‘Resin’ is a liquid chemical polymer derived from natural gas or petroleum, which cures to a solid surface when mixed with a hardener or catalyst – essentially a type of thermosetting plastic. You may have heard of resin in the context of kitchen counter tops and panels, paints, varnishes, and protective coatings, and even artwork. But a plastic floor? In a factory? On a driveway?
This guide will help you make an informed choice, and you may be surprised at how strong, versatile and practical resin flooring is for a range of applications.
But resin can do far more than cover a factory floor. Depending on the system, it can create a highly refined office or shop interior, protect a car park deck, withstand intensive production schedules, waterproof an urban restaurant balcony or transform a suburban driveway. The seven questions that follow explore where these systems work, what each one can achieve and which practical factors should shape your choice. By the end, you will have a clearer idea of the resin options available and which are most relevant to your project. Let’s get started.
Resin flooring isn’t a single ‘flooring type’ as much as a family of liquid-applied systems that cure in place to form the finished surface. FeRFA (The Resin Flooring Association) classifies synthetic resin floors into eight types, ranging from thin seals and coatings to aggregate-filled heavy-duty systems (‘screeds’) installed at more than 6 mm. This range allows the chemistry, thickness, texture and build-up to be tightly matched to your project. Colour, aggregate and surface profile give you further control over appearance, cleaning and circulation.
The right resin system can give you:
Durability
Slip resistance
Chemical resistance
Fast installation
Seamless finishes
Easy cleaning
Decorative appeal
Weather resistance
Safety compliance
Long-term performance
Resin’s versatility comes from selecting the right formulation and construction for the environment, then installing it over a properly prepared substrate.
So, how do you choose the right resin system for your project?
Start with the conditions the surface will face every day: i.e. consider whether it is indoors or outdoors, the weight and movement of vehicles or machinery, exposure to chemicals, oils or cleaning agents, and the level of slip resistance you need. Hygiene standards, turnaround time, colour, appearance and UV stability will also shape the specification. The existing underlying substrate is equally important, because its condition will determine the preparation method and the way the resin is layered up. By assessing use, environment, access and long-term performance together, you can identify a system that fits the project rather than relying on a standard finish.
The following questions will help you narrow down your choice and hopefully decide whether resin is suitable for your project – but if you have any questions, please feel free to call one of our team directly on [NUMBER], or [click here] to send us a message.
Warehouses, workshops, factories, and other industrial environments require a flooring system that can handle operational pressures without incurring damage and the need for regular repairs. You’ll need something that can stand up to the daily grind of heavy plant, constant boot and trolley traffic, exposure to abrasive chemicals and spills, impacts, abrasion, and the toll taken by relentless cleaning regimes.
Any business that has ever invested in a concrete floor will recognise the long-term cycle of damage and patch up that comes with the territory. Being tough, seamless, and built to last, resin flooring can help you avoid this, saving you time and money across the life-cycle of the system.
But you’ll need to choose the right system to reap the benefits. Many of the resin floors used in commercial properties are resin coatings, which are relatively thin and mainly add protection, colour, or surface texture to an underlying concrete base. A better option for an industrial premises is a resin screed.
A screed is a substantial wearing layer of material laid over a concrete slab to create a finished working surface or to provide a level, durable base for another finish. In resin flooring parlance, screed indicates a thicker system made from resin mixed with graded aggregates. This is applied at a greater depth than a coating, commonly several millimetres thick, which gives it more strength, impact resistance and tolerance for heavy traffic.
The three most suitable solutions for industrial premises are:
Epoxy screeds create a dense, hard-wearing surface with strong resistance to impacts, concentrated loads, abrasion and a cocktail of industrial chemicals, making epoxy a strong choice for warehouses, distribution centres, assembly areas and general manufacturing floors carrying forklifts, pallet trucks, and vehicles. The tough, dense surface resists abrasion and impact, while a choice of coating, self-smoothing and screed formats allow the thickness and texture to be matched to each working area within your facility (because you won’t necessarily need the same level of ruggedness in the staff
Resin’s versatility comes from selecting the right formulation and construction for the environment, then installing it over a properly prepared substrate.
So, how do you choose the right resin system for your project?
