What Material is Right for Your Warehouse Floor Coatings?

As a painting and coatings professional for the past twenty four years, I have been approached many times concerning the proper floor coating for warehouse floors. Trade journals are loaded with advertisements for different coatings that all promise optimal performance under virtually any conditions, and every one claims to be the best bargain in the business.

The sales success of many coatings relies heavily on the fact that most warehouse managers are not coatings experts. Promises of terrific wear and outstanding appearance often prove sufficient to generate more than a few purchase orders, especially if the advertising also promises professional application and provides a performance warranty.

Without a clear idea of the precise requirements of an application, it is extremely easy to select the wrong coating for the job at hand.

The first step in selecting the right coating for a warehouse floor is to carefully determine what kinds of stresses the coating will be expected to tolerate. Consider the following:

The nature of the materials stored in the warehouse; corrosive liquids, solvents, reagent chemicals, and specialty chemicals often demand a floor finish that can withstand potential spills as well as the abuse dished out by the handling equipment typically used to maneuver containers that hold these kinds of materials.

The aesthetic expectations of the facility; a warehouse that is routinely part of corporate "dog and pony" shows must sparkle for every new visitor, and the floor finish must return to its initial luster upon regular cleaning. The coating must also be able to withstand the rigors of that frequent cleaning without chipping, undo wear, or discoloration.

Finally, the floor coating must retain its essential properties in the face of routine maintenance. Cleaning and scrubbing, power-sweeping, automated buffing, and similar procedures designed to keep the operation in top shape can damage the floor finish unless it is specifically formulated to endure such treatment. Using a different cleaning solution or floor polish can wreck an otherwise perfect finish.