Concrete Epoxy Coatings
Concrete epoxy coatings are used in many industrial and commercial applications for their high performance, durability, and safety. They can be applied over existing or new concrete floors to protect them from stains, scratches and abrasions.
Before applying an epoxy, it is important to prepare the concrete surface thoroughly. This can include cleaning and pressure washing. It may also require etching the concrete to open pores. A fantastic read!
Water-Based
Water-based epoxy coatings offer a great alternative to solvent-based epoxies. They often have a low or zero regulated VOC content and are able to be applied to concrete while it’s still damp or in the process of curing.
They also are environmentally friendly as they don’t produce harmful fumes or odors when being installed. They’re especially important for facilities where restrictions on VOCs are strict.
These products are ideal for commercial and industrial applications, including machine shops, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. They can be used to create an attractive, high-performance, durable surface that’s incredibly easy to clean and resists chemical spills.
The best thing about these water-based epoxies is that they provide a stronger bond than solvent-based epoxies and can be easily applied to concrete. However, they may not be as strong or durable as solid epoxy, and they’re more suited to shorter-term projects. They also don’t have as much stain resistance and hot tire pickup as solid epoxy systems.
High-Solids
High-solids concrete epoxy coatings are a great option for many applications. These products are easy to work with and don’t have the odors or flash off that lower-solids epoxies do.
They also are resistant to water, chemicals, and impacts. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, including concrete floors and walls.
This type of concrete epoxy has a solids content of over 35% and can be applied with a sprayer or roller. It’s a thicker epoxy than other types, which means it can be used in more demanding garage flooring applications and commercial areas.
This product is a good choice for garage floor applications that have been damaged or that are very old and granular. It is also a great choice for pitted floors that need to be filled. The high solids in this epoxy prevent it from shrinking as much and provide more durability to the finished product.
Low-Solids
Low-solids concrete epoxy coatings use a water-based system that uses latex acrylic polymers to bind the pigments together. They also include additives that help the coatings stick to the concrete surface and prevent them from separating.
When applied to properly prepared concrete, epoxy is a two-part system that chemically cures, creating a thick coating tightly bonded to the surface. It has a much stronger bond than paint.
The solids content of the coating is measured by the percentage of pigment, binders, and additives that remain after it has cured. This number is referred to as the wet film thickness (WFT) and dry film thickness (DFT).
Lower-solids coatings use solvents to make application easier, but they emit VOCs that can be harmful in confined spaces. 100% solids coatings do not contain these volatile organic compounds, making them safer for confined spaces and workers.
Polyurea
Polyurea and epoxy are two popular materials for concrete floor coatings. They form a strong chemical bond to the concrete and are incredibly durable, making them a great option for garage floors and basements.
Epoxy is a mixture of resin and hardener that forms a glossy, tough finish once it cures. It can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces and comes in a range of colors to match your decor.
In contrast, polyurea is an elastomer that can be customized to offer many different properties and strength levels. It’s also more flexible and can move with the concrete when temperature changes or weight shifts occur.
Both epoxy and polyurea can be layered to increase durability and flexibility, but differences in purity impact their performance and longevity. For example, polyurea polyaspartic coatings tend to be less durable than pure polyurea coatings. Click for more info!
