Working in a busy warehouse means that you are well aware of how tough the environment is, especially for your flooring. You might be using heavy equipment such as pallet trucks, forklifts, and other machinery all day. This could cause serious damage to your warehouse flooring, which is why you need to carefully consider all your needs when choosing it.
When you are looking for warehouse flooring it is important to consider different aspects. These include the safety, the maintenance levels, the cost, as well as the flexibility. However, if you are new to choosing warehouse flooring, you might not know where to start. Below are some top tips on choosing the right flooring for your warehouse.
Safety First
When looking at warehouse flooring, the first step is always to look at the safety of your workers. Your flooring should be chosen to help maintain this safety, and should be durable and scratch-resistant. If a floor is not scratch-resistant, it might become damaged and could lead to slippages of both workers and machinery.
A warehouse flooring option that is both safe and durable is polyurethane flooring. It is highly resistant to almost all abrasions, it is heat-resistant, and it can handle heavy loads. Having a safe work environment for your staff will ensure that they are productive for longer and that there are no injuries or issues. Your machinery will also not be at risk.
Durability Is Key
Having durable warehouse flooring is a vital component of any successful industrial operation. The flooring will need to be able to withstand heavy foot traffic as well as heavy machinery. It should not buckle or warp, as this could cause a serious safety concern. If you are replacing old floors with a new coating, look at the traffic pattern to see which areas need the most durability.
You should ask your warehouse flooring provider about the durability of the flooring choices and show them photographs of the traffic patterns to ascertain whether or not the options would be a good choice for your operation. Be sure to mention what types of machinery you will be using so that the supplier can provide you with an accurate quote.
Make Maintenance Simple
One important factor in choosing warehouse flooring is ascertaining what the maintenance level is. Some industrial flooring choices are easier to maintain than others, such as polyurethane or epoxy flooring. It is important to keep the flooring clean and dust-free to ensure a hazard-free working environment.
Speak to your flooring provider about the maintenance process in order to find out if it is the right fit for your needs. For example, if you need to repaint or recover the floor regularly, this will need to be taken into account when creating a working schedule. You will also need to consider how much time the floor needs to be cleaned, as this will need to be added to the schedule, too.
All About Installation Time
Running a warehouse or industrial business means that you are likely busy at all times, which means that installing warehouse flooring cannot take up too much time. Look for options that are quick and easy to install, such as an epoxy coating or even polished concrete. Your flooring provider will likely be able to give you an idea of the installation time period.
Part of this installation time will include the repair and maintenance time-frames, as these days will also be non-working days. You will need to allow the warehouse flooring to dry between re-coatings and you will need to be sure that no workers or machinery are allowed onto the flooring while it is drying. This could mean a significant amount of downtime for your operation.
Weigh Out The Pros And Cons
An easy way to choose the right warehouse flooring is to weigh out the pros and cons of each option, using the tips above. Flooring that is safe, durable, easy to maintain, and quick to install is the ideal choice. However, be sure that the choice you make will fit in with your budget and your company needs.
If you would like to install new flooring or cover your current flooring, Cape Industrial Flooring is the ideal choice. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.