The long-term performance of a floor in a high-traffic commercial environment is more than just the durability of the flooring material. Even the most resilient flooring materials can wear down from daily use. Surface finishes like polyurethane (PU) coatings provide an extra layer of protection to keep floors in good condition, preserving their appearance and keeping them safe. PU coatings are effective on several flooring materials, including luxury vinyl tile (LVT), stone plastic composite (SPC), and quartz flooring like Rikett Quartz Tile (RQT). However, even though PU coatings increase the durability of already resilient flooring materials, they will still wear down over time.
Polyurethane coatings play an important role in further protecting resilient flooring, but they wear down over time. Here’s what you need to know about these coatings.
Nothing Lasts Forever, Not Even Polyurethane
PU coatings protect flooring surfaces from scratches, stains, and abrasions. They enhance the floor’s appearance and make routine maintenance easier, but even high-quality PU coatings begin to show signs of wear over time, especially in high-traffic areas. This wear is not a failure of the product. It’s just a reality of flooring and foot traffic.
When Is It Time to Recoat?
When using PU coating on RQT, we recommend recoating the floor every 5 to 7 years in high-traffic areas such as hallways, entrances, exits, or facility hot spots, such as the area around the checkout counter in a retail store. We also recommend this maintenance schedule for other flooring surfaces, including LVT and SPC. This maintenance schedule aligns with industry standards, as most major manufacturers make the same recommendations.
The Benefits of Recoating
There are several benefits to recoating a commercial floor. Here are some of the most significant:
- Restores gloss or matte appearance
- Enhances resistance to dirt and scuffing
- Extends the life of the floor beneath the coating
- Maintains warranty coverage when part of a recommended care program
A Smart Maintenance Strategy for Resilient Flooring
Even the best floors require maintenance. When properly maintained, resilient flooring materials enhanced by PU coating offer outstanding performance. Periodic recoating is a cost-effective way to extend the performance of an already high-quality flooring material like RQT.
