Flooring Last?
The lifespan of resin flooring varies widely depending on installation, thickness, resin type, and maintenance. Generally, resin floors last between 5 and 25 years.
The primary factor determining the durability of a resin floor is the installation process. If the contractor doesn’t get the initial surface preparation right or applies the layers too thinly, the coating will deteriorate quickly.
At Ascoat, the first step is to understand your site’s operational needs. What types of loads will the floor need to support? Which chemicals will it be exposed to? Will there be extreme temperatures, such as from freezers or hot washdowns?
We then design a floor system that meets your needs and lasts for years. Everything, from preparing the concrete surface to applying the topcoat, is done with meticulous precision.
Get Your Resin Flooring Installation Done Right
At Ascoat, we have decades of experience installing resin floors for a wide range of applications and environments. Whichever industry you’re in, we can install a resin floor that meets your operational needs and lasts for years.
Contact us today on (03) 9587 7433 or enquire online to discuss your project and get a tailored quote.
