Your choice of flooring system for a commercial kitchen is an essential decision that will impact the operational efficiency of your business, as well as hygiene and safety. In this article, we look at the various factors involved, to help you find the best flooring solution for your needs.
1. Safety And Slip Resistance
Safety is paramount in busy commercial kitchens with high foot traffic, and where spills and greasy surfaces are common. A slip resistant flooring solution will help prevent accidents and injuries. Many tiled floors and textured vinyl provide excellent slip resistance – the surface design of textured vinyl can enhance traction and grip. However, a resin flooring solution with an anti-slip coating is also extremely durable, and maintains its slip resistant property even when wet, making it a perfect choice for many kitchens.
2. Strength And Durability
Dropped items, impacts, and heavy foot traffic are common in commercial kitchens, and the movement of equipment and supplies can cause damage over time. Durability and strength are, therefore, essential characteristics to get the best long-term value from your flooring investment. Epoxy resin flooring is renowned for its robustness and long lifespan under heavy use. Resin flooring systems can withstand the daily wear and tear of a commercial kitchen without chipping or cracking, and is resistant to heavy loads and impacts. Tiles are another popular choice for kitchens, but these can easily crack and scratch, compromising both their performance and hygiene rating.
3. Cleaning And Maintenance
Stringent hygiene standards are the top priority of commercial kitchens, so your flooring system should be simple to maintain and clean to prevent bacterial growth. Epoxy resin flooring is seamless and nonporous, which prevents food particles and bacteria from penetrating the surface. This makes a resin floor very quick and efficient to clean.
4. Chemical Resistance
As commercial kitchens use various cleaning agents and food acids that can damage many flooring materials, the high chemical resistance of epoxy flooring makes it an obvious choice. Resin flooring systems are not just resistant to accidental spillages, but can also withstand repeated exposure to harsh cleaning products and jet washes without deteriorating. Alternative solutions, such as vinyl flooring, also has moderate chemical resistance but may not be as suitable for areas with heavy chemical use.
5. Thermal Shock Resistance
Commercial kitchens experience frequent, and often drastic, temperature fluctuations, especially near ovens, stoves, and freezers. Your flooring system, therefore, must be capable of handling these changes without cracking. Epoxy resin flooring has excellent thermal shock resistance, making it a reliable choice for kitchens with extreme temperature variations. A well laid resin floor will perform for many years under thermal stress, maintaining its integrity in both hot and cold conditions.
Find Out More
A resin flooring solution provides the perfect balance of safety, hygiene, durability, and cost. To find out more about the benefits of a commerical resin floor and to discuss your performance and budgetary requirements with one of our experienced team, please contact Advanced Resin today.
