Concrete coatings offer homeowners and businesses a number of benefits that make them an excellent flooring option for garages, laundry rooms, patios, entryways, warehouses, and offices. These coatings are easy to install and require little to no maintenance after installation.
They are also very durable and can withstand heavy traffic, wear and tear, and moisture exposure. Concrete coatings also come in a wide variety of color options and can be mixed onsite to meet specific design needs. Read on to find out!
Durability
Concrete is one of the strongest materials in the building, but it can be damaged easily under stress from heavy traffic and abrasion. Concrete coatings protect concrete surfaces from wear and tear, impact damage, stains, and corrosion by adding a protective layer.
Concrete coatings are available in many colors and can add design touches to your home or business. The coating is also customizable to meet your specific needs and budget. For example, professional refinishers can customize the color and texture of your concrete coating to match the style of your space.
The most popular concrete coatings are epoxies, polyurethanes, and acrylics. Each of these products falls under or is a hybrid of four basic polymer categories, which are large molecules strung together to create flexible, strong, and durable materials. Manufacturers tinker with the molecular structure of these coatings to improve their performance and give them other benefits such as faster curing times and lower VOCs.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics are a critical part of any project. High-performance materials should offer a broad design palette and provide flexibility to efficiently meet a structure’s design requirements.
Concrete coatings can add a new level of aesthetics to your home. They can be tinted to create unique color schemes and stamped with various designs. Concrete coatings also make cleaning a snap. Pet dander, dust, and other debris easily wipe away from concrete with a coating on it.
Paint coatings are another type of coating that offers a variety of design options. They are made up of resins and solvents with pigment for color. This allows them to be used in any opacity and custom-created color.
Polyurethane is a type of coating that’s known for its shine. It’s similar to epoxy but has a much smoother finish and is less likely to chip than epoxy. It can be created in solid-colored versions as well as clear topcoats. It’s also a very flexible material that can be used for different applications.
Easy to Clean
Many people choose concrete coatings for their durability and easy maintenance. This type of flooring can stand up to harsh chemicals, oil spills, and other damaging elements without chipping or cracking. Cleaning a concrete floor is also simple with proper preparation and the right cleaner or degreaser.
An alkaline cleaner like trisodium phosphate (TSP) is an excellent option for concrete cleaning. It’s highly effective at lifting dirt and other substances from the surface and works well on most stains. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using TSP.
Another great option is a concrete sealant, which keeps the porous concrete from absorbing grime and staining. These sealants are affordable and don’t require much work to keep looking good. Epoxy is an older form of concrete coating but is still a popular choice for garage floors and other commercial spaces. It’s available in a range of formulas, including quick-cure ones that can be used after 12 hours. However, most epoxies are toxic and need adequate ventilation during installation.
Easy to Install
Concrete coatings can be installed very quickly, especially when the right product is selected. When choosing the proper coating, you must consider the environment and what your expectations are for it, such as longevity, durability, aesthetics, and safety.
For example, a premium coating product like polyurea will be chemically resistant to salts, oils, and gasoline so it is ideal for garage floors that get lots of car traffic. It will also not be susceptible to the hot tire peel caused by epoxy and can withstand up to 5,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
A professional contractor must properly prep the concrete for a coating project. Moisture content must be tested to ensure the coating will apply and cure correctly. If the concrete has too much moisture, a moisture barrier will be necessary. Once the prep work is complete, the coating can usually be installed in a day. This is a huge advantage over the multiple days needed to install epoxy. Refer to This Web Page.