09 Feb What is an Integral Cove Base and Who Needs It?
A Guide to Integral Cove Base
What is an integral cove base?
Integral cove base is a seamless floor to wall transition that is applied as part of the flooring system during installation. Other non-integral cove types are installed on top of a finished floor.
Benefits and Reasons for Installing Integral Cove Base
The all-in-one transition from floor to wall means there are no seams after installation. Epoxy floors themselves are already seamless in nature, so this extra feature of coving means the floor to wall transition is seamless as well. Hygienically speaking it is the cleanest, most sanitary type of flooring system. Traditional coving, like vinyl base or trim, sit on top of the floor. At the transition from floor to wall there is an open seam that allows dirt, dust, water, or any other substance to become trapped inside. With integral cove, those “hard to clean spots” don’t exist.
Integral cove base is extremely good at containing any type of water or fluid that may be spilled on the floor. This means that for secondary containment areas, integral cove base is required to prevent hazardous materials from leaking out into the environment or causing further harm. For floors that are frequently mopped clean, integral cove helps prevent water from being trapped underneath drywall, where it can quickly cause mold.
Integral Cove Based on Your Facility Type
Many types of facilities benefit from having an integral cove base. Medical facilities, veterinarians, food production, kitchens, breweries, walk in fridges/freezers, secondary containment areas, and mechanical rooms are all highly recommended to have integral cove base. Many of these facilities are also required by their municipalities or health departments to have integral cove base.
Cost of Integral Cove Base
It is fairly expensive to install integral cove. The main reason is that the installation is labor intensive and that the cost of the product is expensive as well. You can expect integral coving to add $10 – $15 per linear ft. for epoxy or decorative mosaic floors, and $15 – $20 per linear ft. for quartz or urethane cement floors.
Lifespan of Integral Cove
The lifespan of an integral cove makes it well worth the investment. Typically, one can expect to get 10 – 20 years of use (or more) from the flooring system, with the cove base lasting even longer.
When deciding whether or not your project can benefit from an integral cove base, make sure to consider the use and regulations surrounding your facility. Contact our experts at SwedeBro for all of your integral cove base needs and get a free estimate today!