Understanding Resin Flooring: The Differences Between Resin Flooring Types

Resin flooring is continuing to evolve and while resin flooring is becoming increasingly popular and better understood, many still miss the fact that not all resin floors are the same, and several types exist. There are three main types of resin flooring, each has distinct properties, performance characteristics, and suitability for specific environments. When selecting a resin flooring solution, it’s important to understand these differences and evaluate the project’s key objectives alongside the environment conditions, to determine which option best suits your needs.

Before selecting a flooring solution, it’s essential to carefully evaluate a few critical factors to ensure long-term performance and value:

• Intended use of the floor: Consider how the floor will be used day-to-day. What is the extent and type of trafficking? Areas exposed to substantial loads and high levels of traffic require flooring products specifically engineered for durability.
• Exposure to chemicals: Floors frequently subjected to chemicals or strong cleaning agents need a product with high chemical resistance to prevent staining or deterioration.
• Temperature Resistance: The suitability of a floor can be influenced by temperature, as well as the frequency and type of heat exposure. It is essential to select a flooring material that offers the necessary heat resistance.
• Time: The timeframe for completing a refurbishment or new build project can greatly influence the choice of flooring, especially for resin floors, where curing times can vary.
• Expected lifespan: Evaluate the realistic durability of the floor under actual usage conditions. Be sure to discuss warranty details and expectations with your resin flooring contractor.
• Aesthetics / slip resistance: What type of finish do you prefer? Is the flooring intended primarily for functionality, such as slip resistance, or for visual appeal?
• Special requirements: Are there any specific needs on your project, such as static control?
• Compliance with regulations: Does your floor need to conform to hygiene or food industry requirements?

Having identified the factors to consider when evaluating your floor, it is also important to understand the differences among the various types of resin flooring. Below is a brief summary highlighting the key distinctions.

The key differences in resin flooring:

1. Durability and Strength – Different resin flooring types vary in thickness, hardness, abrasion resistance and load-bearing capacity.
2. Chemical and Stain Resistance – Some resins can offer better resistance to chemicals, oils and acids better than others.
3. Curing Time – Certain resin floors cure quicker than others. This cure time can also be affected by the temperature of the room. The season in which the installation takes place can greatly affect curing time and/or costs.
4. Temperature Resistance – Resin floors do vary in temperature resistance, with Polyurethane floors offering the highest. As mentioned previously it is important to consider the frequency and type of heat exposure.
5. Cost Considerations – Resin flooring can vary in price dependant on the system and type chosen.
6. Aesthetics – Some resins offer a greater range or colours, textures and decorative effects.
7. Slip Resistance – Resin floors can vary a lot in slip resistance depending on how they’re formulated, installed, and finished. Each resin type / system has different hardness and surface properties. Aggregates can be broadcast into the resin to achieve greater levels of slip resistance.
8. UV Resistance – The UV resistance of resin floors varies depending on the type.
9. Thickness – Resin floors can vary in thickness from 150 μm up to 9mm, depending on the system chosen.
10. Maintenance – It is important to consider the impact of future maintenance.

There are eight categories of synthetic resin flooring, each offering its own specific performance properties. The Resin Flooring Association, FeRFA have produced a comprehensive guide to the selection of synthetic resin flooring. This guide provides an overview of the different types, assisting you in selecting the most suitable resin flooring solution for your requirements.

What are the different resin flooring options available?

Epoxy Flooring:

Epoxy flooring is the most widely recognised option, and many mistakenly believe it is the only type of resin flooring available. Epoxy floors provide excellent chemical resistance and hardness. These coatings are widely applied in industrial environments as a cost-effective option that can also be used to mark or highlight specific areas, however, their rigidity can make them prone to cracking. They have a longer curing time than other solutions, meaning longer downtime for businesses during installation. Epoxy flooring typically takes between 5-7 days to achieve a full cure at ambient temperatures.

Polyurethane Flooring:

Polyurethane flooring provides outstanding resistance to chemicals and high temperatures, making it well-suited for industrial environments. Its exceptional durability under demanding conditions makes it a preferred choice for manufacturing settings that require a strong, long-lasting flooring solution. There are faster curing options now available, however polyurethane flooring typically takes between 3-5 days to achieve a full cure at ambient temperatures.

MMA Flooring:

MMA flooring is renowned for its fast-curing properties, making it perfect for environments where downtime must be minimised. The flooring fully cures within just 2 hours of installation, allowing the space to return to full operation shortly thereafter. The product is highly versatile, with a finish that can be selected to complement the surroundings, whether for visual appeal or slip resistance. MMA does emit a strong odour; however, this can usually be managed by experienced and skilled installation companies.

MMA floors typically incur the highest cost among resin types because of their rapid curing properties.

Resin Flooring Comparison:

*Dependant on type of exposure and frequency.  **Dependant on seal used.

Maintenance:

Like all flooring systems, resin floors require ongoing maintenance, and it’s wise to plan for potential future repairs. When selecting a floor, consider how potential disruption and intercoat curing times could impact maintenance schedules.

Conclusion:

Overall, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all resin. The right flooring choice comes from matching its performance to the environment. Achieving a successful specification means weighing installation time, budget, aesthetics, and long-term performance alongside project goals.

It is strongly recommended to consult with an experienced resin flooring contractor to discuss your specific requirements. A reputable contractor will be able to offer objective guidance and propose a flooring solution that is most appropriately aligned with the objectives of your project.

Choosing the right partner for your resin flooring project is as important as selecting the right material. With our proven expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to long-term quality, we deliver flooring solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. At RESYN we have extensive experience in both industrial resin flooring and commercial resin flooring solutions. We take pride in our customer-focused approach, which has earned the trust of so many clients who rely on us for their ongoing resin flooring solutions.

Need further assistance?

For professional guidance from an experienced resin flooring contractor, contact our team today. We specialise in industrial resin flooring and commercial resin flooring, offering expert recommendations to ensure you get the best resin flooring system for your specific space and requirements.

Use our Contact Us form or call 01778 343670 today. To see our latest resin flooring installations, follow us on LinkedIn.