Properly installed, this floor can last 10–20 years or more even in the most demanding environments.
When your facility demands uncompromising durability, hygiene, and resistance to extreme conditions, urethane cement flooring delivers where others fail. This industrial-grade system is specifically engineered for food-grade environments, high-traffic zones, and spaces exposed to thermal shock, moisture, and harsh chemicals.
At AD Technology, we provide expert installation of urethane cement floors, helping commercial kitchens, food production facilities, pharmaceutical plants, and warehouses achieve compliant, long-lasting floor systems that stand up to the most demanding operations.
Urethane cement — also known as polyurethane concrete — is a hybrid flooring system made by combining polyurethane resins with cement and aggregates. This fusion creates a robust, chemical-resistant, and moisture-tolerant flooring material that adheres well to concrete substrates.
Unlike traditional epoxy systems, urethane cement is designed to handle extreme conditions: from high-temperature washdowns to freezing environments, from aggressive cleaning agents to continuous heavy loads. Its dense, non-porous composition also makes it highly hygienic, preventing the growth of bacteria or mold — an essential feature for food-safe flooring in commercial kitchens and processing facilities.
Whether you’re upgrading an aging industrial floor or building a new compliant workspace from scratch, urethane cement offers a trusted, performance-driven solution that meets today’s strict operational and regulatory demands.
Urethane cement floor is especially popular in industries with strict hygiene standards and high mechanical stress. Typical applications include:
Urethane cement floors offer a wide range of advantages that make them the preferred choice for high-performance environments. Whether you’re managing a food production plant or upgrading a commercial kitchen, this flooring system offers performance where it matters most.
✓ Thermal Shock Resistance. This is a truly thermal shock resistant floor that can endure sudden and extreme temperature changes without cracking or delaminating.
✓ Chemical Resistance.Protects against acids, alkalis, solvents, and food byproducts
✓ Seamless and Non-Porous. As a seamless flooring system, it prevents the growth of bacteria and mold, making cleaning fast and effective.
✓ Slip Resistance. Applied with aggregates or texture additives, it becomes a highly slip resistant floor coating ideal for wet or greasy conditions.
✓ Food Safety Compliance. Urethane cement flooring fully meets the requirements for a USDA-compliant commercial kitchen floor. It’s specifically designed to perform in food-grade environments such as commercial kitchens, food prep areas, and processing facilities — where strict hygiene, thermal resistance, and chemical tolerance are non-negotiable.
✓ Moisture Tolerance. Designed to be installed even on damp concrete, it performs as a moisture-tolerant floor coating that resists blistering or failure.
✓ Heavy Duty Strength. Built to handle impacts and machinery, it functions as a high-traffic floor system in warehouses, plants, and busy facilities.
✓ Hygienic Surface. Its chemical resistance and seamless application make it a powerful hygienic flooring solution for sensitive environments.
✓ Accessibility Friendly.With customizable surface textures, it can be tailored as an ADA-compliant flooring surface for safety and accessibility.
Installing urethane cement flooring requires specialized knowledge and professional tools. The process typically includes:
As a professional resin flooring contractor in Philadelphia, we manage the entire process — from moisture testing and surface repair to final topcoat — to deliver high-performance floors that last.
Short answer: Not ideal for fully exposed outdoor use — but there are reinforced options for semi-exterior environments.
Urethane cement flooring is not designed for constant UV exposure or unprotected outdoor weather like rain, snow, or direct sunlight. Over time, ultraviolet rays and moisture cycles can cause:
This flooring system performs exceptionally well in demanding indoor settings but begins to degrade when subjected to constant UV radiation, rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles. Direct exposure to sunlight can cause discoloration, surface chalking, and long-term damage to the integrity of the coating.
That said, urethane cement can still be used in certainsemi-exterior applications, provided the area is protected from direct sunlight and heavy weather. Covered loading docks, open-air but roofed food prep zones, commercial garage thresholds, and enclosed patios are examples of spaces where urethane cement may be a viable option. In these cases, its durability and slip resistance make it an excellent choice—especially when combined with additional protective layers.
To extend its performance in such environments, a UV-resistant urethane topcoat can be applied over the cementitious base. This top layer helps guard against ultraviolet damage, enhances resistance to abrasion, and improves cleanability. Although this reinforcement improves the system’s performance under indirect light or partial exposure, it does not fully convert urethane cement into an outdoor-grade material.
If your project involves constant outdoor exposure, such as uncovered patios, walkways, driveways, or open-air production zones, we typically recommend alternative solutions. Stamped concrete, textured broom finishes, or specialized polyaspartic and exterior-grade polyurethane coatings are all better suited for handling outdoor environmental stressors.
Ultimately, urethane cement is engineered for interior or semi-protected commercial environments, and while some modifications can improve its UV stability, it is not a substitute for purpose-built exterior coatings.
Need help deciding?
At AD Technology, we’ll help you choose between urethane cement, outdoor coatings, or hybrid systems tailored to your environment — especially if you’re working with loading zones, warehouse thresholds, or open-air food prep spaces in the Philadelphia area and beyond.
