Raider Painting

Prevent Water Entry at All Cost

2010-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

The lesser the amount of unwanted water coming into the building, the better for its structural integrity and longevity. But thanks to natural forces like gravity, wind pressure, capillary action, and the like, it can be difficult to prevent water from coming into the building. Foul weather can bring in huge quantities of rain water to the facility. So does ground water seepage.

Exterior commercial waterproofing prevents water intrusion from climate changes and other external elements. The techniques used to create an exterior commercial waterproofing system can be varied. Some of these techniques are listed below:

1. Roof overhangs to keep the rain off building entry ways
2. Drip edges to halt water entry
3. Flashings to redirect water outward the building
4. Roof gutters, and
5. Drainage planes.

Another concern in exterior commercial waterproofing is water entering in the form of vapor. Condensed moisture can leak through cracks in the barrier system. If these cracks are not properly sealed, the air current carries water vapor throughout every available space and stay there. The use of air flow retarders as part of the exterior commercial waterproofing system is essential.

A drainage plane is of particular importance in exterior commercial waterproofing. Together with exterior wall cladding, a drainage plane prevents water entry by creating a vented space that channels water outward. The drainage plane must be continuous even in intersections in roofs, walls, doors or windows, to prevent water from entering on cracks along the intersections.

Drainage Planes for Moisture Protection

2010-07-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

What happens when moisture penetrates the exterior walls of a commercial building? There are times when water can still go through the weather-resistant protection system of the building. When this happens, it penetrates deep and will not dry easily. The condition keeps the walls wet and vulnerable to rotting, rust and growth of microorganisms. The wall itself is structurally compromised.

Moisture entrapment poses foundation problems, health threats and decreases the building's performance and durability. Exterior commercial waterproofing systems should include drainage plane systems to lessen the risk of water entrapment.

Water from rain or foul weather often enters the building through a high point in the exterior wall. A rainscreen drainage plane makes a drainage path for moisture to flow through, from the high point down to an exit point in the lower area of the wall. This solves the problem of slow-drying inner walls due to water absorption.

Aside from funneling huge quantities of rainwater, drainage planes are essential components of the exterior commercial waterproofing system because they also channel vapor downwards and out of the building. Moisture condensation is as difficult to manage as the liquid form of water, because they can seep through any available free space in the building and stay there. Drainage planes vent them out quickly, leaving no time for their dispersion to other areas of the building.

In an exterior commercial waterproofing barrier system, claddings act as drainage planes to protect against water intrusion. Often, drainage planes are installed to create pressure-filled space in cavity walls that prevent outside pressure from driving moisture in.

Roof Overhangs for Exterior Waterproofing

2010-07-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

There are a several benefits to the proper installation of roof overhangs in commercial buildings. The first is providing an appropriate shield from the hot sun that can bring unwanted hot temperatures to the building interior. The other is protecting the building from moisture damage whenever sudden gusts of rain and wind carry water inside the building.

Although exterior commercial waterproofing contractors often focus on sealing the walls and building foundations from moisture entry, roof overhangs are also one of the things in their checklist when implementing an effective exterior commercial waterproofing system.

Roof overhangs are extensions to the roof system. They appear as extra architectural features over entryways and windows. They not only enhance a building's look, they also provide shelter and protection for building occupants caught outside in sudden gusts of rain. On top of these, roof overhangs also control water runoff and prevent rain and snow from coming directly through these entry points.

When doors, thresholds and windows are protected by an overhang, they are less likely to sustain water damages that can cause rots and decay, assuring their long-term durability. The appropriate sizing of overhangs can effectively provide exterior commercial waterproofing to walls and foundations. The larger the overhang the better for building protection. Storied buildings require larger overhangs to protect windows and doors at all building levels.

Waterproofing Commercial Buildings through Air Sealing

2010-07-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Water penetration can compromise the longevity of the building if exterior commercial waterproofing is not properly installed. Weather changes that bring rain, wind, or snow can funnel enough moisture to undermine the building's structure and compromise the indoor environment through time. Exterior walls that are moisture-logged can grow molds and rot the inner foundations, with detrimental effects.

