Bare concrete floors can not only be unsightly, but they are also prone to issues with staining, chipping and cracking. If you’re looking to improve the appearance of the floors in your commercial building and make them more durable, a concrete floor coating may be the ideal choice. In this article, we’ll explain all of the different floor coating options you have and what things you need to consider to find the right coating for your business.
Estimate Your Budget
The first step in choosing the right floor coating for your business is to estimate your budget for the project or how much you may be willing to spend. Determining your budget will help you to narrow down your choices, as some floor coatings are much more expensive than others. For instance, polished concrete or stained concrete flooring are typically among the least expensive options while also being extremely strong, durable and stylish.
A polished or stained concrete floor won’t chip or fade like normal concrete and will last much longer than many other floor coatings. Polished or stained concrete is also a great option for refreshing old, stained concrete floors or if you’re planning on tearing out carpets. If you have tiles or other types of flooring, you may be better off choosing an acrylic overlay since this type of coating can be installed directly over the top of the existing floor. This means the job won’t take as long or cost as much since the existing flooring won’t need to be torn up.
If you have multiple different spaces in your building that need new floor coatings, you may want to consider different options for each space. If you have a large warehouse as well as office space, you may want to install an epoxy or polyaspartic coating for the warehouse and something different and more stylish for the office space.
Consider Your Specific Needs
The type of industry you’re in is one of the most important factors in determining which type of floor coating will work best. The specific flooring requirements for a commercial kitchen and restaurant will obviously be much different than if you have a retail store. An epoxy floor is typically the best choice for a commercial kitchen since epoxy coatings are highly resistant to chemicals, heat and staining. Epoxy floor coatings are also slip-resistant, which is an important consideration in many different industries. Polished or stained concrete floors can be somewhat slippery, so they may not be ideal for certain applications.
Focus on Durability and Maintenance/Cleaning Requirements
Durability is obviously an important consideration when deciding what type of floor coating will work best for your business. An area that receives heavy foot traffic will have different requirements than a warehouse where you have forklifts or heavy equipment constantly driving on the floor. The requirements would also be different for a commercial garage or mechanic shop where the floors would be regularly exposed to gasoline, oil, etc. If the area gets lots of daily foot traffic, you’ll mainly want to focus on choosing a floor coating that won’t fade, is easy to clean and won’t quickly get scratched up.
Epoxy coatings can be a great choice for many different applications. An epoxy coating will make your floor shine and can easily cover up any damage or staining. Epoxy flooring is also extremely easy to clean and won’t ever stain like bare concrete. This can make it perfect for places like repair shops and kitchens where things will often get spilled on the floor.
Polyaspartic floor coatings are also a great choice for warehouses, factories, auto repair shops and heavy industry. This is because they are extremely durable and long-lasting, as the coating forms a much stronger bond with the concrete floor. A polyaspactic coating is also highly shock-resistant and can easily withstand lots of foot traffic or heavy machinery. This type of coating is quicker and easier to install than epoxy coatings. Epoxy floor coating requires at least two coats, whereas polyaspartic is just a single coat. The coating also cures extremely quickly and can be walked on within an hour or two, which will limit the amount of downtime and ensure you can get right back to work.
Polyaspartic coatings are also highly heat resistant and can expand and contract without being damaged. The coating can also fill in over cracks and damaged spots to make the floor much stronger and hide any defects, which makes it great for rejuvenating old floors. The finish is also quite flexible, which means it won’t get worn down or scratched. If any parts of the coating ever get damaged or scratched, you can easily repair them without needing to recoat the entire floor.
Polyaspartic coating is clear, which means you can put it over different types of concrete as well. If you have a warehouse, the coating can just be applied to the bare concrete. If you’re looking for something more stylish for a lobby, restaurant interior, etc., you can first have the concrete stained and sealed and then the polyaspartic coating applied over the top. This will ensure that your floors look beautiful while also being extremely durable and slip-resistant.
Think About Your Desired Look, Style and Color
Epoxy floor coatings and stained concrete floors are available in a wide range of colors, finishes and styles. Normal epoxy or polyaspartic coatings are fine for areas where you’re mostly concerned about durability and functionality and don’t care as much about looks. If you want something that is both durable and looks more stylish, a metallic epoxy coating may be the ideal choice. Metallic epoxy coatings are also available in many different colors and will add much more detail and style to the floor by giving it an eye-catching 3D effect.
Consult With an Expert for Recommendations
With so many different types of coatings and so many colors and styles available, the best way to know which option is best for your commercial property is to consult with an experienced contractor. At Valley Concrete Coatings & Polishing, we have been providing professional floor coating, concrete polishing and concrete staining services to commercial customers in the Phoenix area since 2004. We have a highly knowledgeable, skilled team of industry experts who can advise you and help determine which coating will work best for your business.
We always take the time to fully understand your specific flooring needs and will work with you to find the right type of coating and the right color and style. We always use a five-step process for flooring installation, which sets us apart from our competitors who typically only use a three-step process. In this way, you can rest assured that the job will be completed properly and the entire project will go smoothly. As a family-owned company, we always provide completely personalized service to every customer. Our team will also do whatever it takes to ensure you are fully satisfied with the look of your new floors.
Once you’ve decided on the type of floor coating you want and scheduled an appointment for the installation, you can trust that our team will arrive on time and get the work done promptly. We’ll also make sure to fully protect your property and belongings. After we finish, we’ll be happy to answer any questions and give you tips on protecting and maintaining your new floors so they last as long as possible. For more information on the options we offer or to schedule a consultation to find the best floor coating option for your business, give us a call today.
