What a Cove Base Does
A cove base eliminates the right-angle where the floor meets the wall — the corner where dirt, moisture, and debris collect and become hard to clean. By curving the transition up the wall, a cove base creates a continuous, monolithic surface that's easy to wash down and supports sanitation requirements in regulated environments.
Where They Belong
Cove bases are common in food processing, commercial kitchens, breweries, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and other facilities where sanitation is critical. Any space that gets washed down regularly benefits from eliminating the floor-to-wall corner that traps contamination.
Planning the Radius and Height
The radius — the curve — typically ranges from 3/4 inch to 2 inches depending on the system and the sanitation requirements. The height is set by the environment and any applicable regulations. We recommend the right specifications for the facility, not a one-size-fits-all cove.
Integration with the Floor System
A cove base is usually installed as part of a full floor system — often urethane cement — so there's no weak seam between the floor and the wall. Planning it as part of the floor rather than adding it after means a continuous, cleanable surface that performs as one.