It takes an effective exterior commercial waterproofing system utilizing air sealing barriers as one of its component to prevent the negative effects of water intrusion. Energy consumption is lower with proper air sealing, because it prevents water vapor from entering the building and lowering indoor temperatures.

Air sealing should encompass all exterior areas of the building. Exterior walls are sealed at their bottom plates using a caulk or gasket, with caulk sealing also done to inner corners of the walls. Joists, subfloors and door thresholds are also sealed with caulk, gasket or spray foam.

The rough openings in the exterior of doors and windows can also be air-sealed using backer rods or latex-based spray foams. Air sealing is also done for the electrical and plumbing components of the building. Caulking or spray foaming should seal wires, boxes, sheathings. When doing waterproofing system maintenance, any of these fixtures should have to be fixed first, before air sealing can be done.

Any other entry points where water vapor can possibly come in, such as lighting fixtures, cable wire holes, and the like, should also be sealed. Together with a good drainage plane, an effective vapor retarder and insulation system, the whole building can have an excellent air barrier setup for effective waterproofing.

Waterproofing Applications for Commercial Buildings

2010-07-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Water can come in at any available entry point in a commercial building. The most common entry point is from ground water seepage invading low areas in the building, such as the basement or any room below ground level. When moisture enters these areas, it is almost often hard to remove. These areas remain damp for long periods of time unless waterproofing is installed.

Waterproofing low-lying areas of commercial buildings require skilled and experienced contractors who specialize in basement waterproofing. They design the best waterproofing system suitable to the needs of the particular basement or area. Underground waterproofing often involves the application of barrier systems inside the basement walls and floors. The waterproofing membrane is literally applied to the inner chambers, lining the basement with an effective water-tight seal. The alternative is draining the basement cavity first to keep it dry.

For the rest of the commercial building, structural waterproofing systems are installed. The membranes used are commonly multi-coat systems, or concrete-based coatings, epoxy and bituminous formulations. Water cannot penetrate these types of barriers. To make the area "breathe", drainage systems complete the commercial building's waterproofing system. The drains are pre-formed channels or sumps installed strategically in walls and floors within the membrane. The goal of these channels is to direct water out of the building in the event it does come in.

When is the Time to Waterproof a Commercial Building?

2010-07-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

When is it time for building managers to waterproof their commercial buildings? Below are the most appropriate instances when it is really time to call in commercial building waterproofing contractors:

1. At construction time.

Building planners incorporate the waterproofing system in the overall design of the building. Extensive waterproofing systems are installed when the facility is being built. This offers the advantage of ensuring a higher degree of moisture protection, because the barrier system is built into the building from the start, and drains or outlets are made a part of the original construction.

2. During building retrofit.

Commercial building waterproofing can also be done soon after the building is built. Certain problems may come up after construction, and as part of the retrofit, the system can be installed.

3. During building maintenance.

Preventive maintenance conducted regularly ensures the continuing good condition and performance of the commercial building. The facility and its equipments undergo tune-ups and re-servicing to keep them operational. This goes for commercial building waterproofing systems. Any corrective action is done during scheduled maintenance.

4. When building is renovated.

Building renovations to add a new wing, change the layout or introduce a new building feature affects the already-installed waterproofing system. The system may have to be dismantled to accommodate the alterations and should be re-installed with the changes.

5. As needed.

When critical damages occur, such as in the event of flood, fire or major disasters, the waterproofing system has to be repaired as soon as possible.

Waterproofing Systems for Water-Free Commercial Buildings

2010-07-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Commercial buildings need to be free of unwanted water intrusion at all times. Business processes are potentially affected by any failure in commercial building waterproofing systems. Commercial building waterproofing contractors specialize in installing waterproofing systems and providing the needed maintenance and repair when the need arise. A waterproofing system works in the following ways:

1. It keeps the water out. Any possible ways that water can enter the building is sealed from the ground up -- roofs, walls, decks, basements, and the like.

