How to Choose the Right Car Park Flooring for High Traffic Areas

ARDEX ENDURA
03 Dec 2025
05 Min

The Role of Flooring in Car Parks

Car park flooring does more than provide a surface to drive and park on. For starters, it absorbs daily stress from constant traffic. Additionally, it is susceptible to the impact of sharp turns, leaks of oil or grease, and sudden weather shifts. But if the flooring is weak, it can cause cracks, result in slippery areas, etc., leading to expensive fixes.

An ideal car parking floor ensures long-term performance. It balances durability, skid resistance, and easy maintenance. A well-designed flooring:

Handles heavy vehicles without cracking
Resists water, oil, and chemical damage
Remains safe in both dry and wet conditions
Performs consistently in heat, rain, or cold

In short, strong car park flooring protects both vehicles and the structure itself.

Hundreds of vehicles move, turn, and brake on the same surface, creating stress points on your car park protection system that gradually lead to wear and tear. The biggest challenges include:

Abrasion: It occurs from constant tire friction, chains, and metal parts.
Oil, fuel, and chemical spills: These kinds of spills inevitably spoil the coatings.
Thermal movement: Most of the car parking floor systems grapple with temperature changes. Ultimately, this can expand and contract the surface.
Heavy loads: A strenuous load increases the risk of surface delamination, especially if the bonding is weak.
Carbonation: When carbon dioxide in the air reacts with concrete, it reduces its strength and causes the steel inside to rust. This can weaken the floor over time.
Cracks and shrinkage: Due to continuous vehicle loading, temperature changes, and drying, cracks can appear on the concrete surface. These cracks let water, oil, and chemicals enter, leading to damage and higher maintenance costs.
Drainage and waterproofing: These can trap water and cause damage.

Each of these factors adds up, and if the flooring is not designed for such conditions, it leads to higher maintenance costs and lower safety.

Must-Have Properties in Car Park Flooring

To survive heavy use and harsh conditions, car park flooring needs more than just strength. It should bring together specific features that keep the surface safe and reliable:

High abrasion resistance: For the grind of daily traffic.
Chemical and oil resistance: To avoid permanent stains or breakdown.
Non-slip finish: This reduces accident risks for vehicles and pedestrians.
UV and weather stability: For open decks exposed to sunlight and rain.
Load-bearing capacity: Strong enough for both cars and heavier vehicles.
Low maintenance design: That saves on long-term costs.
Textured coating: To improve grip on ramps and turning areas.

Flooring with these properties provides unmatched safety and performance. This ensures durability, low maintenance and easy everyday use.

Types of Car Park Flooring Systems & Where to Use Them

The right flooring choice depends on the location of the surface and usage type. For example:

Polyurethane (PU) Systems: They offer you greater flexibility. PU systems are UV-stable, which makes them perfect for outdoor or open decks.
Cementitious Systems: Another budget-friendly and practical option for lighter traffic areas.

Ardex Endura offers specialised solutions for heavy-duty demands:

CPS 25 PU: CPS 25 PU is a polyurethane flooring system engineered for long-term strength under constant traffic.
CPS 25 PU-T: A textured version of the same. It’s designed with extra skid resistance, ideal for ramps, sharp curves, and entry or exit zones.

By using the right flooring system in the right area, car parks stay safe and serviceable for much longer.

Installation & Surface Preparation Guidelines

Even the strongest flooring system can fail if the base is not prepped properly. Hence, installation is as important as the product itself.

Key steps include:

Moisture testing before coating, since damp concrete affects adhesion
Crack repair and levelling to create a uniform surface
Priming to improve the bond between the substrate and the topcoat
Applying multiple coats, with an anti-skid top layer for safety
Allowing correct curing time before opening to traffic
Following safety protocols throughout installation

Many people tend to skip or rush through these steps, but doing so can weaken the system and reduce its lifespan.

Maintenance Tips to Extend Life

Once installed, the floor needs care to ensure its durability for years. Simple, regular upkeep prevents costly damage:

Stick to a routine cleaning schedule to remove grit, oil, and dirt
Avoid harsh cleaning agents that can wipe away coatings
Apply re-coating on faded or worn areas before problems spread
Set up clear parking guidance to reduce uneven wear and tear in high-stress spots

The above steps ensure that the surfaces are in good condition and help car parks stay functional for longer.

Conclusion

Flooring forms the foundation of every car park. The right choice can withstand heavy traffic, harsh weather, and chemical spills—while remaining safe and long-lasting. With systems like CPS 25 PU and CPS 25 PU-T, Ardex Endura provides tailored solutions for both covered and open decks.

Investing in the right car park flooring from the beginning ensures fewer repairs and less maintenance, reducing your long-term costs and offering better safety for years to come.