J.L. Runebergin Herkut coated the floor of its commercial kitchen with TKR in 2018. Here is how it has performed since then.

Based in Virrat, J.L. Runebergin Herkut provides catering and made-to-order baking services. The kitchen is not simply a back-of-house space, but a workplace where people move, lift, wash and bake every day. When the company built a new kitchen in 2018, there was one key requirement for its approximately 30-square-metre floor: it had to be easy to maintain.

“I wanted an easy-to-maintain floor that wasn’t tiled”

A tiled floor was ruled out from the start. Grout joints collect dirt, require maintenance and can become damaged under the demanding conditions of a commercial kitchen. Instead, the company was looking for a seamless solution that could be washed without concern.

The recommendation for a TKR coating came from an acquaintance in the construction industry who was already familiar with the product and suggested it for the new kitchen. Their first-hand experience with the product gave the decision the reassurance it needed – there were no remaining doubts.

The installation went smoothly

The original coating was applied by professionals, and the work went smoothly. The kitchen was out of use for around two days in total, after which the floor could return to light use. Full use resumed once the coating had completely cured.

Eight years later: what works and what doesn’t?

Ease of cleaning has been the coating’s greatest advantage. The seamless surface means that corners and edges along the walls stay cleaner, as there are no tile joints to collect dirt. Better hygiene follows almost naturally from easier cleaning.

The floor has stood up well to the demands of daily commercial kitchen use, including heat, grease, chemicals, heavy traffic and constant washing. The surface has performed as intended.

The user has also played a part in preserving the result. Most movable items are fitted with wheels, and boxes are not dragged across the floor. This has been a conscious choice to protect the surface.

There are signs of wear, too, and these were discussed openly. The surface has worn along the most frequently used routes, and in areas where there were small raised imperfections in the concrete, the coating over those high points has worn through during the eight years of use. In the entrance area, sunlight has also caused some slight yellowing.

These are natural signs of a floor that has been subjected to heavy use. Now, after eight years, the surface has undergone its first repair.

Recoating versus repairing tiles

Repairing the coating was easier and faster than repairing a tiled floor would have been. Replacing tiles and renewing grout joints would have involved a considerably larger job, which in turn would have meant a longer interruption to kitchen operations, higher costs and a messier worksite.

One detail says a great deal about how straightforward the solution is to maintain: although the original coating was applied by professionals, the business owner was able to carry out the recoating herself. Maintenance does not necessarily require bringing in a professional.

Coating the existing structure extended the floor’s service life for eight years before its first maintenance, and the maintenance itself was a relatively small operation.

A recommendation for other commercial kitchens

“I can recommend it. Although I also make sure that the surface isn’t subjected to the kind of stress that could damage it.”

The user’s point is an important one: the lifespan of a coating depends on both the surface itself and how it is used. Using wheeled trolleys instead of dragging items, taking care with sharp objects and cleaning regularly are all small everyday choices that can significantly extend the life of the floor.

After this experience, the business owner would choose the same coating again. If anything, the result has been a positive surprise – after eight years, there has not been a single reason to regret the choice.

For commercial kitchens looking for a seamless, easy-to-maintain and long-lasting flooring solution as an alternative to tiles, the TKR coating has proven to be a successful choice at J.L. Runebergin Herkut.

Would you like the same kind of result for your projects?

If you are looking for a solution that performs in real-world environments – from commercial kitchens and public spaces to other demanding settings – contact TKR or fill in the form below. Together, we can find the system that best suits your project.