2. It keeps the facility dry. Commercial building waterproofing systems work to make the interior "breathe". This means that when water finally gets into the building, the waterproofing system should be able to channel it out. The use of drains and ventilation is part of this system.

3. It maintains air quality. Moisture-caused bacterial growth can fill building interiors and pose a threat to the very air that building occupants breathe. The waterproofing system prevents water to sit for long and allow micro-organisms to flourish.

4. It regulates interior temperature. Water in the inner sanctum of the building can cause temperature and humidity changes. HVAC systems have to work more to compensate, to greater costs. Waterproofing systems avoid this from happening.

5. It preserves structural integrity. Rotting building materials and weakened foundations are avoided with the proper waterproofing system, making the building safe from structural damage.

Signs of Water Damage in a Commercial Building

2010-07-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Building owners are concerned with water damages caused by waterproofing system failure, for several reasons. The first is the structural damage brought by continuous water seepage. The physical deterioration can be costly to capital investments made on the building.

Another reason is the non-compliance with building codes, specifically the commercial building waterproofing standards. Facility managers make it an absolute must to comply with the guidelines and measures defined by the building codes. That is why they constantly conduct routine checks and inspections of their facility structures to see if the waterproofing system is in good condition.

Contractors can accurately detect waterproofing system failures through detailed evaluations. But facility managers can tell early on if a waterproofing problem is already in progress, with these few tell-tale and visible signs:

1. Wet basement walls and floors. This indicates a continuous water seepage, either from above ground or from the ground water. Basements are supposed to be dry most of the time.

2. Growth of molds and fungi. Clumps of bacterial or microbial culture in areas of the building indicate a water source that feeds this colonies.

3. Rot. Wooden or concrete materials in the building are decaying, indicating that the location is moist and altering the temperature and humidity, causing rot.

4. Pooled water. Any amount of water that comes in from sudden rain or flood should disappear in a matter of time. When water remains inside, this indicates a failure in commercial building waterproofing.

Developing Green Corrosion Inhibitors

2010-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Researches geared towards the development of green corrosion resistant coatings and inhibitors are underway in many manufacturers' laboratories everywhere. The objectives for design are all calibrated to comply with current environment regulations and standards:

1. Anti-corrosive anodic properties
2. Reduced metal elements
3. Versatility of use in any substrate and conditions
4. Ease of storage, handling, mixing, application and disposal
5. Excellent corrosion resistance and general performance
6. Reasonable pricing, in comparison to existing zinc-based formulations

The wish-list above may be best in the environmental safety point of view, but it is a challenge to designers who find limitations in the finished products adhering to the design objectives. Excellent performance often comes with a high price, as much as good corrosion resistance typically comes from using toxic products in the mix. But although the development goals maybe challenging, they are not altogether impossible to achieve.

In experimental product designs, manufacturers tinker with the chemistry and physical properties of corrosion resistant coatings and inhibitors to come up with the optimal product that achieves the development goals. Alternative materials are sourced and modified when necessary. The coating systems are then applied on a variety of substrates. They undergo a series of accelerated corrosion tests from salt spraying, humidity testing, to cyclic prohesion testing. Structural analysis and component analysis is then conducted to determine the most effective application.

Some experimental prototypes maybe found promising, and will move on to further tests and formulation to verify results. This process is repeated for many designs, until the prototype that fits best the environmental requirements has been developed.

Challenges in Greening Corrosion Inhibitors

2010-07-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Manufacturers of corrosion resistant coatings and inhibitors find it difficult to replace their current formulations with green alternatives. Nevertheless, they are urged to meet the demands for environmentally-friendly products. The dilemma for suppliers is how to come up with green inhibitors that perform as well or even better than their toxic counterparts.

