Floor Coating Guidance Qatar

Find the right floor coating system for your project

There are floor coatings suitable for almost any floor, but how to determine which coating is the best for your project? Therefor it is important to understand the pros and cons of different floor coating systems. In general floor coating is a  collective name for multiple coatings. In general floor coating serves as thin protective layers on existing floors and as thicker complete flooring systems. The thin layer floor coatings are usually not thicker than a millimeter, but the complete flooring systems may reach up to one cm in thickness. The most common floor coating for concrete on the market is polyurethane and epoxy based resin floor coatings which both come with unique properties. Wooden floors can also be coated, as we cover later in this article. In this article we will provide you with professional advice on choosing the right floor coating for a specified environment, and finding a supplier in Qatar.

Choose epoxy, polyurethane or another floor coating that matches the purpose

As every environment is different, it is crucial to choose a floor coating that matches the requirements of your specific location. Industrial floors need to bear heavy loads, and commercial floors should feel fine to walk on. A few of the most important factors to consider include downtime during installation, hygiene requirements, presence of chemicals, and people or machines using the floor. Industrial kitchens, for example, require a HACCP certified coating to meet strict hygiene standards. Where downtime is to be avoided a fast-laid solution, such as SolidLux Instant Coating, is an option to consider.

Of course, in general all floor coatings are:

1. Promoting hygiene: The seamless layer prevents spread and growth of mold, bacteria and fungi.
2. Applicable in every sector: There is a suitable floor coating for every environment.
3. Decorative: Available in nearly all RAL colors and in finishes from ultra matt to high gloss.
4. Suitable for functional additives: It is possible make floors anti slip or fire retardant by using the right additives.
5. Cost efficient: Can postpone the need for a new floor, complete floor coating systems are durable and easy to maintain.

So, before you jump into looking for floor coating systems you should define what is expected from the coated floor:

SolidLux offers a floor coating that is instantly dry

1. High hygiene requirements

Suitable coating: HACCP floor coating
Floor coatings with an internationally recognised HACCP certificate contribute to a hygienic, anti bacterial environment; these coatings make sure that fungi and bacteria do not have a chance to attach to and grow on the floor. The HACCP floors are also highly resistant to contaminants and aggressive cleaning chemicals. In Qatar, HACCP coatings are mandatory for sectors that process food.
Possible applications: food and dairy industry, canteens, catering establishments, swimming pools and health centers

2. Need for continuous activity + mechanical and chemical resistance

Suitable coating: Instant floor coating
Instant floor coatings are innovative flooring solutions for floors that should be coated with the absolute minimum downtime. The instant floor coatings do not need time for drying, as they are cured by UV radiation. SolidLux Instant Floor Coating is the only such product on the Qatar market at the moment.
Possible applications: parking garages, factories, catering kitchens, museums, distribution centers.

3. Mechanical and chemical resistance

Suitable coating: Epoxy floor coating
This floor coating is an extremely hard-wearing solution which relies on epoxy resins. The coatings result in a seamless surface resistant to liquids and dirt, which makes them easy to clean. Epoxy floors bear heavy mechanical loads and do not abrade as a result of foot or vehicle traffic. Note that epoxy flooring is not suitable when UV exposure is possible (as is likely in Qatar), unless a top coat is applied.
Possible applications: Industrial floors, warehouses, parking garages, workspaces, factories

Example in Qatar: Hamad International Airport in Doha is receiving the largest epoxy terrazzo flooring ever laid in one undertaking. It will cover some 140,000 m².

