Few facilities demand more from their floors than hospitals, dental offices and medical centers. They must be sanitary and easy to clean. They must be resistant to chemical spills and stains. They should have no ill effects on indoor air quality. And they must be durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic, wheelchairs, and hospital gurneys. Decorative concrete flooring easily meets all these performance demands, yet looks anything but cold and clinical. As these examples show, they are being used to dress up lobbies and waiting rooms, meet the rigorous demands of surgical facilities, and provide the chemical and stain resistance needed in medical labs and food service areas. Who knew concrete floors could be so good for your health?
Polished Concrete Replaces Vinyl Tile
This hospital, built in the 1960s, chose to remove the old vinyl tile floor throughout the facility and polish the existing concrete rather than install another floor covering. A diagonal pattern was cut into the concrete, and then the floor was stained with two colors to create the look of granite. The newly revitalized floor now provides a durable and aesthetically pleasing surface with minimal maintenance.
Metallic Coating Transforms a Dental Office Floor
You might actually look forward to going to the dentist for the chance to admire this eye-catching concrete floor. A multicolored palette of metallic-pigmented epoxies transformed the floor of this new oral surgery center in Escondido, Calif., into a work of art. In addition to the shimmering decorative effects, the high-build seamless epoxy is chemical resistant and easy to clean, making it ideal for concrete floors in medical facilities.
Surgical Center Gets an Epoxy Floor Coating
The doctor who operates this high-tech surgical center in Naples, Fla., specifically wanted an epoxy-coated concrete floor that would help him maintain a sterile environment and be easy to clean. The floor had been coated with a xylene-based acrylic. This was removed and replaced with a 100%-solids epoxy coating, followed by a urethane topcoat for added protection. Epoxy floor coatings are highly resistant to chemicals and offer excellent durability and longevity. Watch this video to learn about the applications for epoxy coatings and their chief attributes.
Stained Concrete Floor Enhances Dental Center
This richly stained concrete floor in the Hampton Family Dentistry professional building is the perfect example of how a decorative concrete floor can add beauty and warmth to a clinical environment. The floors in six small exam rooms were stained, along with two wide hallways and a large four-chair examining room. A clear coat of epoxy over the stain and two coats of urethane gave the floor a low-maintenance satin finish.
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