Conventional corrosion resistant coatings, particularly inhibitors, used to contain lead and chrome materials. When these heavy metals were removed from the formulation to reduce toxic contents, zinc phosphates were the most widely-used replacement. Although zinc-based inhibitors proved to perform well in many applications, it cannot totally replace chromate in water-based surface applications and fared poorly when exposed to salt-water. Nevertheless, zinc-based inhibitors are easy to use and handle. They are also cheap and good for a wide range of protective coating applications. Zinc-based inhibitors became very popular replacements for chrome-based inhibitors.

The challenge now for suppliers is how to develop zinc-free corrosion resistant coatings and inhibitors, because zinc phosphate is no longer allowed by newer and more stringent green labels and environmental standards. Compounding the challenge is the result of corrosion performance tests that showed that newly-developed non-zinc inhibitors are more inferior compared to zinc-based formulations.

There is a lot of work ahead for corrosion inhibitors manufacturers. To truly meet environmental requirements and get that coveted green label for their coatings, they must develop zinc-free inhibitors that maintain and even exceed the cost benefits, performance, and versatility of current products.

Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors

2010-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Increasing awareness of environmental concerns and issues has opened the doors for manufacturers to create a steady supply of green products. In the building industry, natural and zero-toxic materials and paints are being sourced and formulated as a green alternative to conventional yet environment-harming paints. Builders now have the option to use corrosion resistant coatings or inhibitors that are compliant with LEED environmental standards in areas of environment safety and sustainability.

What consist eco-friendly corrosion resistant coatings and corrosion inhibitors? They are often 100%-solid systems. High-solids that are packaged in powder form. The VOC has been reduced or eliminated in their formulation. Furthermore, heavy metals like zinc have all but disappeared in the content.

To prevent any more toxins from being released to the environment during application, manufacturers removed the chromate in corrosion inhibitors, although chromate is an effective component. Non-toxic inhibitors deliver the same performance as chrome-based inhibitors and can be used for specific substrates. However, unlike chrome, they are not yet as flexible to apply in many types of surfaces. Manufacturers are seeking a way to make them more versatile and wide-ranging in application.

The application of green paints has made for more energy-efficient buildings and offices. As facilities become greener and greener, the demand for green paint increases. With a confusing range of green choices, builders rely on green labels in product selection. The green label guarantees that the product is certified for eco-friendliness and recyclability, and that its life cycle followed an environment-friendly process of raw material acquisition, processing, distribution, use and disposal.

Cleaner Paints for Greener Buildings

2010-07-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Man's treatment of the environment has created a huge effect in the world, compromising our current existence and even our future. Chemical toxins are on the very air we breathe. The foods we eat are a product of insecticides and fertilizers. Nearly every manufacturing and industrial plant spews hazardous waste and gasses, contaminating our air, water, and the ground we walk on.

The construction industry is as guilty as the rest. Materials used in construction are often harmful to the environment. Paint manufacturers used to synthesize top coats, primers, sealers, corrosion resistant coatings, and nearly all types of conventional coatings from harmful chemicals. Paints are often formulated with lead and mercury metals. Worse, paints and varnishes are formulated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as phenols, formaldehydes and xylene used as solvents. These VOC solvents are released to the environment during the paint's drying process.

With more stringent VOC requirements being imposed by environment-friendly regulating bodies, the coatings industry is compelled to reformulate their range of corrosion resistant coatings to fulfill the requirements. The difficulty in compliance comes from the following:

Reformulating corrosion resistant paints and other products to remove VOCs.
Reduce operational costs accrued from paint reformulation and manufacture.
Maintaining the same performance in low-VOC paints offered by conventional paints.

Large amount of time and manpower are dedicated to changing the current paint formulations. Some major manufacturers spend as much as 40% of their resources to reformulating green paints.

The result? The gradual disappearance of many heavy metals such as lead or hexavalent chromium in paints, resulting to lowered VOCs emission. Anti-corrosive pigments in corrosion inhibitors are also being reformulated to get rid of toxic and carcinogenic materials. The effort maybe huge but it is all worth it.

