COATINGS

Epoxy & Polyurethane

In many commercial, industrial, and even institutional settings, aesthetics can be just as important as durability. That is why QC Companies often recommends epoxy and polyurethane as the flooring option that can withstand high traffic, high impact, and high design expectations.

Tough—and Thrifty

Epoxy and polyurethane floors offer a more economical, more durable alternative to tile, carpet, linoleum, or other options. As it cures, its resins form a seamless surface that resists abrasions, stains, and chemical spills, making it easier to clean and maintain.

Tough—and Attractive

Not only cost leads QC Companies to recommend epoxy and polyurethane floors for everything from schools and malls to factories and warehouses. The wide choice of available quartz chips, flakes, and color pigments opens up almost endless design options. Custom blend your flooring system to achieve almost any aesthetic effect, including glow in the dark, black-light, or an earthy warmth similar to natural stone.

Getting the most from your epoxy and polyurethane floor starts with QC Companies. For each distinct step in the application process, QC Companies brings the specialized equipment and know-how to ensure your floor keeps delivering its many benefits for years to come.

COATINGS

Epoxy & Polyurethane Advantages

Performance

• Superior chemical resistance
• Abrasion resistance
• Meets ADA slip-resistance requirements
• Durable, impact resistant
• Antimicrobial protection available
• Ease of cleaning and maintenance

Installation

• Cures in 5-7 days

Appearance

• Attractive finishes and surface textures
• Unlimited color variety
• Systems designed for your specific needs

Applications

• Warehouses
• Institutional Facilities
• Schools & Public Buildings
• Aircraft Hangars
• Chemical Processing
• Commercial Retail

MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEMS

Existing Concrete

Since moisture can be an ongoing problem, QC Companies stands ready to address anything from a single patch to a full moisture control system. Consult with us to assess the problem, formulate a solution, select the most effective product, determine the application process, and—finally—apply the moisture control system.

Correcting Excessive Emissions

Our solutions can be used over existing concrete whenever moisture emissions exceed the maximum allowed by a floor covering manufacturer. To determine whether emissions are acceptable, QC Companies uses either a hygrometer to measure relative humidity or a calcium chloride test to gauge the rate of evaporation.

As with all our moisture control systems, we use products that consist of fast curing, 100 percent solids epoxy – the only compound proven effective for controlling moisture. That means you can count on the product we select to limit evaporation and trap in moisture for the life of the floor. By trapping moisture in, we also keep water out. That makes the concrete slab resistant to both water and frost.

MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEMS

Existing Concrete Advantages

Performance

• Suppresses excessive moisture
• 100 percent solids epoxy

Installation

• Can be applied even if schedule does not allow for adequate drying of the concrete up to 100% RH.
• No limits for the thickness of the topping or underlayment installed over it
• Fast curing
• Can be installed after 3 day cured concrete

COATINGS

Methacrylate Reactive Acrylic (MMA)

QC Companies may recommend MMA for floors whenever durability, ease-of-repair, or reducing downtime are concerns.

Inherently Durable, Easily Maintainable

Incomparable color stability, thanks to near-total resistance to UV light, is just one of MMA’s unique traits. Unlike other polymer flooring systems, MMA absorbs only trace amounts of UV radiation, far too little to degrade molecular bonds.

When applied, resins in the liquid permeate the concrete, creating a welded bond as the liquid cures. The result is a seamless, non-porous surface. Not only will that surface resist impact, stains, and even chemical spills, it will not chalk, delaminate or become brittle.

MMA’s unique properties also simplify maintenance and repairs. Since its resins reactivate when exposed to liquid MMA, it takes only a spot application to fix the occasional gouge.

Beyond these benefits, MMA combines function with aesthetics, offering a selection of quartz chips, flakes, and color pigments. Additional options can prevent slipping, resist bacteria, and withstand extreme and rapid temperature changes.

Speedy, Safe, Cost-saving Application

Compare MMA’s one-hour cure time—even in temperatures as cold as -20F—to the 8- to 24-hour cure times of other coatings. By reducing application time, MMA limits lost revenue from excessive downtime. Plus, low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a solvent-free application process can reduce costs even more, by requiring fewer health and safety precautions.

