Epoxy Flooring FAQ's
What is epoxy flooring?
Epoxy flooring is a seamless resin flooring system applied over prepared concrete to create a durable, hygienic and easy-to-clean surface. Epoxy floors are commonly used in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, food processing plants, wineries, commercial kitchens, workshops and garages due to their strength, chemical resistance and long service life.
What is the difference between epoxy flooring and polyurethane flooring?
Epoxy flooring provides excellent adhesion, abrasion resistance, good for food production facilities and strong chemical resistance. Polyurethane cement (PU) flooring is generally used for food production facilities because it offers great resistance to heat, steam cleaning, thermal shock and aggressive cleaning chemicals. Resins systems for food manufacturing, breweries, wineries and meat processing facilities, polyurethane flooring is often the preferred long-term flooring solution.
How long does epoxy flooring last?
A professionally installed epoxy floor can last 10 to 25 years or longer depending on:
- Traffic levels
- Forklift usage
- Exposure to chemicals
- Cleaning procedures
- Floor maintenance
- Original installation quality
The most important factor affecting lifespan is proper concrete preparation and correct system selection.
Is epoxy flooring suitable for food processing facilities?
Yes. Food-grade epoxy and polyurethane flooring systems are specifically designed for food manufacturers, commercial kitchens, wineries, breweries, dairy facilities, poultry processors and beverage production plants.
These flooring systems provide:
- Seamless surfaces
- Easy cleaning
- Chemical resistance
- HACCP compliance
- Slip resistance
- Excellent durability
What flooring is best for meat processing facilities? (red meat, poultry, pork & fish)
For meat processing facilities, epoxy flooring is generally recommended over polyurethane cement flooring.
Raw meat processing environments involve:
- Continuous washdowns
- Blood and protein contamination
- Hot water cleaning
- Forklift traffic
- Heavy-duty production equipment
A heavy-duty epoxy flooring system provides greater resistance to thermal shock, moisture and aggressive cleaning chemicals.
Is epoxy flooring waterproof?
Yes. Epoxy flooring creates an impermeable surface that prevents water penetration through the coating layer. However, proper detailing around drains, joints, penetrations and wall junctions is critical to achieve a completely waterproof flooring system.
Is epoxy flooring slippery when wet?
Not when it has been correctly specified. Industrial epoxy floors can incorporate various levels of slip resistance depending on the environment. Food production facilities, washdown areas and processing plants typically require significantly higher slip resistance than warehouses or showrooms.
A properly designed floor should provide consistent slip resistance throughout the facility.
What is the best slip rating for food factories?
Most wet food production environments require a high-slip-resistant flooring system.
Facilities such as:
- Meat processing plants
- Poultry processing facilities
- Seafood processing facilities
- Commercial kitchens
- Beverage production plants
All of these areas commonly require flooring designed to achieve P5 or R13 slip resistance classifications. Independent testing can be performed to Australian Standards AS 4586 and AS 4663.
How thick should industrial epoxy flooring be?
The required thickness depends on the application.
Typical examples include:
- Decorative coatings: 1-2mm
- Commercial epoxy systems: 2-4mm
- Heavy-duty industrial systems: 4-6mm
- Polyurethane cement flooring: 6-12mm
Facilities with forklift traffic and heavy machinery generally require thicker, aggregate-filled systems.
Can epoxy flooring withstand forklift traffic?
Yes, provided the flooring system has been correctly designed and installed.
Heavy-duty industrial resin flooring systems are specifically engineered to resist:
- Forklift traffic
- Pallet movement
- Impact loading
- Abrasion
- Chemical exposure
Floor thickness and system selection are critical to long-term performance.
Why do epoxy floors fail?
The most common causes of epoxy flooring failure include:
- Poor surface preparation
- Concrete moisture issues
- Incorrect product selection
- Inadequate floor thickness
- Poor-quality installation
- Substrate movement
- Delamination between layers
In our experience, inadequate substrate preparation remains the leading cause of premature flooring failure.
What is floor delamination?
Delamination occurs when the resin flooring loses adhesion to the substrate or between coating layers.
Common signs include:
- Peeling
- Bubbling
- Flaking
- Hollow sounding areas
- Surface lifting
Delamination usually indicates an underlying issue that requires professional investigation.
Why is surface preparation important for epoxy flooring?
Surface preparation is the most important stage of any resin flooring project.
Concrete must be mechanically prepared to:
- Remove contamination
- Open the concrete surface
- Create a suitable profile
- Promote strong adhesion
Even the highest-quality flooring system will fail if the substrate preparation is inadequate.
What is HACCP-compliant flooring?
What is a Certificate of Compliance:
In Accordance with Australian Standard - Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979.
- AN14 Compliance with National Code for Construction and fit out of food premises
- Standard 3.2.3 Food Premises and Equipment - Division 3 Floors, Walls and Ceilings
HACCP-compliant flooring is designed to reduce contamination risks within food manufacturing facilities.
A compliant flooring system typically includes:
- Seamless construction
- Chemical resistance
- Slip resistance
- Proper floor falls
- Hygienic cove detailing
- Easy-to-clean surfaces
- Non-absorbent finishes
Why are floor falls important in food processing facilities?
Correct floor falls ensure water flows efficiently towards waste outlets after cleaning and washdown operations.
Poor floor falls can lead to:
- Water ponding
- Hygiene issues
- Pathogen harbourage
- Slip hazards
- Increased cleaning costs
Proper drainage is essential for HACCP compliance.
What is a coved skirting detail?
A coved skirting, or hygienic cove, is the curved transition between the floor and wall.
A properly installed cove:
- Eliminates hard-to-clean corners
- Improves hygiene
- Enhances washdown effectiveness
- Assists with HACCP compliance
Food production facilities typically require a 75mm radius hygienic cove.
How do I maintain epoxy flooring?
To maximise flooring life:
- Sweep regularly
- Remove debris promptly
- Clean using suitable detergents
- Inspect joints and drains periodically
- Repair damage before moisture penetration occurs
A properly maintained floor will provide significantly longer service life.
What industries use resin flooring?
Roxset installs flooring solutions for:
- Food manufacturing
- Poultry processing
- Meat processing
- Wineries
- Breweries
- Beverage production
- Warehouses
- Pharmaceutical facilities
- Manufacturing plants
- Cold storage facilities
- Commercial kitchens
- Logistics centres
How much does epoxy flooring cost in Australia?
The cost of epoxy flooring depends on:
- Floor condition
- Surface preparation requirements
- Floor area
- Slip resistance requirements
- Chemical resistance requirements
- System thickness
- Access limitations
Because every project is different, a site inspection is typically required to provide an accurate quotation.
Why choose Roxset?
Roxset has more than 40 years of experience delivering industrial and food-grade flooring systems across Australia.
