If you are building a new free stall barn, holding pen, or other animal traffic area, you have made or are making important decisions that will affect you, your family, your animals, and your banker for decades!

Not giving enough thought to the concrete has turned new buildings into disasters for many people.  There are some things you must do before you pour concrete. You want that concrete to stay in good condition for a long time.

Animal wastes contain substances which may oxidise in air to form acids which attack concrete.  The saponification between animal fats and the hydration products of cement consumes these hydration products, producing salts and alcohols, in a reaction analogous to that of acids.

The top-wearing finish has to be resistant to water, urine, faeces, disinfectant as well as durable, quick drying, long lasting and tough enough to withstand everyday wear and tear.

Unfortunately, floor finish is so often the cause of complaint of many kennel owners, where a suitably durable surface has not bee specified.

Main criteria when specifying flooring systems are:

·            Hygiene

·            Safety

·            Durability

·            Cost

Factors to be considered when choosing flooring:

·            Cleaning

·            Floor slope

Note: The use of drainage systems will need to be discussed with you local authority.  It is not acceptable to have foul drainage that simply runs into the ground, without it being collected and channelled into a recognised system.  Although this is commonly seen in many older kennels, it does not comply with current legislation.

Concrete is laid as the finished or wearing material.  Although it is a durable product, it still needs to have a sealing coat applied to prevent water and urine from soaking into the surface.  Concrete flooring without a sealing coat is unhygienic and if used daily, the unsealed concrete will never dry out properly - and it will SMELL.  Its aesthetic and durability can be increased by adding colouring and waterproofing during the mixing process.

Advantages

·            Easy to install

·            Cost-effective

·            Readily available

·            Will withstand heavy usage

Disadvantages

·            Is liable to crack

·            Poor aesthetic qualities (in standard colour) - suggest looking at the use of a through coloured concrete system.

·            Will stain and smell if unsealed, or not maintained.

The correct choice of suitable materials for your situation is probably one of the most important decisions you will have to make.

An incorrect choice can make life extremely difficult and expensive in the long-term with unplanned remedial works, and floors that are unhygienic, resulting in bad odours and damp conditions.

 Source: Kennel Design: The Essential Guide to creating your perfect kennels by David Key