What is Polyurethane?

Polyurethane is a manufactured plastic material, created by fusing two chemicals called polyol and diisocyanate. This flexible foam material (think of it as a liquid plastic) has been used for many different things since its discovery. Polyurethane has been used for:

• Furniture and bedding to make it more comfortable
• Insulation of industrial freezers and refrigerators
• Carpet underlay
• Apparel and footwear to make it more flexible
• Medical equipment
• Vehicle seats

Polyurethane flooring is more challenging to apply than epoxy and should be done professionally and is most commonly applied through a roller and squeegee. There are several different colors and finishes that polyurethane flooring available in, making it suitable for commercial and residential spaces of any kind. Highly likely, you are walking on polyurethane many times during your day-to-day without even knowing it. Here are four common places you will find polyurethane flooring.

1. Multi-Story Car Parks

Polyurethane flooring is becoming increasingly common in multi-story car parks and underground parkades. Car parks are subject to a lot of physical stresses from heavy vehicles exiting and entering, such as dirt and gas fumes, and require a durable flooring system that will not scratch and break over time. The flexibility of polyurethane flooring makes it a perfect candidate for car park flooring. It’s waterproof and made to withstand UV rays, so whether a car park is underground or exposed to outdoor elements, the flooring will last and not fade or yellow.

2. Sports Institutions

If you are an avid-gym goer, you know how important safety and comfort are when it comes to exercise. What you might not be thinking about is how the floor beneath you can affect your overall safety while you work out. Polyurethane flooring is waterproof, soft, anti-slip, and impact resistant, making it an ideal material for sports institution floors. The rubbery layer that polyurethane provides is ideal for weight rooms, indoor basketball courts, and running tracks. The components in the plastic material provide extra traction and buoyancy that can aid in the overall performance of an athlete in addition to their safety.

3. Outdoor Spaces

Thanks to its UV and moisture resistance, polyurethane is a great candidate for outdoor flooring spaces, both residential and commercial. The durability of polyurethane makes it multifunctional and ideal for garages, patios, or bar areas, while giving it a smooth, sleek look in any color or finish you desire.

4. Office Flooring

Polyurethane flooring can improve any office space! The design of an office; from the walls to the floors, contributes to the overall vibe and energy of the space. Make your office space more inviting by customizing the flooring any way you like with polyurethane. Investing in high-quality flooring for your office space will protect it from damage from prolonged foot traffic and save you money over time.

Looking for flooring for your commercial or residential space? Get a free quote today.

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Your choice of commercial flooring will have long-lasting consequences for your business, not all of them good. The wrong flooring will not only end up costing you time and money, but it could also be a safety hazard. With so much at stake, choosing the right type of commercial flooring is worthy of a bit of research.

This blog will cover polyurethane flooring and why it could be the right choice for your commercial facility.

What is Polyurethane Flooring?

Polyurethane flooring is a type of synthetic resin produced by combining a polyol resin with an isocyanate – a curing agent – in this case, to form a protective floor coating. While there are other types of protective floor coatings, polyurethane has several distinct advantages, particularly for use in commercial settings; polyurethane is exceptionally durable, has high performance, and low maintenance.

If you are looking for new commercial flooring, here’s why polyurethane should be at the top of your list.

Moistures Resistant

Humidity and moisture are two of your concrete floor’s worst enemies; they can lead to cracks, lifting, and other critical damage. Applying polyurethane flooring can help protect against the damaging effects of moisture, dramatically improving the life expectancy of your flooring.

Temperature Tolerant

None of the other floor coatings available can offer the temperature resistance that polyurethane can. Polyurethane flooring can handle heat up to 150 degrees Celsius and negatives as low as minus 62 degrees making polyurethane flooring the perfect choice for just about any commercial setting, from food processing factories to steel plants.

UV Resistant

When installed outdoors or in areas with direct sunlight, most resin floor coating will begin to yellow over time. However, polyurethane flooring is uniquely resistant to UV exposure, protecting your flooring from unattractive signs of yellowing.

Seamless

Any seam, joint, or unevenness can be a disaster in commercial flooring. Not only do surface imperfections make cleaning a chore, particularly in food processing or pharmaceutical facilities where sterilization is paramount, but surface imperfections also present a danger to employees. Polyurethane flooring is poured; as a liquid, it self-levels before curing and dries to form a seamless, smooth, flat surface that is safe, hygienic, and easy to clean.

Chemical and Stain Resistant

Porous by nature and prone to cracking, concrete can be challenging to keep clean. But not when it has a polyurethane coating installed over top. High-performance polyurethane flooring is virtually impervious to most chemicals, meaning it will not stain, fade, yellow, or corrode when challenged by common commercial chemicals, organic and inorganic alkalis, or solvents. Its chemical resistance makes polyurethane flooring popular for everything from dairy farms to air hangers.

Durable

Your investment in polyurethane flooring will pay off for many years to come. Thanks to its natural flexibility, polyurethane is one of the most shock-absorbent, impact, and scratch-resistant floor coatings available. With very minimal maintenance, you can expect your polyurethane flooring to last well over a decade before needing any professional attention.

A Finish for Every Business

Whether you operate a high-end vehicle showroom or a commercial warehouse, polyurethane flooring is right for you. Available in matte, satin, semi, or high gloss, you can decide how subtle or much shine you need. And when it comes to colour options, few floor coatings can come close to the customization offered by polyurethane flooring.