You may have encountered two similar-sounding products if you’ve been planning concrete floor renovations for your home. Although epoxy floor paint and epoxy coatings both include the word “epoxy,” these products have several differences. Choosing the right product for your concrete floors will extend the lifespan of your epoxy garage floors and revitalizes your living space.
But how do you determine whether epoxy floor paint or coatings work best for you? In general, epoxy coatings provide superior durability, protection, and stain resistance compared to epoxy paints. Epoxy paints may provide six months of concrete surface protection, while properly installed epoxy coatings can last 25 years or longer.
Give your concrete surfaces the love they deserve by learning more about the benefits of epoxy coatings. Speak to local concrete coating experts to learn how epoxy coatings can enhance your concrete surfaces.
Keep reading to learn more about the critical differences between epoxy floor paint and coatings.
Epoxy Floor Paint Explained
An epoxy garage floor in Cape Coral must withstand blustering winds, frequent foot traffic, and harsh UV radiation. Unfortunately, epoxy floor paint fails to protect concrete surfaces from Florida weather conditions. Epoxy floor paint typically consists of a small amount of epoxy, water, and acrylic.
Hardware stores sell dozens of epoxy paint products touting “long-lasting results” and “easy application.” However, neither claim rings true as extensive preparation of concrete surfaces and frequent reapplication of epoxy floor paint prove necessary.
Additional shortcomings of epoxy floor paint include the following:
- Poor moisture damage protection
- Prone to chipping
- No UV protection
- Difficult to remove
- Low chemical resistance
Epoxy floor paint may seem like an affordable epoxy garage floor solution, but opting for epoxy floor paint will result in future costs, including concrete floor replacement, epoxy floor paint removal, and resurfacing of concrete slabs. Choose high-quality epoxy floor coatings to avoid paying unforeseen expenses down the line.
Epoxy Coating Explained
Epoxy coatings consist of hardeners, polymers, and resins that, when combined, create a durable, plastic-like film. Originally, dentists used epoxy to secure dental fixtures, but it has evolved dramatically over the past century. Construction companies, food processing plants, restaurants, and automobile manufacturing plants frequently utilize epoxy floor coatings.
Epoxy coatings require professional installation to ensure proper bonding between epoxy and concrete substrates. Many concrete coating experts can install epoxy garage floor coatings in one or two days, limiting the downtime for businesses and homeowners. Additional benefits of epoxy coating include the following:
- UV protection
- Impact resistance
- Stain resistance
- Fire resistance
- Shock resistance
- Repels moisture
- Deters mold growth
Garage floor epoxy formulations increase your property’s curb appeal and value—potential homebuyers love seeing homes with durable epoxy floors.
Unlike epoxy floor paint, you can’t buy epoxy coatings at your local hardware store. Concrete coating professionals train for years to properly mix, install, and maintain epoxy coatings. Advanced tools such as hygrometers, diamond grinders, polishers, and shot blasters allow experts to effectively prepare concrete surfaces for the application of epoxy.
Many concrete coating companies offer lifetime warranties for epoxy coatings. Instead of purchasing low-quality epoxy floor paint for your garage renovation project, consider hiring trained professionals for all your epoxy coating needs. Epoxy garage floors will transform your space, giving you endless options for its use.
Choosing Between Epoxy Floor Paint and Epoxy Coatings
If you seek long-lasting protection for your concrete surfaces, choose epoxy coatings. Epoxy garage floors provide the perfect foundation for a new hobby room, woodworking studio, reading nook, or craft space. Concrete coating experts can also add UV protection additives to epoxy coatings to protect concrete surfaces from discoloration.
The stain and chemical resistance properties of epoxy coatings protect concrete surfaces from numerous sources of damage. Other benefits of epoxy coatings include the following:
Easy to Maintain
Sweep and mop your epoxy garage floor once a week to remove dirt, debris, and dust. Use warm water, a mild pH floor cleaner, and a soft-bristle brush to clean and extend the lifespan of your epoxy garage floor.
Reduces Risk of Personal Injuries
Small cracks, potholes, and spalling in concrete surfaces pose serious safety risks. Additionally, mold growth within concrete lowers the indoor air quality of your home. Epoxy coatings reduce the risk of tripping or falling on damaged concrete surfaces and help deter mold and mildew growth.
Trust JDL Surface Innovations for All Your Epoxy Coating Needs
JDL Surface Innovations proudly serves the Florida community. To learn more about our wide range of services, call JDL Surface Innovations at 239-230-3312 to speak with our knowledgeable, friendly staff today!
