The $5.8 billion concrete floor coating market is expanding rapidly as more people discover the many advantages of these solutions for home and business applications.
If you’re looking for a flooring solution for your home or business that delivers, you should consider concrete coating. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this type of floor covering.
Concrete is the most widely used material in the world. It’s frequently used in construction, and the industry is currently worth over $55 billion in the United States.
Despite its superior strength and durability, concrete does have the potential to crack, especially when used for flooring in high-traffic areas.
Concrete coatings are liquid materials you apply over concrete. Their purpose is to enhance the appearance of concrete surfaces and increase their durability and longevity.
Concrete coatings are mainly used to strengthen or revitalize horizontal concrete surfaces, i.e. driveways and floors, in a wide range of settings.
These include:
• Hospitals
• Schools and universities
• Retail stores
• Industrial buildings
• Warehouses
• Restaurants
• Vehicle dealerships and garages
In industrial facilities, epoxy is the fastest-growing segment of floor coverings, but it’s also highly effective for residential applications.
Slip and fall accidents are among the biggest safety issues at home and in business. That’s because concrete may become slippery when it’s wet.
Textured floor coatings create a non-slip surface on top of the concrete floor or driveway. This can greatly enhance the safety of your employees and family.
Some types of floor coatings, like epoxy, come in a variety of designs and colors. You can choose from high gloss, or patterned finishes to match the look of your home or business.
You can add flakes, a marbled look, and even a little sparkle to your floors with metallic floor coating applications.
Concrete floor coatings protect concrete surfaces in high-traffic areas from wear and tear. They prolong the life of your concrete floor and prevent unsightly cracks from appearing.
In this way, they also have some environmental benefits, as they reduce concrete waste.
When properly installed, epoxy concrete coatings can last for over 20 years.
Due to its hard-wearing capabilities, an epoxy concrete floor coating is extremely easy to maintain. These coatings are non-porous and some products have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, too.
Thanks to this, it’s easy to clean concrete-coated surfaces using a broom and mop. You needn’t worry about filling in cracks or redoing your floors in busy areas, and they won’t accumulate dust or allergens.
A physical cover is a temporary or semi-permanent measure to protect concrete floors. They aren’t practical for all applications.
You can use any kind of covering to protect your floor, but you should opt for materials specifically designed for this use.
These are the most common types of floor coverings:
Floor tiles work best for badly stained or cracked concrete surfaces as they will help level out any uneven areas. Rigid and semi-rigid plastic, wood composite, or rubber tiles are acceptable options.
Rolling out mats to protect your floor is one of the easiest ways to protect concrete floors. This type of floor covering requires no prep work and it’s easy to replace them if they’re damaged.
Resilient, easy-to-clean mats are the best choice for garages and other busy areas.
Painted floor coatings refer to those applied using a brush. They’re the most permanent type of floor covering. Again, there are two types of painted floor covering widely used in commercial, industrial, and residential situations.
Concrete floor paint is an affordable option for a quick fix. It’s highly effective for covering up grease, oil, and rust stains and offers a wide variety of color options.
Polyurethane floor coatings are softer and more flexible than epoxy coatings. That makes them a popular choice for pedestrian areas.
The biggest drawback of these floor coatings is that they bubble when exposed to moisture, so they’re not ideal for a basement floor or other areas prone to damp conditions.
Polyaspartic coatings are a complete flooring system, including a top coat. This cuts down the number of applications needed.
If you opt for an epoxy floor with a polyurethane coating, this is a two-step process. Polyaspartic coatings cut out the second stage.
This type of coating has a solvent base, so it needs specialized installation.
Acrylic floor coatings have a water base and a high-gloss decorative finish. They’re not as durable as epoxy or polyurethane floor coatings.
These coatings don’t suit high-traffic areas or industrial applications, but they’re an affordable option.
It’s important to consider all your options before deciding on a coating system for your home or business. These are the factors to take into account at the time:
If you’re starting with a new floor, you have unlimited choices when it comes to flooring. A floor with considerable wear and tear requires a little more forethought.
In this case, your best option is to ask a reputable flooring contractor to inspect your floor and advise on the best coating for you, rather than guessing.
Next, you need to consider the purpose of the floor, its location, and how much use it will receive. The following questions can help you determine how durable your floor coating should be:
If you’re unsure about the answers to these questions or plan to expose the floor to increasingly harsh usage as your business expands, it’s best to go for a supremely durable solution, like epoxy floor coating.
Different resins and hardeners impact how long it takes for the floor to cure. Most coatings require two applications, and it can take up to four days to complete this procedure.
Acrylic floor coating boasts the quickest installation time, but you’ll sacrifice durability in favor of time.
Thicker coatings are better at protecting your concrete from wear, impact, temperature fluctuations, and chemical exposure. Older floors with excessive wear and cracks require a much thicker coating than new floors do.
If you choose a floor that’s too thick, it could damage the underlying floor. Again, it’s best to get expert help if you’re unsure of the best choice for you.
We are always straightforward in our dealings. Whenever we give out an estimate or a quote, we always try to be as close to it as possible to prevent unpleasant surprises. When we deal with our clients, there are no hidden charges of any sort that would mar our name in the market. Connect with us now for a free consultation!
Concrete floor coatings are a permanent fixture, so it’s important to consider everything before you make your choice. Functionality is vital, but you should also take the following into account:
Each type of floor coating also has certain installation requirements. For instance, you can’t apply driveway coating during the rainy season, and you may need to install your garage floor coating during a warm time of year.
While some types of concrete coatings, such as rubber mats, require little expertise, it’s not a good idea to attempt a floor coating installation yourself.
For best results, you must work with a recognized and reputable contractor at every phase of your project. Book a free consultation today to discuss the best concrete floor coating options for your home or business.