Concrete flooring is the most commonly used flooring solution in commercial car parking facilities. Concrete is cheap, fast, and easy to install, as well as simple to repair, but is also easily damaged and needs regular upkeep to avoid looking shabby or becoming a safety hazard.
As a commercial car park manager or owner, you want the best possible long-term flooring solution for your facility, one that balances durability, safety, and style, without sacrificing ease of maintenance and longevity. Heavy duty polyurethane flooring offers a winning combination of strength and sustainability features that make it an excellent alternative to concrete for premium commercial car parks. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of commercial polyurethane flooring and explore the reasons behind its growing popularity among car park owners.
What Is Polyurethane?
Polyurethane is a type of polymer created by reacting polyols (alcohols with multiple reactive hydroxyl groups) with diisocyanates or polymeric isocyanates. The final product is an extremely versatile flooring material that offers a wide range of properties depending on its formulation. Polyurethane flooring can be soft and flexible, or hard and rigid, making it a suitable choice for various applications, including car park flooring.
So, what are the key benefits of Polyurethane flooring?
1. Durability And Resistance Against Heavy Traffic
The durability of polyurethane flooring is one of its standout features for car park managers. It is highly resistant to the wear and tear caused by constant heavy traffic in a car park, where vehicles of various sizes and weights pass through daily. The material’s mechanical strength ensures the longevity of your flooring investment, even in the most demanding environments.
2. Slip-Resistance Ensuring Safety
The safety of pedestrians and drivers is always a top priority in any car park. Polyurethane flooring has an excellent slip-resistant quality, reducing the risk of accidents caused by slippery surfaces. This feature is particularly beneficial in the autumn and winter, where rainy weather can often lead to wet and slippery walkways and ramps at a time of increased occupancy for most commercial parking facilities.
3. Ease Of Cleaning And Maintenance
Car parks are subject to dirt, grime, and stains on a daily basis, and can quickly start looking dilapidated and unsafe without regular maintenance. Polyurethane flooring is an attractive choice because it is easier to clean and maintain than standard concrete systems. Why? Because the material is resistant to water, oils, and cleaning chemicals, meaning spills and dirt can be easily wiped away or cleaned with water and mild detergents, and also because the nonporous nature of polyurethane prevents contaminants from seeping into and staining the flooring.
4. Chemical Resistance To Oil And Grease
In a busy car park, it’s inevitable that petrol/diesel, oil, and grease spills will occur. Polyurethane flooring offers exceptional corrosion resistance to petrochemical products, reducing maintenance requirements and sustaining the appearance of your flooring.
5. Wide Range Of Design And Colour Options
Aesthetics and a good professional appearance are important elements of the customer experience, even in a functional space like a car park. Polyurethane flooring is available in a wide variety of colours, designs, and finishes to suit your needs. From sleek and modern to warm and inviting, you can create a car park environment that reflects your business’s unique character and branding.
6. Seamless Finish Reducing Water Ingress
A seamless flooring system minimises the potential for moisture ingress from rain and surface water, which can lead to structural damage to the flooring over time. With its seamless finish, polyurethane flooring reduces the likelihood of this issue, prolonging the life and health of your car park structure.
Next Steps
To find out more about the best choice for your car park flooring, please get in touch with the experts at Advanced Resin Technologies (International) today.