When looking into different types of flooring and green metal products, you must note the durability, longevity and whether it is easy to maintain and clean. Today’s specifications now require the flooring to be environmentally friendly or “eco-friendly”. Food processing plant managers are asking if the flooring is LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), what the VOC (volatile organic compounds) levels are and how safe it is around food and employees. Different companies who offer eco-friendly flooring products are listed below:
- Stonhard products are low-VOC and provide environmental benefits such as the Stonclad GR, which is an epoxy mortar system of recycled glass and renewable soy components.
- Sherwinn Williams offers water-based products, all with VOC levels of 100 grams per liter or lower. The low VOC levels provide the same or better performance than solvent-based counterparts. Sherwinn Williams also offers a polyaspartic ester coating which has a zero-VOC resin; which can be used as a coating or a top coat.
- Rhino linings Inc. offers a zero-VOC hybrid polyurea coating system which is durable, reduces indoor pollution and generates a lower carbon footprint.
SlipNOT® Metal Safety Flooring also has no VOC content and contributes to a cleaner environment by recycling their metal scraps, utilizing materials and limiting waste and energy consumption. SlipNOT®’s green metal products are durable and long lasting, resulting in less replacement. Also, by specifying SlipNOT® products, your project may be eligible for LEED credits.
Bertrand, K. (2011, October). Flooring in a Shade of Green. Food Processing.
