Concrete Floor Coating

Concrete floor coating was once used only in industrial and commercial settings. And while these are still the main applications, it is also gaining popularity in residential settings, such as on high-end garage floors, patios, and even interior spaces such as kitchens and family rooms.

The Need to Coat

No other interior surface in a building is as abused as the floor. Other than covering it with tile, carpet, or wood, one way to protect concrete flooring is to give it a proper coating with epoxy or some other type of finish or surfacing. This type of finish will bond directly to the surface of the bare concrete, and protect it from workers, clients, and heavy equipment. Concrete floors are not necessarily designed to take heavy abuse. They are porous, and absorb all manner of grime and dirt introduced to them. They also create dust from wear and friction. An appropriate floor coating will protect the concrete, and may possibly also add to its aesthetic appeal in the process.

Choosing the Right Coating

A flooring specialist will probably be necessary to provide professional advice on what types of coatings or epoxies are best suited for long-term maintenance of the floor. This is true, whether you are interested in protecting the floor in your 3-car garage or looking to find the right surface for a warehouse floor. Besides choosing the material, it is also necessary to look at the "bigger picture" and consider aesthetics, application method, and thickness of the finish.

Generally, there are four types of wear, or exposures, that will determine what kind of flooring system is required. First is chemical exposure, which takes the form of a spill, splash, or steady immersion on your flooring. Then there is abrasion, the general wear and tear from traffic – foot traffic and wheeled traffic, both from rubber and steel wheels. Next is impact exposure, the frequency that large, heavy objects will be falling onto the floor. Last to consider is thermal shock, the variances of temperature extremes, whether hot or cold, that may occur in the space. Once you determine the normal types of wear and tear that your concrete flooring will most often be exposed to, you'll be in a better position to choose the right coating.

Other Considerations

One of the other important things to do before choosing a concrete floor coating is to evaluate the condition of your floor, and determine what kind of prep work needs to be done first. The concrete must be sound, clean, and free of any other kind of chemical compound that will interfere with the bonding of the new coating. Even on a brand-new concrete floor, there is usually a curing compound that needs to be removed. Sometimes, all that is needed to clean and prepare the floor is a high-pressure wash with hot water or steam. Other times, the concrete may be in such bad disrepair, or so dirty, that a whole other level of cleaning, patching, and repairing will be necessary before the job can proceed. Finally, as with just about every product, you'll find that "you get what you pay for" in terms of the quality, longevity and aesthetic appeal of your chosen concrete floor coating.