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The Pros & Cons Of Epoxy Floor Coating

Building Construction 27.07.22

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Weighing up the pros and cons of epoxy floor coating? Then this is the best blog for you. We’re going to take a close look at all of the benefits and drawbacks of this popular floor treatment.

As epoxy floor coating specialists, we have vast experience and there isn’t much that we haven’t dealt with or come across! So read on to see what we think makes it the ideal solution for many floors – and why it might not be for you…

What Is Epoxy Floor Coating?

Before we get to the good stuff, let’s first make sure you know what exactly epoxy floor coating is and what it’s commonly used for.

In simple terms, epoxy is a type of resin floor system that hardens to create a solid coating, much like plastic. This coating bonds well to appropriate base layers, making it well suited to high-traffic areas.

Where Is Epoxy Floor Coating Best Used?

Industrial and commercial flooring benefits most from the durability that epoxy offers. The common floors that we treat are;

Warehouses
Factories
Areas for machinery and vehicles
Walkways
Public buildings
Care homes
Showrooms

But this is not an extensive list – at GI Sykes, we have used epoxy floor coating in so many locations, we can’t list them all.

The Pros Of Epoxy Floor Coating

We’re not going to pretend that we’re not huge epoxy flooring fans – we even have it in our own facilities. But we do like to make sure we give an unbiased overview of the product so you’re more informed. We’re going to start with the key advantages of using epoxy coating on your floors.

Protection For Your Floor

While a little obvious, it’s the main reason people opt for epoxy as a floor coating. The thick layer of resin protects your floor like nothing else.

Extremely Durable

There are different types of epoxy, and as with anything, the quality of the product plays a large part in its longevity. We only use trusted brands that deliver exceptional results and many of the epoxy floors we have applied are still going strong many years later. With the correct base, careful application and ongoing maintenance, your epoxy floor coating can last up to ten years.

Easily Applied

Epoxy flooring is one of the most convenient flooring solutions in terms of downtime for your property. Our team of professionals can quickly apply the coating and once it’s cured – you’re back in business.

No Skidding
Despite its glossy appearance epoxy floor coatings can reduce skidding if the right type is used – so fewer slips and trips!

Hygienic

One of epoxy resin’s superpowers is that it can be made to be antimicrobial. This makes it ideal for buildings that work with food, medical facilities or places where bacteria and germs need to be kept to a minimum. Even standard epoxy flooring offers a high level of hygiene and it’s non-porous and smooth, making it easy to keep clean.

Affordability

Epoxy floor coating is one of the most affordable flooring options on the market. Compared with alternative flooring choices, such as rubber, concrete or PVC, epoxy flooring is the best value.

Colour Options

You can even have your flooring coloured to match your company brand – epoxy floor coatings can be custom coloured if you are looking to reflect your brand or environment. Many businesses, particularly warehouse and industrial ones, colour code their flooring to denote areas of hazard or safety. Red flooring is ideal as an additional warning of hazards like moving vehicles, chemicals or other dangers, while green or blue work well for marking out walkways and safe zones.

The Cons Of Epoxy Floor Coating

With such a long list of benefits to epoxy flooring, you might be wondering what the disadvantages could possibly be! And although it is a shorter list, it’s important to know the drawbacks so you can make an informed decision for your building.

Slippery When Wet
Ok, we know we said it’s anti-skid, but some epoxy coatings can be more slippery when they’re wet. If you know that your floor is going to be frequently wet, then you can take a couple of approaches. You can use a different floor covering in that area or, if you still want the benefits of epoxy, you can either have an additive mixed in, like grit, that creates a rough surface or we can use a specialist roller that leaves the surface textured.

Preparation Plays An Important Role
The durability and longevity of your flooring depend heavily on the quality and reliability of your base. Making sure that the floor that is being covered is clean, damage-free and prepared for the coating is one of the most important jobs. If damage is discovered or if the floor needs a deep clean to remove grease or oil, then this can extend the project.

Maintenance Required

You can leave your epoxy floor coating to its own devices – but it’s not recommended. Ensure that your floor is regularly cleaned – but don’t reach for the Flash just yet. Epoxy flooring can build up a ‘haze’ over time when soap-based cleaners are used, there are specialist liquids you can buy to ensure your floor keeps its shine. A weekly vacuum and dust are also advised as this keeps grit to a minimum and prevents scratches and gouges.

Hard To Remove

This is a big one to consider. If you think that you might want to remove your epoxy flooring in the future, then think carefully about having it installed in the first place. Epoxy floor coating is tricky to remove once applied and may even require a whole new floor!

Want To Know More About Epoxy Floor Coating?

