View Full Version : Flooring
Anonymous
10-14-2002, 05:05 PM
Folks,
I'm considering a complete renovation of a mat. The current design has all the equipment at screwy angles which wastes lots of space. I'd like to put it in matrix form so i can get more equipment in there and also, since I'm paying rent by the square foot, i want to make best use of space.
Currently i've got those BC? vinyl tiles that you see everywhere. They work fine but need buffed wax to look nice. I'm torn between laziness and frugalness, and laziness is winning. I want no maintenance and I'm thinking about ceramic tile. I've been told that it would only need sealing every 5 years and it should last "forever".
Anyone have strong opinions on this ? I'm leaning toward ceramic tile (with smooth grouted surface so you can run a cart across it w/o feeling your going over speedbumps)
Fred50
10-14-2002, 05:11 PM
SuperDave,
If you plan to be there for a long time, go with porcelain tiles. They are more durable than ceramic. On true porcelain, even if they do chip the color is completely through and it won't show.
If you do go with tile do go with a very thin grout gap, it's easier to clean and as you say is smoother to run the carts over.
You might consider an industrial epoxy coating. I am not talking about the stuff you buy at Home Depot. It can be acquired at a number of places (Sherwin Williams). I would hire it out if you are not familiar with putting it down.
I am in some of the biggest automotive plants the midwest has to offer where epoxy floor coatings are used extensively. These coatings stand up to around the clock pummeling. They are constantly driven over by fork-lifts dragging and pushing pallets and come out shining. It has to be applied correctly to make it last. The preparation as with many things is most important.
These coatings are designed to reflect light and minimize the risk of someone slipping on them even when covered with oil.
I have epoxy in one of my mats and would recommend it to you. I have tile as well and like the epoxy better.
Fred50
10-14-2002, 09:42 PM
Andy,
No question in an industrial setting the epoxy coated concrete floors rule. However, I think that ceramic or porcelain looks much better in a retail setting. It all depends upon the look you are going for and your competitive environment.
Mark,
I have seen some pretty impressive looking designs in "presentation" areas. Multiple colors, logos, messaging, kids games on the floor (hop-skotch or what ever it's called) the sky is the limit. You could have permanent signage on the floor or you could go with the conservative gray if that suits you.
I am saying it's worth checking out.
anonymous
10-14-2002, 10:56 PM
SuperDave --
Have you checked out "Re-grade" flooring? One of the newest mats in my town has it, and it is pretty slip-proof, and as far as I know never needs to be sealed. Cushy on the feet, too. Price is somewhere in the ceramic tile range.
Drawback: It is predominantly black with flecks of your color choice in it. Although it hides the dirt like crazy, some customers might not find the overall color to be pleasing.
buddy
10-15-2002, 04:43 PM
The only thing about ceramic tiles is that with little water, it gets very slippery. Watchout for Slip and Fall Law Suits.
Anonymous
10-15-2002, 05:08 PM
Andy, Bubbles, Mark, Buddy
- Thanks for the insight, you brought up some good points that i hadn't thought about. I have seen the epoxy flooring at Home Depot (on their own floor) and it DOES shine. But the employees there told me that they have to re-coat it every year. That was definitely a turn off for me as laziness rules. I've seen the re-grade as well but cost being even, i'd have to say I like the ceramic best. I'm leaning towards a low slip (probably a light absorbing surface) ceramic tile with minimal grout distance.
Super,
The epoxy I am talking about will not have to be replaced every year, not all of these products are created equal, compared to paint it is expensive. Expect to pay $100 to $130 per gallon. This is NOT the epoxy that you can buy at Home Depot, it can only be purchased from places like Sherwin Williams or other industrial supplier. I would suggest if you are interested to contact an industrial floor coating outfit to put it down. I have seen several installations in plants that are now 5 years old and look great. I don't think it will last 30 years but I think you can reasonably expect to get 6 to 8 years out of it. That product sold at home depot will not hold up I agree.
pete f
10-15-2002, 05:56 PM
My last mat had that crappy BC? tile flooring. No matter how hard I tried, it just never looked clean. When I remodeled I put down 17" ceramic tile. It is smooth coated, but the tile is textured. Beware of light color no slip, you will never keep it clean. I bt mine at home depot about $1 a sq ft. Bt the tile saw and did the whole job myself. The color is a sort of light orange red color, I laid a off white tile on a triangle ever so often. Teh floor loks great, customers talk about it, and it is easy to keep clean. Even when it is a mess it still looks clean, and that was my objective.
