A Guide to Urethane Concrete Floor Coatings: (Comprehensive Guide)

Urethane concrete is a viable alternative for concrete if you need something long-lasting and resistant to the factors that degrade concrete.

The popularity of this unique form of concrete has been steadily increasing due to its marketability in both residential and commercial properties. The use cases for this type of material continue to grow, including multi-family residential developments, school floors, food courts, and more.

The Urethane concretes guide will help you understand what the material is, how it differs from other concretes, why it’s a good idea to use it in certain situations, and what you need to know while installing it.

What is urethane concrete?

The polymer urethane resin technology used in urethane concrete binds designed cement powder aggregate to produce a high-performance, long-lasting flooring that is highly resistant to abrasive machinery, harsh chemicals, thermal-shock processes, and more. Unlike other bio-based flooring options, this one doesn’t give out any unpleasant odors, and it’s made with soybean polyols and packaged in recyclable materials. Urethane concrete coatings may be installed quickly and will look great for decades.

What is polyurethane concrete?

Polyurethane concrete is a composite material that is installed quickly. The material consists of a recycled polyester base bonded to an aluminum base. Polyurethane concrete has many benefits, such as reduced waiting time, better durability, and improved soundproofing. Polyurethane concrete is easy and quick to install, making it ideal for residential use. It can be used in two ways: as a standalone flooring system or underlayment.

What Is The Difference Between Polyurethane And Urethane?

Urethane and polyurethane refer to the same substance, even though some use the words interchangeably. There is no substantive distinction between the two. When addressing these coatings, some sellers may refer to them solely as “urethane” or “polyurethane,” or they may use the names interchangeably.

What Is The Best Floor Coating For Large Areas?

When it comes to selecting a top coat of superior quality for commercial buildings, a urethane coating is an option that is both dependable and cost-effective to consider. Urethane coating is the best material when it comes to longevity and economy. 

It’s particularly cost-effective because it can be applied on larger surfaces without worrying about price and quantities like paint. The coating also has a long-lasting lifespan of 10-15 years, a warranty of 50 years, and is environmentally friendly, so you’re getting a great combination of quality, efficiency, sustainability, and value.

Long-term Durability

To last a long time, a modern food and beverage flooring system must be resistant to chemicals and free of cracks or crevices that could harbor germs. Urethane concrete systems offer a seamless construction impervious to acids, oils, and microorganisms. It can withstand the acidic conditions typically seen in kitchens and bars.

Thermal Shock Resistant

Extreme temperature and temperature change can’t damage urethane flooring because they are resistant to thermal shock and cycling (i.e., hot, cold, hot again), unlike many other flooring options making it a good choice for breweries, food and beverage manufacturers, and pharmaceutical production. The material will not fade or deteriorate. This makes it viable for use in sunny locations with powerful UV lighting. It withstands extreme temperatures and stands up to constant cleaning.

Impact and Chemical Resistant

Though it is applied in a thin layer, Urethane is durable and has a slight spring to it. Due to this, it is not only very resistant to damage from falling objects but also somewhat less likely to damage those objects upon impact. Similarly, it is not easily scratched and can withstand heavy use, even around forklifts and other industrial machines. Urethane, when adequately formulated, can be up to three times as durable as other flooring options.

Slip Resistant

When properly installed, urethane flooring can be highly slip-resistant. These floors can be crucial to the safety of workers, customers, and visitors in both commercial and industrial settings when they are constructed with material qualities (finishes and textures) to help reduce slipperiness and promote traction.

High Aesthetic Appeal

Urethane flooring can keep its shine and color longer than other flooring options. Even with heavy use, the floor will not fade as much as other options. Urethane flooring is available in a wider variety of colors than most commercial flooring options. This can be useful for making a favorable impression on visitors and auditors to your facility. When visual appeal is paramount, Urethane is the better material.

Fast Turnaround

Urethane coating is a fast turnaround coating that can be installed in a day or two. It is also one of the most resilient types of paint and has a high gloss finish when dry. These make it an ideal choice for projects with fast turnaround needs. Polyurethane concrete is a type of concrete that was designed to be installed quickly.

Environmentally Safe

Many people choose urethane flooring because it is long-lasting, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly. No volatile organic compounds are present, so the air quality is not affected. When operations resume, you can be assured that there will never again be any concerns about harmful gases, thanks to how easily and quickly this system can be installed.

Why should I get urethane concrete flooring?

The functionality of the flooring is crucial in factories that produce food and drink. Long-lasting, sturdy flooring is essential because these facilities cannot afford to shut down for maintenance and replacement. Therefore, the flooring must resist various chemical substances, high temperatures, rapid temperature changes, repeated heating and cooling, moisture, organic acids, and other hard conditions.

In addition to being resistant to spills, stains, and scuffs, urethane floors are also seamless, which means they can prevent the spread of bacteria like listeria. Urethane floors are a part of the clean, safe environment required in the food and beverage industry.

Which is better: polyurethane or epoxy?

While epoxy coatings are hard and offer high amounts of impact resistance, polyurethane is an elastomer that offers a softer option for coatings. It expands on application to provide excellent acoustic and thermal insulation. Polyurethane is also flexible and can be used in various architectural projects. Both materials are excellent for flooring. 

Consult with a Flooring Professional

If you are looking for the best flooring options to suit your business, we can consult with a flooring professional from our impressive list. Our goal is to provide you with the best service and final product so that you can always feel proud of your flooring.

We have a range of different products for different purposes. We want to make sure that you are fully informed on what is available, so please get in touch with us today, and we will be happy to advise.

We Have Locations For Urethane Floor Coatings Across The Country

If one of your locations is listed below, give it a click and we’ll have happy to install your urethane floor coatings for you!

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Concrete all around the world has long dominated industries, particularly flooring, because of its exceptional durability, zero-maintenance and simply pleasant appearance that concrete delivers.

National Concrete Polishing is fully committed to implementing the newest innovations in flooring solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications who are seeking to renovate, repair or decorate their concrete surfaces.

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