Answer to Scott J's joint filler question

2010-07-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

If you are creating a decorative floor, or want to keep dirt or insects out of joints, as you would in a food processing facility, then yes, I would highly recommend filling joints with a flexible caulking or joint filler.

As for tilt-up walls, it is part of the construction to have a backing rod and flexible joint filler between the slabs.

I hope this helps.

Floor Make-Over with Concrete Coatings

2010-07-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

When facility floors need a make-over, industrial concrete floor coatings can transform these floors back to their former beauty. Facility floors are dirtied, muddied, chipped, pitted, smeared, scarred, abraded, and generally abused in the course of time. The operational demands of industrial facilities can be brutal to floors. Storage and warehouse facility decks, aviation hangars, garage floors, manufacturing areas, and even commercial shopping centers exact a high price on their flooring systems.

For floor beautification projects, industrial concrete floor coatings options are not hard to find in the market. Here are some of these options:

1. Clear epoxy gloss. Glossy coatings are the standard choice to enhance the look of facility floors. The colorless industrial concrete floor coating can instantly hide tiny imperfections.

2. Shark-grip satin coats. Grips can be added to the mix of industrial concrete floor coating to lend a rough texture. The top coat will have a satin sheen that hides minor damages. The surface is easy to clean and has a skid-resistant property because of the grips.

3. Colored chips. Tiny multi-hued chips can be applied on a still-wet top coat of industrial concrete floor coatings. Measured amounts of chips are thrown and bounced off walls and ceilings at a certain distance from each batch, or applied from a pail with holes in the bottom, to achieve the desired look and chip density.

In refurbishing the floor system, surface cleaning is required to remove dirt on the upper layers. But the old finish may have to be fully stripped down when it is already in an advanced state of deterioration.

Concrete Coatings for Floor Repair

2010-07-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Many floor applications decay through erosion and the constant wear and tear. In warehouses, storage areas, and manufacturing floors, in particular, eroded surfaces may show cracks and holes. In other cases, the damage could manifest in the lessening of resistant properties in the industrial concrete floor coatings.

When this happens, the facility is faced with several unpleasant consequences of damaged floors, such as:

1. Unlevel and low-resistant surfaces that can pose safety threats or accidents to passersby and floor occupants.

2. Unsightly floors that look dirty despite frequent cleanups.

3. Encourage the growth of harmful microorganisms that can lodge on floor cracks when left un-removed.

4. Increase the severity of floor damage when left unrepaired through time.

Industrial concrete floor coating applications require filling-up the floor cracks prior to actual application. An epoxy-based filler formulation has to be applied to level the holes and irregularities. The viscosity of the filler defines the resulting surface tension.

When the crack is deep, it is best to pour sand on the crack and making sure the crack reaches the bottom. Some applications may require that quartz have to be pre-mixed with the epoxy to fill deep cracks.

In cases when hairline cracks appear, sanding off the area after the application of industrial concrete floor coatings will remove excess coatings along the hairline and blend the edges to make the crack disappear.

When the floor has really large cracks or holes that go deep down into the foundation, no amount of industrial concrete floor coating is appropriate. There is a need to repair the floor foundation first before installing any coatings system.

Concrete Floor Coatings Selection Criteria

2010-07-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Industrial concrete floor coatings are commonly used in nearly all types of flooring requirements. This is because of concrete's versatile property to:

Provide repair and protective benefits through a wide range of industrial concrete floor coatings products,

Provide the surface with quality performance for long periods of time,

Transform dreary-looking floors into beautiful areas at any room in the facility, and

Offer a cheaper and more practical option for facility flooring projects

The choice of the most appropriate coating product can be based on varied requirements. It can be monetary considerations or functional requirements, or a combined goal of cost and quality benefits. The ease of installation and time constraints also affect the selection of industrial concrete floor coatings.

With a bewildering array of requirements, there are an equivalent range of product mixes to answer each one. From cement-based toppings, concrete coatings, and curing materials. A vast choice of epoxy formulations, urethane-based films, polyureas or acrylics can be overwhelming.

