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Concrete Resurfacing vs Replacement Reliable Guide (2026)

concrete resurfacing vs replacement comparison for damaged concrete driveway

Concrete resurfacing vs replacement is a critical decision for Edmonton homeowners facing cracked, uneven, or aging concrete. This guide explains the key differences, costs, lifespan, and climate considerations to help you choose the right long-term solution for your property.

Industrial Concrete Warehouse Floors: Design Standards for Forklifts & Loading Docks (2026 Free Guide)

Industrial concrete warehouse floors Edmonton built for flatness, durability, and long-term performance in large distribution facilities

Industrial concrete warehouse floors are designed to handle heavy forklift traffic, racking loads, and constant daily wear in demanding industrial environments. Warehouse concrete looks “simple” until the first winter, the first busy season, or the first week of forklift traffic. Then the real questions show up: Why is the floor dusting? Why are joints breaking at the edges? Why does a lift truck feel like it’s hopping over every panel line? Here’s the problem: many industrial concrete failures aren’t caused by the concrete mix alone. They come from what happens before the pour (subgrade and moisture planning), during the pour (finishing windows and flatness control), and after the pour (curing, joint protection, and early traffic timing). Industry guides like ACI’s floor and slab recommendations emphasize that quality floors depend on site prep, joint details, workmanship, and curing—not just “higher strength.” In this Edmonton-focused guide, you’ll learn how industrial concrete warehouse floors and loading docks are designed to handle forklift traffic, racking loads, impact zones, and Canadian freeze-thaw conditions—plus what to specify and inspect so you avoid costly rework. What “Industrial Concrete” Really Means for Warehouses & Docks Warehouse Floors vs. Loading Docks: Two Different Stress Profiles Warehouse floors are all about rolling loads and precision. Forklifts apply repeated wheel loads, turning forces, and abrasion day after day. Racking systems add concentrated “point loads” where posts bear directly onto the slab. And if you run narrow-aisle equipment or high-bay racking, floor flatness becomes a performance requirement—not a nice-to-have. ACI’s slab-on-ground design guidance explicitly covers loads from stored materials, rack loads, and static/dynamic equipment traffic. Loading docks are the opposite: fewer square feet, but far more punishment per foot. Docks and aprons get impact from trailers, repeated axle loads, plow scrapes, wet freeze-thaw cycling, and de-icing salts. That’s why exterior dock concrete needs a durability strategy, proper drainage, and strong edge detailing—especially in Edmonton’s seasonal swings. Common Use Cases in Edmonton Industrial Facilities Key Performance Outcomes You’re Actually Buying Industrial concrete is about measurable outcomes. If you’re clear about these up front, you can design the slab, joints, and finish to match the building’s real use. Comparison: Warehouse Floor vs. Loading Dock Concrete (At a Glance) Category Warehouse Floors Loading Docks & Aprons Primary Stress Forklift rolling loads, racking point loads Impact, truck loads, plow/salt, freeze-thaw Top Failure Risk Joint spalling, curling, dusting, flatness issues Scaling, edge breaks, ponding water, settlement Key Spec Focus FF/FL, joint layout, load transfer, surface hardening Drainage slope, durability, edge detailing, air-void system (often) Best ROI Detail Joint protection for hard-wheel traffic Drainage + freeze-thaw-resistant concrete practices Pre-Construction Planning: Specs That Prevent Expensive Rework Start With Loads: Forklifts, Racking, and Point Load Reality If you only remember one thing: the slab is a structural system, not just a surface. That system includes the concrete, the base, and how loads transfer across joints. ACI’s slabs-on-ground guidance highlights that industrial slabs must be designed for stored materials on the slab, rack loads, and vehicle/equipment loads. Practical planning questions we ask on Edmonton projects: Flatness/Levelness Targets: Standard vs. High-Performance Floors Flatness is one of those details you don’t notice—until you really need it. FF (floor flatness) and FL (floor levelness) are standardized measurements derived from elevation readings and calculated using ASTM E1155. Why it matters: Friendly rule of thumb: if you’re running high-bay racking, narrow aisles, or precision automation, bring flatness requirements into the conversation early—because flatness is strongly influenced by pour strategy and finishing method, not by “fixing it later.” (Industry resources note that higher FF/FL numbers represent better flatness/levelness and are evaluated soon after placement.) Joint Strategy: Fewer Joints vs. “Joints Done Right” Joints are where industrial floors either behave beautifully—or start to fall apart under hard wheels. The goal isn’t “no joints.” The goal is planned movement with protected edges. ACI’s floor guidance calls out a key reality for warehouses: areas subject to hard-wheel material-handling traffic should use a semi-rigid filler to help minimize wear and damage at joint edges. “Floor areas subject to the hard wheels of material-handling vehicle traffic should be filled with a semi-rigid filler to minimize wear and damage to joint edges.” What “joints done right” typically includes: Moisture Plan: Vapor Barriers, Drainage, and Coating Compatibility Moisture is the “silent influencer” of industrial floor performance. It impacts dusting, curling, and whether coatings or densifiers stay bonded long-term. If you plan to coat the slab (epoxy/urethane systems), moisture control becomes even more important because moisture vapor can push against coatings from below and lead to failures if not tested and addressed. For loading docks and exterior aprons, moisture planning also means drainage: water that ponds and refreezes near dock edges accelerates surface damage and safety risks. Cold Weather & Seasonal Pour Planning (Edmonton Reality) Edmonton pours often happen across big temperature swings. That changes your finishing window and your strength-gain timeline. The solution isn’t guesswork—it’s a plan: temperature management, curing strategy, and realistic schedules so the slab isn’t forced into early traffic before it’s ready. One practical benchmark used in curing discussions: ACI curing guidance is often referenced as targeting substantial early strength before curing ends (commonly discussed around achieving a significant portion of design strength), which underscores why curing and protection are not optional on industrial work. Subgrade & Base Prep: The Hidden Make-or-Break Layer Soils, Compaction, and Proof-Rolling If a warehouse floor fails, people blame the concrete. But many of the worst problems start below it. A slab-on-grade is only as stable as the ground supporting it. ACI’s slabs-on-ground guidance emphasizes that slabs must accommodate movement, minimize shrinkage cracking, and resist applied loads—none of that works if the base is inconsistent. In real-world Edmonton projects, subgrade issues often show up as: Good prep means consistent compaction, stable grades, and verification steps (including proof-rolling or other checks depending on the project). It’s not glamorous—but it’s usually the best money you’ll spend. Granular Base Thickness and Material Selection The granular base isn’t just “gravel under concrete.” It has a job: In industrial settings,

Commercial Concrete Contractors in Edmonton: 2026 Reliable Guide

Industrial warehouse floor made of polished concrete with staff inspecting the surface and equipment during training

Commercial concrete contractors in Edmonton provide professional flatwork, slabs, parking areas, and loading aprons built for heavy loads and harsh freeze-thaw conditions. This practical guide helps property owners and developers choose the right contractor, understand the commercial concrete process, and avoid costly mistakes.