Searching for antimicrobial floor? Here's what I got
Antimicrobial Epoxy Flooring
You can find bacteria and other microbes everywhere. Anyone can bring it to your staff, customers, and suppliers. It can be blown into the air that causes it to pass from one to another. Even insects crawling through your cracks and crevices may carry them. Your floors have the highest exposure to these microbes no matter how hard you clean or how tough the cleaning agent you used. To avoid these hassles the only way is to protect your floors through antimicrobial floor coatings.
Some compounds are originally antimicrobial like latex and silver, but this is not always the case with epoxies, urethanes, and rubbers. However, the need for antimicrobial floor coating is a necessity especially in facilities that deals with food handling and healthcare. So how can we achieve an antibacterial flooring?
To obtain an antibacterial epoxy flooring, you should disperse an antimicrobial additive throughout the epoxy flooring system. If you only applied it on the sealer alone, then the floor would be vulnerable underneath. If it is embedded throughout the polymer material, it would be protected inside and out from pathogens and bacteria. Make sure to hire an industrial coating contractor since they know about this stuff.
Here are the types of antimicrobial epoxy application:
1. Antimicrobial epoxy coating system – This is a universal pure, and stable antimicrobial epoxy resin coating system applied as a clear or pigmented coating primer. It has an antimicrobial curing agent and produces a glossy finish.
2. Antimicrobial high clarity clear epoxy coating system – This is specifically used in decorative flooring systems. A gaunt and clear epoxy base coat is required for this. This also comes with an antimicrobial curing agent and a smooth gloss finish.
3. Antimicrobial water-reducible epoxy system – This is an economical epoxy coating that also repels liquid specifically. You can use this as an epoxy primer or topcoat to produce a glossy finish.
4. Antimicrobial flexible epoxy resin system - A hybrid of epoxy and urethane coating, you can apply this as a membrane or mixed with an aggregate. This mixture creates an impact-resistant flooring and will remain active against microbial components.
Benefits of an antimicrobial epoxy flooring
Protects against bacteria, fungi, yeast, actinomycetes, and mildew.
Improved air quality due to the absence of the above components.
Seamless and non-porous so there would be no room for any bacterial growth.
Healthier environment.
Safe for environment, non-metallic, and odor-free.
Easy to maintain, just a wipe over with mild detergent.
High resistant to abrasion and slip resistant.
Durability, like epoxy, can withstand harsh chemicals and high traffic.
Aesthetic flooring, aside from antibacterial components, epoxy can blend with other floor treatments and again it is seamless so it can project well-maintained and an elegant floor.
Moreover, government regulations have become stricter about the overall cleanliness of the following facilities:
Hospitals and Clinics
Medical manufacturing facilities
Research Laboratories
Food and beverage processing plants
Commercial and institutional kitchens
Perishable goods storage
Supermarkets
Slaughterhouses and more
Thus, an antimicrobial flooring is needed whether it is vinyl, urethane, or epoxy.