"Polyurethane" and "urethane" get used loosely in the flooring trade, and the confusion costs owners money. A thin polyurethane topcoat and a thick PU cement floor are very different products for very different jobs. Here is how to tell them apart and choose between them.
The two products in plain terms
Polyurethane coating: a thin film, often applied over epoxy as a topcoat or on its own as a protective layer. Typically measured in mils (thousandths of an inch). It adds UV stability, scratch resistance and chemical resistance.
PU cement (urethane concrete): a thick, trowelled or screeded system, usually around 1/4 inch or more. It combines polyurethane resin with cement and aggregate, so it behaves more like a floor slab than a coating.
Side by side
Thickness: coatings are thin. PU cement is thick, so it takes impact and heavy loads.
Thermal shock: coatings can crack when hot water hits a cold floor. PU cement is made to handle it, up to steam cleaning and boiling water washdowns.
Moisture tolerance: PU cement tolerates damp slabs better than most thin coatings.
Appearance: coatings can be glossy, clear or coloured. PU cement is usually matte and textured, which also helps traction.
Cost: coatings cost less per square foot. PU cement costs more, but it lasts in places where coatings fail.
Install time: coatings are quick. PU cement takes longer, with more prep and thickness to build.
Choose a polyurethane coating when
The floor is dry and the traffic is moderate to heavy
You want a glossy, easy-to-clean finish in a showroom, clinic or retail space
UV light is a concern, near doors or windows
You want a fast turnaround and a lower cost
Choose PU cement when
The floor is washed with hot water or steam, like food plants, kitchens and breweries
There are freezers or coolers, with big temperature swings
Heavy impact and forklift traffic are daily
The slab is damp or has moisture concerns
Chemicals, fats, sugars or food acids reach the floor
Using both on one site
Many facilities use both: PU cement in wet processing, kitchens and cold rooms, and polyurethane-topped systems in dry production, storage and public areas. Planning the floor zone by zone usually costs less than using the heaviest system everywhere.
Get a zone-by-zone recommendation
Hardbond installs polyurethane coatings and PU cement across Toronto, the GTA and Ontario, with a 3-year written warranty. Book a floor assessment and we will specify the right system for each area of your facility.
