Commercial Floor Coatings - Novolac vs. Urethane Coating

You might think that a concrete floor is tough and durable enough for a commercial space alone. While it's true that concrete is very strong, it's also porous and can be worn down in high-traffic areas. 

Fortunately, there are several types of coatings that you can apply to concrete floors to make them even more durable and impervious to moisture.

Two of the most popular coating choices are Novolac and Urethane, but they each have different pros and cons and are suited to different kinds of floors and spaces. So here's what you need to know, so you can make the right choice for your commercial floor coating. 

Novolac

Novolac is a special kind of epoxy floor coating that is highly resistant to chemicals. This makes it perfect for spaces like workshops and mechanics shops, where chemical spills are commonly expected. It's also great for chemical storage areas, power plants and factories that use chemicals for processing. 

Novolac floor coating has several pros for these kinds of spaces, including:

• Extremely resistant to most kinds of chemicals
• High level of heat resistance
• Solvent and acid resistant
• Very durable, even in high-traffic areas
• Dual-layer application provides a very strong, hard-wearing floor coating

Like any product, however, Novolac does have a few drawbacks that you might want to consider, such as:

• Because this is a very specialized product, it does cost a little more than standard floor coatings
• The dual-layer application does take a little longer than other products
• The space needs to be completely empty and carefully prepared for proper application and safety reasons
• Of course, while Novolac costs slightly more than other floor coating options, it is extremely durable under even the toughest usage conditions. It will last longer and is a better floor coating investment over time. 

Urethane Mortar Flooring

Urethane mortar flooring is a very different kind of product. It's a self-leveling cement-based product rather than an epoxy, and while it doesn't have the same kind of chemical resistance, it is very durable and shock resistant. Which means it can be used in places that get a lot of hard wear like food processing plants, kennels and animal pens, dairy farms, wine cellars and commercial kitchen spaces. 

In these kinds of spaces, there are several benefits to choosing urethane mortar flooring, such as:

• It can be applied in occupied spaces because it does not give off any harmful fumes
• Very hard wearing and shock and knock resistant
• Good resistance to acids
• Very heat resistant
• Can be tinted a variety of colors
• Applies and dries very quickly

It's not as hard-wearing as Novolac, but it is a more economical option in terms of material and application costs, so it could be a good financial choice for the right kind of spaces. The single-layer self-leveling application also cuts down coating time, so you can use the space sooner with this particular kind of product.

Which One Should You Choose?

The truth is, choosing the right kind of commercial floor coating is not a one-size-fits-all process. 

In order to choose the right product, you need to consider many factors, including what the space will be used for, how much foot and vehicle traffic it sees, your budget and other factors. Even the condition of the floor and your current coating are factors in choosing the right product for the job. 

The best way to ensure that you get the right product (and professional application that will last) is to speak to a professional commercial floor coating company like Concrete Coatings of the Carolinas. 

Our team can visit your space, assess your floor and your needs, and provide quotes on the right options for your job. Once you've chosen, you can be sure of professional application too - which is a critical factor in getting a durable floor coating. When you choose a great, commercial grade floor coating and get it applied right, you'll have floors that really will stand the test of time.