There are plenty of reasons to coat your concrete floor. The first is to keep moisture at bay. This stops mold from growing on the floor.
A professional concrete coating also stops the concrete from being affected by weather changes or damage caused by things like oil spills.
A coated floor is easier to clean and it’s cheaper than other flooring types, like ceramic tiles. The coating means you don’t have to keep repainting the floor.
Trouble is, most people choose an epoxy floor. It’s an obvious choice, but not the best choice. Read on to learn why, and what you should do instead.
What Are the Problems With Epoxy Floors?
The process causes fumes and a strong smell in the house while the epoxy is poured. This can make it unpleasant to be near the room in question.
Epoxy floors also take a long time to completely cure. True, you get a more durable finish if it takes longer. Yet you might not have 30 days for the full process. You need a low humidity level so moisture doesn’t ruin the installation
Technically, an epoxy floor isn’t a flooring option. It’s a base coat before you install something else, like floorboards or tiles.
While it’s very durable, it can also get cracked in areas with plenty of traffic. Epoxy floors don’t resist sunlight, so the coating can fade or change color if it’s regularly exposed to sunlight.
With these problems to consider, what alternatives are there?
Choose Polyurea Floor Coatings Instead
Epoxy floors have been a great way to seal concrete floors in the past. Now, you can go one better and use a polyurea coating.
The benefit of polyurea coatings is the sheer strength. As an example, Garage Force is stronger than epoxy—around 20 times stronger.
Installation can be finished within 24 hours, and it can be installed in a much wider range of temperatures. The coating won’t get air bubbles because it cures fast.
Your installation team will also add a clear topcoat. This protects the coating from being scratched, chipped, or stained.
Get the Benefits of a Pro Installation
Don’t be tempted to DIY your new concrete floor coating. Check out these reasons to hire a pro for the installation.
You’ll get better quality work because a pro will cracks and gaps to create an even floor. That also creates a more durable floor so you can enjoy the new floor for longer.
The level of experience at installing these floors means the process is much quicker than if you do it yourself.
You Deserve Better Than an Epoxy Floor
While it’s true that an epoxy floor is better than bare concrete, you can still do better. Technology has moved on and newer coatings are available.
They can protect your floor for longer, and the installation is less disruptive if you use a pro to do it. That leaves you with a beautiful, durable finish—and more time to enjoy the space with its new floor.
Keen for more renovation inspiration? Check out our Renovate section for more advice and tips.