12 Oct Restaurant Epoxy Flooring
Why Restaurants are Choosing Epoxy Flooring
Any restaurant business has to overcome a variety of operational challenges, and one aspect stands out due to its constant impact on everyday operations – flooring. Epoxy flooring has emerged as a top choice for many restaurant owners, given its many beneficial attributes, spanning from its toughness to its sanitary advantages. Here’s why epoxy flooring is gaining traction in the restaurant industry.
Safety Standards with Epoxy Flooring
Safety is a top priority and we understand the importance of safety standards. The requirements for floors are to provide smooth, non-absorbent, durable and easily cleanable floors for the following areas:
- Food and beverage preparation areas
- Walk-in refrigerators or freezers
- Dish washing areas
- Bathrooms
- Service Areas
- Service sink areas
- Dry storage
- Areas subject to flushing or spray cleaning methods
Many kitchens require nonlip mats, shoes and flooring to prevent slips and falls. The performance characteristics of epoxy flooring are perfectly aligned with the needs of commercial kitchens. Epoxy is 100% seamless, including the integrated coving that is required in kitchens. This monolithic design provides a non-absorbent surface making cleanup a breeze. Epoxy is also one of the most durable construction products used, and when paired with proper cleaning and care it can last for years, even decades.
The Importance of long-lasting floors
Directly from the Food Establishment Construction Guide they pose what factors should be considered when selecting flooring type.
- Type and amount of use
- Type of soil and cleaning methods
- Life span of surface
There are several day to day challenges that commercial kitchens face. Temperature fluctuations happened under ovens and in fridge or freezer areas. During use, floors can become slippery from spills, oil, grease or other food items. The spills can make a floor slippery and dangerous for employees that are trying to work as quickly as possible. Porous areas of the floor can stain if not cleaned immediately. And at the end of the day a floor needs to be swept and mopped.
All our systems have customizable non-skid additives to help dial in the perfect blend of cleanability and slip resistance. The various aggregates used to achieve the non-skid properties give us a variety of options to meet the specific demands of a particular kitchen, or area of the kitchen. Also, epoxy being 100% seamless means there are no dirt catching grout lines, unlike tile. This makes it the cleanest, and healthiest choice for kitchens.
In terms of life span, the systems typically used in kitchens; quartz and urethane cement, are some of the most durable epoxy systems. Quartz is frequently used in places like fire stations and can last up to 20 years. Urethane cement is designed to withstand high heat areas and won’t chip, crack or debond as a result of extreme temperature fluctuations. Epoxy does not require any wax coating or maintenance, just cleaning. The wear-resistant epoxy finish coat requires minimal maintenance, making it a cost-effective long-term solution for customers. Once installed, all that’s required is routine mopping. The initial installation cost is the sole expense throughout the floor’s lifespan.
Clean Floors – Necessity in Restaurants
Maintaining a clean environment is important in a restaurant setting due to several reasons:
Health and Safety
A clean environment is essential to ensure the health and safety of both customers and employees. Contaminated surfaces, spilled food, or unsanitary conditions can lead to the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, potentially causing foodborne illnesses or infections.
Compliance with Regulations
Restaurants are subject to strict health and safety regulations imposed by local authorities. Failure to maintain a clean environment can result in fines, closure orders, or damage to the restaurant’s reputation.
Customer Experience
A clean and well-maintained restaurant creates a positive impression on customers. It enhances their dining experience, increases their confidence in the establishment, and encourages them to return for future visits.
Employee Productivity
A clean and organized work environment can boost employee morale and productivity. It provides a conducive space for staff to work efficiently and maintain high standards of food preparation and service.
Epoxy flooring’s seamless, non-porous surface helps keep a kitchen clean and free from any mold, mildew or other unhealthy conditions. Liquids cannot penetrate the surface or get trapped in corners making them very easy to clean. Kitchens also require an integrated cove that further prevent and liquid or food entrapment and with an epoxy system, this feature also remains 100% seamless. Epoxy flooring is also durable and long lasting. Kitchens do not have to worry about chipped or cracked tile and grout. Also, the wear surface of epoxy will hold up to high traffic areas from worker or rolling equipment.
Cost-effectiveness of Epoxy Flooring for Restaurants
The upfront install cost compared to tile is very similar to epoxy, but over the lifespan of the floor there will be little more added expense. The maintenance needs have very little cost associated with it. The durability and longevity of epoxy means a busy restaurant will not have to worry about frequent or expensive repairs to its surface.
Epoxy flooring in dining rooms of restaurants
All of the benefits associated with the kitchen area can also be of benefit to the dining areas. There are a few other decorative options available, like metallic epoxy, that can really help enhance the aesthetics and design of a restaurant. The same durable, easy to clean resins are used in all our systems and there is a wide variety of options.
At Swedebro, we get the unique challenges of the restaurant business. Reach out to our team to discover how epoxy flooring can enhance your restaurant’s functionality and appeal. Get a Free Quote today!