Sticking to what the facility actually needs is the key to the selection process. If the floors are cracked or damaged, the most effective coatings and materials to repair the problem is needed. If to waterproof the area, then water-proofing coating systems should be installed.

When cost is the biggest factor in coatings selection, facility managers must still insist on quality and good performance, otherwise the cost-savings will only end up as a waste of money, when faced with repairs or rework once again.

All-Around Concrete for Floor Applications

2010-07-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows about the versatility of concrete. This unique product that results from combining together simple cement, ordinary sand, water and aggregates can be used in an amazing number of ways. When mixed in right amounts, the mixed materials undergo hydration that dries up the water and solidifies the mixture into a hardened stone-like slab of chemically-bonded materials.

Concrete is porous by nature, and is vulnerable because of this. But varying the proportions of the ingredients and adding more materials in certain phases of the mixing process results to different degrees of strength and density in the finished concrete. This changes the ability of concrete to resist chemical or physical impacts.

For this reason, concrete is used in many applications. It is often used as an industrial concrete floor coatings application in decks, garages, basements and other parts of facilities. It is often applied on warehouses and storage rooms, as well as on manufacturing floors where daily operations inflict heavy traffic and toxic chemicals on the industrial concrete floor coatings constantly. Yet through it all, concrete has the amazing ability to withstand these abuses, with minimal damages and costs.

Not only is concrete an excellent choice for protection and repair of floorings, it is also a decorative options for other areas of the facility that need an attractive look, exhibiting concrete's amazing capacity to be versatile.

Skilled Contractors for Successful Floor Coating Projects

2010-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Once the most appropriate industrial floor coating has been selected through a careful selection process, it is time to enlist the aid of trained applicators to actually apply the floor coatings. The selection of personnel is no less important than the coatings selection process, albeit less rigorous.

In fact, the people factor at this stage of the project is very critical to assuring project success. This is because a good industrial floor coating specialist or contractor can work with a bad batch of coatings or knows how to deal with it, but a poorly-skilled or unqualified applicator can botch the job even using good quality paint. Unskilled personnel can even jeopardize the success of the project by failing to recover from unexpected mistakes or not being skilled enough to identify potential problems early on.

Here are the minimum requirements that an industrial floor coating contractor should fulfill to ensure project success:

1. At least 15 years of experience in general flooring methods and applications.

2. 5 or more years experience in the specific flooring application required by the project.

3. Certification to SSPC-QP 8 or the "Standard Procedure for Evaluating the Qualifications of Contracting Firms That Install Polymer Coatings or Surfacings on Concrete and Other Cementitious Surfaces" and other appropriate certifications.

4. Qualifications from manufacturers of industrial floor coating or other materials.

5. A good working knowledge of Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QC/QA) processes to be able to participate in the inspection, testing, installation and monitoring components of the project.

Selecting the Right Floor Coatings

2010-06-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

After a thorough site inspection by critical personnel such as architects, engineers, or contractors, the group should be able to formulate a detailed specification of the floor coatings project. This must be carefully written because the specification will outline, on paper, the plan and resources that must be deployed to achieve project completion.

The specification must be developed considering the following:

1. The condition and history of the target floor area.
2. The quality and useful life of the concrete foundation.
3. The location of the target surface in relation to its surroundings.
4. The skills required from the coating applicators.
5. The test methods and acceptance criteria to be used.
6. The inspection methods to be used.

Factoring in these issues to the specifications will ensure that any current problems or future threats to the surface will be covered and addressed in this project. Furthermore, these data will guide the project planners in selecting the right industrial floor coating to solve the problem. For example, when the floor is found to be constantly exposed to high temperature and physical impacts, the right industrial floor coating should be one with great strength, elasticity and heat and abrasive resistance. Anything else will be inappropriate.