So now you’ve heard the pros and cons. Hopefully, this has helped you come closer to deciding if an epoxy floor coating is right for your property, but if you’re still left with questions, then our team are more than happy to help. You can call 01384 891 341 or click here to arrange a call-back.

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Are Tor Coatings Worth The Cost?

Spraying Services 20.04.22

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Tor Coatings has long been the gold standard in commercial-grade coatings, providing the most effective and reputable coatings in the industry since 1975. But are Tor Coatings worth the investment? That’s exactly what we’re going to discuss in this blog…

Who Are Tor Coatings?

Tor Coatings was created in response to a gap in the market for a forward-thinking company that was focused on innovation and development. Bringing together decades of experience, the founders used their expertise to formulate coatings that would revolutionise the market.

At GI Sykes, we strive to deliver the most durable and long-lasting solutions to our clients, which is why we chose to use the industry’s foremost materials and products. And as Tor Coatings have a catalogue of awards under their belt, becoming an approved Tor Coatings specialist seemed a logical and intelligent choice for us to make.

What Makes Tor Coatings So Good?

You’re probably wondering why Tor Coatings has such an outstanding reputation. Well, we think it’s all in the innovation. Tor Coatings has invested a whopping £17.4 million in their facilities and employ some of the best chemists in the sector – this results in ground-breaking formulas that are backed up with solid support from manufacturers and distributors.

And why does that matter to you, the end-user? Well, when we use Tor Coatings products for your property, you can be assured of the cutting-edge protection it provides, the speed of application (which means a quicker turnaround on your project) and no delays with material supply since all Tor Coatings products are made here in the UK.

What Are The Tor Coatings Brands?

Roofing

Your flat roof needs to have robust protection from weathering and age-related damage and a roof coating provides that. This added layer means that you can prolong the lifespan of your building’s roof, making a vast saving on replacement costs.

At GI Sykes, we have a specialist team of roof coating experts who deal with all types of roofs, day in and day out. So when they spot a product that they think will make a significant difference to our clients, we listen.

That’s why we recommend that our clients use Tor Coating’s Elastaseal Z. Its ingenious technology makes it one of the most effective roof coating products available. The ‘Z’ stands for zero odour, zero leaks and zero disruption – basically, all the downside to many traditional roof coatings have been eliminated!

Your roof will be fully waterproof, with no fumes – ideal for public buildings and buildings in built-up areas. And not to mention the thermal benefits – something you can’t underestimate as energy prices climb ever higher.

Fire Protection

If you own or manage a commercial building, it’s your responsibility to ensure that there is adequate fire protection to the walls and ceilings. This simple step has saved countless lives, which is why it’s an aspect of our services that we take very seriously.

When it comes to the safety of our clients and their staff or tenants, there’s no compromise. We will only ever provide the most effective and resilient results, which is why we use Tor Coatings for our fire protection coatings.

For new, stripped or bare walls and ceilings, Tor Coatings have created Torlife. This coating achieves a class 0 fire rating when applied to bare walls. It is also incredibly effective as an anti-graffiti coating, so if you have areas that suffer from repeated graffiti attacks, Torlife gives you a double-whammy of protection.

For maximum fire protection, the Torrex range is our go-to. Tor Coatings are Certifire recognised, a third party accreditation for fire performance. This coating delays the burn time and spread of flames in a fire, allowing more time for safe evacuation.

Using these Tor Coatings products, GI Sykes can upgrade your building’s fire protection quickly, with minimal disturbance but with maximum results.

Flooring

Nothing in your building is going to undergo tougher daily use than the floor. If you have high traffic walkways, balconies or external landings, you’ll notice how quickly they can become worn and damaged.

As the floor wears, it can become smooth and slippery, which poses a real risk of slips and falls. You could spend hours trying to make the area safe using various untested methods…or you could ask us to use Tor Coatings Elastadeck to restore and protect your floor.

Elastadeck not only makes your floor anti-slip, but it also completely waterproofs the area – ideal for spaces that are outside and exposed to the elements.

Now, for protection of your internal floors, Tor Coatings has one of the most innovative solutions. Tortread. Tortread is a slip-resistant resin flooring system that has been developed to allow us the deliver incredibly fast installation – without impacting the longevity and quality of your floor protection. The Tortread range is vast, and enables us to make a recommendation that’s tailored to the needs of your floor.

Tortread is easily the most comprehensive flooring coating solution, which is why we find it so popular with our clients.

Tor Coatings vs Other Products

So, are Tor Coatings worth the cost? It’s a resounding yes from us.

