Monolithic floors are increasingly in demand in the market because they have numerous distinctive differentials. To understand what the monolithic floor is, let's start with its etymology: the word “monolithic” refers to the meaning of a work built on a single stone.
And that's exactly why monolithic floors are so called, because of their main feature being groutless and seamless. A unique surface.
Monolithic floors are easily found in places such as hospitals, food industries, and shopping centers. The main interest of these establishments is the search for resistance, ease of maintenance and practicality for cleaning, added to the good aesthetic quality associated with these floors.
However, this trend has expanded in recent years, and monolithic floors have become a popular choice for homeowners as well.
The reasons why monolithic floors have become increasingly present options in the most varied locations also include the fact that this type of flooring transmits the feeling of spaciousness, hygiene and practicality, combining with various styles - from rustic to industrial or modern.
For all these reasons, working with monolithic floors may represent an opportunity to be considered by those who already manufacture others concrete artifacts. To understand more about this possibility, continue reading today's article.
Learn more about what monolithic floors are
Monolithic means something that is uninterrupted, composed of one piece and therefore not fragmented.
Thus, the monolithic floor, unlike a ceramic floor, for example, which consists of many pieces with mortar in the middle of each adjacent tile, will not have joints and seams, will be continuous and whole.
It commonly has a cement base that is coated in different ways, depending on the objectives of the project.
This differential helps to add not only aesthetic value to the environments, but also functional value. For this reason, monolithic floors have been increasingly used in projects around the world, strengthening as a trend also in Brazil, reaching new markets, such as residential projects.
What are the types of monolithic floors?
Monolithic floors can be of different types, produced from various materials, coatings and techniques. There are, for example:
- Mortar floors: which can be made in different colors, with the diversity of satin or glossy finish, in a smooth or non-slip texture;
- Multilayer: this type of monolithic floor is ideal for places that have a medium concentration of movement, such as parking lots. Because it has several layers, it is highly resistant;
- Self-leveling: can be used for both homes and shopping centers. It has good aesthetics and its appearance is smooth and uniform;
- Floor of reinforced concrete monolithic: it is a floor made directly on the construction site;
- Burnt cement floor: the Burnt cement it is a trending decorative trend that can be applied to monolithic floors, especially in more industrial style projects;
- monolithic polymer cement floor: a polymer is included in the characteristic mixture of burnt cement for more elasticity to the mass and increase in strength;
- Granilite monolithic floor: produced with a mixture of cement, sand and water and with the addition of stones (such as granite, marble and others), it allows the creation of varied textures and colors for the floor.
Main differentials of monolithic floors
Large, integrated environments, original aesthetics, easy cleaning and a sense of modernity. These are just some of the advantages and associations made with monolithic floors. Also, because they have a uniform appearance, they bring harmony and appreciation to the place.
With the advantage of being smooth and seamless, they are highly recommended for those locations that require high levels of hygiene - such as hospitals and food industries.
For industries, the material is resistant against large and heavy vehicle traffic, shocks, and abrasion. Monolithic floors may not require maintenance for a long time, avoiding extra costs to the customer.
In places such as beauty salons, it is also possible to find monolithic floors due to their contemporary look, in addition to the convenience of doing local hygiene.
But monolithic floors appeal not only to commercial, industrial and business premises. Residences have given more and more space to this trend, since, visually, the monolithic floors are refined and modern. Another advantage of having monolithic floors in homes is the fact that they are not considered cold floors, which make them interesting for application in wet areas.
Furthermore, the monolithic floor matches an increasingly rising trend: that of open spaces, which are characterized by fluid integration. In homes, it is seen especially in the union between kitchen, living room and dining room as a large, well-lit and integrated environment, an effect that the monolithic floor helps to create and to highlight because it is continuous.
With this, we can summarize the differentials, which can base your sales argument, on factors such as:
- Durability and long lifespan;
- Versatility of applications;
- Safe for your health (the monolithic concrete floor does not release any harmful substances into the air when used);
- In general, resistance to mechanical shocks;
- Surface aesthetics, without cracks or cracks;
- Amplitude effect, much desired especially in more compact projects;
- Versatility and great potential for customizing the coating and finish;
- Diversity of possible coatings based on concrete;
- Fast application;
- Easy to maintain and clean;
- Resistance to alkalis, acids, greases, oils, salts and other elements of aggressive potential;
- Compliance with high asepsis and hygiene prerequisites (without the presence of seams and grouts, spaces for fungi and bacteria to multiply or bumps where moisture and contaminants could lodge are minimized).
Tips for working with monolithic floor projects
First, it is important to address a number of issues in the project planning phase with the client. For example: what will be the severity of use, the type and nature of traffic in the area, expected loads, whether aggressive chemicals will be used, compliance with specific hygiene standards, etc.
This will allow the creation of a project that takes into account all the requirements that the flooring must meet to maintain the attributes expected for the coming years.
Once these parameters have been defined and agreed, it will be possible to prepare a specific proposal, whose specifications and design will be optimized for the proposed use, so that the client is truly satisfied in the long term and continues to recommend their work.
Remember: the project must also take into account the correct dimensioning of the expected loads in terms of terrain or load-bearing floor, since, if it does not, the roof and work may be compromised, regardless of how well they are carried out, this may affect the final result.
For example: a monolithic or prefabricated concrete floor, a resin or ceramic floor, etc., the choices should be guided by the parameters of use, not just the aesthetic function of the floor.
In addition, it is worth remembering that, depending on the function and the application environment, it will be necessary to follow specific guidelines. For floors for health care facilities, for example, there are prescriptions in RDC 50 from Anvisa.
As we have seen, monolithic floors can represent an opportunity for diversification for your company. This type of floor is on the rise and is in demand for projects in different segments, given its functional differentials and versatile and qualified aesthetics.
And then, it became clearer to you what monolithic floors are? For more tips like this, keep following our blog.
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