COATINGS

MMA Advantages

Performance

• Solvent-free, VOC compliant, can support LEED certification
• Ease of cleaning - never needs to be waxed or stripped
• Meets ADA slip-resistance requirements
• NSF registered
• Antimicrobial protection available
• Unique, flexible resins available for exterior applications

Installation

• Cures in less than one hour
• Low temperature cure: down to -20F (-29C)
• Quick, on-site bond test

Appearance

• UV and color stable
• Dynamic range of colors and textures

Applications

• Pharmaceutical
• Retail & Supermarkets
• Freezers & Refrigerated Storage
• Hospitals & Health Facilities
• Animal Boarding & Veterinarian
• Institutional Facilities
• Stadiums

MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEMS

New Concrete

Letting QC Companies assess the need for moisture control can accelerate production schedules, prevent costly problems and extend the life of new concrete.

Assessing the Problem

To identify problem areas and appropriate treatments, QC Companies starts by taking a moisture reading. We may use a hygrometer to measure relative humidity. To gauge the rate of evaporation, we may also perform a calcium chloride test instead.

Depending on our findings—as well as on your production schedule or other needs—we may focus on a problem area, such as a visible wet spot. Sometimes, we may recommend treatment for an entire slab.

Delivering the Solution

Applying moisture control directly to the concrete substrate can prevent floor toppings, coatings, or polishes from being damaged by any residual moisture or alkaline in the concrete. This can be especially useful when moisture remains in completely cured concrete, yet you must keep the project on schedule. Even with relative humidity as high as 98 percent, our moisture solutions can let you safely and quickly move to the next step, applying any thickness of underlayment or topping.

MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEMS

New Concrete Advantages

Performance

• Suppresses excessive moisture
• 100 percent solids epoxy

Installation

• Can be applied even if schedule does not allow for adequate drying of the concrete up to 100% RH.
• No limits for the thickness of the topping or underlayment installed over it
• Fast curing
• Can be installed after 3-day concrete

ENGINEERED CEMENTS

Patches

For badly battered substrates, QC Companies sometimes recommends engineered cement patches. Addressing problems like pop-outs, spalls, and corrosion before applying the underlayment ensures the successful installation of vinyl, ceramic tile, carpet, linoleum, vinyl composition tile (VCT), or other types of floor.

Smoothing the Roughest Concrete

Using trowel-applied engineered cement patches, QC Companies can smooth the surface of the roughest concrete, ceramic tile, terrazzo and, in special applications, wood. Whatever the substrate, rely on QC Companies to deliver a surface that is durable, smooth and flat—all within tolerance of project specifications.

Self-drying formulations, like those available from Ardex, do more than just dry fast. Because they are engineered to hydrate all of their mix water, these patches cure without any evaporation. That feature, along with its high pH value and the absence of any organic material, means engineered cement does not contribute to staining, mold, mildew, or other problems that can result from excess moisture.

ENGINEERED CEMENTS

Patches Advantages

Performance

• Will not contribute to staining, mold, or mildew
• Water resistant
• Portland-cement based

Installation

• Can be used over concrete, ceramic tile and terazzo
• Wooden floor application offered
• Trowelable
• Self-drying

POLISHINGS

Polished Concrete

QC Companies knows how to give your concrete floor the look, feel and durability of polished stone, all for less than the cost of wood, quality carpeting, or natural stone such as granite, limestone, marble, or slate.

Beautiful, Brawny—and Green

QC Companies starts the multi-step process by grinding, treating, and—ultimately—polishing the concrete to a high gloss. By increasing surface density, polishing also eliminates dusting and produces a surface that repels oil, water, and other substances. It can enhance resistance to scrapes, scuffs, and abrasions, and it can even dramatically reduce skid marks from forklift tires.

Beyond just enhancing durability, polishing brightens unfinished concrete and turns production areas and drab warehouses into client showplaces. Surprisingly, despite its slick appearance, polished concrete actually reduces the risk of slips, falls and related accidents. In fact, polished concrete exceeds the slip coefficient standards set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Low environmental impact is one more thing that makes polished concrete worth considering. Because you are restoring existing concrete instead of tearing it out, you’re reducing waste. Polished concrete also lasts longer than other methods of restoring concrete. Plus, eliminating the adhesives needed for flooring such as carpet or vinyl gives contractors the opportunity to earn LEED credits.

Reduces Cost Three Different Ways

Polished concrete is not just more durable and more attractive. It is also more economical.

The savings start with its low initial costs. And, because it requires so little maintenance, it also reduces lifecycle costs. The attractive, high-gloss finish can even reduce ongoing lighting cost by reflecting ambient light.