We see the aftermath of shortcuts and cheap materials, and trust us, the saying ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ has never been more true. It pays to use real quality, and with the guarantees that Tor Coatings provide, you’re not just buying robust floor, roof or wall coatings now – you’re buying coatings that will see you through the next decade and beyond.

That’s not to say there aren’t other brilliant products on the market, we have a full and extensive product catalogue, but we know that when a client chooses a Tor Coatings product, they’re making a worthwhile investment.

Got a Roof, Floor Or Wall That Needs Coating?

If you are wondering if Tor Coatings are the best solution for your commercial property, then give us a call or drop us a message. We’re happy to advise you on the ideal products, Tor Coatings or otherwise, that will deliver an outstanding result.

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5 Benefits Of Roof Coating

Roofing 13.01.22

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Roof coating is one of the most effective ways to reduce your business’s environmental impact and increase your building’s efficiency. In recent years, businesses have been increasingly investing in the preservation of their commercial spaces, which, for many, has helped to lessen the impact of recent economic stress.

If you’ve been considering roof coating for your commercial property, then read on to see why it is such an incredibly beneficial route to go.

What Is Roof Coating?

Before we get to what makes roof coating so good, we’re going to briefly outline what it is. Roof coating is quite literally, coating your roof with a substance to provide enhanced protection from weathering and ageing. At GI Sykes, we use the industry’s most respected and trusted brands such as Giromax, Tor Coatings and Cromapol because we know that these products, along with our expertise, will give you the most long-lasting protection.

So, why opt for roof coating?

It Saves You Money

Top of the list is the one that can have the greatest direct impact on your business. Roof coating saves your business money in a variety of ways. It acts as insulation for your building, so your space stays warmer for longer. In winter, you’ll be able to drop the thermostat a couple of degrees without making your staff and customers feel the chill. With the coming energy cost price hike, this could be very welcome news!

In summer, a roof coating can also help to deflect UV rays which can keep your space cooler. If you find that your building gets stuffy and hot, a huge heat-attracting roof is certainly going to add to the discomfort. By adding a roof coating, you can help to bring the ambient temperature down.

Longer Life Span

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a protective roof coating will extend the lifespan of your roof. Not only will that reduce your annual maintenance budget, but it will also mean that you can stave off expensive roof replacement by some stretch.

The cost of adding a roof coating is insignificant when compared to that of replacing your roof, but it is something that needs to be done before age-related damage and weathering sets in. If you have a relatively new roof you may think that it’s all good for a few years – but the best time to take preventative action is at the start. There’s never a ‘too early’ for roof coating, but there can be a ‘too late’!

In the UK, our weather is diverse – winters are often frosty, we have year-round rain, as well as periods of dry, hot sun in the summer and early autumn. Your roof will bear the brunt of these extremes, often suffering minor damage and problems as a result. Roof coating will give you peace of mind that your roof will be resilient to corrosion, rust, bubbling, sagging and other common issues.

Innovation in the roof coating industry has led to some of the most durable and effective roof coating products on the market. The brands we use have a proven track record in adding many years of life to a roof, some for up to 20 years. They provide multiple levels of roof protection and greater resistance to the variation in climate.

Be More Green

Reducing your environmental impact is a key focus for many people. There’s a responsibility on businesses to set an example and do all they can to become more sustainable – in fact, it’s thought that 81% of people prefer to buy from or use businesses that are more sustainable and green.

Roof coating helps you achieve this. By adding insulation, you’re increasing your building’s energy efficiency. The same goes for the summer too – a cooler building means you don’t need to crank up the air conditioning or blast many fans around the space.

Not to mention the very act of elongating the lifespan of your roof means that over the course of its existence you need fewer repairs and therefore fewer materials. And since your roof is lasting longer, you won’t require replacement as often, meaning less waste ends up in landfill.

A Good Impression

In business, you probably know that there’s nothing so powerful as a good impression. If your property is in disrepair, then the impression your clients and employees are given can be a negative one. No one wants to be known as ‘that shabby building on the corner’.

By having a roof coating, you will be left with a pristine and seamless look to your roof. Coating also comes in different colours so if you want a smart black roof or a modern grey one, talk to us about how we can help.

Safety

One hazard with some roofs is the risk of degradation over time. Poorly maintained roofs and old roofs carry a risk of pieces becoming loose or unstable, which can end up falling to the ground where passers-by are endangered. By adding roof coating, you secure your roof and prevent future debris.

Roof Coating: The Wise Choice?

You may call us biased, but we think roof coating is the wisest choice for commercial property owners. We have roof coating at GI Sykes HQ because we know the value of prevention over cure. Our roof, and the roofs that we coat, will last longer, be more energy-efficient and look smarter for many years to come.

