Use Industrial Rubber Flooring to Avoid Costly Concrete Resurfacing

Concrete is the most widely used man-made building material on the planet—so chances are that you’ve seen it around and that it is in fact currently being employed in a structure that you own, rent, work inside of, or otherwise inhabit. This is a durable, resilient, and tough surfacing option, which is why it is so often employed in heavy-duty environments where harsh and abrasive conditions are standard. Regardless of its strength however, concrete is still susceptible to normal wear and tear. According to ehow, in 2011 concrete resurfacing cost around $1-$3 per square foot—compare that to the cost of completely removing and repairing concrete which was around $3 - $12 per square foot, the savings of refurbishing are very noticeable. However, a more economical alternative is available. Using industrial rubber flooring to cover a structurally sound subfloor that just needs a little facelift is a great way to avoid the costly and time-consuming repairs of resurfacing. Available as industrial floor tiles, mats, and runners, a rubberized option offers an easy to install solution. And because industrial floor coverings are designed for abrasive environments, many of these options can be used indoors as well as outdoors.

Whether you need workshop matting or warehouse flooring—if you have a structurally sound subsurface then don’t pay for concrete resurfacing! Check out why industrial floor covering is a better and more cost efficient option than resurfacing.

• What Does Concrete Resurfacing Entail?
  Resurfacing concrete can help give a worn and tired surface a newer and fresher appearance. And while concrete is very strong, it’s not completely resistant to damage. Having to replace a concrete floor is pretty tedious and can cost several thousands of dollars, especially for larger locations. Imagine having to break and haul away the old material—that alone will require manpower, heavy-duty equipment, and lots of time—all of which can be detrimental to any business. Because of this, if a concrete floor is found to be structurally sound, it can be resurfaced rather than replaced.

  Resurfacing builds on the existing concrete, using it as a base, rather than having to rip out the material. While it’s a lot cheaper than replacing, it’s still a pretty tedious and involved project. And while it could be undertaken as a DIY project, having a professional do it may give you better results. Here’s a rough break down of how a concrete floor is resurfaced, as described by Contractor, Tom Silva, on ThisOldHouse.com:

  1. First the concrete has to be cleaned. A high-powered hose works best for this. Cleaning will remove debris, stuck on muck, mildew, and agley—or anything else that could prevent your resurfacing material from sticking to the concrete.

  2. Large Slabs of concrete are be divided by expansion lines (which help prevent cracking)—these lines must be exposed and so will have to be covered and protected with duct tape.

  3. While the concrete is still wet, any surfaces areas with discrepancies such as cracks, chips, holes, and scratches should be filled in with special material and smoothed over with a trowel. If your floor has extensive superficial damage—this might take a while. The material then has to be allowed to dry—about 2 to 5 hours.

  4. Next the resurfacing material is poured over the concrete floor.

  5. Then the material is smoothed out evenly. It will still be another 6 hours before you can walk on it!

  Realistically, this might seem like a DIY-friendly project but maybe only for a smaller and more manageable area. Larger industrial locations have wide-expanding floors and this process could take a long time to get done! Still, this particular option is a lot less expensive and time-consuming than having to completely remove and re-pour the concrete. Even so, rubberized industrial floor tiles, mats, and runners are an even better solution!

• Why is Industrial Rubber Flooring A Better Option?
  Rubber may not be as long lasting as concrete, but it has certainly earned its place among heavy-duty flooring options. This material is naturally resistant to moisture, and will often be offered in flooring options that feature textured surface designs—further enhancing its applicability as a slip-resistant floor. This makes it particularly great for workshop matting, especially if moisture is a concern. Many flooring options are also made with the use of recycled materials not only making them ecologically friendly—but also friendly on your wallet! Why is a rubber surface a better option than resurfacing? Here are our three main reasons:

  • A Durable Alternative
    Many industrial flooring options, as we previously stated, are made from recycled materials—the source of which are discarded automobile tires. These tires are designed to stand up to the abrasive environments of the open road—like constant exposure to sunlight, excessive moisture, snow, and rough or uneven terrain. These are some pretty great attributes that are going to be inherited by your eco-friendly flooring. Natural and synthetic rubbers are also vulcanized, a process that makes them much tougher and resilient. Simply put, this is a material that was designed to last.

  • Cost Effective
    Also, because of the recycled materials that are used to create a rubberized industrial floor covering, the cost of production is often reduced and the savings get passed down to the consumers. Even when recycled materials aren’t used, industrial floor tiles, mats, and runners are less expensive than resurfacing and can even prevent further damage from developing—which could postpone you from having to completely replace a concrete floor.

  • A DIY-Friendly Project
    With concrete resurfacing, you won’t just be paying for materials, and down time, you’ll also have to pay for manpower—especially if you decide to go with a professional application. Putting down some rubberized workshop matting won’t be nearly as expensive or time-consuming because industrial rubber flooring is easy to install and will require very little technical knowledge. Available in a variety of styles such as industrial floor tiles, runners, and mats, installation is as easy as snapping together, rolling out, or lying down (respectively). And with so many choices (like raised coin, diamond, or boxed designs), even aesthetically appealing options are available.

  With these and many other benefits, a rubberized industrial floor covering is simply a better choice than resurfacing.