What Flooring Do They Use in Commercial Kitchens?

When it comes to commercial kitchens, the flooring must meet rigorous standards for durability, sanitation, safety, and longevity. Restaurant owners understand that a reliable commercial kitchen flooring solution isn’t just a matter of aesthetics—it’s a matter of operational efficiency and compliance with health codes. At TKO Concrete Coatings of Nashville, TN, we specialize in industrial-grade restaurant floor coatings designed to withstand the unique demands of high-volume kitchens. In this post, we’ll explore the flooring systems most commonly used in commercial kitchens, highlight the benefits of urethane cement, and showcase TKO Concrete Coatings’ expertise and notable restaurant customers.


Why Flooring Matters in Commercial Kitchens

Commercial kitchens face an array of challenges:

  • Extreme Temperature Fluctuations: From boiling water to steam kettles, floors must handle rapid thermal stress without cracking.

  • Chemical Exposure: Strong cleaners, degreasers, and acidic spills are routine. Flooring must resist chemical attack to maintain sanitary conditions.

  • High Traffic & Heavy Loads: Carts, rolling racks, and foot traffic from kitchen staff can quickly wear down inferior surfaces.

  • Slip and Fall Risks: Wet floors, grease, and oils make slip resistance essential for employee safety and liability reduction.

Choosing the right restaurant floor coating can significantly reduce maintenance costs, prevent downtime, and ensure a safe, compliant kitchen environment.


Urethane Cement: The Gold Standard for Commercial Kitchen Floors

Among the various commercial kitchen flooring options—such as epoxy, vinyl, or quarry tile—urethane cement stands out as the industry leader. Here’s why:

  1. Unmatched Durability

    • Urethane cement flooring offers compressive strength up to five times greater than traditional epoxy.

    • It resists chipping, cracking, and delamination even under constant foot traffic and rolling carts.

  2. Thermal Shock Resistance

    • Boiling water dumps and steam sterilization are commonplace in kitchens. Urethane cement tolerates rapid temperature changes without spalling or structural damage.

  3. Chemical & Grease Resistance

    • Commercial kitchens use powerful degreasers and cleaning chemicals multiple times per day. Urethane cement neutralizes chemical attack, preventing surface degradation and staining.

    • Grease-laden spills remain on the surface without permeating the substrate, enabling quick, thorough cleaning.

  4. Slip-Resistant & Sanitary

    • A slightly textured urethane cement finish provides excellent traction for kitchen staff, reducing slip and fall hazards.

    • Seamless installation eliminates grout lines and joints, which can harbor bacteria and contaminants, making it easier to maintain strict sanitation standards.

  5. Long-Term Cost Savings

    • Although the initial investment is higher than epoxy or tile, the extended life cycle of urethane cement flooring drastically lowers long-term maintenance and replacement costs.


TKO Concrete Coatings of Nashville, TN: Expertise & Proven Results

At TKO Concrete Coatings, we’ve built our reputation on delivering top-tier restaurant floor coatings throughout Nashville and the southeastern United States. Our skilled technicians are factory-certified in urethane cement installation, ensuring each floor meets or exceeds ASTM and FDA guidelines for foodservice environments.

  • Full-Service Installation: From concrete substrate profiling and crack repair to moisture mitigation and final urethane cement application, our team handles every step in the process.

  • Customized Solutions: We analyze your kitchen’s unique layout, traffic patterns, and chemical exposure to recommend the optimal flooring system for peak performance.

  • Fast Turnaround & Minimal Downtime: We understand that kitchen downtime impacts revenue. Our efficient installation process minimizes disruption to your operations.

  • Rigorous Quality Control: Every job includes thorough testing for adhesion strength, moisture vapor emission, and finished floor tolerances—guaranteeing longevity and peace of mind.


Notable Restaurant Customers

Our commercial kitchen flooring expertise has earned the trust of several high-profile restaurant clients:

  • J. Alexander’s Restaurant Group: We’ve supplied and installed urethane cement floors in multiple J. Alexander’s kitchen locations across the Southeast, delivering consistent performance under daily high-volume demands.

  • Logan’s Roadhouse: TKO Concrete Coatings has installed kitchen floor coatings for Logan’s Roadhouse restaurants from Nashville to Birmingham, ensuring each location maintains top sanitation standards and slip resistance.

  • Multi-Unit Franchisees & Local Eateries: From family-owned diners to multi-site franchises, our team has completed over 200 commercial kitchen projects—each customized to the client’s budget, timeline, and operational needs.


Beyond the Kitchen: Complete Restaurant Flooring Solutions

While urethane cement is unrivaled in commercial kitchens, TKO Concrete Coatings also offers complementary flooring systems for other areas of your restaurant:

  • Dining & Bar Areas: Stained concrete with a clear urethane topcoat and anti-slip aggregates for a stylish, easy-to-maintain finish.

  • Walk-In Freezers & Cold Storage: Polycrete flooring designed to remain flexible and crack-free at sub-zero temperatures, preventing costly freeze-thaw damage.

  • Prep Zones & Dishwash Areas: Quarry tile alternatives or polished concrete solutions with integral drainage ramps, tailored for frequent washdowns and foot traffic.


Why Invest in the Right Commercial Kitchen Flooring?

Choosing an inferior flooring system might save money upfront, but it often leads to:

  • Frequent repairs and resurfacing expenses.

  • Health code violations due to cracked joints and deteriorating surfaces.

  • Increased slip-and-fall risks, leading to workers’ comp claims.

  • Disruptions in kitchen operations and revenue loss during repairs.

With TKO Concrete Coatings’ urethane cement flooring, you eliminate these concerns. You’ll have a floor that stays robust under the harshest conditions, requires minimal maintenance, and upholds the highest sanitation standards—empowering your kitchen staff to focus on delivering exceptional cuisine.


Ready to elevate your commercial kitchen with industry-leading flooring?

For a free estimate call 615-414-3727 or visit www.tkoconcrete.com