Urethane concrete – what is it, what is its composition, and how can it be used?
Urethane concrete is a flooring material that combines urethane resin and concrete. This combination creates a highly durable and chemically resistant surface suitable for many industrial and commercial applications.
Today, we'll explore that and more with the help of the pros here at BNE Concrete Floors!
Urethane concrete is typically used in environments with heavy foot traffic, extreme temperatures, chemicals, and even moisture. This makes it ideal for food processing plants, breweries, pharmaceutical facilities, and chemical processing plants.
Urethane, also known as ethyl carbamate, is the ethyl ester of carbamic acid, represented by the chemical formula C3H7NO2.
The inclusion of urethane resin enhances the flooring's durability by imparting flexibility and resilience against abrasion, impact, and thermal shock. Additionally, it boasts remarkable resistance to various chemicals like acids, alkalis, oils, and solvents, thereby extending the flooring's longevity and preserving its aesthetic appeal.
Urethane concrete is valued by professionals across several industries for its strength, durability, chemical resistance, and how easy it is to take care of.
What's the Most Economical use of Urethane Concrete?
One of the fundamental benefits of urethane concrete is that it's highly affordable when it comes to flooring for larger spaces up to 3,000+ square feet. It has an excellent and uniform finish that not only comes in a myriad of colours but is also easy to clean. Not to mention, it has a long lifespan, which can be great if you don't plan on replacing your floors every several years. This saves you both time and money.
The Durability of Urethane Concrete
As we mentioned earlier, urethane concrete is well known for its durability due to its very flexible and elastic coating. If maintained properly, it can last for decades. It's ideal for situations that require a high level of hygiene, such as food service and pharmaceuticals.
The High Level of Resistance of Urethane Concrete
Urethane concrete is highly resistant to several high-intensity situations, both commercial and residential. In this section of the article, we'll explore its high resistance and best applications!
Chemical and Impact Resistance
The properties of urethane concrete makes it ideal in situations where impacts from heavy machinery and exposure to harsh chemicals in common. It’s suitable for firehouses, machine shops, production/manufacturing facilities, warehouses, airplane hangers, industrial plants, pharmaceutical environments, food service, and much more. It can withstand even some of the most extreme temperatures and regular cleaning.
Complete Slip Resistance
Unfortunately, industrial and manufacturing settings come with several dangers, including spills, cracks, high traffic, crowded spaces – all of which have the potential to cause serious injuries or accidents. Urethane flooring on the other hand is exceptionally smooth and even offers slip resistance, providing you and your business an extra blanket of security for you and your workers.
Thermal Shock Resistance
If you work in a business with a prevalence of thermal cycling (meaning going from hot to cold water washing), then urethane concrete is ideal for you. It’s perfect for food and beverage manufacturers, breweries, and pharmaceutical production. Urethane concrete can handle regular cleaning as well as extreme changes in temperatures.
Additional Benefits of Urethane Concrete
We’ve already explored some of the primary benefits of urethane concrete so far:
Durability
Chemical Resistance
Flexibility
Slip Resistance
Easy Maintenance
However, there are more benefits when it comes to the application of urethane concrete, let’s explore some of those benefits a little bit deeper.
Urethane Concrete is Highly Aesthetic and Customizable
Whether you're a hotel owner or run a successful sports stadium, high-traffic buildings need to be resistant but still attractive to look at. That's where urethane concrete comes in. With urethane concrete, you can get the best of both worlds with durability and customization, with a myriad of colour choices.
You can also blend pigments to create a custom match to your business's decor or brand colours. However, suppose you do go down the custom route. In that case, the professionals at BNE Concrete Floors recommend getting a UV-protective top coating to prevent the potential for fading or discolouration, especially if your floor is sun-exposed.
Urethane Concrete is Quick to Install
Urethane concrete can be installed as quickly as a single weekend to make sure your business isn't forced to close down during business hours. Or, at least, it can be installed with minimal disruption. If you're working with the right installers, you could even schedule it during closing hours. This way, you can avoid losing money due to closing the business.
Urethane Concrete is Environmentally Friendly
Urethane concrete flooring is environmentally friendly and clean, with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a dangerous group of chemical compounds emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids that contain various chemicals, some of which can have both long and short-term health impacts. Urethane concrete is safe enough to be used in residential settings.
Not to mention, it's also antimicrobial, which can help protect against bacterial and fungal growth. This, paired with the fact that there's no concern for toxic fumes after installation, means you, your workers, and your customers are completely safe.
Should YOU Opt for Urethane Concrete for Your Floors?
When it comes to flooring options for commercial and industrial facilities, urethane concrete stands out as a cost-effective choice, offering impressive returns on investment. With a lifespan of up to 30 years, it's not only durable but also wallet-friendly in the long run.
Covering areas exceeding 3,000 square feet, urethane concrete proves its mettle as a top contender in the flooring arena. Its resilience against thermal, chemical, and impact shocks ensures a safe environment for your workforce, promoting productivity and peace of mind.
What's more, urethane concrete boasts odourless and hygienic properties, maintaining a fresh and clean atmosphere within your facility.
Installation is a breeze, taking only a few days, and it can often be completed over a weekend. This means minimal downtime for your business operations, maximizing efficiency and minimizing disruption.
Aesthetic-wise, urethane concrete finishes offer a spectrum of customizable colours, allowing you to tailor your flooring to suit your facility's unique style and branding.
If any of this sounds appropriate or appealing to your business, contact us at BNE Concrete Floors. Discover today why BNE Concrete Floors is known for being the leading expert in professional concrete flooring. From installation to maintenance, we can offer you the best options for durability, low upkeep, and aesthetic appeal.
Understanding that your time is valuable, we prioritize swift installations for our clients. Our team of experts is dedicated to discussing the return on investment (ROI) associated with various flooring choices, guiding you toward the decision that will work best for you and your business. Our experts have your best interests at heart, from budget to time crunch. Call us for a quote today.
