It’s time for some renovations. Your concrete floor can use an upgrade. There are many choices, but you have heard about the great results of polished concrete floors and epoxy floor coating. When choosing between an epoxy floor vs. polished concrete, it would be best to consider several things. Which will be right for you?
What Is Polished Concrete?
Concrete polishing is achieved by grinding the concrete surface to a glossy finish. Expert concrete contractors use special machinery to polish the concrete surface, and this technique is used on new and old concrete.
This flooring is a perfect no-wax solution for retail, warehouse, and office facilities. It is a worry-free choice for industrial flooring. Residential homeowners are beginning to see the benefits of these low-maintenance floors.
What Are Epoxy Coated Floors?
Epoxy floor coating is made up of resin and a hardener. Many people mistake this coating for a type of paint, and the combination of resin and hardener creates a durable surface much thicker than paint.
The epoxy coating creates a finished surface that is seamless and beautiful.
Types of Epoxy Coating
There are several types of epoxy coating to choose from, and it is crucial to choose the right type to ensure the best results for your flooring project. The main difference between the types is the components with which they are made.
You can choose self-dispersing, self-leveling, mortar, gravel, terrazzo, antistatic, vapor barrier, flaked coating, 100% solids, water-based, and solvent-based floor coatings.
Self-Dispersing Epoxy Floor Coating
This type of epoxy coating is used in areas with heavy machine traffic. It is solid and durable.
Self-Leveling Epoxy Floor Coating
These floor coatings can be applied to new and old concrete floors. They level quickly, creating a smooth surface that is great for kitchens, dining rooms, storage rooms, industrial spaces, and office buildings.
Mortar Epoxy Coating
This coating is the strongest of all the epoxy coatings. It is an excellent choice for industrial buildings and can be used to repair cracks before installing other concrete coatings.
Graveled Epoxy Coatings
You can choose to create a very decorative look for your floors when using the graveled epoxy coating. You can choose different colors and designs.
Terrazzo Epoxy Floor Coating
A terrazzo coating creates a very aesthetically pleasing look and is incredibly easy to clean. You will often find these floors in schools and office buildings.
Antistatic Epoxy Floor Coating
This coating is designed to create a static-free environment. It is ideal for areas where electronics that are sensitive to static are used. You will often find these floors in hospitals and laboratories.
Vapor Barrier Epoxy Coating
The vapor barrier coating is applied directly to the concrete floor and eliminates the transmission of vapors. This coating is often used before installing other types of flooring, such as tile or carpeting. It creates an airtight seal that helps with the finish of the floor.
Epoxy Flaked Coating
This specialized technique is used to install the epoxy coating. Colored flakes or chips are added after applying the coating to create a colorful finish.
Which Is Better, Polished Concrete or Epoxy?
Polished concrete and epoxy floor coating have become popular choices for flooring. You will have to compare the advantages of epoxy floor vs. polished concrete to decide to upgrade your concrete slab.
Polished concrete has significant edges in durability, maintenance, mold resistance, slip resistance, and being environmentally friendly. The epoxy flooring also shows good results in these areas.
Epoxy floor coating gets top marks for cost, installation time, resistance to most harsh chemicals. Epoxy-coated flooring is also easy to clean and maintain. It is important to remember that epoxy-coated floors can become slippery when wet.
Is Polished Concrete More Expensive Than Epoxy?
Typically, polished concrete is more affordable than an epoxy floor coating. Several factors affect the installation cost for both floor types, and a contractor will help you work out the details to get the best price.
When choosing polished concrete for industrial or commercial space, it is essential to remember that the installation will require some downtime for your business. Experienced professionals will grind and polish your concrete until you have a fabulous floor.
Once your polished concrete floor has been installed, you will enjoy years of low maintenance costs. You can be confident knowing that you provide your customers and employees with a safe, non-slip floor.
Is Epoxy Floor Better Than Concrete?
Epoxy floors are a better choice for industrial or commercial flooring that might have water or chemical spills. Epoxy is an excellent choice for areas with a great deal of foot traffic or machinery traffic.
