June 10, 2021
What is Quartz Flooring?
Quartz flooring is the generic name for any resinous flooring system that utilizes quartz silica as an aggregate. The floors are seamless, durable and versatile making them an excellent fit for many applications in industrial and commercial spaces. Resinous flooring systems are poured floors which are built to merge seamlessly with drains and fully integrated cove base.
Quartz floors are especially desirable for wet environments as the quartz aggregates are also used to increase traction and slip resistance. These resinous flooring systems are available in natural quartz with solid color topcoats or decorative quartz with clear topcoats.
What Are the Benefits of Resinous Quartz Floors?
Resinous quartz floors are versatile and durable. They are strong floors which offer excellent impact resistance and are extremely hygienic as they eliminate places for germs and bacteria to grow. As mentioned above they are ideal for wet environments because the quartz adds texture which aids in slip resistance.
Features & Benefits:
- Long Lasting- Seamless flooring systems for years of service with minimal maintenance
- Slip Resistant- Textured finishes aid in a safer floor, even when wet
- Wear / Chemical Resistant- High quality topcoats for superior wear and chemical resistance
- Easy Maintenance – Long-lasting performance in a variety of finishes without the need for waxing
More than Just Epoxy
Quartz floors are often thought of as “epoxy floors,” however, quartz flooring is available in several other chemistries. In addition to being seamless, durable, and long-lasting, each chemistry offers its own set of features and benefits. It is important to consider the requirements or challenges of your space before selecting the chemistry for your seamless flooring system.
Epoxy:
Epoxy quartz floors are available in both decorative and solid color options. Two popular options for epoxy systems are Dur-A-Quartz and Shop Floor. Both are UV resistant, slip resistant, and have a durable urethane topcoat ensuring excellent wear and chemical resistance. Dur-A-Quartz is decorative while Shop Floor is solid color. Shop Floor is ideal for industrial flooring applications featuring abrasion resistance, and is designed for constant foot / vehicle traffic.
Features:
- Wear / Chemical Resistant- High quality urethane topcoat for superior wear and chemical resistance
- UV Resistant- Reduced ambering and degradation due to UV exposure
- Slip Resistant- Textured finishes aid in a safer floor, even when wet
Common Applications for Dur-A-Quartz Include:
- Hospitals
- Locker Rooms
- Cleanrooms
- Retail
- Laboratories
- Schools
- Pharmaceutical
- Supermarkets
- Lobbies
- Cafeterias
- Restrooms
- Dining Areas
Common Applications for Shop Floor Include:
- Server Rooms
- Loading Docks
- Data Centers
- Tool Cribs
- Mechanical Rooms
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA):
MMA quartz floors consist of 100% reactive, fast curing, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and colored quartz aggregate, this attractive, industrial floor can have a smooth or slip-resistant surface finish. These decorative systems are ideal for indoor or outdoor spaces. Cryl-A-Quartz is finished with a durable MMA topcoat ensuring superior UV resistance with excellent wear and chemical resistance. MMA floors are ready for full service immediately after initial cure.
Features:
- Quick Cure- Accelerated curing time as fast as 1 hour per coat
- Low Temperature Installations- Installs at temperatures as low as 0°F
- UV Stable- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
- Wear / Chemical Resistant- High quality topcoat for superior wear and chemical resistance
Common Applications Include:
- Laboratories
- Loading Docks
- Manufacturing Areas
- Pool Decks
- Traffic Aisles
- Attraction Waiting Areas
- Walk In Coolers
- Freezers
Accelera:
Accelera quartz flooring systems offer a unique combination of fast installation and high performance designed to meet the needs of today’s 24/7 operations. Its innovative chemistry allows Accelera to deliver the same high performance features as traditional seamless flooring, but without the lengthy installation process. There are several systems to choose from including Accelera B, Accelera Q, Accelera HB, and Accelera HQ. Accelera HB & HQ install in more environments, including those with high moisture levels up to 99% RH.
Features:
- Quick Cure- Accelerated curing time as fast as 2 hours per coat
- Long Lasting- Seamless flooring systems for years of service with minimal maintenance
- Wear/Chemical Resistant- High quality topcoat for superior wear and chemical resistance
- Decorative- Multiple blends of pigmented quartz aggregate for a unique look
- Slip Resistant – Textured finishes aid in a safer floor, even when wet
Common Applications Include:
- Hospitals
- Locker Rooms
- Cleanrooms
- Retail
- Laboratories
- Schools
- Pharmaceutical
- Supermarkets
- Lobbies
- Cafeterias
- Showrooms
- Dining Areas
- Restrooms
Urethane:
Cementitious Urethane quartz floors are exceptionally strong. The body coat is resistant to thermal shock and is moisture mitigating which can eliminate the use of a primer in most environments, while topcoat options offer a wide selection of chemical and abrasion resistant finishes. Poly-Crete SLB and Poly-Crete MDB are solid color systems and Poly-Crete MDQ is a decorative system.
Features:
- Self-Leveling- A uniform, more even floor system
- Moisture Mitigating- Can be applied to high moisture concrete and is capable of handling high soluble ion (salts) contamination – reducing the risk of moisture related coating failure
- Slip Resistant- Textured finishes aid in a safer floor, even when wet
- Thermal Cycling- Resistant Usable in environments with thermal cycling or changes in temperature
Common Applications Include:
- Kitchens
- Machine Shops
- Warehouses
- Tool Cribs
- High Traffic Areas
- Food Processing
- Storage
- Breweries/Distilleries
- Manufacturing
Hybrid:
Hybrid quartz floors combine the benefits of the chemistry that suits your environment best with the added benefit of having a self-leveling urethane base ─ withstanding moisture up to 99% RH. These systems are available in epoxy, Hybri-Flex EQ, MMA Hybri-Flex MQ, and Accelera, Hybri-Flex AQ.
Features:
- Self-Leveling- A uniform, more even floor system
- Moisture Mitigating- Can be applied to high moisture concrete and is capable of handling high soluble ion (salts) contamination – reducing the risk of moisture related coating failure
- Decorative – Multiple blends of pigmented quartz aggregate for a unique look
- Slip Resistant- Textured finishes aid in a safer floor, even when wet
- Thermal Shock Resistant – Usable in harsh environments with high thermal cycling or rapid changes in temperature
Common Applications Include:
- Cleanrooms
- Restrooms
- Laboratories
- Retail
- Pharmaceutical
- Schools
- Lobbies
- Supermarkets
- Pool Decks (MQ)
- Exterior Applications (MQ)
How to Care For Quartz Floors
Resinous flooring systems are designed for long term durability and ease of maintenance. They are typically found in areas where sanitization is a top priority. A regular cleaning schedule should be established to fit the needs of the individual facility. In heavy traffic areas that typically accumulate foreign matter, the suggested maintenance schedule is once or twice daily cleaning and regular “touch-ups” for spills.
It is recommended to refer to the flooring manufacturer’s cleaning instructions as the texture of the topcoat determines which pads or brushes should be used for cleaning.
Choosing the Right Quartz Floor for your Facility
As noted above, there are many options to choose from when considering a quartz flooring system. The easiest way to decide which system is best for your facility is to contact your local Dur-A-Flex representative. By discussing the most important needs for your space, they will help you narrow your choices and recommend trained installers.
Author: Jes Grant
Jes Grant is the content development manager for Dur-A-Flex. She has over 15 years of experience creating content for various technical industries, and has been featured in several publications for her writing and design work.