Exploring Different Types of Floor Marking

by

Floor markings are used in many different businesses as a form of visual communication. While these markings are most commonly associated with manufacturing facilities and warehousing, they are used in many other locations as well. With so many different use cases for floor markings, it should be no surprise that there is such a large number of different types and styles.

Taking the time to learn about the different types of floor markings will help ensure you know what is available for your facility. This will allow you to use the right option for every situation. Whether you are planning on installing floor markings for the first time, or just want to make sure you are getting the most out of your floor marking strategy, this information will be very helpful.

Floor Marking Materials

When planning out a floor marking strategy, one of the first things to decide is what type of markings you want to use. There are three main options available when it comes to the materials of the markings. Each one will have its own advantages and disadvantages to be aware of.

  • Floor Marking Tape – Floor marking tape is very popular and can work in almost any environment. It is easy to install, affordable, and long lasting.
  • Floor Marking Paint – Floor marking paint is also very affordable and long-lasting. The one downside is that it can be more difficult to install since you need to make sure the area is cleared out until it dries. Also, paint can cause unpleasant odors while being applied.
  • Floor Marking Lights – Floor marking lights are a great option for temporary situations. This is usually done using some type of projector that will shine the markings onto the floor to make it easily visible. While this option can provide many benefits, it is going to be more expensive than either of the other two choices.

Taking the time to look at each of these options will help you to select the best materials for your floor markings. Every company has a different set of needs, so it is important to know about all your options to get what you are looking for.

Specialty Floor Markings

Another thing to consider when picking out different types of floor markings is the specialty options. These are used in far fewer places than most other markings, but can be extremely beneficial. The following are the most common options to be aware of. When used, this type of floor marking can really help to improve the safety of a facility.

  • Reflective Floor Marking Tape – Reflective floor marking tape uses highly reflective materials so that it will be visible even in low light situations. This is great for facilities that operate at night and anywhere that wants visibility during a power outage.
  • Glow in the Dark Floor Marking Tape – Glow in the dark floor marking tape offers similar benefits to reflective options. This tape absorbs light from the area and then glows when the lights go out. This is a great safety option for leading people to an exit during an emergency.
  • Traction Floor Marking Tape – Traction floor marking tape provides a lot of grip for people walking in the area. This is most commonly used near entrances that can sometimes bet wet or covered with snow, which would otherwise make them quite dangerous.

Each of these different types of specialty floor marking can be used to provide specific benefits to everyone in the area. These benefits go beyond the normal advantages of markings. While they may be more costly than standard options, they are often worth the investment.

Great for Any Environment

Floor markings can be used in any environment to provide easy information to those in the area. While they are most commonly used in manufacturing and warehousing facilities, you will also find floor markings in medical facilities, office buildings, and even shipping yards.

No matter where you are using the markings, it is important that they are able to stand up to the environment. For a normal manufacturing building, for example, the floor markings need to be able to stand up to being driven on by forklifts and other vehicles. If you run a transport ship, the markings need to be able to last a long time even while getting wet.

For most situations, vinyl floor markings are going to be an ideal option. This material is very durable and long lasting. It can also be waterproof to help keep the adhesive strong and in place. When using colored floor markings, the vinyl material is able to maintain the coloring even when exposed to the sun for extended periods of time.

Having the ability to use this type of floor marking will give you a solution to the need to convey information no matter where you happen to be.

Color Meanings for Floor Markings

When looking at the various different types of floor markings, one of the things that will jump out most quickly is the fact that they can come in many different colors. No matter what material you are using, having your floor markings the right color is critical.

In almost every facility, the different colors will have different meanings. In some cases, the meaning of a color will be a standard across an entire industry. In others, the color meanings will be chosen for just one facility. Either way, making sure to follow the same color codes for your entire area will make sure that everyone knows what the various colors mean.

Both floor marking tape and floor marking paint come in virtually any color you might want to use. Most facilities will use multiple different colors based on different situations. Having the colors you need available is very important. This is not only true when installing the floor markings, but also for maintaining it long term. While both tape and paint are very durable and long lasting, they can be damaged and need to be properly maintained.

Floor Marking Shapes and Patterns

In addition to the various different colors that you can get for your floor markings, it is also possible to use various different shapes and patterns. This can be done in many different ways to make it easier than ever to convey meanings to people at just a glance.

One of the most commonly used options for this type of thing is writing out words using letters. You can purchase floor marking tape that comes in the letters or words you need. If you use floor marking paint, you can use stencils to write out the information you need to share. This is most commonly done with short words like “STOP” to alert people to some important piece of safety information.

Beyond letters, you can also use various shapes. These shapes may stand alone or may come as patterns on the floor marking tape. For example, many companies will get black and yellow striped floor markings to indicate that an area has some specific danger associated with it.

The way that you use the floor marking tapes or patters can be unique to your facility. Coming up with the right system that will ensure your message is clearly communicated to everyone in the facility is very important.

Creating a Floor Marking Strategy

All facilities should have a well-thought out floor marking strategy in place. Planning out where you will use floor markings, and which ones will be best, can take a lot of work. You do not want to over use floor markings or it will become confusing, which is the opposite of what you want. The first priority in any strategy should be using the markings to clearly convey the exact message that you need. This is done by using the right type of floor markings in the right colors and patterns. When done properly, you can improve the safety, organization, efficiency, and overall operation of your facility.

Do Not Skip Training

No matter how good a floor marking strategy is, it will not be effective if your team does not have a clear understanding of what the markings mean. This is why all good floor marking strategies should include a comprehensive training program for everyone who works in your facility. You can provide this training to all new employees to ensure they are up to speed. In addition, any time you change the way you use markings, or add something new, they should be given an updated set of instructions.

If you have a lot of contractors or other people who work in the facility, it is a good idea to at least provide them with a basic training or a set of information. Some companies will put up a poster or other sign that gives key information about the floor markings used in the facility. This would include details on what the various colors mean, what any shapes or patterns mean, and anything else that could be relevant.

This will help to ensure you get the most out of the different types of floor marking possibilities.

Additional Resources

Related posts:

  1. Floor Markings for Emergency Evacuation
  2. Using Floor Tape for Facility Safety
  3. Necessity Of Floor Tape For Industry Floors
  4. Glow-in-the-Dark Floor Marking