Polished concrete floors are a better choice for retail and office buildings and are also much more affordable to install.
Is Epoxy Stronger Than Concrete?
It depends. Some epoxy coatings are stronger than concrete – in some cases up to two to three times stronger than concrete.
What Are the Advantages of Epoxy Flooring?
In addition to being affordable, you can choose an aesthetically pleasing look for your epoxy floor coating. You can choose the colors and designs that you want.
Epoxy floor coatings can be installed quickly.
Cleaning and maintaining these floors are practically effortless. You can clean these floors with a dust mop, and these durable floors will last for years.
These floors are resistant to moisture and chemical spills.
You can also add underfloor heating to this concrete floor coating, saving energy costs.
How Long Does Epoxy Floor Last?
Epoxy flooring usually lasts two to three years for commercial properties with heavy traffic. You can extend the life of your epoxy floors with regular maintenance and cleaning. You can have touch-ups or restoration done to keep your floors looking new.
Epoxy floors installed in residential properties can last up to ten years.
What Flooring Is Better Than Epoxy?
Polyurea coatings have several advantages that epoxy coatings lack. Polyurea is a flexible synthetic material, and because this material is flexible, it will move with the concrete when there are changes in temperature and weight.
With added advantage comes added cost, and Polyurea tends to be more expensive than epoxy. This coating cures very quickly, so it is best to have it installed by an experienced contractor.
How Long Does Polished Concrete Last?
An adequately maintained polished concrete floor can last up to twenty years.
Is Epoxy Easier To Clean Than Concrete?
Epoxy-coated floors and polished concrete floors are both effortless to clean. You can clean them regularly with a dust mop, and it would be best if you never use abrasive cleaning agents.
Does Epoxy Floor Get Stained?
Epoxy-coated flooring is designed to resist stains. However, if you notice a stain, it can usually be removed with a mixture of hot water and ammonia. It would be safest to use a mop with synthetic fibers.
How Much Does It Cost Epoxy a Concrete Floor?
Typically, epoxy flooring cost between $4 to $16 per square ft. Most of the price comes from materials. With polished concrete, most of the cost is from labor.
The cost of the material will depend on the quality you choose. You can lower your expenses by doing some prep work by cleaning the concrete, and you can buy a concrete floor solution that will remove grease and dirt.
How Good Is Epoxy Flooring?
When you choose to apply an epoxy coating, you will be pleased with floors that are safe, durable, and easy to clean. You will enjoy the clean, polished look with the color of your choice.
If the advantages of an epoxy coating are appealing, you may want to consider a UV floor coating instead. You can invest in DiamaPro UV HS for industrial or commercial properties, and the coating is applied using an easy UV process with fast curing times.
You get all the advantages of an epoxy floor coating, and installation is done in no time. The coating cures as soon as it is exposed to ultraviolet light, which means there is no downtime for your business.
Does Epoxy Look Like Concrete?
Epoxy does not look like concrete, and it looks like a surface that has been painted has been painted. You have some options regarding the appearance of your epoxy floor coating.
The styles of epoxy floor coating are versatile. You can choose flooring that looks industrial, which is perfect for a warehouse. Some types provide a high-end luxurious appearance that would fit any remodeled living room.
Is Epoxy Good for Concrete Floors?
Epoxy coating is a great choice for sealing your concrete floor. The epoxy will protect your concrete and act as a sealer against moisture, bacteria, dirt, and dust.
Installing epoxy flooring ensures that your floor will last for years to come. When an epoxy coating is applied to your floor by a professional, the results are better than all concrete overlays.
The aesthetic benefit will appeal to those who enjoy a bright, shiny, and colorful new floor.
There are specific types of epoxy coating that you can use to repair cracked concrete before installing different kinds of flooring, such as tile or hardwood.
Should You Test for Moisture Before Applying a Coating?
Yes even if the slab looks dry you could have a high moisture vapor drive going through the slab. Testing the slab for moisture is necessary, if not then applying a topical moisture mitigation system to the concrete.