I do not see epoxy around here, so have no input there.
My #1 mat has tile that has been in for about 20 years or more.
It is smooth, 8" dark red color. The place used to be a Mexican restraunt, that style. No matter how much stuff gets spilled, the tile always looks good. 8" has the speed bump effect though...
Anonymous
10-15-2002, 05:58 PM
Hi Andy,
I wasn't talking about the stuff they sold at Home Depot. I was talking about the stuff they USED on the floor at Home Depot. It looked GREAT, but the workers said they had just re-coated it last week and have to do it every year. I was wondering why they wouldn't put down the best stuff if it would last longer ?
And do you have to buff it to keep the shine ?
The only care these floors need is mopping.
One other option you might consider is, and I am not sure it's not the same thing Ms. Bubbles suggested-regrading. It is a thin pour of concrete and can be colored. I think quick-crete makes a product like this. This would probably never have to be replaced and if finished nicely would be smooth and non-slip.
David
10-15-2002, 07:12 PM
SuperDave,
I think painted floors sometimes have a clear polyurethene coating to help protect against wear. I'm sure this is what they mean by 'recoat'.
laundryBoy
10-15-2002, 07:46 PM
Make sure to pick an appropriate color. White looks great when it is clean and dry. In the winter (snow, slush), it is hard to keep looking nice during operation because a damp floor will show dark streaks from dirty shoes and cart wheels. There tends to be more mopping needed in the winter.
CharlieS
10-16-2002, 11:54 PM
I built a new mat 9 months ago. After much agonizing, I finally went with some VCT (that's short for vinyl composition tile) from Armstrong called "Safety Zone". The cost was about half the cost of a ceramic tile floor.
http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details.jsp?item_id=383
This tile has a textured surface, rather than the usual smooth VCT surface. Even when wet, it is not slippery. I chose a color called cobblestone peach.
http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details_toolbox_magnify.jsp?item_id=61258
This has an off white background with a multi-colored speckled finish. The result is that it hides dirt very well. My customer constantly remark on how nice and clean the laundromat is, even when I know the floor is dirty. You can spot mop during the day around customers without worrying about slips.
Like any floor, it needs daily cleaning. I decided to purchase an automatic floor scrubber, which does a great job. It takes about 15 minutes and cleans the floor wonderfully. My attendants love me for it, since mopping is far more strenuous and doesn't do as good a job as the scrubber. I have the Nobles autoscrubber 27.
I bought an extra box of the tile, so that when one needs replacement in the future, I can pull it up and glue down a replacement. However, properly installed on a good surface and well maintained, this tile will last 15 to 20 years. After 9 months, it still looks new.
I will be replacing 14 year old vct tile soon and am looking into anti-skid. Has the Armstrong Safety Zoneheld up well and is the cobblestone peach a color you would use again? It looks like it hides dirt well. Does the textured surface make buffing with the floor machine difficult and has the textured finish worn down?
CharlieS
12-14-2003, 05:23 PM
The safety zone tile is now two years old, and still looks great. The floor machine cleans it great, no problems. No, the textured finish seems as textured as when it was new. I have stripped it once, and may have to do it again. I would use the same color again. It hides dirt very well.
Charlie
detlaundry
12-15-2003, 01:51 PM
The epoxy used in the plants seems indestructible. I saw similar scenarios such as pallets of material drug across the floor without a single scratch. Prep is the most important. Some of the smaller, fly-by-night companies will try to low-ball you and skimp on prep. The thickness of the epoxy is less important because even a few millimeters will not wear. Best of all, tHe epoxy can be made to look like anything you want. Marble, tile, Terrazzo, dyed cement, etc.
Unfortunately, the floor was last and we went with VCT because of the cost. The floor looks great and holds up well, but you'd better not have too many leaks, floods, ect! Many of the glues are water-soluble!
Can the epoxy floor be put down over a vinyl floor without taking it up?
BWJR
Can the epoxy floor be put down over a vinyl floor without taking it up?
ABSOLUTELY NOT
A floor covering/coating is only as good as its' substrate.
Does the epoxy come in an anti skid finish? Also is it ok to install over a concrete floor that has some cracks in it?
Most epoxy floor coatings are engineered to attenuate the conditions that cause slippage. If you have areas (entrance, near that need special attention then simply broadcasting silica evenly across the epoxy before it cures will solve that problem.
All cracks need to be filled/sealed before applying the epoxy, the filler is supplied by the same distributors.
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