POLISHINGS

Polished Concrete Advantages

Performance

• Meets and exceeds ADA's slip coefficient standards
• Creates a more dense surface, making it more
     abrasion resistant
• Reduces lighting cost, by increasing ambient lighting
• Green/OSHA approved/LEED certified
• Eliminates dusting and forklift tire marks
• Dissipates static
• Durable

Installation

• No shut down, floor always accessible

Appearance

• Looks and feels like polished stone

Applications

• Schools
• Municipalities
• Retail
• Industrial
• Hospital

Additional Links

• Cost Comparison
• Maintenance Schedule
• New Concrete Design Mix

POLISHINGS

Polished Toppings

Rely on QC Companies to recommend the polished topping and process best able to revitalize your existing concrete floor.

Expertise in all Phases of the Process

QC Companies brings expertise to each stage of the process, from mechanical preparation of the concrete, to application of the cementitious topping, selection of the finishing treatment, and—finally, to polishing the new surface.

To ensure proper preparation of the substrate, QC Companies first carefully and completely removes any previous coating, adhesive, or other residue. We then grind the concrete, patching where needed.

Application begins only when the substrate is sound, solid, and clean. Once we have applied the cementitious topping and ensured that it has cured properly, we polish, using the appropriate finishing treatment. Throughout the process, our operators draw on years of experience to select the proper tooling—expertly refining the diamond grit to achieve the desired gloss.

Low maintenance, high durability

You can depend on your polished topping concrete floor to repel stains, resist abrasions, and be free from dusting. In addition, polished toppings allow the transmission of water vapors, which can prevent the failure that can occur with vinyl, coating, and other flooring options.

POLISHINGS

Polished Toppings Advantages

Performance

• High quality
• Long lasting
• NSF registered
• Low maintenance
• Allows transmission of water vapors
• Economical
• Makes concrete that was not polishable, polishable
• Saves on waxing

Installation

• Makes old concrete polishable; no demolition and repouring

Appearance

• Full spectrum of colors
• Variable levels of reflectivity
• Uniform look (same level of rock)

Applications

• Office
• Warehouse
• Museums
• Retail

ENGINEERED CEMENTS

Toppings

Consult with QC Companies when you seek a fast and simple way to add a full range of design effects. Engineered cement toppings can be an economical way to achieve a concrete floor that is durable, low-maintenance, smooth, and flat. We can help determine if a topping is the best option for your concrete floor.

Bringing Out Concrete’s Best

Rely on QC Companies to use engineered cement toppings to bring out the luster of the natural concrete gray. Or, when specified, QC Companies can create unique looks by integrating brilliant color resins into the engineered cement during application. Add a logo or other custom design by using decorative inlays or by staining the cured topping prior to sealing.

Because engineered cement is self-leveling, you get a flat, smooth surface without the added labor cost of trowel-applied toppings. Even though engineered cement dries quickly, manufacturers such as Ardex offer self-drying formulations that further eliminate problems from excess moisture. By hydrating all of their mix water, these engineered cements cure without any evaporation. 

ENGINEERED CEMENTS

Toppings Advantages

Performance

• High quality
• Durable
• Long lasting
• Low maintenance
• Economical
• High PSI strength

Installation

• No evaporation
• New concrete flat and smooth
• Surface is quick drying

Appearance

• Full spectrum of color
• Uniform Look

ENGINEERED CEMENTS

Underlayments

QC Companies knows that an engineered cement underlayment can be a critical first step when installing vinyl, ceramic tile, carpet, linoleum, vinyl composition tile (VCT), or other type of flooring.

Many Substrates, Many Floors, One Solution

Whether your substrate is concrete, terrazzo, ceramic tile, quarry tile, epoxy, or another material, an engineered cement underlayment can ensure the success of the entire project. That is because this fast-track leveler delivers a flat, smooth surface that is assigned to be well within tolerance of project specifications. Engineered cement can also be featheredged, so that it stays level right up to the edge, no matter how craggy the substrate.

Applying an engineered cement underlayment does not add costly downtime. Rely on it to harden and dry quickly, all without the risk of shrinking, cracking, or spalling.

As an added benefit, engineered cement’s high pH value and complete lack of organic material means that, once installed, this durable compound resists the microbes that can cause mold, mildew, and other problems.

ENGINEERED CEMENTS

Underlayments Advantages

Performance

• Durable
• Highly resistant to shrinkage and cracking
• Portland-cement based

Installation

• Faster than new slab curing
• Can be featheredged
• Fast leveling
• Fast drying