When choosing a commercial floor coating for the vinyl, laminate, terrazzo, or ceramic floors at your business, you have two main options, acrylic (also commonly known as wax) and urethane coatings.  Each has their own set of advantages and disadvantages.  With over 10 years of experience in the commercial floor coating industry, Advanced Flooring Systems of St. Cloud has the knowledge and expertise to help you select the right coating for your business.  

4 Things to Consider When Selecting A Floor Coating

1. Cost

Acrylic is the less expensive choice for the initial application with pricing typically coming in between $.50-$.80/square foot depending on how big the area is and the condition of the floor itself.  Urethane coatings require a larger up front investment but last up to ten times longer than an acrylic  floor coating.  Urethane floor coatings usually range from $1.00-$1.75/square foot, again depending on the size and condition of the floor.

2. Appearance

Both acrylic and urethane floor coatings have a great appearance when initially applied but the acrylic coatings need to be buffed and/or re-coated to maintain its appearance.  The frequency which acrylic needs to be buffed or re-coated will depend on the amount of traffic in the area but typically ranges between every few weeks for high traffic areas and as much as six months for low traffic areas.  Urethane never needs to be buffed and can maintain its appearance upwards of five years in low to medium traffic areas.  Urethane is also available in gloss, semi-gloss, and matte finishes where acrylic is typically only available in gloss.

3. Maintenance

Urethane produces a very hard and dense surface that is easily cleaned by sweeping or mopping and requires fewer chemicals and labor hours to maintain.  Acrylic also cleans up well when properly maintained but does require more time and chemicals.

4. Safety

 Urethane floor coatings are more slip resistant than acrylic floor coatings.  The slip resistance of urethane can be enhanced even further with the addition of traction increasing additives for areas that are often wet or are prone to slippage.

If you have questions about which type of floor coating is best for your vinyl, laminate, terrazzo, or ceramic floor or to request a free estimate, you can contact the experts at Advanced Flooring Systems of St. Cloud by calling (320) 247-3200.