My architectural client wants to use a clear concrete sealer on the floor in a commercial kitchen in a school. I do not think this is possible and have not found a product that is USDA approved. I have always specified either quarry tile or resinous floors in that application.
Do you know of a clear concrete sealer that can be used in a commercial kitchen? Thanks.
Oops, says it cannot be used as a clear top coat.
Try Ashford Formula
I just specified Prosoco PolishGuard for an office kitchenette, may be worth a look.
you need a film forming sealer, not a penetrating product. Ashford will not work in this situation. Neither will polished concrete.
I recommend that you take a look at a MMA system, the one i am familiar with is DuraFlex Cryl-A-Shield, which is USDA, FDA, and “local Health Department” approved.
Two concerns with a simple sealer or polished concrete would be slip resistance and stain resistance. For commercial kitchens I am most familiar with using either quarry tile with abrasive grit, or resinous flooring with a texture and/or broadcast aggregate, and I am concerned that anything less will allow staining and get slippery with grease or water.
Some health departments restrict textured surfaces due to cleanliness; contradicts slip-resistance!
Silikal is another company for MMA systems. Advantage of MMA is quick turnaround in existing facilities.
Sherwin-Williams (Gen’l Polymers) has other products/systems; talk with local rep for recommendations.
Why would it need to be USDA approved? I’ve not run into that before, only local health department. What sort of approval do they give. I have seen certain things that were NSF approved (though I don’t know if approved is the right term here.)
I’ve never seen a clear sealer work for commercial kitchens. I stopped advocating quarry tile years ago, regardless of grout, because heat and fatty acids eat every grout out there. Anything epoxy will eventually dissolve.
MMA works well as long as you have a window to apply it when the building is empty for a few hours. Skunks smell better. Great membrane though.
Polyaspartics seem to work well but I haven’t experimented much with them. Laticrete has one I think.
I tend to lean towards urethane cement systems like Dudick Steri-Crete. Works great and lasts forever. Good slip-resistance and cleanability. Not cheap which is apparently what your client is looking for.