Start with the conditions the surface will face every day: i.e. consider whether it is indoors or outdoors, the weight and movement of vehicles or machinery, exposure to chemicals, oils or cleaning agents, and the level of slip resistance you need. Hygiene standards, turnaround time, colour, appearance and UV stability will also shape the specification. The existing underlying substrate is equally important, because its condition will determine the preparation method and the way the resin is layered up. By assessing use, environment, access and long-term performance together, you can identify a system that fits the project rather than relying on a standard finish.
The following questions will help you narrow down your choice and hopefully decide whether resin is suitable for your project – but if you have any questions, please feel free to call one of our team directly on [NUMBER], or [click here] to send us a message.
Warehouses, workshops, factories, and other industrial environments require a flooring system that can handle operational pressures without incurring damage and the need for regular repairs. You’ll need something that can stand up to the daily grind of heavy plant, constant boot and trolley traffic, exposure to abrasive chemicals and spills, impacts, abrasion, and the toll taken by relentless cleaning regimes.
Any business that has ever invested in a concrete floor will recognise the long-term cycle of damage and patch up that comes with the territory. Being tough, seamless, and built to last, resin flooring can help you avoid this, saving you time and money across the life-cycle of the system.
But you’ll need to choose the right system to reap the benefits. Many of the resin floors used in commercial properties are resin coatings, which are relatively thin and mainly add protection, colour, or surface texture to an underlying concrete base. A better option for an industrial premises is a resin screed.
A screed is a substantial wearing layer of material laid over a concrete slab to create a finished working surface or to provide a level, durable base for another finish. In resin flooring parlance, screed indicates a thicker system made from resin mixed with graded aggregates. This is applied at a greater depth than a coating, commonly several millimetres thick, which gives it more strength, impact resistance and tolerance for heavy traffic.
The three most suitable solutions for industrial premises are:
Epoxy screeds create a dense, hard-wearing surface with strong resistance to impacts, concentrated loads, abrasion and a cocktail of industrial chemicals, making epoxy a strong choice for warehouses, distribution centres, assembly areas and general manufacturing floors carrying forklifts, pallet trucks, and vehicles. The tough, dense surface resists abrasion and impact, while a choice of coating, self-smoothing and screed formats allow the thickness and texture to be matched to each working area within your facility (because you won’t necessarily need the same level of ruggedness in the staff
your ramps and turning areas. These often benefit from increased aggregate loading and a more heavily textured wearing course, while individual parking bays and circulation lanes can use a finer finish.
And in enclosed car parks, polyurethane deck coatings can reduce the ‘tyre squeal’ produced where vehicles turn sharply on ramps and bends – creating a more comfortable acoustic environment for your customers.
Yes. In fact, resin flooring is one of the best and most cost-effective options for commercial projects, including shops, offices, bars, hotels, estate agents, and all manner of independent commercial premises.
Why? Because resin floor coatings can give a ‘standard’ shop, showroom, office or hospitality space a polished identity while standing up to constant daily use. Colours can be matched to your brand palette, different areas can be separated through changes in tone, and directional graphics or embedded markings can shape how your customers move through the space. This allows the floor to reflect the character of your business, from a restrained professional interior or high-class hotel, to a bold boutique jewellery shop, sports car showroom, or artisan bakery.
The specification can also reflect how each part of your premises is used. For example, a hotel or restaurant main entrance may need a textured finish for wet footwear, while the aisles and service areas of a supermarket may require greater resistance to repeated trolley or equipment movement. We can assess the likely footfall, cleaning routines, layout and trading constraints in your location, then develop an installation programme that fits around your access requirements and keeps disruption under control.
Resin systems shine in outdoor projects, outcompeting many alternatives in the durability, versatility, and attractiveness stakes. Outdoor resin systems can transform all manner of paths, patios, decks and communal areas into attractive, practical surfaces designed for year-round use.
Resin-bound surfacing combines dried aggregate with resin to create a smooth, seamless and permeable finish. It works well for garden paths, forecourts, walkways and areas around the home, with colours and aggregate blends selected to complement the setting.
Flexible polyurethane binder systems allow the resin chemistry to be matched to the aggregate or rubber surface, making it a great solution for decorative landscaping, footpaths, and cushioned safety areas in parks and playgrounds.
Waterproofing deck and balcony systems form a continuous protective layer across the surface, including details around upstands, thresholds, joints and drainage outlets. Slip-resistant textures can be incorporated for dependable grip in wet conditions.