Pre-Project Assessment for Concrete Coatings Selection

2010-06-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Facility owners needing maintenance or repair of facility floors know that the choice of the most appropriate industrial floor coating is critical to the success of the project. Choosing the coatings is not an easy walk to the store, however. Facility owners should not rely merely on recommendations from shop clerks or colleagues or whatever sources. Every industrial floor coating is unique. Each one works for particular situations and needs. But the same goes for facility floors. Each floor may have unique requirements due to the way they are used in the facility.

A success factor in choosing the best industrial floor coating for the project lies in the conduct of a pre-project evaluation. This activity is a major gathering of inputs from all parties who will be involved in the project. Engineers, contractors, designers, architects, and even someone from the coating manufacturer may perform an assessment related to their respective tasks or roles in the project.

The stakeholders or parties involved will have to go onsite and conduct a thorough site inspection to determine the scope and scale of the project. Contractors may have to check for defects on the flooring and the extent of the damage to be fixed, if any. They must also check for potential problems and not just the visible or ongoing deterioration.

All parties may obtain the history of the project, such as the applications and methods used in the past, the maintenance history, performance, and cost, among others. This information is necessary to come up with a comprehensive view of the condition of the project. This knowledge is important in drawing up the final solution and the project’s plan of action.

A Checklist for Selecting Concrete Floor Coatings

2010-06-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Selecting the right industrial floor coating for your facility is not as easy as it seems. The selection process has to undergo careful consideration that cannot be done by a simple walk to the nearest paint store. Depending on your choice of industrial floor coatings on mere recommendations is actually a very dangerous thing to do, one that can cost your facility a lot of wasted money.

How to select the right industrial floor coatings for your facility project, then? Here is a checklist of the steps you should follow:

1. Assessment of the current state of your floors. This initial evaluation must be done carefully and accurately. This identifies the actual problem of your facility floors and the extent of the problem. From here, a sound solution can be developed.

2. Identification of requirements. From the initial assessment, the specification for the project is taking form. The problems and needs identified in the evaluation are matched with the possible solutions. The most appropriate solution is then selected, considering many important factors such as cost, constraints, and available resources.

3. Choosing the coatings and personnel. Using a previously laid out criteria, the most appropriate industrial floor coatings are selected, as well as the most qualified contractor for the project.

4. Setup of quality control and assurance process. The system to adhere to this process should be established and implemented carefully, to assure the success of the project.

Durable but Beautiful Concrete Finishes

2010-06-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

In opting for decorative concrete floor finishes, building owners get the double benefit of beauty and strength in one package. This is a more practical alternative to buying expensive carpeting, tiles, or hardwood floorings to cover the concrete foundation.

The useful life of concrete flooring is longer than other flooring materials used to hide the gray slab. Hardwood finishes require care and maintenance, and are vulnerable to water damages. Carpets and vinyl also suffer from daily wear and tear, stain easily, and cannot withstand moisture intrusion. Most of these floor coverings need to be replaced regularly. Whereas when decorative concrete coatings change the appearance of concrete floors, concrete can be the visible flooring for foyers, decks, hallways, function rooms, and other areas in the facility. Concrete floors can last for a lifetime and are easy to clean and maintain.

Decorative concrete coatings contractors skilled in concrete finishing and decoration can easily apply these decorative floorings. They can stamp or stain regular concrete based on the needs of the facility. They may work the colors and designs in the initial concrete mixing and pouring, or they can stain already existing slabs. For the latter, they may create a thinner concrete slab that covers the original concrete foundation and do their work on the new slab.

The cost of installing decorative concrete finishes may vary with the method and materials used. There are off-the-shelf packaged decorative concrete coatings, stainers or waxes for small projects that cost little. For more customized patterns and effects, contractors may charge by the hour on this specialty work. But generally, concrete finishing jobs cost less compared with projects using other flooring materials.

