An All Round Performer Takes to The Floor

Now everyone knows that Altro manufactures the widest range of PVC safety floorings in the world - at least 20 product ranges at the last count, and over the years our name has become synonymous with this kind of product since we invented it in the 50s.  What is perhaps slightly less well known is that we also manufacture a comprehensive range of resin flooring products, from dust proofing or high build coatings to self smoothing flow applied systems, right through to medium and heavy duty resin screeds.  In fact, we were awarded the product of the year award for our resin flooring range at this year’s CFJ Flooring Industry Awards.

When most customers think of flooring, they think of pre-manufactured flooring delivered in rolls or boxes, be it vinyl, rubber or carpet. Resin flooring, however, offers unrivalled versatility and all round performance to suit many environments that cannot be matched by such ‘off the peg’ floor coverings. This versatility has been pinpointed as one of the main reasons for the growth in the resins market – now estimated to be worth £43 to £45 million, split equally between the epoxy and polyurethane markets.

Although bespoke options are available with other products, resins are manufactured specifically for each individual situation, meaning that a vast array of colours, textures and finishes can be achieved.

The main benefit of a resin floor is that, when professionally laid, it is locked both mechanically and chemically to the underlying substrate, becoming an integral part of the building structure and giving a hardwearing, long lasting surface. Apart from incorporating necessary structural movement joints it is seamless, providing a smooth easy to clean surface with no joints where dirt can build up.

You can install a resin floor almost anywhere that you would look to install either a vinyl or carpet. Systems can be tailored to customers’ individual requirements and budget.  Thicknesses range from 70 microns per coat on a 2 coat application for use as a sealer/dust proofer on walls or floors in general commercial and light industrial situations, right up to 9mm for the heaviest duty resin screed you’re likely to find anywhere, and every system you can think of in between.

Altro manufactures both epoxy and polyurethane (PU) resins to cover the entire range of eventualities and problems you’re likely to encounter, from self priming coatings to seal a warehouse floor, to installations of heavy duty screed systems in aircraft hangars housing commercial aircraft.

The basic difference between the two resin types is that the PUs are slightly more flexible and a lot more chemically resistant, installation times are a bit quicker than with the epoxies too which means that shutdown times are kept to an absolute minimum

Subfloor preparation is very important and if a resin floor goes badly wrong it’s often due to insufficient or ineffective preparation prior to the primer being applied. Primers are designed to seal and form a chemical and/or mechanical bond to the subfloor and if the prep is right the primer and subsequent flooring system will become an integral part of the subfloor and give many years trouble free service.

Resin systems can also be used to form corporate logos if required although it’s fair to say that a high level of skill with a trowel would be needed before you tackle a coat of arms!

Seriously though, resin flooring systems are invaluable where standard contemporary floor coverings are not man enough for the job and their inclusion into our portfolio of products has greatly increased our area of operation within heavy industry and beyond. 

Another driver behind the growth of the resin flooring market is its increasing appeal for a wide range of industries. Although resin floors started life in the industrial sector, they are now being widely installed in a range of buildings from hospitals to schools - offering design, durability and performance. Choices range from the textured to very smooth, from plain to patterned (great for hiding scuff marks) and from matt to highly reflective.

A wide range of business sectors, other than industrial, are now starting to realise the huge benefits of installing resin flooring. Although ‘general industry’ still holds a large proportion of the market, it is now surpassed by the food sector and closely followed by the drink industry. Other sectors using resins include pharmaceuticals and cosmetic.

As with our standard range of floorings, our resin systems are supported by a knowledgeable team of dedicated people who are at the end of the Altro hotline should you have any questions or run into trouble.  On site support can also be arranged if needed.

This article first appeared in the August 2008 edition of the CFJ.