The good old concrete is one of the most reliable materials in the world that has been in use since the dawn of human civilization. After all, it’s the most widely used building material, and for good reason.
It’s durable, easy to make, easy to apply, and easy to replace when necessary. That’s why it’s no wonder that the vast majority of commercial property floors are made of concrete. However, on its own, concrete is an extremely porous material.
Those little pores that you can barely see get filled with dirt, water, and other debris over time. As a result, the surface of a concrete floor will eventually start to show signs of pitting, spalling, and cracking.
Well, all of that can be avoided with a proper use of concrete floor coatings. As you might’ve guessed, these coatings provide a layer of protection from debris and other soluble contaminants, ensuring that your concrete floor lasts a good while before it needs to be repaired or rejuvenated.
Not only that, but these coatings also have a decorative purpose that can make the floor look great, aside from protecting it from all sorts of hazards. With that in mind, let’s further explore different types of concrete coatings for industrial use and see what they’re all about.
What are Concrete Coatings, Exactly?
As mentioned before, concrete coatings are designed to protect concrete floors from contaminants and debris, while also giving floors a more aesthetic appeal.
They do exactly the same thing as concrete sealers, but the main difference is in the number of layers applied or thickness.
Generally speaking, concrete coatings are thicker and thus provide a more durable surface. Neither coatings nor sealers need to alter the appearance of concrete floors, but they can if you wish.
Types of Industrial Concrete Coatings
Now, the thing about concrete coatings for industrial use is that they’re not exclusively designed for industrial use. It’s just that they truly excel in those applications. As such, they can also be used in both residential and commercial settings, depending on the circumstances.
That said, these coatings can be practical, decorative, or both. It all comes down to what you want or need. Speaking of which, here are some of the different types of concrete coatings and how they are generally used.
Practical Concrete Coatings
When practicality is the primary focus of a concrete coating, it means that the emphasis is on durability, moisture-wicking, and protection from all sorts of debris.
These types of coatings are used for floors with heavy foot or vehicle traffic, as well as floors that are often exposed to physical damage, chemical spills, and other hazards.
Typically, that includes concrete floors at warehouses, industrial complexes, storage facilities, and so on. The most common coatings used for such floors are:
- Film-forming sealers and epoxy coatings.
- Polyaspartic coatings.
- Polyurea coatings.
Decorative Concrete Coatings
Just because they’re decorative, it doesn’t mean these coatings aren’t durable and able to protect the floor from dirt and grime. They can, it’s just that their emphasis is on aesthetics, meaning they’re designed for showing off and making a strong impression.
That’s why they’re often used in both the exterior and interior of office buildings, medical facilities, car dealerships that use specialized garage door coatings, and other commercial or residential properties. That said, different types of decorative coatings include:
- Acrylic coatings and sealers
- Exposed aggregate.
- Polished concrete.
- Honed concrete.
- Colored concrete.
- Liquid limestone.
- Floor tiles.
In some cases, owners of commercial property opt for stamped concrete and penetrating sealers, which means giving the floor protection without altering its imprinted design.
That’s also an option. However, this is where maintenance gets a bit more complicated. Whenever there’s physical damage or discoloration to the floor, it requires a proper concrete scrub.
In other words, the top layer of the floor has to be ground using one of the best concrete floor grinders for commercial flooring, in order to even everything out and reapply the penetrating sealer. Long story short, it’s a messy and costly endeavor.
On the other hand, concrete coatings require far less maintenance. Since most coatings have a protective film that covers the floor’s surface, all you need to do is clean them regularly and occasionally opt for concrete floor waxing services.
Instead of grinding down a layer of concrete, a layer of coating is being removed, and then wax is applied to make the floor as good as new. It sounds similar, but removing a layer of coating and reapplying it is far more seamless than doing the same to exposed concrete; it’s cheaper, too.
Effectively Maintain Your Floor Coating with TCS Floors
Alt Text: An image of the TCS Floors company logo.
Maintaining a concrete floor is not as easy as it may sound. Here at TCS Floors, we know all about how complex it can be to keep such floors nice and clean, especially when different sealers and coatings are involved.
But with 31 years of experience and a team of dedicated specialists, we’re proud to say that we can get the job done. Of course, we don’t expect you to take our word for it, which is why you should feel free to have a look at our work and see how we do things around here.
After that, don’t hesitate to give a call, and we will give you a quote worthy of your budget, thanks to our custom pricing program.
Conclusion:
Concrete floor coatings can truly spark new life into your floor. Not only do they provide additional durability and protection, but they can also improve the overall aesthetics of any concrete floor, no matter how dull it may be.
The key, however, is finding the coating that best suits your needs and maintaining it properly so that it will endure for years to come.
FAQs
What is the best concrete floor coating?
That entirely depends on your needs and the intended purpose of the coating. Overall, no matter what you choose, it will meet your expectations, but if you want the best protection with the best visual capabilities, then epoxy coating is what you’re looking for.
What are the different types of concrete floor coatings?
As mentioned before, there are many different concrete floor coatings. However, they can all be categorized into practical concrete coatings and decorative concrete coatings. Both will provide adequate protection, while aesthetics are purely optional.
What floor covering is best for a concrete floor?
If you wish to cover your concrete floor, instead of applying a sealer or a coating, your best option would be to use solutions such as luxury vinyl plank (VLP), vinyl composite tile (VCT), ceramic tiles, laminate, hardwood flooring, and so on.
It all depends on your needs and whether or not a floor is located in an industrial complex, commercial building, or residential home.
What is the best finish for concrete floors?
If you’re in need of something practical, yet visually appealing, then a polished concrete finish is your best option.
The main reason is that polished concrete floors are slip-resistant, extremely durable, and can be customized as you see fit. Not to mention the fact that there’s no film-forming involved, so no extra maintenance required.
