If you're looking to finish a garage floor or other working space, your best choice is going to be a
on top of concrete. This combination gives you the strength and low cost of concrete, but with an extremely strong impermeable top layer that adds years of longevity.
Three Common Commercial Garage Floor Coatings
1. Epoxy
Epoxy is probably the most common type of concrete coating and can be seen in a wide variety of applications. It's one of the least expensive options and is generally applied by rolling it across the floor, then allowing the epoxy to cure.
However, it is easy for epoxy installations to fail - if the concrete isn't perfectly cleaned, even tiny bits of debris can subvert the epoxy. Epoxy has zero penetration into the concrete so does not form a long term bond. Also, while epoxy is hard, it's brittle and can be very susceptible to falling damage, particularly automobile tires referred to as “hot tire peeling”.
Additionally, epoxy is extremely slippery when wet, so additional safeguards may be needed.
2. Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
MMA is a substance used in the creation of numerous plastics, and also makes for an effective
commercial garage floor coating. The resulting coating is extremely durable, and popular in places with large amounts of traffic.
The biggest advantage of MMA is that it has an extremely high tolerance to both heat and cold - making it excellent for many commercial applications. This resistance also includes curing - it can cure properly even in sub-zero temperatures.
However, MMA is quite expensive compared to other solutions, so it's not the first choice unless you need its temperature-resistance properties.
3. Polyaspartic Coatings
For many people,
polyaspartic coatings
are the "best of both worlds," with most of the advantages of epoxy but without its drawbacks.
Polyaspartic coatings
are extremely hard and durable, more chemical resistant, more abrasion resistant, UV Stable and great for places with a lot of traffic. Beyond garages, these coatings see a lot of use in businesses such as grocery stores.
Polyaspartic coatings
cure quickly, usually in just a couple of hours, so installing them won't disrupt operations for long. Plus, unlike epoxy,
polyaspartic coatings
have few or no VOCs, making them safer to install and use.
While epoxy is generally cheaper and has a shorter life, the advantages of
polyaspartic coatings
outweigh the small price increase.
Reach Out to Garage Finisher Today!
What to Look for in a Commercial Concrete Floor Coating
When it comes to your residential concrete garage floor it is the main entryway to the home, so choosing the right flooring is essential. For commercial applications, the concrete flooring represents your business and the impression your employees and customers feel when they are there. As one of today’s leading
commercial garage floor coating experts, the team from
Garage Finisher wants to highlight some of the most important considerations for choosing the perfect floor coating solution for your needs!
Durability
When it comes to residential and
commercial floor coating, one of the primary things you should consider is how durable your new flooring system will be. This means that in addition to standing up to spills from oil-based products or even chemicals, it should also be less susceptible to cracks and chips.
Appearance
You should be proud of the appearance of your concrete floor, which means you need to select a style, material, and color you’re comfortable with for your concrete coating. Businesses can also invest in a color that matches their branding to create an extra professional look. And the right flooring type, like the polyaspartic flooring from Garage Finisher, can ensure it stays shiny and clean in any situation.
Stain-Resistance
Concrete floor coatings are a great investment for homeowners and business owners alike, especially when it comes to maintenance. Instead of a simple concrete floor, which is porous and absorbs oils and other stains, concrete with the right floor coating enables you to easily wipe away spills. This not only helps keep your floor looking clean and professional, but also increases safety.
Curing Time
Different concete flooring systems take longer to cure than others. Business owners want as little downtime as possible, so it’s important to consider an application that offers fast curing to minimize downtime. After all, the sooner you can use your floor again the better.
Lifespan
The longer your garage floor coating system lasts, the better ROI you’ll receive, and
some can last a lifetime. Don’t be afraid to ask potential concrete coating installers how long theirs typically last with the proper maintenance and how long they have been installing their floors.
Different Types of Concrete Floor Coatings
Epoxy garage floor coatings are affordable and popular and can be found in homes and businesses alike. There are consumer epoxy kits out there that enable you to perform the installation yourself, however, these epoxies usually aren’t as durable and long-lasting as alternatives. Before installing epoxy coating, you’ll need to etch your garage using strong acids, a job often better left in the hands of professionals. Additionally, the preparation, coating, and drying of the floor will take a do it yourselfer a minimum of three days, and if not applied correctly, you won’t be happy with the initial results, but more importantly how well it adhears to the cement flooring and how long it lasts. Even commercial grade epoxies do not penetrate the concrete and instead just sit on the surface waiting to eventually peel. Most epoxies get brittle the older they get and lose adhesion to the concrete. Typically epoxy floors are a temporary solution and will need to be replaced in as little as one year.
- Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
This commercial garage floor coating type is known to be quite reliable and effective, especially in places that receive high traffic. Used in the creation of different types of plastics, it’s also extremely resilient to extreme heat and cold, in fact, it can even cure in sub-zero temperatures. This makes it a choice for some commercial and industrial applications.
Polyaspartic coatings combine the best attributes of MMA’s and epoxies without any of the material’s drawbacks. In addition to being UV stable and able to handle extended periods of sunshine without fading, it’s also much stronger, more durable and chemical-resistant. Polyaspartic flooring is much harder than alternatives and reduces chipping, wear, and scratches. This makes it ideal for commercial or industrial businesses, as well as homeowners looking for a flooring option that will last.
Polyaspartic flooring can also be installed with traction material to keep it safe and provide more traction, making it safer to move around in your garage without slipping when the floor is wet. Another benefit of polyaspartic coatings is that the installation process is much quicker. The installation and curing process can take only one day, so there’s minimal disruption to your daily routine.
Contact us today for commercial garage floor coating, and more!