Suffering from an aged floor that looks dull and is difficult to keep clean? A pu cast floor offers the perfect balance between walking comfort and a modern look for offices and shops. Learn how to create a presentable space that will last for years without intensive maintenance.
The difference between a pu cast floor and an epoxy floor
When you search for plastic flooring, you often come across two types: epoxy and polyurethane (pu). Although they are similar, their properties are quite different. A epoxy floor is extremely hard and mainly intended for heavy industry and workshops. For an office or shop, this hardness is often not desirable as the floor will feel less comfortable.
A pu cast floor of Malema Coatings is actually elastic and flexible. This means the floor springs along slightly when you walk on it. This flexibility makes the floor much less susceptible to scratching from sand or small stones under shoes. The material is also softer on the feet, which is nice for employees who stand or walk a lot.
Walking comfort and crack bridging
The elasticity of a pu floor offers another technical advantage. Because the material is flexible, it can absorb small workings in the substrate. Should a minuscule crack appear in the concrete floor below, the PU layer will often smoothly bridge it without cracking itself. For an optimal result, however, it is always advisable to first apply the floor to be levelled.
A flexible floor provides a calm base that moves with your building and your staff. This springy character also makes the floor suitable for homes or showrooms where a warm and inviting atmosphere is important. You combine the sleek look of an industrial floor with the comfort of a soft floor covering.
A representative and comfortable working environment
In an office environment, the appearance of the floor plays a major role. After all, it is the business card for your customers and guests. A floor that is dull or full of scratches does not exude much professionalism. A general cast floor solves this with its seamless and sleek design.
How this floor contributes to better acoustics
A major disadvantage of hard floors in an office building is noise. Tapping heels, sliding chairs or falling pens can create a lot of noise. This disturbs your staff's concentration. Because a pu cast floor is softer, these sounds are muffled instead of being reflected.
- Impact noise is significantly reduced by the springy layer.
- The floor contributes to a quieter workplace in open-plan offices.
- The reverberation of voices in the room is reduced.
WHICH LIQUID-TIGHT FLOORS SUIT YOUR SITUATION?
Not every floor is the same. Which liquid-proof solution is most suitable depends on the load, the substrate, the desired appearance and the sector you work in.
Epoxy flooring
Epoxy flooring is a strong, seamless industrial floor that is well suited to areas where heavy loads, hygiene and chemical resistance are important. Epoxy floors are liquid-proof, easy to clean and can carry heavy weight effortlessly.
A thinner protective layer over an existing floor, so epoxy is ideal for large(er) areas and often a budget-friendly solution unlike PMMA.
Advantages:
✔ Twice as strong as concrete
✔ Seamless
✔ Easy to clean
✔ Anti-allergenic
✔ Enormously strong
✔ Light impact and abrasion resistant
Resistant to chemicals and acids
✔ Can be supplied in many colours
✔ Anti-slip possible
✔ Liquid-proof
✔ Can carry heavy weight effortlessly
PMMA floor
A PMMA floor is a strong and hard-wearing floor coating with a particularly great advantage: the floor is fully cured and ready for use again within about two hours. That makes this system ideal for companies where downtime costs money immediately.
PMMA floors are liquid-proof, hygienic, chemical-resistant and can be fitted with anti-slip. They are also flexible, reducing the risk of cracking.
Advantages:
✔ Drying time of only 2 hours
✔ Seamless
✔ Hygienic
✔ Easy to clean
✔ Liquid-proof
✔ Dust-free
✔ Wear-resistant
✔ Flexible so it does not tear
✔ Anti-slip possible
✔ Heat-resistant coating possible
✔ Suitable for cold areas
✔ Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
What should good liquid-proof floors meet?
An impermeable floor should do more than just hold back liquids. In practice, these are the most important properties:
- Seamless finishing
- Resistant to moisture and chemicals
- Wear-resistant top layer
- Easy to clean
- Anti-slip possible
- Suitable for the load of your working environment
That is why it is important to look not only at the price or appearance, but also at the application. A floor in a warehouse simply requires something different from a floor in a butcher's shop or car workshop.
UV resistance and colour retention
Many business owners worry that their white or grey floors will turn yellow over time because of the sun. With cheaper systems or epoxy floors, this is indeed a risk. However, our pu cast floors are completely UV-resistant. This means that the colour does not change under the influence of daylight.
So you can safely choose a light colour in an office with large windows. The floor will retain its fresh and modern look, even in areas exposed to the sun all day. This ensures that you will not have to renovate after just a few years due to discolouration.
Ease of maintenance and hygiene
As the floor is completely seamless from wall to wall, maintenance is very easy. There are no joints or seams where dust and dirt can remain. A simple mopping with a mild detergent is enough to make the surface shine like new again.
- Dust and dirt do not adhere to the smooth surface.
- The floor is liquid-proof so spilled coffee does not stain.
- Less time is needed for the daily cleaning round.
Are you curious about the many colours and finishing options for your office or shop? We will be happy to advise you on the right choice and, if desired, come to you for on-site colour advice. Please contact us for more information or a no-obligation quotation.