UK polyurethane flooring costs £11-15 per m² installed, with 6mm PU cement screeds averaging £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m²/m² for food processing facilities. Coating systems (2-3mm) cost £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m²/m², while heavy-duty 9mm systems reach £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m²/m². These prices include materials, labour, and standard preparation, with PU offering superior thermal shock resistance and 20-30 year lifespan justifying the 30-50% premium over epoxy.
Polyurethane flooring represents the premium choice for demanding industrial environments, particularly food processing and manufacturing facilities. While costing 30-50% more than epoxy initially, PU systems deliver unmatched performance in extreme conditions. After installing over 300,000m² of PU flooring across UK facilities, we'll break down the real costs and long-term value proposition.
Polyurethane System Types and Base Costs
| PU System Type | Thickness | Cost per m² | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| PU Coating | 1-2mm | £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m² | Light duty, chemical resistance |
| PU Concrete (RT) | 4-6mm | £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m² | Standard food processing |
| PU Concrete (HT) | 6-9mm | £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m² | Heavy duty, thermal shock |
| PU Mortar System | 9-12mm | £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m² | Extreme conditions |
| Flexible PU | 2-3mm | £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m² | Car parks, external |
| Hybrid PU/Epoxy | 3-5mm | £11-15 per m²-£11-15 per m² | Balanced performance |
RT (Room Temperature) systems cure at ambient temperatures, while HT (High Temperature) formulations withstand steam cleaning and thermal cycling from -40°C to +120°C.
How Thickness Affects Polyurethane Pricing
Unlike epoxy where thickness linearly affects cost, polyurethane pricing jumps at specific thresholds due to application method changes:
| Thickness | Application Method | Material Cost/m² | Labour Cost/m² | Total Cost/m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2mm | Roller applied | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² |
| 4mm | Trowel applied | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² |
| 6mm | Screed pump/trowel | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² |
| 9mm | Heavy screed | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² |
| 12mm | Multi-layer build | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² |
Polyurethane vs Epoxy Cost Comparison
While polyurethane costs more initially, the total lifecycle value often favours PU in demanding environments:
| Cost Factor | Epoxy (4mm) | Polyurethane (6mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost/m² | £11-15 per m² | £11-15 per m² |
| Preparation Required | Standard grinding | Light preparation |
| Installation Time | 4-5 days/1000m² | 5-6 days/1000m² |
| Service Life | 10-15 years | 20-30 years |
| Annual Maintenance | £1-2/m² | £0.50-1/m² |
| 20-Year Total Cost | £11-15 per m²-100/m² | £11-15 per m²-85/m² |
For detailed epoxy pricing comparison, see our complete epoxy cost guide and technical comparison.
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Surface Preparation Requirements
Polyurethane's moisture tolerance reduces preparation costs compared to epoxy:
- Basic cleaning: £2-3/m² (usually sufficient)
- Light grinding: £5-8/m² (contaminated surfaces)
- Shot blasting: £8-12/m² (rarely needed)
- Moisture barriers: Not required (PU tolerates 10% moisture)
- Temperature control: Not required (cures -5°C to 40°C)
Project Size Impact
| Area Size | Price Adjustment | 6mm PU Cost/m² |
|---|---|---|
| Under 200m² | +35-45% | £11-15 per m² |
| 200-500m² | +20-25% | £11-15 per m² |
| 500-1000m² | Base price | £11-15 per m² |
| 1000-2500m² | -10-15% | £11-15 per m² |
| Over 2500m² | -15-25% | £11-15 per m² |
Food Industry Specific Costs
Food processing flooring installations require additional features that impact polyurethane flooring costs:
Hygiene Enhancements
- Antimicrobial additives: +£3-5/m²
- Coved skirting (150mm): £11-15 per m²-30 per linear metre
- Drain surrounds: £11-15 per m²-150 each
- Non-slip aggregates: +£2-4/m²
- Colour coding zones: +£5-8/m²
Compliance Requirements
- HACCP documentation: £11-15 per m²-1000
- Slip resistance testing: £11-15 per m²-750
- Chemical resistance certification: £11-15 per m²-1000
- Temperature resistance validation: £11-15 per m²-750
Lifecycle and Maintenance Costs
Polyurethane's durability dramatically reduces long-term costs:
Annual Maintenance Requirements
- Daily cleaning: Standard detergents (no special chemicals)
- Quarterly deep clean: £0.50-1/m²
- Annual inspection: £11-15 per m²-500
- Minor repairs (5-year): £11-15 per m²-1500
- Recoat requirement: None for 20+ years
Cost Savings vs Other Systems
- No recoating needed (saves £11-15 per m²/m² every 5-7 years)
- Withstands steam cleaning (no special equipment)
- Resists thermal shock (no cracking repairs)
- Chemical resistance (no degradation)
- Reduced downtime (24-hour cure vs 72 hours)
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Get Cost AnalysisWarranty Options and Added Value
| Warranty Type | Coverage Period | Additional Cost | What's Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 5 years | Included | Delamination, defects |
| Extended | 10 years | +8-10% | Plus wear resistance |
| Comprehensive | 15 years | +12-15% | Plus thermal/chemical |
| Insurance-backed | 20 years | +15-20% | Full system guarantee |
Getting Accurate Polyurethane Flooring Quotes
Essential Information to Provide
- Exact area and floor plan
- Current floor condition and type
- Temperature extremes experienced
- Chemical exposure list
- Cleaning regime (steam, pressure washing)
- Load requirements (forklifts, machinery)
- Regulatory compliance needs
- Downtime constraints
Quote Red Flags
- No mention of primer systems
- Generic "PU coating" without specification
- Prices below £11-15 per m²/m² for screed systems
- No thermal resistance specifications
- Missing warranty details
- No cure time information
Questions to Ask Contractors
- Which PU system manufacturer do you use?
- How many food facilities have you completed?
- What's your warranty claim rate?
- Can you work around production schedules?
- Do you have CHAS/SafeContractor accreditation?
- What's included in your aftercare service?
Regional UK Price Variations
| Region | Variation | 6mm PU Cost/m² |
|---|---|---|
| London/South East | +15-20% | £11-15 per m² |
| Midlands | Base price | £11-15 per m² |
| North England | -5-10% | £11-15 per m² |
| Scotland | +10-15% | £11-15 per m² |
| Wales | +5-10% | £11-15 per m² |
For alternative fast-cure options and pricing, see our MMA flooring cost guide. For standard alternatives, review our vinyl flooring comparison.
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