More and more people are beginning to recognize the importance of maintaining better indoor air quality, especially in places with highly sensitive groups like nursing homes, hospitals, and those that work in enclosed areas.
But what you may not realize is that your commercial flooring can have a direct effect on this air quality. That is why it is often important to choose a type of flooring that offers better air quality options. One such type of flooring is epoxy flooring.
Understanding Indoor Air Quality
Let’s start by talking about indoor air quality more generally. There are many things that affect air quality, from smoke to carbon monoxide to dust. With flooring in particular, we are usually talking about what are known as Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. VOCs are pollutants that are introduced within the building process, either before, during, or after the build.
For example:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Toluene
- Xylene
These are compounds that are found in adhesives, carpeting, wood, finishes, and more.
All types of flooring emit some VOCs, even epoxy, which is known as one of the best options for low VOC emissions. But where epoxy shines is in how quickly the VOCs in epoxy flooring installation dissipate.
The installation process of all flooring will emit some VOCs. But what makes epoxy special is that these VOCs are not in high numbers and will dissipate within 48 hours to 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, epoxy emits very little VOCs, if any. Compare that to something like carpet or vinyl flooring. Those types of flooring can emit VOCs for years.
In addition, there are low VOC options available that can reduce VOCs dramatically, especially with epoxy. This means that your indoor air pollution will be far lower, and your air more breathable, after utilizing this type of epoxy flooring.indoor air quality
Other Ways Epoxy Flooring Offers Better Indoor Air Quality
Low VOCs is perhaps the most common reason that commercial properties consider epoxy flooring, at last when choosing it for its air quality benefits. But there are several other reasons that epoxy flooring is beneficial:
- Easy to Clean – Epoxy flooring is incredibly easy to clean. This means that chemicals, dust, and other compounds are easy swept or mopped away.
- No Edges/Seamless – Similarly, unlike tile, there are no ridges for chemicals, mold, dust, and germs to get stuck. Everything can be cleaned away with ease, leaving nothing behind.
- Durability – It is the installation process that is traditionally responsible for emitting the most VOCs and other air pollutants. Because epoxy lasts for decades, you will be able to avoid future installation, and thus future VOCs.indoor air quality
Epoxy flooring is very beneficial for those trying to improve indoor air quality. It is one of the many reasons that commercial properties choose epoxy for their installation needs. For more information about our epoxy flooring options, please contact Colorado Concrete Repair.
Contact Us Today For Your Free Estimate
If you’re looking for concrete floor refinishing, concrete staining, epoxy coatings, concrete repair or other services, our team can provide high-quality, effective solutions for commercial and industrial companies in Denver, Colorado, and the surrounding areas.
Give us a call at (720) 835-1013, or fill out the form below to get started today!
