When it comes to commercial and industrial flooring, epoxy isn’t just one of many options—it’s a proven performer. But not all epoxy floors are created equal, and poor specification is one of the biggest reasons these systems fail. Whether you’re designing a manufacturing plant, medical facility, or high-traffic retail space, getting the spec right is everything. This guide is built for architects, designers, and project managers who want to make informed decisions and avoid costly pitfalls. At Prime Choice Flooring, we’ve installed high-performance epoxy systems across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland—and we’re here to help you spec with confidence.

Table of Contents

1. Why Specification Matters in Epoxy Flooring
2. Types of Epoxy Systems and Where They Work Best
3. Project Needs Assessment: What to Consider Before You Spec
4. Substrate Condition & Surface Prep: Where Success Begins
5. Thickness, Build, and Longevity: Matching Epoxy to Its Environment
6. Slip Resistance, Fire Rating, and Safety Compliance
7. Aesthetic and Branding Opportunities in Commercial Design
8. Avoiding Common Specification Mistakes
9. How Prime Choice Flooring Helps You Nail the Spec
10. Let’s Talk: Start Your Next Project with Confidence

1. Why Specification Matters in Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy flooring has become a staple in commercial and industrial construction—and for good reason. It’s durable, cost-effective over time, and adaptable to nearly any environment. From warehouses and manufacturing plants to commercial kitchens and retail spaces, epoxy systems are engineered to handle heavy wear while maintaining a clean, professional look.

But not all epoxy floors are created equal—and more importantly, not all are specified correctly.

Improper specification is one of the top reasons epoxy systems underperform or fail prematurely. It’s not just about picking “epoxy” off a finish schedule and calling it a day. The success of an epoxy floor hinges on getting the right system for the right conditions—and that starts with understanding the specific use case, substrate condition, chemical exposure, and traffic type.

In Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, local factors also come into play: a damp, coastal climate; temperature swings; high pedestrian use in some commercial environments; and industrial sites with heavy equipment. All of these demand careful attention to detail when choosing and specifying epoxy flooring.

A well-crafted epoxy spec isn’t just a technical requirement—it’s the difference between a high-performance floor that lasts 15+ years and a maintenance nightmare within two.

2. Understanding the Different Types of Epoxy Flooring Systems

Choosing the right epoxy flooring system isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision—especially in commercial and industrial settings where the demands on the floor vary wildly. Each formulation and system type comes with trade-offs in performance, durability, installation complexity, and even air quality impact. Here’s a breakdown of the most common epoxy systems and where they shine (or fall short).

100% Solids Epoxy

This is the gold standard for industrial-grade applications. With no solvents to evaporate, 100% solids epoxy cures into an extremely durable, chemically resistant surface. There’s zero VOC off-gassing, making it compliant with strict environmental regulations, and it can handle everything from forklift traffic to corrosive chemicals.
Best for: Warehouses, food-processing plants, commercial garages.

Water-Based Epoxy

Water-based epoxy offers a low-odor, user-friendly alternative to its high-solids cousin. While not as hard or long-lasting, it’s suitable for light-duty spaces or where VOC sensitivity is a concern—like schools, hospitals, or office corridors.
Best for: Commercial interiors with minimal traffic or where indoor air quality is a concern.

Solvent-Based Epoxy

This older generation of epoxy delivers good adhesion and penetration but comes with a strong odor and higher VOC content. It’s being phased out in many areas due to environmental restrictions, but some contractors still use it for its ease of application.
Best for: Projects where high ventilation is available and regulations allow.
Caution: Not suitable for occupied or sensitive environments.

Self-Leveling Epoxy

Ideal for smoothing out rough or uneven concrete, self-leveling epoxy creates a seamless, ultra-smooth finish that looks clean and performs even better. It’s a go-to for commercial kitchens, labs, and pharma facilities where hygiene and easy cleaning are critical.
Best for: Surfaces that need to be both functional and sleek.