4. Walking comfort for the crowd

Suitable coating: Polyurethane (PU) floor coating
Polyurethane coatings are more flexible than epoxies, which makes them softer and more pleasant to walk on. These coatings are also known for their decorative properties; not only are they available in many colors but they also provide a high gloss finish. Also these coatings are easy to clean due to the fact that they are somewhat resistant to contaminants.
Possible applications: museums, showrooms, public places, retail stores, offices or in the living room

5. Decorative protection for wooden floors

Suitable coating: Oil, stain or lacquer
Oil, stain and lacquer are perfect solutions for protecting a wooden floor, such as parquet, while letting it retain its natural beauty. Oil is transparent and enhances the natural colors of wood. Stain is absorbed by the wood resulting in a light, semi transparent colored finish. Stains also provide protection from moisture and UV radiation, which makes them suitable for exterior wood such as decking. Lacquer provides a transparent high gloss film on wooden floors. There are also pigmented lacquers which provide the floor with an opaque color finish.
Possible applications: residential and commercial interiors, terraces, decking

Floor coating additives for a safe, functional or decorative finish

Depending on the requirements for the floor, the coating can be complemented with a top coat that gives the floor additional properties. This is mainly to provide additional safety and protection. A top coat is suitable on any of the aforementioned coatings apart from the wooden floor coatings. However, the top coat must also meet the required standards: a restaurant floor still must be hygienic, a factory floor must not wear easily and a commercial floor should remain pleasant to walk on. If you are opting for a completely new flooring system, these properties can also be created by incorporating additives into the actual floor coating. In that case an additional top coat is  not needed.

The functions a top coat may have include:

• Anti slip additive – for where additional grip is needed
• Fire resistance – to minimize fire hazard
• Anti static – where electronic machines may cause short circuits.
• Luminous paint – to illuminate escape routes.
• Floor coating flakes – for a decorative special effect

Always opt for a tailored floor coating solution; provide the contractor with as many details as possible in order to achieve the most suitable floor coating. In case you need any consultancy in choosing a floor coating or you wish to reach suppliers of a specific coating, do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help!

Sometimes coating the floor is not the best option: 4 disadvantages

Often a floor coating is by far the best flooring option, however, there are some disadvantages related to floor coatings and their application. Consider the following factors before applying floor coatings so you know what you are dealing with:

1. Application process is time consuming
   A floor coating is an investment of your money and time. The application is a specialist job and can last several days, with some exceptions. If there is no time for application an instant coating is a good choice. Bear in mind that even instant coating requires a well prepared substrate.
2. Layer thickness and surface preparation
   The thicker the floor coating layer, the more preparation the substrate requires. The usual requirements include a completely clean surface, even surface structure and proper use of primers. Unless you are looking for a self smoothing epoxy coating, which is also applicable on uneven and damaged concrete floors.
3. Scratch sensitive epoxy
   Epoxy is a hard wearing and impact resistant coating, but it lacks scratch resistance. When epoxy is the coating to be used, it is wise to apply a polyurethane top coat to increase scratch resistance.
4. Pricing and durability
   Thin film floor coatings are affordable, however, in the long-term they lack durability. Thicker layer floor coatings are very durable and do not require much maintenance, but they are more expensive in terms of material and application.

How to calculate the cost for a new floor

The floor coating price is usually calculated per square meter. If you want to request a quote for coating a floor, never forget to mention the surface to get the right cost calculation. The following 5 factors influence the price of floor coating:

• Coating type: Epoxy is generally cheaper than polyurethane. Different standards apply to HACCP and Solidlux.
• The larger the surface, the lower the floor coating price: Small surfaces are usually relatively expensive to coat.
• Pre-cleaning: Some surfaces, such as concrete, require intensive pre-cleaning and surface preparation.
• Cheap may turn out expensive: Ask carefully for the quality of raw materials, they determine the durability of the floor coating.

Find floor coating companies in Qatar

So you have in mind to update a cold room with a hygienic HACCP coating, a parking garage with a fast-curing instant coating, a car showroom with a warm epoxy floor or something completely different. We at Coatings.qa are happy to offer our services to provide you with a floor coating solution. In cooperation with our coating partners we can make you a competitive proposal for both material and application of floor coatings. Request your free tailor made quote by clicking the button on this page.