Investing in the wrong type of flooring for your commercial and industrial facilities can have long-term consequences. Many business owners and managers of commercial properties have difficulties deciding which flooring solution to choose. Of course, they are all looking for a product that can provide the durability that they need.
Epoxy and vinyl floorings are very popular options for commercial and industrial properties, but most people cannot decide which one is better. Although at first, you might think these are completely different options, they have a lot in common, which can be confusing.
We want to help you learn more about all advantages and disadvantages of epoxy and vinyl flooring, and hopefully, you will be able to decide which one to choose for your business facility.
Differences Between Epoxy Flooring and Vinyl Flooring
- The Installation Process
Vinyl floorings should be installed at a particular temperature, and in case you fail, it will result in poor results and it will also degrade the warranty given by manufacturers. On the other hand, epoxy flooring can withstand different temperatures from higher degrees to the freezing ones, making the installation process much easier.
- Adhesion and Bonding
While vinyl floors depend on heat-welded seams and water-based adhesives, epoxy react directly with the concrete surface below. Because of that, issues with alkaline moisture vapour that happens on concrete surfaces are a common problem of vinyl flooring. In case you choose epoxy one, you will not have to worry about it because the direct reaction with the concrete below will eliminate the chances of cracks and separated seams.
- Sanitation and Hygiene
Since these two flooring options are very common in food preparation environments, it is important to know that curls and cracks on vinyl flooring can create gaps which are suitable ground for bacteria and microbial proliferation. Those gaps and cracks usually appear when vinyl flooring is exposed to high temperature, heavy traffic or disinfectants, or when the installation process is not done properly. Because of that, epoxy floors represents a stable base resistant to any kind of spills and liquid, and since they do not soak moisture they do not procreate bacteria and germs.
Maintenance of Epoxy Flooring vs. Vinyl Flooring
Proper maintenance will enhance the longevity of your floors, and that is why it is important to know how to clean your floors without damaging them. Sanitation of epoxy is a breeze since this smooth surface does not soak spills and stains. If installed properly with the usage of high-quality products like Hycrete, EpiMax and Flowcrete, it can last for decades without peeling or cracking.
Vinyl flooring, however, can lose its sheen if you use commercial liquid cleaners. In case that you have this type of flooring in a high-traffic area, it is recommended to use PH-neutral cleaning products, but unfortunately, they will probably not be able to keep up with the amount of tracked-in dirt.
Considering all this, most business owners decide to invest in epoxy floor instead of vinyl one. However, vinyl floors can still be an excellent choice for some commercial properties, depending on its purpose, traffic volume and other factors.
Cost-Effectiveness
One of the key factors that will determine whether someone will choose epoxy or vinyl flooring is its cost-effectiveness. In business, every dollar counts, and it makes sense that as a business owner you will want to spend your money wisely.
In case you want to minimize overhead costs, you might consider investing in epoxy since it is an energy-efficient product. It is highly reflective, so some people manage to lower electrical costs by reducing the number of lights in that area.
Still, vinyl flooring cannot be refinished. In case of damages, the only thing you could do is to completely remove it and install a new one. This will probably interrupt your business and cause downtime, plus the replacement is more expensive than refurbishment.
No Matter If You Choose Epoxy of Vinyl Flooring Make Sure You Get Professional Installation
Everything we mentioned before applies only when professional concrete preparation and flooring installation is conducted. It is hard to say which one wins this battle, epoxy or vinyl flooring because you will have to make your choice according to your own needs, budget and the preferences of your space.
No matter which one of these flooring options is your choice, you will need a team of experts who can remove layers of old flooring, level concrete and make sure that it is even, and, in the end, provide professional installation.
Luckily, we at Diamond Grind Commercial and Industrial flooring can help you and provide quality service for business facilities of different types and sizes. Feel free to contact us today, and learn more about the unmatchable flooring solutions that we offer.