How Summit Industrial Flooring delivered a durable, aesthetic flooring solution for one of the Southeast’s busiest airports
Charleston International Airport (CHS) handles over 6 million passengers annually, making it one of the fastest-growing airports in the Southeast. When airport facilities management needed to renovate the front walkway — the first surface passengers encounter after exiting the terminal — they faced a unique challenge: finding a flooring system that could withstand extreme foot traffic, rolling luggage, and heavy cart loads while maintaining the aesthetic appeal expected at a major transportation hub.
Summit Industrial Flooring was selected to install a high-performance decorative flooring system for this high-visibility project, reinforcing our position as the trusted industrial flooring contractor for critical infrastructure throughout South Carolina.
The Challenge: Where Durability Meets First Impressions
Airport walkways present a demanding environment that combines the worst of both worlds: industrial-level abuse with commercial-level aesthetic expectations.
Traffic Requirements:
- Thousands of passengers daily with rolling luggage
- Heavy luggage carts and equipment
- Motorized service vehicles
- 24/7 operations with minimal downtime windows
Aesthetic Requirements:
- Professional appearance befitting a major regional airport
- Consistent color and finish across large spans
- Easy maintenance to maintain appearance under heavy use
- Slip resistance meeting safety codes
Operational Constraints:
- Airport operations cannot stop for extended construction
- Work must accommodate flight schedules and passenger flow
- Rapid cure times essential to minimize closures
- No odors or fumes that could affect passenger experience
The Solution: Fast-Cure Polyaspartic Floor System
After evaluating the project requirements, Summit’s team specified a two-component polyaspartic floor coating system — an advanced technology that combines the durability of traditional epoxy with significantly faster cure times.
Why Polyaspartic for Airport Applications
Speed Without Compromise:
Polyaspartic coatings cure in 2-4 hours compared to 24-72 hours for traditional epoxy systems. For an airport environment where every hour of closure impacts operations and passenger experience, this made polyaspartic the clear choice.
Superior Durability:
Despite faster cure times, polyaspartic systems actually outperform many epoxy systems in abrasion resistance and impact strength — critical for an environment with constant rolling loads from luggage and carts.
UV Stability:
Unlike many epoxy systems that can yellow or chalk under UV exposure, polyaspartic coatings maintain their color and gloss even in areas exposed to natural light through terminal windows and entryway doors.
Temperature Flexibility:
Polyaspartic systems can be applied in a wider temperature range than traditional epoxy, providing more flexibility for installation scheduling in South Carolina’s variable climate.
Project Execution: Precision Under Pressure
Summit’s Charleston team executed this project with the precision required for critical infrastructure work.
Surface Preparation
As with all industrial flooring installations, surface preparation was the foundation of project success. Our crews used diamond grinding equipment to create the optimal surface profile for coating adhesion. Any existing coatings were removed, and concrete repairs were completed for cracks and spalling before primer application.
Application Process
The coating system was applied in multiple passes:
- Penetrating Primer: Ensures bond to concrete substrate
- Base Coat: High-build layer providing the primary protection
- Decorative Broadcast: Color chips or quartz aggregate for aesthetics and texture
- Clear Top Coat: UV-stable polyaspartic sealer for durability and easy maintenance
Coordination with Airport Operations
Our team worked closely with airport facilities management to schedule installation during low-traffic periods, completing work in phases to maintain pedestrian access throughout the project. Clear communication and strict adherence to the schedule ensured zero disruption to airport operations.
Results: Flooring That Welcomes Millions
The completed front walkway flooring system provides Charleston International Airport with:
- Durable surface rated for years of heavy pedestrian and cart traffic
- Slip-resistant texture meeting safety requirements
- Attractive appearance befitting a major regional airport
- Easy maintenance requiring only routine cleaning
- Rapid return to service with minimal operational disruption
Why Airports Trust Summit Industrial Flooring
This Charleston International Airport project showcases the capabilities that make Summit the industrial flooring contractor of choice for critical infrastructure throughout the Southeast:
35 Years of Experience:
Since 1991, Summit has installed millions of square feet of high-performance flooring in demanding environments. We’ve seen every challenge and developed solutions that work.
Own Equipment, Own Crews:
We own our shot blasters, grinders, and application equipment — no rentals, no subcontractors. This means consistent quality and reliable scheduling.
Three Regional Offices:
With offices in Charleston SC, Cincinnati OH, and Raleigh NC, Summit provides local presence and rapid response throughout the Southeast and Midwest.
Vendor-Agnostic Approach:
We work with all major coating manufacturers — Sherwin-Williams, Sika, Stonhard, and others — selecting the right system for each application rather than pushing a single product line.
Is Your Facility Ready for High-Performance Flooring?
Whether you’re managing an airport, warehouse, manufacturing plant, or any facility with demanding flooring requirements, Summit Industrial Flooring delivers solutions that perform.
Contact Summit today to discuss your flooring project. Our team will evaluate your requirements and recommend the right system for your application — with honest guidance based on 35 years of experience.
Summit Industrial Flooring specializes in epoxy flooring, urethane cement, polyaspartic coatings, polished concrete, and moisture mitigation for industrial and commercial facilities throughout the Southeast and Midwest. With 35 years of experience and three regional offices, we’re improving where you stand.