Flake and Quartz Systems

These decorative systems combine aesthetic appeal with serious traction. Vinyl flakes or quartz granules are broadcast into the epoxy for texture and design, then sealed with a clear coat. The result? A slip-resistant surface that looks high-end and performs well under foot traffic.
Best for: Commercial washrooms, break rooms, retail spaces, locker rooms.

When you understand the differences in epoxy systems—and how they perform under specific conditions—it becomes clear why proper specification matters. Next up, we’ll dive deeper into Vancouver’s environmental and usage factors that can make or break an epoxy flooring project.

3. Assessing Project Requirements Before You Specify

Before you even think about product spec sheets or coating systems, you need to get crystal clear on how the floor will actually be used. The way an epoxy floor performs hinges entirely on the conditions it’s expected to handle—and the wrong spec, no matter how high-end the product, will fail under the wrong circumstances.

Foot Traffic vs. Vehicle Traffic

A retail store or office might only see light foot traffic, while a logistics facility has forklifts running 16 hours a day. That difference radically affects the thickness, hardness, and formulation of the epoxy system. In heavy-load environments, we typically spec 100% solids epoxy at 2–3 mm thick—or more—with added reinforcement like quartz broadcast for traction and durability.

Chemical and Abrasion Exposure

Is the space a mechanic shop with oil and brake fluid spills? A commercial kitchen dealing with hot grease and acids? Every chemical has a different impact on epoxy—some systems resist solvents and caustics better than others. In abrasive environments, we also consider topcoats or multi-layer systems to protect the underlying floor.

Moisture Conditions in the Slab

Epoxy and moisture do not play well together. If your concrete slab has high moisture vapor emission rates (MVER), you’re asking for bubbling, delamination, or total failure unless you mitigate it. At Prime Choice Flooring, we never move forward without moisture testing—and when needed, we install a moisture-mitigating primer before the base coat. It’s one of those mission-critical steps too many contractors skip.

Aesthetic Demands vs. Performance Priorities

Some projects—like a high-end dealership showroom—require a visually stunning floor. Others, like a machine shop, just need something bulletproof. This trade-off affects whether you go with metallic epoxy, flake, or solid color—and whether your topcoat is glossy, matte, or ultra-durable polyurethane.

Slip Resistance & Safety Compliance

Especially in industrial settings, you need to meet specific traction levels for OH&S or WorksafeBC compliance. That might mean adding aggregates, using a textured finish, or specifying a certain coefficient of friction. It’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s a liability shield.

Every one of these project variables feeds directly into the spec: from surface prep (how aggressive your grind needs to be), to coating thickness, to system buildout. In the next section, we’ll dig into substrate prep and condition assessment—because a flawless install starts from the ground up.

4. Substrate Condition & Surface Preparation: The Foundation of Any Good Install

Here’s the cold, hard truth: even the best epoxy system will fail if the substrate prep is subpar. We see it all the time—peeling coatings, bubbling floors, delamination—and 9 times out of 10, the root cause isn’t the product. It’s bad prep work.

At Prime Choice Flooring, we don’t cut corners, especially when it comes to surface preparation. It’s the most important phase of any epoxy flooring project, and here’s why:

Why Mechanical Grinding Beats Shot Blasting

We use diamond grinding for nearly all of our commercial and industrial epoxy installs. Shot blasting can create microfractures or an overly aggressive profile, especially in smaller or more delicate spaces. Grinding, on the other hand, gives us consistent control over depth, profile (CSP rating), and dust containment. It opens up the concrete’s pores just enough for maximum mechanical adhesion—no guesswork, no shortcuts.

Moisture Testing Isn’t Optional

Moisture vapor can destroy an epoxy floor from below. That’s why we test every slab using industry-standard methods like relative humidity (RH) probes and calcium chloride kits. If readings are too high, we apply a moisture-tolerant primer before anything else touches the surface. No exceptions.

Repair Before You Coat

Cracks, spalls, divots—if they’re not addressed before coating, they’ll telegraph through the finish or worse, create failure points. We use industrial-grade repair mortars and fillers to bring the substrate back to spec before the first coat goes down.

