6 Warehouse Surfacing Options for Commercial Spaces Compared

Commercial warehouses harbor bulky and heavy goods in a centralized location, allowing businesses to move them quickly and efficiently when needed. It goes without saying, the flooring in such warehouses needs to be tough enough to support the heavy loads and damaged caused when shifting the goods. 

When deciding on a warehouse surfacing for commercial spaces there are many factors to be considered. In this post, we will compare various warehouse surfacing material options. 

But first, let’s look at the factors that determine an ideal surfacing for a commercial warehouse and. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Commercial Warehouse Surfacing

1. Durability 

Commercial warehouses are busy spaces with a heavy foot, forklift, and pallet truck traffic. At times, heavy loads are just dragged along the surface. 

Hence, the surface chosen for these areas should withstand significant and consistent impact without damage. 

2. Chemical Resistance

Most warehouse floorings are subject to harsh chemicals. Make sure you choose a material that’s resistant to such corrosive materials. 

3. Safety 

Warehousing operations pose several hazards, one of which is slips and falls owing to slippery and wet surfaces. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recommends installing a non-skid surface to reduce the risk of such accidents. 

Hence, rubber surfacing is ideal for such environments. Rubber has a high coefficient of friction, meaning the surface resists lateral movement even in wet conditions. This greatly improves workplace safety. 

4. Sound Absorbing Potential 

As mentioned earlier, warehouses are intrinsically noisy areas. A regular warehouse creates noise equivalent to 90dB or more. This is enough to cause permanent hearing damage to anyone present at the facility. 

Therefore, it’s ideal to choose a surface that will not just absorb the sound waves but also prevent their transmission. 

5. Aesthetics 

Most businesses have clients and prospects visiting the warehouse facilities. In such cases, the warehouse needs to look presentable and neat. A professional-looking facility also impacts workplace productivity and safety. 

Hence, besides possessing the above-mentioned features, the surface you choose should look aesthetically pleasing. If possible, try complementing the flooring with your overall decor or your brand color. 

The Top Commercial Warehouse Surfacing Options Compared 

1. Concrete 

Whether polished or stained, concrete flooring has been used for several years as a surfacing material for commercial spaces. The surface renders a clean look at an affordable price. Polished concrete needs little maintenance and lasts for a long time. 

However, there are a few cons to applying concrete flooring to warehouses.

Though concrete is resilient to heavy weights and pounding effects, over a period of time cracks start to appear in the surface which if not attended to can turn into potholes. 

Further, concrete is a hard flooring material that has zero shock or sound-absorbing properties. It also has a low coefficient of friction, causing slips that may lead to workplace injuries. All this impacts employee experience and safety. 

2. Stone 

Stone has proven to be a good option for warehouse flooring because of its timeless durability. The material is highly resistant to pounding and abrasions. 

However, stone flooring is quite expensive. Being a hard surface, it isn’t easy on the feet of the warehouse staff and may cause serious injuries in case of a fall. Moreover, stone doesn’t absorb sound waves, making the facility noisy. 

3. Vinyl

Vinyl is made of synthetic polymer that can be made to look like hardwood or stone. It’s a moisture-resistant surface that’s available in a variety of colors and patterns. Moreover, it’s quite inexpensive when compared to most warehouse surfacing materials. 

However, vinyl tends to fade over time, particularly in areas subject to high traffic or UV exposure. If your warehouse is LEED-certified or you plan to get the certification, vinyl may not be a suitable surface. Vinyl surfacing production and installation releases volatile chemicals that have a negative impact on the environment. 

4. Laminates

Laminates are known for their hygiene and ease of maintenance. The surface is usually waterproof. These surfaces aren’t too expensive; however, once damaged, it is tough to replace and repair the flooring. Hence, laminate flooring may not be the option you are looking for in your warehouse. 

5. Hardwood 

Solid wood flooring seems to be a good choice for warehouses because of its elegant look. Also, dust and dirt can be easily swept away from these surfaces. 

However, wood flooring is expensive and its installation time is high, causing considerable downtime. Moisture can be an issue on this surface. Moreover, if this moisture seeps into the subfloor, it may give rise to other issues like mold or mildew.  

6. Rubber (The Winner!)

Most commercial settings use rubber flooring because it’s a durable flooring material that can handle the punishment of high-traffic facilities. The surface is slip-resistant, comfortable underfoot, and absorbs sound waves. 

Moreover, rubber surfaces are easy to clean, repair, and maintain. In case of any damage, all you need to do is get in touch with our team and we will make it look as good as new with minimum downtime. 

Here are a few properties of rubber surfacing that make it viable for commercial warehouses. 

• Tough and durable
• Slip-resistant material 
• Shock-absorbing material
• Comfortable underfoot
• Noise-canceling properties
• Resistant to harsh chemicals 
• Easy to clean and maintain 
• Impermeable to moisture 
• Hygienic surfacing as it’s inhospitable to pathogenic proliferation
• Available in a wide variety of colors and textures and can be customized as per your brand theme

Rubber surfacing may prove to be an expensive flooring option. However, after an upfront cost, the surfacing hardly needs any maintenance. In fact, once installed properly, rubber surfacing will last you for nearly 2 decades. Hence, the surfacing pays for itself in the long term. 

Summing Up 

The flooring in commercial warehouses undergo a lot of damage and wear. Hence, these facilities demand a durable and hard-wearing surfacing material that also ensures the safety of the warehouse staff. If you are planning a warehouse resurfacing project get in touch with Rubcorp. Our team will study your requirements and visit your facility to come up with the best surfacing solution for your commercial warehouse.