Stunning Textures in Concrete Finishes

2010-06-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

For added versatility, concrete can be prepared in a variety of ways to add patterns and textures to the finished surface. There are several applications to achieve a textured concrete finish, and the designs are limited only by the imagination:

1. Stamping. Patterns are imprinted into the freshly-placed concrete surface with the artistic use of any hard object. Stones, tiles, wood, or brick are often used to cut patterned grooves on the surface. Decorative concrete coatings contractors trained in specific stamping techniques can create these beautiful patterns on patios, gazebo floors, hallways, decks, and various locations in the facility. The surface patterns can appear in random ways at the surface or outlined in groups to create interesting variations as well as to maximize use of the entire surface.

2. Scoring. Concrete surfaces that have been around for sometime can use a bit of spicing up with the simple method known as scoring. Shallow cuts are made on the surface using masonry-bladed abrasive saws, creating geometric patterns or simple grout lines. The scoring creates two colors -- one of the original concrete, and the other of the scored lines. When used in combination with decorative concrete coatings, colorants or sealers, the effect can be even more striking.

3. Aggregate finish. When aggregates like stone or gravel are applied to the top-most layer of freshly-poured concrete, a natural-looking and eye-catching surface effect is created. An aggregate of marble, shells, pebbles or colored stones can add even more color to the concrete surface. Clear sealers can bond the aggregates tightly to the surface, needing only minimal maintenance through time.

Bring Color to Your Floors with Decorative Concrete Coatings

2010-06-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Concrete is fast becoming a popular option for floor finishing because of its functional and decorative benefits. Concrete can now be treated with color coatings that transform the once gray-only concrete to a variety of colors. What is even more remarkable is that these decorative concrete coatings and colorants imbue concrete with the ability to mimic the look of true marble or wood materials. Practicality and beauty all at the same time.

Here are the decorative concrete coatings applications or effects that are possible with concrete:

1. Chemical stains. Lime-rich concrete reacts with chemicals to etch the surface with color. The staining process can mottle the surface with translucent textures, making interesting patterns in the concrete surface. The use of brushes, sprayers and even dry leaves or other materials can create striking designs.

2. Colored concrete. Adding colorants while concrete is being mixed results to a uniformly-hued slab. Pre-measured and bagged colorants can be purchased and simply added to the concrete mixer.

3. Waxes and sealers. Colored decorative concrete coatings can be used to seal the concrete surface and protect it from water. Clear-colored coatings add gloss and intensify the shade or pattern in the surface.

4. Release agent colors. Release agents are applied on stamped concrete surfaces to lessen friction. Color pigments in the release agent can create an antique look on the patterned surface.

5. Concrete colored hardeners. Colored, fine-grained and powdered aggregates are broadcasted onto freshly-poured concrete surface to transform it into a hard-finished surface. The effects are vivid hues on the topmost layer.

Classy yet Cost-Friendly Concrete Finishes

2010-06-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to advances in concrete flooring technology, concrete floor finishes are no longer mere slabs of dull gray concrete. Poured concrete used to lack any semblance of aesthetic appeal, with a hundred percent emphasis on function rather than style. People step on concrete floors all the time, but interior designers went to such lengths to hide the concrete that people step on. With the use of carpets, hardwoods or vinyl floorings, concrete was often out of sight of building occupants.

These days, color and texture can be added to ordinary concrete to make it interesting to the eyes. This concrete reinvention has made it possible for concrete to come out into the open, being used to replace the more expensive finishes. Hardwood finishes tops the list of the most expensive of flooring materials, followed closely by natural stones like slate, granite, marble, and limestone. Stone tiles are lesser in cost but compared to concrete is still a very expensive material for floors.

With inventive use of decorative concrete coatings and techniques, dull concrete slabs are transformed into decorative floorings that enhance the beauty of any facility. These days, it is a cost-effective option to apply decorative concrete coatings in driveways, patios, walkways and even indoor rooms. Finishing the concrete surface with decorative concrete coatings offer versatility in textures and colors. Without the costly flooring materials that used to cover concrete, concrete coatings have come out to become one of the most popular choices in decorative floorings.