In Part 1, STRONGHOLD FLOORS discussed 3 of the 5 challenges we faced on this commercial floor coatings project near BWI airport. They were:
- Determining the proper coating systems.
- Ensuring the coatings sealed the transitions from floor to walls.
- Making the walls scrub-able.
Now, we get the rest of the story about this ultra-modern pet resort and salon.
Challenge #4 – Creating custom bathing stations for all dog sizes
Jodi didn’t want the groomers lifting dogs into and out of the normal steel bath tubs. She envisioned dogs being able to walk up and down stairs to tubs which were ergonomic for the staff and comfortable for the canines.
She had a lot of images on her iPad that gave her construction team the rough idea.
Solution #4 - Help design and coat the salon’s custom, walk up tubs
Jason worked with everyone to put the final touches to the rough design. He worked with Jodi’s construction team to figure out the right pitch and customized trim, which allowed us to apply decorative quartz coatings. These coatings created a profile rough enough for the dogs, but still smooth enough for the groomers to clean up the tubs.
Jason’s team also applied coatings to the steps (both treads and risers).
Challenge #5 – Applying metallic epoxy to VERY cold concrete
The reception area was the only floor that didn’t get our decorative chip coating. Jodi wanted a little more “wow” factor when clients first came in the door. With that in mind, she chose our metallic epoxy coatings.
By the time this area was to be coated, it was in the dead of winter and, of course, this was the only area that didn't have heat yet. We attempted to raise the temperature of the concrete floor by using multiple heaters. Once we were just barely within the safe temperature range for the epoxy, we applied the first two layers. The first was pure black and the second was the metallic pigmented layer.
Because the floor was so cold (this room had two exterior walls and was really conducting the extreme colds), we couldn't get the swirling in the metallic epoxy to stay. By the time the epoxy would flash, the pigment had settled back to a more homogenous look. I was extremely unhappy with the finished look and asked Jodi to allow us to re-apply the coatings. She was more than accommodating.
Solution #5 – Stop pushing the limits
During the entire project, we had to really push the time and temperature limits of the chemicals to keep the pace of the overall project moving along. Luckily, everything else in the reception area was able to be completed (except for the furniture) and we just waited until heat was installed along with allowing the outside temperatures to rise before reinstalling the metallic epoxy.
Learn More About Stay Pet Resort
The Project Portfolio: Epoxy Coatings in Maryland Pet Resort
Our Facebook Photo Gallery: Stay Pet Resort album
Customer's Website: www.StayPetResort.com
More Animal Projects
Here are some other animal facility projects we completed over the years:
- Nittany Greyhounds in State College, PA – office and kennel coatings (kennel completed when we were PremierGarage of Central PA).
- Rossmoyne Animal Emergency Hospital in Mechanicsburg, PA – entire facility except for offices.
- Duffy’s Bed & Biscuit in Hummelstown, PA – entire facility.
- Best Little Cat House in PA in Harrisburg, PA – two main feline rooms (completed when we were PremierGarage of Central PA).
- Bark of the Town in Mifflintown, PA – outdoor runs.
- Laurel Hill Kennels in Hanover, PA – kennel areas.
- Stonehill Kennels in Enola, PA – kennel areas.
Bea Bea (formerly Beyond Drive) is an ex-racing greyhound, who rules the Mincemoyer home. She takes retirement very seriously. She is often found in her oversized bean bag that takes up too much space in Mike’s office.
Mike Mincemoyer is the President of STRONGHOLD FLOORS and one member of the ownership team. Mike has been actively involved since the beginning in 2004. His formal floor coatings background includes training from PremierGarage, Crown Polymers, HTC America, SIKA, AmeriPolish, SASE, Metzger McGuire, L&M Chemical Company, and FGS/Permashine.