Urethane cement flooring is primarily designed for installation on concrete substrates, as its chemical composition and curing process rely on a solid, stable base that provides strong mechanical bonding. However, clients often ask whether this system can be applied over other substrates like plywood or existing tile floors. Here’s what you need to know:
Plywood is a flexible and organic substrate, which poses several challenges for urethane cement. Because urethane cement forms a rigid, cementitious layer, any movement or flex in the plywood can lead to cracking, delamination, or failure of the flooring system. Additionally, plywood is prone to moisture absorption and swelling, which further compromises adhesion and durability.
For these reasons, urethane cement flooring is generally not recommended for direct installation over plywood. If there is a need to apply flooring over a wood substrate, other resinous coatings specifically formulated for wood or flexible systems such as epoxy primers combined with flexible urethane topcoats may be better choices. Alternatively, plywood should be properly reinforced and covered with a suitable underlayment to create a stable, rigid surface before applying urethane cement.
Applying urethane cement directly over existing tile floors is also typically discouraged. Tiles and grout lines create an uneven, non-porous surface that inhibits proper bonding of urethane cement. Additionally, any loose or cracked tiles can cause failures in the new flooring layer.
If installing over tile is necessary, the tile surface must be mechanically prepared. This includes thorough grinding or shot blasting to remove glaze, create texture, and ensure a strong bond. All damaged or loose tiles need to be repaired or removed prior to installation. In some cases, contractors opt to install a self-leveling underlayment or cementitious overlay to create a uniform substrate before applying urethane cement.
If you need help with leveling or preparing your floor, learn more about our self-leveling solutions here: Self-Leveling Floor Systems.
Proper substrate preparation and compatibility are critical to the long-term success of urethane cement floors. Skipping these steps or installing on improper substrates increases the risk of costly repairs and premature failure.
One of the main reasons urethane cement flooring is widely used in the food and beverage industry is its ability to meet strict sanitation and safety requirements. Urethane cement is fully compliant with USDA, FDA, and HACCP standards — the key frameworks that regulate cleanliness in food production, processing, and preparation zones.
Because urethane cement creates a seamless, non-porous surface, it eliminates places where bacteria and contaminants can hide, making it an ideal food-safe flooring option. It also withstands extreme conditions: harsh cleaning chemicals, high-temperature washdowns, steam, and aggressive sanitation routines — all without cracking or deteriorating.
This makes urethane cement the go-to brewery floor coating solution as well. Breweries often deal with heavy equipment, hot water, acids, and constant moisture, and require flooring that supports both hygiene and durability. A urethane cement floor performs exceptionally well in this environment, providing slip resistance to protect staff and keeping cleaning simple between brewing cycles.
Whether you’re running a restaurant, commercial kitchen, brewery, or food processing plant, this flooring system helps ensure:
✓ Full sanitary compliance
✓ Worker safety through slip resistance
✓ Easy daily cleaning
✓ Long-term durability despite constant wear
Choosing urethane cement means investing in a high-performance floor that helps your business pass inspections with confidence — while standing up to the real-world demands of food-grade spaces.
When selecting urethane cement flooring for commercial or industrial spaces, texture plays a crucial role that goes beyond just aesthetics. The right texture impacts the floor’s performance, safety, and maintenance, making it essential to choose carefully for your specific environment.
Smooth finishes are ideal for dry, clean areas that require food-safe urethane flooring with easy maintenance, such as commercial kitchens, food processing plants, and pharmaceutical facilities. Conversely, textured urethane cement floors incorporate aggregates like sand, quartz, or other mineral particles, broadcast into the wet urethane cement before it cures. This process creates a slip-resistant floor coating that enhances traction and reduces slip hazards in high-moisture or oily conditions — perfect for environments like breweries, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and commercial kitchens.
The size and type of aggregate determine the final surface texture — from fine-grain finishes that are easy to sanitize to coarser, anti-slip urethane cement floors designed for heavy-duty, wet, or greasy areas. After embedding the aggregates, a durable commercial floor coating topcoat seals the surface, preserving both slip resistance and resistance to abrasion and chemicals.
By choosing the right texture for your urethane cement floor, you ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and industry safety standards while achieving a balance of durability, safety, and low maintenance. This makes urethane cement flooring a top choice for businesses seeking a high-performance industrial flooring solution.
For professional results, rely on experienced urethane flooring contractor who understand the nuances of texture application and material selection.
When choosing between resinous flooring systems, urethane cement and epoxy coatings are two of the most common options. While they may look similar on the surface, they serve very different purposes and perform differently depending on the environment.
Urethane cement is the go-to choice for extreme conditions: temperature fluctuations, wet environments, and high mechanical stress. Epoxy, on the other hand, is often used in clean, dry, and temperature-stable spaces where decorative finish or light-duty chemical resistance is more important than thermal or moisture tolerance.
Let’s break down the differences:
Chooseurethane cement if your facility requires extreme durability, is exposed to temperature extremes or moisture, or must meet strict food safety standards — especially in food-grade or wet environments where performance and hygiene are critical.
