What are my Choices for Warehouse Floor Markings?
We often get this question. Some of our customers will ask, What product should I choose for my Warehouse Floor Markings? When we hear this question, we typically ask several questions , so that we can advise them the best choice based on their situation. Here are a few case studies, we have come across.
#1. Short Lease or eventual liability : If a customer has a short lease on their building or they have an eventual liability for changes they make to their warehouse floor, then they are probably looking for something a little less permanent. In this case, we would steer our customers towards a water based floor paint or a floor marking tape system. However, with out shot blasting the customer runs the chance that the paint will flake or peel. Both products are easily removed and can also save money in terms of overall cost for our customers. Tapes are good, if you don’t have forklift or rough traffic through out your warehouse. But overall, typically fail due to exposure to mopping, scrubbing, and heavy traffic.
Pros: Tape is easily repaired, comes in a variety of colors, Water based paint is relativity inexpensive & has faster curing times.
Cons: Tapes can be expensive, Tape can create trip hazards, Water base paint can fail very quickly depending on the surface its painted on. Also, Water base paint can attract dirt and scratches easily.
#2. Long Term/Heavy Durability : Many companies are looking for Warehouse Floor Markings that are going to last longer than a year or two. These companies have often ran the gambit of tape and water based paint and are more interested in a product that can perform and last. In these cases, we would recommend a two part epoxy system for interior warehouse work or a two part urethane for exterior warehouse and dock painting. These paint products combined with professional floor preparations such as shot blasting can have an amazing durability and lifespan. With all products, there are variables to consider and concrete has a way of being hard to predict exactly how a product is going to perform. Test spots are always recommended on larger projects and the cost is always refundable if you choose Trueline as the contractor. Overall, yhis system is your best bet for both longevity and minimal maintenance.
Pros: Long lasting, High sheen finish, Durable, Low Maintenance, Can withstand heavy forklift traffic.
Cons: Dry times up to 24-48 hours, High end paints are more costly with shot blasting projects period almost doubles.
#3. Medium Duty: Some of our customers are looking for something middle of the road. In this case, there are other options. One option to consider is an oil based paint, which is more durable then it’s water based cousins. Oil base paints are also more affordable then it’s epoxy and urethane cousins. They can be sprayed in a faster time period and dry faster on the ground and these are very important factors to consider. Unfortunately they have a low sheen finish which allows for dirt and grime to build up on them like the water base paints. Also, with out shot blasting the customer runs the chance that the oil base paint will flake or peel. All paints can be sealed with a clear sealer as well but the cost to add these services all together can add up fast.
One scenario where an oil base paint might be a good choice, is if you have a small warehouse and your looking for a paint that’s going to last about a year. The paint may flake or peel but ultimately its going to serve its purpose to organize space and create safety areas. If your not to concerned with what the striping does as far as flaking and failure. Ultimatley the striping will serve its purpose which is to help organize and maximize space in your warehouse or create safe areas for pedestrian traffic.
Pros: Faster dry times, Oil base paint is less expensive, Oil base paint will be easier to remove when necessary. Can perform well in low traffic areas.
Cons: Paint may require more maintenance or touch up, Paint may flake prematurely, Paint may get dirty easier.
At Trueline, we know that no single product is best. So we don’t just sell one. We offer many choices when it comes to Warehouse Floor Markings. From water based paints and tapes for shorter less permanent lifespans to extremely durable two part epoxies that can last for years and years. If you need assistance on a warehouse floor marking project, please feel feel to call us with any questions you might have.
