Magnesite flooring might not be the flooring option that comes first to mind if you’re remodelling or building a new commercial or residential building, but it’s certainly an excellent option. This highly durable and extremely versatile flooring offers a number of benefits and advantages over its alternatives.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to everything you need to know before starting to look into magnesite flooring.
What is Magnesite Flooring
Magnesite itself is a mineral compound that is mostly composed of magnesium carbonate. Known for its high levels of durability, fire resistance and thermal insulation, it’s no wonder why it’s been used in construction for decades, especially in flooring systems.
In building construction, including industrial, commercial and residential, magnesite flooring has become more and more commonly used as a top layer floor leveller. In other words, the concrete floor slabs are still used but they are covered with a layer of magnesite flooring.
Benefits of Magnesite Flooring
1. Durability
First and foremost, magnesite flooring offers long-lasting durability. There’s no need to delve into why this is important for your flooring – especially in a building setting where foot traffic and daily use is more intense. The hardiness of the magnesite material makes it a strong option for both residential and commercial applications.
2. Fire Resistance
More uniquely, however, is the level of fire resistance magnesite offers. Fire safety is a key consideration in building construction, so finding a material like magnesite that neither burns nor releases toxic fumes when exposed to high temperatures is a great advantage.
3. Thermal Insulation
Similarly, magnesite has natural thermal insulation properties. This means that during the hotter and colder months of the year, this flooring makes it easier to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Apart from the fact that thermal insulation improves one’s ability to maintain the atmospheric temperature inside the building at a comfortable level, it also effectively helps reduce costs associated with heating/cooling a space.
4. Smooth Finish
Magnesite flooring offers a smooth and seamless finish. While aesthetically this is certainly a benefit, it also makes the flooring itself significantly easier to keep clean and maintain, saving you time, effort and money in the long run.
5. Sustainability
Environmentally friendly options are becoming more and more popular and magnesite flooring, being made from naturally occurring materials and without extensive energy needs during production, ticks all the right boxes for those wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.
When Do You Need to Remove/Replace Your Magnesite Flooring
To ensure your building is as safe and functional as possible, it’s important to keep on top of required maintenance, repairs and – if necessary – removals.
Magnesite flooring may be tough but it’s not invincible. If your flooring is not properly sealed, installed and maintained it can be susceptible to water damage. Exposure to moisture can cause a number of issues to your flooring, including:
- Warping the flooring itself
- Deteriorating the material
- Breeding of either mould and/or mildew
When the magnesium chloride in your magnesite flooring is exposed to excessive moisture, detrimental chlorides can be released. If this gets into the underlying concrete structure, it can cause corrosive damage to the steel reinforcement within the concrete itself. This, of course, compromises the structural safety of your building.
Areas particularly susceptible to this are rooms exposed to higher moisture levels, such as bathrooms, kitchens and even balconies.
So, at what point do you need to give a remedial building services provider a call? Here are the signs to look out for.
1. Wear and tear
If you begin to notice your flooring cracking, chipping, or changing due to heavy or excessive use, you may be noticing general wear and tear. As with all things in building maintenance and repair, the sooner you are able to attend to such issues the better (and often cheaper). Your magnesite flooring may just need some restoration attention to fix up its appearance and/or functionality.
2. Structural changes
Structural changes are likely caused by underlying issues that you ought to address. A damaged subfloor, for example, could require your flooring to be removed in its entirety or simply subjected to a more straightforward repair job.
3. Health concerns
From older buildings containing asbestos to ensuring the wellbeing and safety of building occupants with broken flooring, removal and replacement can be crucial. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry in these instances. If you’re concerned or notice anything abnormal about your magnesite flooring, just give the BIM Sydney team a call.
4. Aesthetic Upgrades
Sometimes, there’s nothing functionally wrong with your magnesite flooring but it’s time for a little cosmetic upgrade. The flooring of a building is a relatively unsung hero in setting out the overall look and feel of a space. If you’re interested in replacing outdated or worn but not compromised flooring, contact us today.
For all things magnesite – call BIM Sydney
Our team has over 20 years of experience dealing with, removing and replacing magnesite. We’ve seen it all and done it all when it comes to this durable, fire-resistant and versatile material.
While magnesite flooring is a fantastic option, it is not immune to wear and tear, damage and structural change. Fortunately, with the right number on speed dial, you can ensure your flooring is repaired, removed and replaced promptly and with minimal cost and fuss.
Whether you want to know more about what magnesite is and why it’s a great option or you’d like a contractor to come out and assess the damage to your building’s flooring, get in touch with the BIM Sydney team today.
