The world of home decor is ever-changing, loaded with trends that come and go. Polyurethane coatings, or PU coatings, are also one such understated way to upgrade the look and feel of your home.
It is a promising resin material that is slowly dominating the polymer coating industry. As a result, you will find several PU paints and polishes in home improvement stores.
If you want to learn more about PU coating, you have come to the right spot. We will talk all about it, starting with what PU paint and coating are, the difference between the two, and conclude with practical PU coating ideas. So, let’s get started!
What is PU Coating?
PU coating is a premium polymer coating that offers a smooth and luxurious finish to metallic and wooden surfaces.
The process of how to make PU typically involves reacting polyisocyanates with polyols, polyamine, or water.
The reaction forms a plastic-like protective film over the material that is much stronger and harder than other finishing materials like varnish or lacquer.
At the same time, the coating is highly flexible, which is why it can seamlessly cover curved surfaces too.
Polyurethane coatings have become extremely popular of late due to their highly versatile chemistry, superior toughness, high resistance to chemicals and abrasions, blend of toughness with malleability, and adhesion capability to various substrates.
Types of PU Coating
Polyurethane coatings can be broadly divided into the following two categories:
- Single-package systems: This PU coating is cured by exposure to heat, moisture, or oxygen. It typically offers a clear, transparent PU coating that dries almost instantly.
- Two-component systems: This PU coating is formed by mixing polyisocyanate with polyol or polyamide, the mixture is then instantly applied to the surface as it cures by direct cross-linking at room temperatures. These are tougher than single-package systems but release powerful odours and toxic fumes during application.
Based on these properties of PU coating, you can identify the right PU coating ideas for the right application.
How is PU Coating Different From PU Paint?
Upon familiarising yourself with the different PU coating ideas based on types, you might wonder about the PU coating that is pigmented or opaque. Where does that fit into the picture? Well, what you are thinking of is actually polyurethane paint or PU paint.
Despite a nearly identical chemical composition, PU coating and PU paint are not the same.
For starters, as mentioned already, PU paint is pigmented and offers an opaque finish. The colour pigments lend a shade to the PU paint, which is why it is used as the top coat that masks any base or natural coating. PU paint also comes in matte or high-gloss finishing.
On the other hand, PU coating is often clear or translucent. It may acquire an amber hue in the two-component system, which is a byproduct of mixing resin with a hardener. Regardless, it does not have any colour of its own and makes the base coat visible.
Finally, it is also worth noting that PU paint is costlier than PU coating.
Why is PU Coating on Furniture a Good Idea?
Now that you understand the difference between PU paint and PU coating, it is time to dive deeper into the PU coating ideas.
But before that, let us preface it with why you should be using PU coating on furniture. Here are a few compelling reasons in the favour of PU coating ideas for home furniture:
- Polyurethane coatings are available in a varying range of hardness, which means that you can cover virtually any furniture surface depending on the exposure and wear and tear.
- Its high flexibility also ensures that you can apply it to furniture surfaces that are uneven and/or non-uniform.
- When utilised, pu coating ideas are highly resistant to abrasion and tearing due to their high tensile properties. They also possess high load-bearing capacity, due to which they can withstand heavy compression.
- Furniture utilising PU coating ideas is also impermeable to moisture, oil, and grease, which means that your furniture will stay protected even if you lived in the coastal region!
- It can also withstand temperature extremes and harsh environmental conditions while resisting material degradation.
- PU coating ideas can also fix the issue of moulding, mildew, and fungus that may emerge in furniture when you live in tropical regions.
- They are a cost-effective way to upgrade the look and feel of your furniture. Plus, they offer long-term durability after application.
Trendy PU Coating Ideas for Home Furniture
With the above advantages, it is clear that PU coating ideas are perfect for home furniture. On that note, here are a few trendy and practical PU coating ideas that you can try:
PU Coated Dining Table
Let’s start with the most typical and low-effort PU coating ideas – your dining table. You can easily give the surface a PU coating if you have a wooden dining table with a natural base coat.
Applying a layer of PU coating would not be too difficult as the surface is mostly flat and even. The coating will retain the natural sheen and lustre of wood without overwhelming the natural grain.
Also, since the dining table is a high-traffic area, these PU coating ideas will also protect it from unwanted scuffs and scratches.
PU Coated Wardrobe
Next, you can use the PU coating to upgrade your wooden wardrobe’s design. In the image above, we see a wooden wardrobe covered in a high-gloss PU coating.
As a result, the highly reflective surface of the wardrobe looks super attractive. While PU coating is perfect for a natural, minimal wardrobe design, if you are looking to glam up your wardrobe a few notches then you can even try using PU paint.
The PU paint will offer a splash of colour and complement your colour scheme and home decor if you are diverting from the rustic look.
PU Coated Walk-In Closet
If you thought PU coating was all about wooden textures and a natural look, then this walk-in wardrobe design will change your mind. What you see here is a chic and modern walk-in closet made of metal.
In this case, the PU polymer is mixed with a solvent to form a solution. Then an electrospray sprays an even coating of this PU solution over the metallic surface to form a powder coating.
Finally, the material is oven-cured where it solidifies to form a homogenous layer. So don’t just think that these pu coating ideasare for wooden furniture alone!
PU Coated Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are often subject to temperature extremes and abrasive elements like water, oil, and grease.
While it may not necessarily take away the structural integrity of the cabinets, they sure do steal from the aesthetics and make the surfaces tough to clean and maintain.
As such, PU coating ideas for kitchen cabinets could be excellent! Since the surface is flat, you can apply PU coating directly or you can dismount the cabinets and do it with greater ease and convenience.
You can even go ahead and offer this layer of protection to the countertops, not just the cabinets.
Concluding Remarks
That’s a wrap on the PU coating ideas for home furniture. Remember, these are just ideas to inspire you. Feel free to look beyond and explore different applications for PU coating ideas to decorate your home. From PU coating the flooring to the murals on your wall – have fun!
On the other hand, if you are looking for personalised home decor tips then book a consultation with a HomeLane expert.
FAQs
What is PU coating?
Polyurethane coating, or PU coating, is a highly durable coating applied to a substrate to reinforce and protect it.
What Are the Benefits Of PU coating?
The benefits of PU coating are as follows:
- Long-term durability
- Flexibility
- Load-bearing (tension/compression) capacity
- Material protection
- Resistance to impact, abrasion, and tears
- Insulation from harsh environmental conditions
- Mould, mildew, and fungus resistance
- Economical
Polyurethane Coating Process for Furniture
The PU painting process plays out as follows:
- Sand the surface until it is smooth. Use a sealer to fill in any cracks and gaps and to even out the surface.
- Clean the surface with a damp cloth to get rid of any dirt or debris.
- Apply the first layer of PU paint or coating while strictly following the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you’re doing it in a well-ventilated space.
- Allow the coat to dry properly. It should take approximately 2-3 hours.
- Repeat the process if you wish to apply additional layers. Wait for 24 hours before applying the final layer.
