Let’s start with the fact that linoleum is not necessarily eco-friendly. But then, what is truly eco-friendly linoleum flooring? On this, opinions are – unfortunately – divided.

Let’s just say that greenwashing is happening everywhere these days, including in the flooring industry. It is good to see that people are becoming more willing to consider sustainable alternatives. But how do you turn this willingness into world-improving actions if you do not really know what is right anymore?

In this blog, we provide three very important insights so you can quickly distinguish true eco-friendly linoleum flooring from those promoted by Greenwashing.

WHAT ARE SEAMLESS FLOORS?

As the name suggests, seamless floors have no seams, ridges or joints. Seamless floors often consist of cast epoxy, urethane or acrylic formulations and are cast on site. In this way, they become a natural part of a building’s structure. For the more sustainable choice, seamless floors composed of a composition of natural materials such as biopolymer and natural oils can also be chosen. These floors are finished without saw cuts or expansion joints. These flooring systems are usually reinforced with a top reinforcement mesh combined with high tensile strength steel fibres and are designed for a given crack width.

Seamless floors offer a wide variety of designs that can be customised to meet specific customer needs. Floors can be customised with flakes or quartz and unlimited colour options can be incorporated into the floor. Seamless floors allow for a wide variety of designs, so you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics and durability.

KEY BENEFITS OF SEAMLESS FLOOR SYSTEMS

• High-performance properties: such as resistance to impact, wear and chemicals
• A surface that is easy to clean and repair.
• A safer surface: no joints or ridges offer numerous benefits related to foot traffic, rolling equipment, bacterial growth and more
• Environmental considerations: seamless floors do not end up in landfills and can contain recycled or renewable content. Duracryl’s seamless floors are even climate-neutral.
• A smooth surface for a better work process: think of a hospital corridor where patients are transported on stretchers or a factory where forklifts and equipment move through busy corridors.
• Design: As a design element, seamless floors provide a clean, sleek look that is highly sought after in commercial environments.

 TYPES OF SEAMLESS FLOORS

Seamless floors do not require much pre-planning as the floor panels can be cast in any size and shape. They are divided into 5 divisions, depending on the types of resins used as base components, seamless floors are divided into the following types.

• SEAMLESS CONCRETE FLOORS:

This type of floor is the most robust and is also preferred for homes as well as shops and showrooms. They create continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces as they can also be used outdoors with some special treatments.

• EPOXY SEAMLESS FLOORING:

These floors are made of two-component epoxy blends. Due to slight shrinkage, good adhesion to the substrate and resistance to mechanical and aggressive influences. These are used in areas where significant physical stresses on the floor or the influence of aggressive environments occur.

• POLYURETHANE SEAMLESS FLOORING:

These floors are made from two components with the addition of various modifiers, reagent oligomers and hardeners. Polyurethane self-levelling floors are characterised by high elasticity, resistance to vibration, loads and temperature variations.

• POLYESTER SEAMLESS FLOORING:

The composition of polyester blends includes resins and fine fraction quartz sand. It offers a high hardening rate, giving you a hygienic and dust-free surface in just a few hours.

• BIOPOLYMER SEAMLESS FLOORING:

Biopolymer seamless flooring is a type of flooring that are based on biopolymers, which are polymers derived from renewable resources such as plants. Biopolymer seamless flooring is typically composed of a mixture of biopolymers and other materials such as resins and pigments. This type of flooring is known for its durability, resistance to wear and tear, and ease of maintenance. Additionally, it is eco-friendly as it is made from renewable resources and does not emit harmful chemicals or VOCs.

Take a closer look at the various sustainable and SEAMLESS FLOORS OF DURACRYL.

APPLICATIONS OF SEAMLESS FLOORS

Every sector can benefit from seamless flooring, both commercial and industrial. Seamless floors work in any space and have the properties to provide protection with a look you want.

Recommended industries include:

• Aerospace – assembly lines, battery rooms, blast chambers, control rooms, hangars, laboratories, service bays and more.
• Food and beverage – bakeries, breweries, bottling plants, freezers, dairies, loading bays, mixing areas, packaging areas and more.
• Healthcare – emergency rooms, mortuaries, nurses’ stations, patient rooms, lobbies, corridors, atriums, laboratories and more
• Pharmaceutical biotechnology – vivaria, autoclaves, biosafety laboratories, chemical containment, processing areas and more
• Water-wastewater – head stations, decontamination areas, loading bays, filter tanks/pits, sludge dewatering floors and more
• Chemical industry and mining – bulk storage areas, containment/tanking areas, processing areas, packaging areas, refineries and more
• Hospitality – restaurants, bars, shops, kitchens, reception areas, cafeterias, pool decks and more
• Education – classrooms, cafeterias, restrooms, locker rooms, laboratories, libraries, bike paths and more
• Technology – data centres, inspection laboratories, fan decks, waffle plates, air plenums, assembly areas and more
• General manufacturing – assembly lines, battery rooms, control rooms, data centres, locker rooms, traffic corridors and more
• Government – aircraft hangars, barracks, barracks, fire stations, cells, ammunition rooms, offices and more
• Retail – bakeries, delis, cold rooms, kitchens, shops, storage areas, toilets, food preparation areas and more
• Transportation – train platforms, baggage handling areas, battery rooms, bus terminals, hangars, service bays and more
• Office buildings – building management – cafeterias, break rooms, shops, offices, restrooms, lobbies, mechanical rooms, car parks and more
• Car dealers – Auto Repair – showrooms, service bays, offices, restrooms, lobbies, waiting rooms, storage areas, car parks and more
• Car manufacturing – assembly lines, production areas, processing areas, mechanical areas, offices, test rooms and more
• General commercial – lobbies, waiting rooms, seating areas, cafeterias, service areas, pool decks, gyms, washrooms, churches and more
• Distribution / Logistics – warehouses, loading bays, processing areas, offices, restrooms, mechanical rooms, storage areas and more.

Take a closer look at the various FLOORING PROJECTS of Duracryl!