self-leveling flooring, what to know, its construction and its characteristics

Self-leveling flooring is an increasingly popular solution in the industrial and commercial flooring sector. Thanks to its unique features, it offers many benefits in terms of appearance, functionality and robustness. Using a self-leveling floor eliminates the need for manual leveling work to obtain a uniform surface, which makes the installation process more efficient and reduces work times. In this article, we will examine in detail what a self-leveling floor is, how it is made and its main technical characteristics.

Definition of a self-leveling floor

A self-leveling floor is a type of flooring that is applied as a uniform layer on a pre-existing surface, it is composed of a mixture of epoxy or polyurethane resins, specific additives and selected aggregates. This composition gives the floor a fluid and self-leveling consistency, which is spread without the need for additional leveling work. When poured onto the surface to be paved, the mixture is distributed evenly thanks to its viscosity and fluid consistency. During the self-leveling process, the coating adjusts itself, filling any unevenness and creating a smooth, uniform and imperfection-free surface.

Implementation procedure

To create a self-leveling floor, the work of qualified specialists in the field of industrial flooring is required. The main stages of the installation process are:

1)Preparation of the substrate:

This initial phase may require a thorough cleaning of the surface, removal of old coatings or loose materials, and repair of any imperfections or cracks. It is essential that the substrate is clean, solid, and free of substances that may compromise the adhesion of the floor.

2) Primer application:

After preparing the substrate, a specific primer is applied  FEDERPRIMER evenly over the surface and left to dry which promotes adhesion between the self-leveling floor and the substrate.

3) Pouring and spreading the self-leveling mixture: once the primer is dry, proceed with pouring the self-leveling mixture (EPORIV 20) on the prepared surface. The mixture is poured evenly and distributed using spatulas and the surface is smoothed out with a bubble roller in crossed passes to help the air escape. Thanks to its fluid nature, the self-leveling floor adapts, compensating for any irregularities, creating a homogeneous surface. During this phase, it is important to work quickly and efficiently, as the self-leveling mixture can harden quickly.

4) Finishing and additional treatments

Once the self-leveling floor has stabilized, various additional finishes or treatments can be applied depending on the specific needs. Options include protecting the floor by applying transparent layers (POLYLUX TRF) or colored (POLYLUX COLOR) which increase their durability and resistance to abrasive agents, the adoption of a non-slip coating to ensure a safer environment, and the possibility of creating personalized brands or logos.

Technical features and advantages of self-leveling flooring

Self-leveling flooring offers several technical features that make it an ideal choice for many industrial and commercial applications such as:

Chemical resistance:

Self-leveling floors are specially designed to offer significant resistance to aggressive chemicals, such as oils, acids and solvents.

Thanks to this feature, they are particularly suitable for use in environments such as laboratories, chemical industries and other areas where contact with more or less corrosive chemical agents is likely. Their chemical resistance ensures that the floor maintains its integrity and durability even in the presence of such substances.

Structural strength:

is the result of their composition and meticulous manufacturing process. These floors demonstrate remarkable resistance to wear, impact and compression, allowing them to withstand the load of heavy equipment, such as forklifts and industrial machinery. Their ability to tolerate mechanical stress and maintain their integrity is a distinctive feature that makes them a reliable choice for demanding work environments.

Ease of cleaning and maintenance:

Their smooth and uniform surface prevents the accumulation of dirt and makes it easy to remove any stains or residues, they are extremely easy to clean and require minimal maintenance.

Aesthetic customization:

The wide range of colors available allows you to create unique visual aspects in the environments in which they are installed. They also offer the flexibility to add logos, signals or special markings for specific purposes. As a result, self-leveling flooring represents a reliable and versatile solution for industrial and commercial flooring.

Its self-leveling ability, chemical and mechanical resistance, ease of cleaning and the possibility of aesthetic customization contribute to its growing popularity in various sectors.