Polyurethane and UV protective floor coatings

Overview

The coat that takes the wear

Most floor systems are built in layers. The epoxy or base coat does the heavy lifting, and the topcoat takes the traffic, the cleaning, and the sun. A polyurethane floor coating is the usual choice for that top layer. It’s tough and a little flexible, and it holds its color and gloss where epoxy alone would yellow and fade. It comes clear or pigmented, from matte to high gloss.

UV protection for sunlit floors and decks

Sun through windows and skylights, and full sun on outdoor decks, breaks coatings down and fades colors. A UV stable polyurethane topcoat protects the layers underneath. At Westfield Eastland Center, a UV protective topcoat over the multi-color epoxy deck gives it a high-gloss finish. It also keeps the colors from fading. At Signature Point Apartments, the pool deck got epoxy with a broadcast aggregate, then polyurethane on top for UV protection.

The same goes for markings indoors. At Cummins, a polyurethane topcoat over the safety yellow lines keeps the plant’s lighting from breaking them down.

Clear finishes for concrete

A clear finish protects bare, stained, or polished concrete without hiding it. It seals out spills, makes cleaning easier, and keeps its shine for years when it’s applied right. Grit can be added to the clear coat for slip resistance.

Low-VOC and moisture-cure options

Water-based, low-VOC polyurethanes have less odor and fewer emissions, so they suit hospitals, schools, offices, and other buildings that stay open during the work. Moisture-cure urethane cures with the humidity in the air. That makes it a good fit for cold storage, loading docks, and other floors where moisture is hard to control.

Recoat the top, not the whole floor

Because the topcoat takes the wear, it’s the layer that wears first. A fresh topcoat every few years protects the base coat and the concrete before the old one wears through. That’s a much smaller job than a new floor.