A Guide To

Concrete Floor Finishes

flooring options
If you are in the market for a new concrete coating, the selection of coatings can leave you wondering what each one is all about. It doesn’t help that there are plenty of different coatings to choose from, but that’s where we come in. We have all the knowledge you need to choose the right concrete coating for your needs! Today we are going to be talking about the best concrete coatings that can add both some needed durability, resistance and excitement to your concrete slab, no matter where it may be. But most importantly, we are going to outline our most popular coatings so you know what concrete coating is right for you, so let’s get started!
Epoxy Flooring Systems
epoxy flooring
If you’ve been doing your research, chances are that you have heard about epoxy flooring. But, we are not talking about the DIY kits you can find at the local hardware store, we mean professionally installed systems with real benefits. When doing your research, you might have found companies try to push their product on you so they only show the benefits of the concrete coating. But we are here to show you the good and the bad. Down below, you can find the pros and cons of using epoxy flooring:
Pros
  • Unmatched Durability, resistance to physical damage
  • Superior chemical resistance to even harsh chemicals
  • Unlimited configurations for customization
  • A long lifespan of up to 30 years
Cons
  • Is prone to cracking with age
  • Can become dangerously slippery when wet
  • Can’t be used on exterior concrete
  • Best suited for professional installation, not DIY
Sealed Concrete Flooring
sealed concrete
If you love the look of a bare concrete slab but need more protection from stains, abrasions or water damage, the best coating for you would be a sealed concrete slab. There are 3 major brands of sealers, water-based sealers, acrylic sealers, and urethane sealers. Water-based sealers are suitable for low traffic areas, urethane sealers are for high traffic areas where acrylic based stains serve as a middle ground between the bunch. Sealers are commonly used on bare concrete as well as a select few other concrete coatings like stamped concrete. Down below, you can find the pros and cons of using sealers.
Pros
  • Can be applied in as little as 4-6 hours
  • Is one of the most affordable garage floor coatings
  • Requires minimal maintenance, stain resistance
Cons
  • No protection from any physical damage
  • Won’t hide any underlying imperfections on the concrete
  • Will only last 3-5 years in harsh conditions
Stamped Concrete
stamped concrete
When looking for natural materials to coat or replace your concrete, you will find that not only are they overly expensive but are fragile. For example, flagstone is one of the most popular natural materials on the market but it can cost as much as 30 dollars a square foot to install. If you want the appearance of a natural material, look no further than a stamped concrete overlay. With a stamped concrete overlay, you can mimic natural materials like tile, wood, and travertine. Down below, you can find the pros and cons of using a stamped concrete overlay:
Pros
  • A thick layer of protection for your concrete
  • Selection of stone, paver or slate finishes
  • Can be paired with stains for ultra-realism
Cons
  • Concrete is still prone to cracking
  • Will be decipherable from natural materials
  • Can chip or crack from dropped objects
Rubberized Flooring
rubberized flooring
The last concrete coating system we will be covering today is the rubberized floor coating. This is a broad ranging term that can include the interlocking rubber tiles, rubber mats, and liquid rubber coatings. Today we are going to be talking about the liquid rubber option. What most home and business owners enjoy about this coating is that it can be quickly installed in as little as 2-3 days depending on the condition of the concrete, size of the area and weather if installed outdoors. Down below, you can find the pros and cons of rubber floor coating:
Pros
  • Eco-friendly and recyclable
  • Provides ample slip and skid resistance
  • Anti-microbial and hypoallergenic
Cons
  • Can be viewed as childish in appearance
  • Grease can stain the coating
  • Many people find its smell intimidating
Well, there you have it, a guide to the most popular concrete coatings on the market. If you want to keep your concrete protected, there is no better way than a concrete coating system. Depending on the coatings you have seen above, which one best suits your needs? No matter which coating you end up choosing, we wish you the best of luck on all of your upcoming home or business renovations to come!