How Schools and Universities Now Minimize Floor Maintenance

For facilities professionals at the nation's 130,000-plus public and private schools, colleges and universities, finding better, more economical solutions to maintenance issues is a never-ending challenge. As more of these facilities age and require refurbishment, an interesting and economical solution is often discovered right underfoot. By removing the aged tile, carpeting or other flooring materials that originally were overlays, schools expose the original concrete floors that remain as solid and fresh-looking as the day they were poured. Companies like Citadel floor finishing systems in Minneapolis have in recent years introduced amazingly attractive floor coating systems that top-coat these exposed concrete floors with finishes that are superbly durable and strikingly attractive. Top-coating these concrete floors also brings an added incentive since cleaning and care is significantly easier and less costly because Citadel® coatings are so resistant to any sign of heavy foot traffic, abrasion, or staining. "Concrete floors for many institutions were originally specified because they would last the lifetime of the building, and they do", says Citadel. "So why not take advantage of the extreme long life of concrete by top-coating it with flooring finishing systems that last just as long?"

Controlling MRSA
Initially school facility staffs tried these new concrete finishes for cafeterias and food prep areas, restrooms and locker room floors -- all notorious breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. In particular, school officials are concerned about students contracting and spreading Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) through cross-contamination. Citadel's floor finishing systems achieve their distinct performance advantage of being highly resistant to bacteria by being non-porous, high-density compositions. Combine this with the fact that their low-VOC, no-odor formulations meet government requirements and the application and cure times are brief, and you have the making of a wonderful marriage of durability, attractiveness and easier maintenance.

Low-Cost for High Traffic Areas
Now educational facility hallways and classrooms, which have the most consistent and highest traffic flow of any areas, are becoming the newest areas of use, since finished concrete floors don't need waxing, buffing or stripping, and savings on the maintenance budget are remarkable. Both existing and newly poured concrete floors can be placed into service for many years to come when Citadel flooring systems are applied. Cost per square foot in materials and labor is in the range of $3-5 per square foot, which is considerably less than replacement tiles, synthetic materials or carpeting.

With few exceptions, educational facilities are taxpayer or tuition funded. Budgets are restricted as a rule and every dollar that goes into maintenance might be better invested in the business of education. By reusing existing concrete floors and renewing them with a decorative, durable coating overlay, more schools and colleges can discover the benefits of an indestructible walking surface at a minimal cost and with easy, less costly maintenance. Here are examples of how schools and museums of all types are using concrete floors to enhance their facilities. See just how attractive concrete coatings can be in institutional settings at: http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/interiorfloors/schools-museums.html

For Technical Support
To obtain important specification data, call 1-866-765-4310. To learn more about Citadel's Floor Finishing Systems, visit http://www.citadelfloors.com/. To connect directly with a Citadel technical field representative for your area, go to http://www.citadelfloors.com/contact.php

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