No Prep = Premature Failure

Improper prep leads to bubbling, flaking, or total delamination within months—or even weeks. At Prime Choice, we take a no-compromise approach to preparation. We’d rather walk away from a project than skip the steps needed for long-term performance. That’s what clients hire us for: peace of mind that the job is done right the first time.

Now that the foundation is prepped and solid, it’s time to build the right system—based on thickness, finish, and layers that suit your specific use case. Let’s get into that next.

5. Choosing the Right Thickness & Build for Performance Needs

Thickness isn’t just a number—it’s the backbone of epoxy performance. The demands of a commercial kitchen aren’t the same as a manufacturing floor with forklift traffic. If the build isn’t tailored to your use case, you’re asking for trouble down the line.

At Prime Choice Flooring, we spec epoxy flooring thickness based on real-world use—not guesswork or manufacturer minimums.

Light-Duty vs. Heavy-Duty Applications

For light-duty commercial spaces—think showrooms, office corridors, or lobbies—a thinner coating (around 10–20 mils) can provide more than enough durability, especially with proper maintenance.

But once you move into industrial territory—warehouses, loading bays, food processing, or areas with vehicle traffic—you’re looking at builds of 60 to 125 mils or more. These thicker applications protect against chemical spills, heavy rolling loads, and constant abrasion.

Self-Leveling Epoxy for Uneven Slabs

Have an old concrete slab with uneven areas or minor slope issues? A self-leveling epoxy system can regrade the surface while building up thickness for better longevity and performance. This is especially useful in retrofit scenarios where full slab replacement isn’t feasible.

Extra Protection in High-Impact Zones

For loading docks, forklift paths, and production lines, we build additional layers into the system—sometimes using a broadcast quartz or flake layer for added durability and slip resistance. It’s all about matching the floor to the punishment it’s going to take.

Bottom line: thickness is your insurance policy. Go too thin, and you’re replacing that floor in a year or two. Spec it right the first time, and it’ll outlast the equipment sitting on top of it.

Let’s move next into topcoats and finish selection—where the real customization starts.

6. Safety Considerations: Slip Resistance, Fire Rating & Compliance

In commercial and industrial environments, safety isn’t optional—it’s code. Whether you’re outfitting a food production facility, healthcare space, or a heavy-use warehouse, your epoxy flooring system needs to do more than look good. It needs to keep people safe and meet regulatory standards from day one.

Slip Resistance That Works—Not Just Looks Good on Paper

High-gloss epoxy can be deceptively slick—especially when wet. That’s why Prime Choice Flooring integrates traction-enhancing additives directly into the build. We’ll use aluminum oxide, broadcast quartz, or a custom grit blend based on your industry and foot traffic volume. For high-traffic retail or commercial washrooms, a quartz broadcast system offers grip without turning the floor into sandpaper.

If you’re spec’ing for environments like restaurants, commercial kitchens, hospitals, or schools, we’ll guide you toward anti-slip systems that also meet hygiene standards.

Anti-Microbial Protection for Sensitive Environments

Some coatings can be modified with anti-microbial additives, ideal for healthcare, pharmaceutical, and food production facilities. These treatments reduce bacterial growth on the floor surface, especially in high-moisture zones.

Fire Rating & Material Safety

Not all epoxies are created equal. For industrial projects, especially those where fire safety is a concern, we only use materials that meet Class I or Class II fire ratings and conform to Canadian building code requirements.

WorkSafeBC and Code Compliance

We stay current with WorkSafeBC guidelines, along with food service and commercial building codes across the Lower Mainland. Our specs account for both slip resistance testing and regulatory documentation, so there are no surprises during inspection.

7. Aesthetic & Branding Opportunities in Commercial Environments

In today’s commercial design world, floors are no longer just a background element—they’re part of the brand experience. Epoxy flooring has come a long way from utilitarian greys. With modern options like metallic finishes, vivid solid colours, and custom logos, epoxy can now play a big role in how a space feels and communicates your brand identity.