On the other hand, choose epoxy coatings if you’re looking for a more decorative and versatile flooring finish in dry, climate-controlled spaces with light to moderate foot traffic. Epoxy offers a range of solid color options and customizable finishes that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of commercial or residential areas such as offices, showrooms, and garages. To explore high-quality solid color epoxy solutions, visit our dedicated page here: Solid Epoxy Coatings.
| Feature | Urethane Cement | Epoxy |
| Thermal Shock Resistance | ✅ Excellent | Poor |
| Moisture Tolerance | ✅ High | Need extra protection |
| Installation Time | Moderate | Moderate |
| Chemical Resistance | ✅ High | Medium to High |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Still unsure?
AD Technology offers expert consultations to help you determine which floor system best fits your space, budget, and operational demands.
While both urethane cement and broadcast sand flooring systems are widely used in industrial and commercial settings, they serve different purposes and perform best in different types of environments. Choosing the right one depends on the specific challenges your space faces — such as thermal shock, moisture, heavy traffic, or slip hazards. Both systems offer long-term value when properly installed, but the difference lies in the details.
Urethane cement is a high-performance, heavy-duty flooring system designed for the most extreme conditions. It is made by combining polyurethane resins with cement and aggregates, creating a thick, monolithic floor that is moisture-tolerant, chemically resistant, and resilient to thermal shock. It excels in food production areas, breweries, commercial kitchens, pharmaceutical facilities, and cold storage zones where hygiene, high temperatures, and aggressive cleaning are part of daily operations. Urethane cement can be installed over damp concrete and withstands steam cleaning, boiling water, and heavy mechanical abuse — making it the go-to solution for USDA-compliant, food-safe environments.
In contrast, a broadcast sand system— often referred to as a broadcast epoxy floor — is a multi-layer epoxy or urethane coating into which sand or aggregate is broadcast to create texture and traction. This system is typically used where slip resistance, chemical protection, and durability are needed, but the conditions are not as extreme. Think warehouses, mechanic shops, industrial hallways, or utility rooms. The finish can range from light-duty to heavy-duty depending on the thickness and type of aggregate used, and it’s more customizable in terms of aesthetics.
While broadcast sand floors are tough and versatile, they are not designed to handle thermal shock, extreme cold or heat, or saturated environments the way urethane cement is. Moisture vapor from below the slab can also cause issues unless the substrate is completely dry and a vapor barrier is installed.
If your space demands maximum durability, hygiene, and resistance to extreme temperatures, urethane cement is the superior flooring solution. Although it comes at a higher cost, urethane cement is engineered to withstand the harshest industrial and commercial environments, making it ideal for food-grade facilities, chemical plants, and areas exposed to moisture and thermal shock.
On the other hand, if your facility requires slip resistance and solid durability in a dry, temperature-stable environment, a broadcast sand floor coating is a cost-effective and dependable choice. This epoxy-based system enhances traction by embedding broadcast aggregates into the coating, making it perfect for warehouses, garages, and light to medium traffic areas. Additionally, broadcast sand floors are often easier to recoat or repair and offer greater flexibility in terms of color and texture customization.
Learn more about the advantages and installation of broadcast sand floor coatings here: Broadcast Sand Floor Coating.
Urethane cement flooring is known for its long service life. When properly installed and maintained, it can last:
Factors that affect longevity:
This makes urethane cement one of the most cost-effective flooring investments over the long term for demanding environments.
While urethane cement flooring is known for its exceptional durability and resistance to cracking, no industrial floor is completely immune to damage — especially in high-traffic or impact-prone environments. Cracks can sometimes occur due to underlying substrate movement, heavy impact, or improper installation.
The good news?Urethane cement can be repaired. If minor cracks or surface damage appear, they can often be filled and patched with compatible urethane cement materials. For deeper or structural cracks, localized removal and re-application may be necessary to restore the floor’s performance.
It’s important to act early. Prompt repairs help prevent the issue from spreading and protect your floor from moisture intrusion or hygiene concerns — especially in food-grade environments.
If you suspect damage, don’t wait. Reach out to us for a floor assessment and long-lasting repair solution. Whether you’re dealing with minor wear or larger cracks, we’ll assess the damage, repair the area using matching materials, and ensure your flooring system continues to meet industry standards.
One of the biggest advantages of urethane cement is its low-maintenance nature. To get the most out of your floor:
In most cases, day-to-day cleaning is enough to keep your urethane cement floor in excellent shape. However, over time — especially in extreme-use areas like commercial kitchens, breweries, or warehouses — the top layer may begin to show wear. In such cases, the floor can be resealed with a compatible topcoat to restore its slip resistance, gloss (if applicable), and protection against chemicals and moisture.
We recommend evaluating the floor for resealing every 3–5 years, or sooner if you notice signs of surface dulling, reduced traction, or difficulty cleaning. Regular inspections and optional resealing will help ensure your floor continues to meet hygiene and safety standards for years to come.
Whether it’s a restaurant kitchen, brewery, or production facility, we understand the specific flooring challenges you face — and we know how to solve them.
Ready to upgrade your floors?
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