If you’re interested in protecting the longevity and durability of your concrete flooring while simultaneously enhancing its appearance, you may be considering getting a coating. Concrete coatings are a quick, low-maintenance way to safeguard your floor against wear and tear or moisture. Plus, they’re extremely customizable, meaning you can choose colors, patterns, or textures that match your style.
However, with so many options to choose from, you may be left scratching your head trying to decide which type of flooring is right for you and your unique project. To help you through this process, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular and widely available concrete coating options on the market.
Types of Concrete Floor Finishes
Polyaspartic Floor Coatings
Polyaspartic coatings are a popular flooring option that tends to be favored by industry professionals. It’s great for commercial and industrial spaces due to its ability to withstand scratches, stains, foot traffic, abrasions, temperature changes, and chemical spills without blistering and cracking. Additionally, it’s slip-resistant, therefore creating an environment that minimizes trips and falls. However, its customizable features also make it an attractive option in a variety of residential settings, with a quick installation that can usually be completed in a day. This means you can get back to using your floor at home with minimal disruptions to your schedule. The only drawback of a polyaspartic coating is its price—it tends to be on the more expensive end when compared to other flooring options. However, when you consider its longevity and durability, which minimizes the need for repairs, replacement, and constant maintenance, you’ll be saving more money in the long run.
Epoxy Floor Coatings
Epoxy is a well-known concrete coating due to its versatility and affordability. An epoxy coating consists of two parts: an epoxy resin and a hardener, which reacts chemically to create a strong layer over a concrete surface. They create a seamless surface that is resistant to moisture, oils, repeat impacts, and chemical spills. Because of this, epoxy is used in everything from industrial and commercial buildings to residential and outdoor spaces. However, the lower cost comes with some drawbacks—although they’re initially durable, they don’t hold up well against long-term exposure to chemicals or wear and tear. Over time, epoxy is prone to cracks and breaks, requiring lots of upkeep to keep the floor intact.
Polyurethane Floor Coatings
Polyurethane coatings offer a similar look as epoxy but provide different benefits. They’re not as rigid as epoxy is—polyurethane is soft and flexible, which allows it to expand and contract due to temperature changes without cracking. This also makes it a good option for areas with constant foot traffic. It’s a popular choice for places like malls or airports so that people can stand and walk for long periods without the flooring being hard on the body. They’re also highly UV-resistant, making them suitable for outdoor applications such as driveways and patios. Unfortunately, however, they’re not ideal for areas with high levels of moisture, as the coating can bubble up and require further treatments to fix the problem.
Acrylic Floor Coatings
Acrylic coatings are water-based coatings of average quality. They’re not nearly as durable as polyaspartic coatings (or even epoxy, for that matter), and offer little protection against a chemical spill or abrasion. Because of this, they’re not ideal in industrial or commercial settings that experience a lot of wear and tear. They’re best for low-impact, low-traffic areas, and do offer some UV protection and slip-resistance. Most people utilize acrylic flooring as a more decorative option, as they have a high-gloss finish that is visually appealing. Acrylic flooring is one of the cheapest options due to its quick cure time resulting in less labor fees. However, it is more prone to re-applications and repairs, costing you more money in the long run.
What’s the Best Floor Covering For Concrete?
When it comes to quality concrete coatings, we recommend polyurea every time. Its initial cost may have you thinking you want an epoxy or acrylic floor, but don’t let the low ticket price fool you. In the long run, you’ll be saving more money with a polyurea coating as it won’t require as many repairs or replacements. Its durability and longevity are unmatched when compared to any other type of concrete coating, making it the premier option for those looking to offer their floor protection. If well taken care of, it can last a lifetime, offering your garage, basement, patio, or commercial space long-term defense against anything you throw at it.
Contact Us Today
If you’re interested in safeguarding your concrete floor with a coating, contact us today. We are a top-rated flooring company providing high-quality services to Cleveland and the surrounding areas. We use exclusively top-of-the-line products, ensuring a smooth and speedy installation every time.