For example, metallic epoxy creates a polished, high-end look perfect for retail showrooms or automotive dealerships. Solid colour systems in custom corporate shades bring a clean, consistent aesthetic to commercial lobbies, offices, and customer-facing facilities. And for businesses that want to go all-in on branding, we can embed full-colour logos or directional graphics directly into the floor during installation—something tile or vinyl simply can’t offer.

Aesthetics don’t have to come at the expense of function either. These eye-catching floors can still meet all industrial specs for durability, chemical resistance, and slip safety. That’s why at Prime Choice Flooring, we work closely with designers and project planners to strike the perfect balance between beauty and performance. Don’t underestimate the value of design—especially in high-visibility spaces where first impressions count.

8. Common Specification Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, epoxy flooring projects can run into serious trouble when the specifications don’t match the realities of the site. And when mistakes happen, it’s rarely the coating’s fault—it usually comes down to what was (or wasn’t) planned in the beginning.

One of the most common errors? Installing epoxy over a compromised substrate. If the concrete underneath is cracked, crumbling, or moisture-compromised, no coating system is going to last. That’s why our team at Prime Choice Flooring always starts with a full substrate assessment—before we spec a system, let alone pour a drop of resin.

Another critical miss is underestimating exposure. Think light-duty epoxy in a facility with forklift traffic, or not accounting for harsh solvents in a production area. Over time, these mismatches lead to early wear, staining, delamination—or worse, a complete failure that costs twice as much to fix.

Then there’s moisture testing, which some teams skip to “save time.” Don’t. Moisture is the silent killer of epoxy flooring. We always conduct RH or calcium chloride tests to avoid expensive callbacks and headaches later.

Timing is another pitfall. Epoxy needs proper cure time. If your schedule is tight, we’ll help you plan for that—or recommend fast-cure systems that meet your deadlines without compromising performance.

Finally, prioritizing looks over function can backfire in industrial settings. That fancy metallic floor won’t hold up under pallet jacks. We’ll make sure your project finds the right balance.

With Prime Choice Flooring, you’re not just getting installers—you’re getting problem-solvers who flag issues before they become disasters.

9. How Prime Choice Flooring Helps You Get It Right

At Prime Choice Flooring, we don’t just install epoxy systems—we help you spec the right one from day one. Our process starts with a deep dive into your project’s unique needs: the type of facility, traffic loads, environmental exposures, aesthetic goals, and any regulatory requirements that need to be met. We’re not here to upsell—we’re here to make sure your floor performs the way it’s supposed to.

We bring real-world expertise to the table. Our team understands the differences between a decorative flake system for a commercial lobby and a heavy-duty build designed to withstand constant forklift traffic in a warehouse. And because every one of our installers is fully trained and insured, you can count on consistent workmanship and attention to detail—every time.

We also back our work with a 1–10 year limited warranty depending on the system installed. No fine print. No games. Just accountability and results.

Most importantly, our team believes in communication. We’ll walk you through every step of the process—from substrate assessment and prep to final topcoat—so there are no surprises, only smooth execution.

When you work with Prime Choice Flooring, you’re not just buying a product—you’re getting a strategic partner committed to long-term performance.

10. Let’s Talk: Start Your Next Project with Confidence

Specifying the right epoxy flooring system for a commercial or industrial space isn’t just a line item—it’s a critical decision that directly affects performance, safety, and longevity. From chemical exposure and load requirements to branding and compliance, there are dozens of factors to weigh, and getting it wrong can be costly.

That’s why working with an experienced, detail-oriented contractor makes all the difference.

At Prime Choice Flooring, we specialize in helping architects, designers, engineers, and project managers get their flooring specs right from the start. Whether you’re planning a high-traffic automotive shop in Burnaby, a food-processing facility in Richmond, or a commercial showroom in downtown Vancouver, we’ll help you choose the system that meets your performance goals—and stands the test of time.

Have questions about an upcoming project? Want help reviewing your specs before bidding? Or just want to explore which epoxy system fits your design intent? We’re happy to help.

Call us at 778-513-9968 or 778-628-1193
Email: info@primechoiceflooring.com

Let’s make sure your next flooring project is built to last—beautifully and professionally.