An Industry Booms Amid New Laws
The legalization of marijuana in several states has created a modern new industry of cannabis grow facilities. In 10 states and the District of Columbia, medical and recreational marijuana is legal. The US is heading toward the decriminalization of marijuana and eventually making marijuana fully legal. With a relatively new and unique industry, these grow facilities and dispensaries have hurdles to overcome to ensure they stay dedicated to government regulations and codes.
Cannabis grow facilities are facing increasing competition as new cultivation companies are setting up shops in industrial spaces. Keeping production expenses low while maximizing high-quality yields will help these new growers build their businesses, profit and stay competitive in the market.
The harsh environments inside of grow facilities can require regular upkeep and cleaning of floors. Fertilizer mixtures, pesticides, moisture, and UV lights are typically rough on floors in these buildings. Polyurethane and Polyaspartic floor coatings are typically perfect for these conditions in which chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and UV resistance are required. Many have even modified existing floor coatings to make them better suited to these flooring applications. For example, UV light stabilizing additives can be added to polyaspartic and polyurethane systems to enhance their already great resistance to UV exposure (yellowing).
Medical Marijuana Grow Facilities
These facilities have very distinctive needs. In the past, grow facilities have experienced fires, explosions, code violations, and other incidences. What used to be an outdoor growing operation has evolved into large indoor commercial facilities. Taking operations indoors has translated into better security and protection from weather and outdoor contaminants. This has led to more control over the ideal environment for marijuana growth. Grow facilities are exposed to high-intensity UV lamps, moisture, and harsh chemicals used in fertilizers and pesticides.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLOOR COATING FOR A GROW FACILITY
Due to the harsh environment inside a grow facility, with a mixture of fertilizers, pesticides, moisture, and harsh lighting, the flooring is exposed to unique conditions that require a unique solution. Keeping a floor clean is very important to operations, so much so that most grow facilities require that shoes are washed with a special solution before entering the grow room. These operations need a floor that is resistant to chemicals, easy to clean, moisture friendly, and can withstand UV lighting.
As a result of the unique environment in a grow facility, a hybrid floor coating system consisting of epoxy, and polyaspartic resins would provide an optimal solution. Two coats of water-borne epoxy (primer) protect against the humid environment. A topcoat with polyaspartic protects the floor from harsh UV lights. Compared with traditional epoxy flooring, Polyaspartic would be necessary as a topcoat to withstand UV lights, whereas epoxy would yellow with time. Additionally, polyaspartics protect against various chemicals and fertilizers that are present in a growing facility.
With the moisture and humidity in a grow facility, the floors can encounter condensation, making a smooth floor surface slippery. Finding the balance between cleanliness and safety on a floor is important. The smoother the floor, the easier it will be to clean, but the more polished and smooth it will be when wet. If safety is more important for your grow facility, we suggest adding anti-slip particles (texture) to the hybrid floor coating, increasing the coefficient of friction on the floor surface. If clean-ability is more important, we would recommend all employees wear slip-resistant shoes while the grow facility is experiencing high moisture levels.
Marijuana Dispensary Floor Coatings
The retail space of marijuana dispensaries emphasizes cleaning and sanitation, product safety, compliant facility operations, waste management, and operator health and safety. With this in mind having a clean and aesthetically pleasing floor is critical for the product and the customers.
If you are looking for the best and most long-lasting floor solution, we recommend going with a polyurethane or polyaspartic protective coating. ArmorThane offers the best products in the industry, and if you would like to know more, follow the links below.