It’s a fast and easy process. Unlike having your roof removed and replaced, our team can prolong your current roof without any hassle. And if you’re worried about having to close while we apply your new roof coating, don’t be. Our expert contractors can work around your opening hours to minimise disruption to your business, and if the work can be carried out while you’re open, our team of professional roof coating specialists will ensure that it’s seamless and stress free for you and your business.

Still on the fence? If you’re not sure if roof coating really is the right investment for you, give the team a call. We can talk in detail about your roof and how we can help.

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Industrial Painting – Why Does Paint Bubble?

Spraying Services 30.12.21

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Bubbling paint can make your building look run down, dilapidated or scruffy. When it comes to industrial painting, damaged paint is frustrating, especially when you can’t find the reason for it.

But when it comes to large commercial buildings, paint bubbling, cracking or peeling is incredibly common.

Why does this happen – even to high-quality paints?

Blistering and bubbling is something most painters and building owners experience, sadly. But there are a few causes for paint damage, which you can learn here in the hopes of avoiding it altogether.

It Starts With Painting Mistakes

Paint is pretty strange when it comes down to it. It reacts to different temperatures and moisture levels differently. Paint blisters and peels if there’s too much moisture in your air or if it gets too hot.

If you’re unlucky enough to get both of these together your paint might even start pulling away from the surface and crumbling off.

That’s obviously something you want to avoid, so what situations cause paint to react like this?

Damp and heat are huge contributors to paint damage. Your best option if you’re painting in these conditions is to allow the surface to become dry and cool before you begin painting. Painting onto a hot or damp surface is just going to end in a paint bubble disaster.

The same applies if you’re painting outdoors. Let the paint dry completely before being exposed to heat or damp, or you’ll see cracks appear almost instantly.

Another big mistake to watch out for in industrial painting and residential painting alike is using an alkyd paint over the top of a latex paint. This also ends in peeling, and your only choice will be to remove the paint and start again.

These are the biggest mistakes that can be at the root of obvious paint damage, but there are plenty of types of paint damage with different causes.

How Is Paint Damage Caused?

The way your paint finishes can be affected by a lot of factors. Usually, damage happens because it wasn’t prevented in the first place.

If you’re seeing bubbling, blistering, peeling, cracking or flaking it’s probably because of the way it was painted. Different issues cause different types of damage.

Here are the types of damage you’re most likely to want an explanation for…

Bubbling And Blistering – This happens when the top layer of paint comes away from the layer below or the wall surface itself. Most often you’ll experience this in humid or damp rooms or otherwise on building exteriors. The biggest culprit for bubbling is painting during damp conditions or extreme heat.
Flaking – Paint can begin to flake and crumble after long term exposure to UV rays. You’re more likely to see flaking on older buildings or on paint that is very old.
Cracks – For cracks specifically the likely cause is that you either used too many layers of paint or the surface you painted was dirty. This doesn’t allow the paint to solidify properly, making it unstable.

If you’re having trouble keeping up with all of these varieties of paint damage and how to avoid them, consider getting the help of a professional in industrial painting. But if nothing else, the one thing you can do to prevent paint damage altogether is to be prepared.

How To Stop It

To stop your paint from bubbling or worse, make sure you’re taking the obvious steps to avoid damage.

If you’re in a rush or trying to DIY your painting, then it might be tempting to skip these things, but do these simple things and you’ll be glad when your surface is bubble-free.

Firstly, prepare your surface! Ensure it’s dry, clean, and not extremely hot or cold.

Secondly, don’t forget your primer. Apply a coat of this to begin with for a better finish, and use primer to touch up any staining before your main coat of paint.

Lastly, be aware of the elements – if you’re painting an exterior then don’t expose your paint to the elements before it’s fully dried. Follow these basic steps and you’re much less likely to face blistering, flaking, and cracks.

Repairing Paint Damage

Of course, your other option is to repair the damage already appearing in the paint. Ideally, bring in the help of an industrial painting contractor to properly repair your commercial building.

The process of repairing paint damage of any kind can be quite involved and time-consuming, so having a professional on hand is your best option.

Bubbling paint can be concerning, but ultimately it’s avoidable by ensuring the surface is dry, clean and cool. Avoid mistakes like layering certain paint types and not letting the paint dry before exposing it to harsh conditions. Get the help of a professional in industrial painting to make sure paint damage problems are avoided and prevented properly.

At GI Sykes we’re the first choice for industrial painting for factories, warehouses and all commercial buildings. With over 100 years of industrial painting experience, we can help with old, marked walls or damaged paint. Get in touch today for a free quote.

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Cladding Spraying: 7 Questions To Ask Your Contractor

Spraying Services 18.11.21

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