The Ground Floor with our clear solvent free Epoxy seal coat
Working with other trades on the Ground Floor
Before and after close up
Before and after on the mezzanine
The industrial seal coating on the mezzanine
The fine slip resistant finish built into the industrial seal
Introduction
Horizon Technology Group, home to high tech engineering companies including Polar Technology, SSTT and Lentus Composites, developed a new 8,000 m² hub in Oxfordshire for advanced engineering start ups. To protect the new concrete floors from early wear and dusting while the internal layouts were still evolving, they appointed Elgood Industrial Flooring to apply a clear solvent free epoxy industrial flooring seal. Installed over three five day phases in conjunction with main contractor EG Carter, the seal created a hard wearing, fine slip resistant finish that is easy to clean and ready to accept future floor markings and zoning.
Background
Elgood Industrial Flooring had previously refurbished floors across Horizon Technology Group’s existing facilities over a number of years, building a strong working relationship and understanding of their operational requirements.
For the new Horizon Technology Campus in Oxfordshire, the client wanted to protect the investment in the fresh concrete slab from the outset. As the building would initially host a mix of engineering start ups and developing processes, it was important not to lock the layout in too early with heavy toppings or permanent markings. Instead, Horizon was looking for a robust clear industrial seal that would:
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Prevent dust generation from the new concrete
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Make day to day cleaning and housekeeping easier
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Preserve flexibility for future floor layouts, racking and machinery positions
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Avoid the disruption and additional cost of a major flooring installation later on
Elgood, as a British manufacturer and installer of industrial flooring with over 125 years of experience, was well placed to provide a solvent free epoxy sealing system tailored to these needs.
The Challenge
The project at Horizon Technology Campus presented several key challenges and objectives:
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Protect a large 8,000 m² area of new concrete floor across ground and mezzanine levels
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Provide a hard wearing, dust suppressing industrial flooring seal that would stand up to early occupation and fit out
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Build in fine slip resistance without making the surface difficult to clean
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Maintain a neutral, clear finish so that future line marking and zoning could be added once layouts were confirmed
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Phase the works into three five day programmes that fitted around the main contractor EG Carter and other trades
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Use preparation and application methods that controlled dust and disruption within a live construction environment
The Solution
Elgood Industrial Flooring designed and installed a clear solvent free epoxy industrial flooring seal system across the Horizon Technology Campus.
Key elements of the solution included:
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Light vacuum contained shot blasting to clean and lightly texture the new concrete surface, removing laitance and providing an ideal mechanical key for the seal while keeping dust under control.
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Application of a clear solvent free epoxy seal coat formulated and manufactured by Elgood Industrial Flooring. This provided a dense, hard wearing film that binds the surface, prevents dusting and resists early traffic and light industrial use.
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Incorporation of a special blend of fine aggregates into the seal to create a subtle slip resistant finish, offering secure footing without making cleaning difficult or altering the visual appearance of the concrete more than necessary.
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Trowel application of the seal to ensure an even distribution of resin and aggregates across the floor, followed by rolling to achieve a uniform, consistent surface texture on both the ground floor and mezzanine areas.
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Delivery of the works in three separate five day phases, carefully coordinated with main contractor EG Carter and other trades to minimise clashes and keep the overall build programme on track.
All installation work was carried out by Elgood’s own small, full time in house team, ensuring consistent workmanship and a single point of responsibility for both materials and application.
Outcome
The completed industrial flooring seal at Horizon Technology Campus in Oxfordshire has delivered a practical, long term foundation for the new high tech engineering hub:
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A clear solvent free epoxy seal that protects the new concrete slab, prevents dusting and extends the life of the base floor.
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A fine slip resistant surface that provides safe footing for staff and visitors while remaining easy to clean and maintain.
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A neutral, sealed floor that can be reconfigured with line markings, colours and zoning once the final layouts for Polar Technology, SSTT, Lentus Composites and other start ups are fully established.
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A phased installation completed alongside main contractor EG Carter with minimal disruption to the wider construction programme.
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Confidence in a British manufactured and installed industrial flooring system from a contractor with a proven track record across Horizon Technology Group’s existing facilities.
By sealing the new floors early with a high quality solvent free epoxy system, Horizon has safeguarded the performance and appearance of the Horizon Technology Campus while keeping full flexibility for future industrial floor layouts and expansions.
