PU floors or Polyurethane floors are made from a synthetic resin called "polyurethane," which is basically a combination of isocyanate s and a poly oil. When used in construction, polyurethane can prove to be a highly versatile material that can be used for a lot of different applications such as mattresses, furniture, adhesives, and even floors!
Due to its versatile nature and a series of benefits, PU floors are widely used in domestic and commercial environments. One of its most obvious advantage over the epoxy floors is that it is highly durable while also offering a lot of flexibility. In other words, the PU floors are less brittle when compared with the epoxy floors! Another type that is also commonly used is the FRP Wall and Ceiling Panels.
Benefits of Polyurethane Flooring System
There are a lot of benefits in choosing a PU (Polyurethane) flooring system over other options such as:
The surface becomes anti-slip that is safe for the elderly, children, and even in commercial environments such as factories and hospitals. Especially in the situations where the floors remain wet, PU floors can provide protection from slipping.
These floors are highly resistant to ultraviolet (UV) rays which means that they will retain their original color to the sunlight exposure.
These floors are very hygienic, which can be very important in some domestic and commercial settings. For example, hygiene is very important in hospitals, and that can be achieved with PU floors.
Want cushioning or noise reduction? You will be surprised to know that PU floors can reduce noise due to their chemical properties.
As mentioned earlier, PU floors are made from a highly elastic material which allows them to accommodate a lot of ground movement.
With so many colors and other design options, these floors can be designed according to the client's aesthetic requirements.
Polyurethane Floors vs. Epoxy Floors
When we talk about the resinous floors used in the industry and other settings, the two commonly used options are the PU floors and the epoxy floors. Just like there are two options that are common and popular, a common question is also asked: What's the difference between these two floors and which one should be picked?
Depending on your requirements, the answer to that question can differ... If we start with the operational differences, there are many that can ultimately affect those who are the end-users. For starters, epoxy floors are more durable and harder than PU floors and thus offer a higher degree of compression. Due to these properties, epoxy floors are commonly used in logistic centers, warehouses, and industries where heavy-duty activities are carried out.
On the other hand, polyurethane floors are more elastic and softer. Due to these properties, polyurethane floors provide a higher degree of resistance against scratching and thus can absorb more impact. In fact, it is the highly elastic property of the PU floors which makes them the best choice in environments where the temperature is kept lower. For example, PU floors are commonly used in freezing chambers where the temperature can drop to -30° C or around -22° F.
Another use of the PU floors can be found in the car parks, which offer a multideck option.
Due to the elastic coating, these floors offer crack-bridging and waterproofing.
Another difference is how these two floors behave on exposure to various chemicals. In the food industry, polyurethane is the preferred choice where lactic acids exposure is expected as the PU floors retain their original color and resist corrosion. On the other hand, epoxy floors can turn yellow and even experience corrosion when exposed to lactic acid for longer periods of time. But when it comes to exposure to Sulfuric acids, the most obvious choice is the epoxy floors.
Practical Applications for Polyurethane Flooring
In many situations, the PU flooring option can be the only obvious choice where the epoxy cannot be used. As mentioned earlier, these two-floor options come with a list of benefits and drawbacks. In many situations, the only choice is the epoxy floors, and then in other situations, PU floors seem to be the sensible choice.
Let's explore some of the practical applications and settings where the Polyurethane floors are used:
Multi-story Car Parks
One place where the PU floors are used widely is the multi-story car park. Since these floors are highly elastic, they work exceptionally well for these car parks. In fact, the floors even provide a layer of waterproofing between each floor.
As mentioned earlier, polyurethane also offers UV resistance which is a great advantage for many outdoor areas, including car parks. In areas and settings in which sun exposure is expected, the use of a PU flooring system can be the perfect solution. In fact, the PU floor can be placed on top of concrete and thus turn into a waterproofing surface!
Outdoor Applications
Due to the UV resistance, you can find polyurethane in many outdoor locations such as decks, loading ramps, beach bars, car parks, and so on. Another requirement for many of these outdoor locations is "scratch resistance," which is also an integral property of Polyurethane.
Freezing Chambers
Polyurethane's ability to withstand freezing temperatures makes it a perfect candidate to be used in freezing chambers. Once the temperature drops below freezing point, epoxy floors stop working and can result in a lot of different problems. But when it comes to polyurethane, its elastic properties allow it to bear even very low freezing temperatures.
Gyms & Schools
A thick coating of the PU is applied on the floors of schools, gyms, and many other commercial spaces. In these settings, a floor with a soft texture and a less glossy appearance is required that can be achieved with the PU flooring.
Since polyurethane can easily absorb impact from various sources (such as foot traffic), it can function as a friendly surface for walking and can also provide protection from slipping.
Buy Polyurethane Flooring
If you want to buy polyurethane flooring in the Philippines or just want to get information about this flooring option, you can rely on greenfloorinnovations.ph. In the Philippines, Green Floor Innovations is a trusted provider of PU floors as well as many other flooring options! They also offer TUFF KRETE MD in the country at affordable rates! If you are looking for a contracting company Philippines, make sure that you contact Green Floor Innovations!