System overview
A flexible, thermal-cycling polyurethane coating system installed over prepared concrete. PU coatings combine excellent chemical resistance with UV stability and impact tolerance — a step up from epoxy where wet, thermal or chemical exposure is a factor.
Widely specified for wet-process areas, plant rooms, external walkways, cold stores and any environment where an epoxy would fail on chemistry, movement or UV.
1–3 mm typical for coating build; 4–9 mm for PU screed (see Food Grade PU Screed).
Excellent resistance to organic acids, alkalis, solvents, fuels, oils, greases and most cleaning chemicals up to and including hot caustic wash-down. Suitable for daily steam clean and hot-water pressure wash.
Suitable environments
- Wash-down and wet-process zones
- Plant rooms and mechanical enclosures
- External walkways and covered loading
- Cold stores and chill rooms
- Chemical decant and bunded areas
Where it's not the right choice
- Areas requiring a mirror-flat decorative body coat (specify epoxy)
- Direct thermal shock above 90°C on a coating build (specify PU screed)
- Uncured or high-moisture substrates without a DPM primer
Key benefits
- Excellent UV stability — no yellowing under sunlight
- High chemical resistance — acids, alkalis, solvents, oils
- Thermal cycling to –30°C / +90°C
- Elastic — accommodates minor substrate movement
- Seamless and easy to sanitise
Slip resistance options
- Smooth sealer (R9) — light-duty aesthetic
- Fine aggregate broadcast (R10–R11) — commercial wet zones
- Medium aggregate broadcast (R12) — wash-down floors, kitchens
- Heavy aggregate broadcast (R13) — ramps, loading, wet processes
Colour and finish options
- Full RAL and BS 4800 palette
- Solid-colour matt, satin and gloss finishes
- Line-marked traffic routes, bays and hazard zones
- Colour-coded process zones for HACCP flow control
Installation process
- Step 01
Survey and duty specification
We survey the site, identify chemical exposure, temperature range, wash-down regime and loading. The system thickness, slip rating and top-coat chemistry are specified to match.
- Step 02
Mechanical preparation
Diamond grinding or shot-blasting to CSP 3–4, followed by HEPA-vacuum extraction. Existing failed coatings are removed back to sound substrate.
- Step 03
Priming and repairs
Moisture-tolerant epoxy or PU primer applied. Cracks and joints repaired. Coves formed at wall junctions where hygiene requires.
- Step 04
PU body coat
Two-pack polyurethane body coat is roller-applied in one or two passes to build the specified thickness.
- Step 05
Aggregate broadcast (if specified)
Aluminium-oxide or silica aggregate is broadcast into the wet layer to the target R-value. Excess is vacuumed once cured.
- Step 06
PU seal coat
A clear or pigmented aliphatic PU seal coat is applied over the aggregate to lock it in and deliver the final finish.
Cure times
| Foot traffic | 12 hours @ 20°C |
| Wheeled traffic | 24–48 hours |
| Full chemical cure | 5–7 days |
| Wash-down cycle | 7 days |
Maintenance guidance
- Daily: wet auto-scrub with pH-neutral or mild-alkaline cleaner
- Weekly: rotary scrub with soft-bristle brush
- Suitable for hot steam clean and pressure wash
- Re-broadcast aggregate at year 10–12 in heavy wet zones if slip performance drops
Typical applications
- Commercial kitchens and back-of-house
- Beverage plants, breweries and dairies
- Chemical decant, bunded storage and lab support
- External walkways, covered loading and ramps
Related commercial sectors
Technical FAQs
Frequently asked questions
A coating is 1–3 mm and suits wash-down and thermal-cycling zones. A screed is 4–9 mm and takes direct thermal shock, wheeled loading and steam clean — see our Food Grade PU Screed page.
Yes — our PU systems are formulated to HACCP standards and are safe for use in food and beverage production areas.
PU coatings run 15–25% above equivalent epoxy specs. The premium buys UV stability, thermal tolerance and higher chemical resistance.
Yes — aliphatic PU is UV-stable and installs on covered external walkways, loading canopies and ramps.
Full chemical cure is 5–7 days at 20°C. Foot traffic returns in 12 hours.
PU has built-in flexibility and accommodates minor substrate movement that would crack epoxy. Structural movement joints are always mirrored in the finish.