Few surfaces need to withstand the type of regular abuse that commercial and industrial flooring is forced to sustain. From heavy machinery and constant foot traffic to chemicals, solvents, and other liquids, it’s safe to say that the flooring in these buildings suffers a fair amount of punishment.
While concrete on its own is a highly durable product, industries rarely leave concrete surfaces bare. The pressure from regular wear can be highly damaging to natural concrete surfaces, and, as a porous material, it is also highly susceptible to water damage and staining. For added protection from oils, chemicals, liquids, dirt, and traffic, concrete flooring is almost treated with some sort of protective coating. There are quite a few floor coating options to choose from but polyurethane is one of the most common in commercial and industrial applications.
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Is Polyurethane Flooring a Good Choice for Businesses?
Polyurethane flooring is a well-rounded, versatile, and affordable concrete coating. It offers several benefits over other concrete coating options that make it one of the most requested products for commercial and industrial use.
Polyurethane flooring is:
- Resistant to UV light, something that can cause other coatings to yellow over time
- Highly flexible which makes it very scratch resistant
- Installed seamlessly so it is very easy to keep clean
- Slip-resistant, therefore, making a safe choice for areas with heavy foot traffic
- Temperature tolerant from -62°C up to 150°C
Polyurethane flooring is also very easy to maintain, requiring only dry mopping to remove dust and regular cleaning with a diluted alkaline residue-free floor cleaner. You can get up to 10 years out of your polyurethane flooring if cared for correctly.
How Often Does Polyurethane Flooring Need to be Reapplied?
Correctly installed and regularly maintained, polyurethane flooring can easily last upwards of 10 years. However, in a heavily trafficked industrial setting, you may find your flooring could use a re-application sooner between 5 and 10 years.
There are a lot of variables that will influence the longevity of your polyurethane flooring and these include:
- The quality of the product used
- Choosing the correct product for the specific application
- The quality of the application
- The condition of the concrete
- Level of surface preparation before coating application
- Regular care
Polyurethane flooring is a two-part system comprising a resin and hardener, which, when combined, cure into a highly durable, abrasion-resistant floor coating. However, that material is also temperamental and great care needs to be taken when mixing and applying the coating. Mistakes here can result in air bubbles, poor adhesion, peeling, and separation.
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Surface preparation is also crucial to a successful polyurethane coating as some say it’s the most important factor. Before applying a polyurethane coating, major imperfections need to be repaired. The concrete surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned leaving enough time for the surface to fully dry and the concrete needs to be ground down to the correct coarseness.
Installation is another area that you don’t want to neglect. Not only does the application process require some skill, but you also need an experienced installer who can select the appropriate mixture for your intended purpose. Concrete coatings have specific purposes and using the wrong one can dramatically reduce the lifespan.
Polyurethane Flooring is the Right Choice for Many Commercial and Industrial Spaces
Whether you operate a food processing plant, medical facility, or maintain a parking garage, polyurethane flooring is a cost-effective, long-lasting coating that will help keep your concrete protected from the elements and keep your wallet safe from unexpected repair costs.