The key to success with outdoor resin is to specify the system around the way water, sunlight, and temperature affect the surface throughout the year. A UV-stable aliphatic binder helps pale and decorative aggregates retain their colour. A permeable resin-bound system allows rainwater to pass through the surface into a suitable base, while balcony and deck systems use waterproof
membranes, formed falls and detailed outlets to direct water away. The full build-up, from substrate and drainage to binder and finish, determines how the surface will perform outdoors long-term.
Of all the potential outdoor uses of resin, driveways are the most popular among both commercial and domestic customers. But what resin system is best for driveways?
For most homes and businesses, a resin-bound system offers the strongest combination of appearance, everyday practicality and long-term performance. In a resin bound driveway, natural stone aggregates are mixed thoroughly with a clear, UV-stable polyurethane binder, then hand-trowelled to create a smooth, continuous surface. The stone remains visible, giving you the character of gravel in a clean finish with no loose chippings.
You can choose from warm golden tones, contemporary greys, darker blends or contrasting borders to complement your brickwork, paving and landscaping. The even surface is comfortable underfoot and easy to use with bikes, bins, cars, pushchairs and wheelchairs. A specified slip-resistant texture adds grip on rainy and icy days, while the joint-free finish leaves few places for weeds to establish. When laid over a suitable permeable concrete base, a resin-bound driveway allows rainwater to drain naturally through the surface instead of collecting in puddles.
Perhaps surprisingly, yes. Although resin floors are not currently widely used in domestic settings, they are extremely well suited to a variety of household applications.
Resin flooring can give kitchens, utility rooms, hallways and living areas a continuous surface that feels clean, contemporary and deliberately designed. The uninterrupted finish can even make rooms appear larger and more unified, while supporting straightforward everyday sweeping and mopping.
Decorative options include solid colours, metallic effects, flakes and quartz aggregates, allowing the floor to become either a calm architectural backdrop or a distinctive feature. This design flexibility works especially well in open-plan downstairs layouts, where one seamless surface can connect several areas visually. Resin is also compatible for use with many underfloor heating systems, supporting warm, uncluttered interiors.
However, the challenge faced by many homeowners is installation. Unlike other flooring systems such as tile, carpet, and hardwood, a resin flooring system needs space and time for installation and curing – it’s not easy to install in situ while people are using the home. For this reason, resin flooring systems are most popular for domestic home refurbishments, new builds, conversions, and extensions. If you’re interested, we can help you select the appropriate resin system, prepare the concrete, screed or timber correctly, and tailor the surface texture and slip resistance to the way each room is used.
Not only are resin and the related poured flooring systems extremely versatile, but each resin system can also be engineered for the full operating environment – including not just floors but also joints, walls, and clearly defined traffic and safety areas. For example:
Anti-static coatings, as discussed above, provide a controlled path for static electricity to flow safely to earth. This makes them ideal for electronics manufacturing environments and other areas containing sensitive equipment.
Joint sealants provide flexible, chemical-resistant protection at movement and construction joints. They preserve slab edges, restrict the ingress of water, oils and cleaning chemicals, and maintain continuity across your finished surface.
Safety surfacing and resin line marking can define pedestrian routes, forklift lanes, loading bays, hazardous areas and work cells in durable colours, with slip-resistant textures available where additional grip is required.
Matching resin wall finishes can extend the same easy-clean, hardwearing surface beyond the floor level and can even incorporate decorative patterns, textures or colours.
Choosing between epoxy, polyurethane, MMA and other resin technologies is only the starting point for a flooring project. As we’ve seen, resin flooring is extremely versatile, strong, and durable in a wide range of environments – but the finished floor must also suit your substrate (underlying concrete base or foundation), traffic and loading levels, chemical exposure, cleaning regime, slip-resistance requirement and time available for installation and curing.
Our team at ART(i) brings these factors together through a detailed site assessment and more than 100 years of combined commercial and industrial flooring experience. The team can work with you to identify defects or carry out preparation work that must be addressed, develop the resin sequence for each area and manage the installation through to completion. High-quality mechanical preparation and specialist application help ensure the specified system performs as intended once the floor enters service.
Work can also be planned around your operations, commitments, and shift patterns, including 24/7 scheduling if your access windows are limited or downtime must be tightly controlled. You will also receive clear support throughout the project, with an insurance-backed guarantee for additional protection.
To discuss which system best fits your site, operating conditions and programme, please contact Advanced Resin today to arrange an initial consultation, site survey or quotation.