Dealing with coating delamination is a serious issue in food plants around Chicago. As a manager, you work hard to keep your floors clean and up to code. All that effort, only to find that thermal shock caused by quick temperature changes makes your concrete coating peel off.

At CustomCrete, we know the challenges that Chicago businesses face with flooring, and our experienced team has solutions for your specific needs. If your facility is exposed to temperature swings or requires flooring that can handle heavy use, urethane concrete is the solution you need.  Urethane concrete, also known as urethane cement, polyurethane concrete, and cementitious urethane, is a tough industrial flooring choice.

In this article we will cover…

Price Ranges for Urethane Concrete in Chicago

Other Factors That Can Affect Your Urethane Cement Project in Chicago

Finding the Right Solution for Your Needs

Price Ranges for Urethane Cement in Chicago

Urethane Cement SL 

• Cost per Square Foot: $7.00-$12.00

• Total for 5,000 sq ft: $35,000 to $60,000

Urethane Cement SL  is a cost-effective option for resistance to thermal shock. It’s thinner, about 1/8 to 3/16 inch, applied directly over your concrete slab. It’s a great choice for many commercial spaces.

Urethane Cement HF

• Cost per Square Foot: $10.00-$15.00

• Total for 5,000 sq ft: $50,000 to $75,000

Urethane Cement HF application is the most durable, heavy-duty option. It’s applied as a 1/4 to 3/8-inch coating on top of your concrete slab. This option is perfect for businesses needing a floor to handle heavy use and abuse.

Note: You can make the coating stronger by adding iron aggregate.

Urethane Cement MD

• Cost per Square Foot: $9.00-$13.00 

• Total for 5,000 sq ft: $45,000 to $65,000

Urethane Cement MD application is a Medium Duty coating that’s between 3/16 and 1/4 inch thick. It’s perfect for businesses that need high resistance to thermal shock and heavy wear. This is the most popular option and offers flexibility for customizing the floor’s texture.

Decorative Flake or Quartz

• Cost per Square Foot: $15-$20
  Total for 5,000 sq ft: $75,000 to $100,000

Decorative flakes or quartz are applied over urethane cement to add color, texture, and extra traction. There are many options available to match both the look and function you need. A clear seal coat is added on top to hold everything in place and provide a glossy finish.

As a disclaimer: Every project is unique. This guide provides general estimates, but it’s not a guaranteed quote. There are many types of urethane concrete, so it’s not practical to list all the options and prices here. This will give you a good starting point to understand the costs, but you’ll want to get a more specific quote for your project.

Other Factors That Can Affect Your Urethane Concrete Project in Chicago 

While the ranges above give you a rough idea, the final cost of your project will depend on several other factors:

Size of the Area
Larger projects lower the cost per square foot because material costs decrease, and labor is more efficient. Our crew can work continuously on larger spaces without setup or restaging.  However, smaller spaces require more work pauses, and the setup costs will be spread across a smaller area, raising the cost per square foot.

Surface Preparation
The concrete in your space needs to be properly prepared before the urethane coating is applied. This means profiling the concrete to a CSP (Concrete Surface Profile) between 3 and 5. If there are old coatings or adhesives on the floor from tiles, carpeting, wood paneling, or old coatings, extra prep work, like shot blasting, (Grinding) will be needed. The more prep work, the more time, the higher the cost.

Project Complexity
If the job involves more complexity, like working around large machines, tight spaces, or obstacles, the cost increases. A basic warehouse without obstacles will cost less than a production line with fixed equipment and narrow pathways. More labor is needed for complex projects, which will add to the total cost.

Accessibility
For urethane flooring projects, CustomCrete typically works with large food facilities, factories, warehouses, and commercial kitchens. These spaces tend to have loading docks or garage doors for easy access. However, if your facility is on a higher floor with limited elevator access, additional time and labor will be needed to move equipment and materials.

Parking
For urethane flooring projects, CustomCrete’s crews need ample parking space to park trucks and unload equipment and materials. Having easy access to nearby parking helps ensure that large machinery, tools, and materials can be unloaded quickly and efficiently. Without sufficient parking, setup times can be longer, requiring additional labor and causing delays in the overall project. This not only extends the time it takes to complete the job but can also increase your costs due to the extra time and effort needed to move equipment and materials. Ensuring that parking is available close to the site will help streamline the process and keep the project on schedule and within budget.

Finding the Right Solution for Your Needs

At CustomCrete, we know how important it is to choose the right industrial flooring for your business. Whether you need a basic protective coating or a heavy-duty, durable surface, our team will help guide you through the options. We understand the unique challenges that businesses in Chicago face, especially in industries where floors take heavy abuse, resist mold and bacteria, and need to withstand temperature fluctuations. 

Choosing the right flooring is crucial to protecting your investment, ensuring safety, and minimizing downtime.

Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision, whether you choose to work with us or not. We believe that every business deserves a flooring solution that meets both its functional and aesthetic needs. By offering expert advice and personalized recommendations, we make sure you feel confident in your choice.

If you’re ready to get an accurate quote for your urethane concrete project in Chicago, the next step is simple: Contact us today. We’ll walk you through the different options and make sure you get exactly what you need without any surprises. From selecting the right application to helping you with any concerns you may have, CustomCrete is here to ensure your project is a success. Let’s work together to create a flooring solution that keeps your business running smoothly for years to come.