The right commercial coating protects your flooring, makes the workplace safer, and looks outstanding. However, how do you know which durable commercial floor coatings is the right one for you?
In this post, the team from Premier Concrete Coatings gives you some insight into the most popular concrete coatings and their advantages and disadvantages.
Popular Durable Commercial Floor Coatings
Carpet, Vinyl, Tile, and Hardwood
These are standard options in the retail industry, and they’re all functional. However, when it comes to something like a garage floor coating, or a coating system for a warehouse, you need something more durable.
Polished Concrete
As an alternative to laying a stone floor, this is an inexpensive option. Contractors grind the surface of the concrete, apply hardeners, and then polish it until it’s glossy. The effect is a durable surface that is significantly stronger than concrete alone.
Also, the process closes the pores in the concrete, leaving it water and spill-resistant. It is easy to clean and stands up well to high levels of foot traffic. The concrete will also not shed dust like the untreated material and has a high traction surface.
Aesthetically, the process brings out the natural beauty of concrete and the aggregate within it. It’s also possible to stain the surface and layer dyes to create additional interest and depth. The surface is low maintenance and needs re-buffing once every few years.
Durable Commercial Floor Coatings
Polished concrete is beautiful but not right for every setting. A commercial epoxy coating offers a cost-effective alternative that is even lower maintenance. The epoxy layer protects the underlying substrate by bonding to it.
With professional installation, the result is an impermeable layer that will not flake or peel. An advantage over polished concrete is that the surface is more comfortable to walk on and will not get excessively cold in the winter.
Epoxy, particularly when it includes a polyaspartic coating system, provides superior protection against staining, scuffing, scratching, and other impact damage. It can handle heavy pressure and chemical spills, making it ideal in a commercial environment. It will last between five and ten years, depending on use.
It is better than polished concrete when it comes to decorative effects. You may add pigments, flakes, metallic elements, and patterns to create a custom look.
Epoxy and Polyurea Floor Coating
If you want the best option, an epoxy and polyurea base coat is the ideal place to start. Unlike standard epoxy, this blend is less volatile in the sun, cures faster, and contains lower VOC levels.
You may increase damage resistance even more by adding a polyaspartic topcoat. This premium product enhances durability and increases the strength of the coating. It also contains UV-protectants, further preventing fading and discoloration.
This tough product is popular in industrial complexes because installation takes a day, and the floor is move-in ready within 24 hours. It’s also chemical, moisture, and heat-resistant, making it ideal for the toughest working environments.
Maintaining Your New Flooring
Carpet, Vinyl, Tile, and Hardwood
Most retailers must clean, vacuum, or mop these floors a few times a day to keep them looking relatively pristine. They then perform a deep cleaning every few months using steam cleaners or specialist services. Even with this care, the shelf-life for carpets and vinyl is usually only a few years.
Polished Concrete
Polished concrete requires little maintenance other than cleaning. However, you must be careful of what cleaners you use because some will damage the finish. Other than daily sweeping and mopping, you’ll need a deep clean once a week; the concrete needs a polish every year or two.
Epoxy and Polyurea Floor Coating
The maintenance requirements for standard epoxy and epoxy/polyurea systems are the same, so we’ll deal with both here.
Daily Maintenance
As a commercial coating, epoxy is the lowest maintenance option. You need to sweep the floor daily and maybe use a damp mop to remove dust. Removing the grit is important as it prevents the micro-scratching of the coating system.
Aside from that, we recommend cleaning up any corrosive chemicals as quickly as possible. The coating will protect the concrete floor underneath but may erode if you expose it to caustic chemicals for too long.
Weekly Maintenance
We recommend scrubbing the floor using a soft-bristle brush and detergent at least once a week. However, you should avoid products and services using harsh cleaning agents. Use a purpose-built cleaning agent without any abrasive components.
Annual Maintenance
Your new commercial coating will withstand much abuse, but surface scratches, cuts, and gouges are possible. It’s also possible for a spill to harden onto the surface.
You may be able to buff away the damage using an epoxy polish. In cases where the scratch is too deep, a patch kit should do the job.
Contact Premier Concrete Coatings for Top-Notch Durable Commercial Floor Coatings in Columbus, OH
Premier Concrete Coatings is Columbus, OH’s leading commercial coating contractor. With a track record of more than ten years of sterling community service, we have the experience to handle the durable commercial floor coatings that you need for your business.
We attribute our success to our commitment to excellence and consistently deliver on our promises. The team members at Premier Concrete Coatings will offer you the best advice for your business, providing flexible scheduling to minimize the inconvenience of installing your new commercial flooring.
Contact Premier Concrete Coatings at (614) 918-7345 to discuss your vision and secure your estimate today!
