Are There Any Floors That Shouldn’t Get A Floor Coating?

Floor coatings are exceptional ways to transform your floors and provide them with the necessary protection they need in order to last as long as possible. However, while some types of materials, like concrete, are often associated with floor coatings, others aren’t. As such, you may wonder if there are any floors that shouldn’t get a floor coating.

Technically, floor coatings can be applied to all sorts of different surfaces. However, applying them to unapproved surfaces could result in you losing your warranty or struggling with issues you wouldn’t otherwise. So, yes, there are indeed floors that shouldn’t get a floor coating.

How Do You Know If You Shouldn’t Get A Floor Coating?

If you’re ever considering getting a floor coating, it’s best to contact a professional floor coating company for a consultation. They will be able to provide you with specific information for your unique case. 

This is because professionals may be able to apply floor coatings to floors you wouldn’t think they could. Different materials are better suited for different purposes. For instance, some people may not know that you can get floor coatings on vertical surfaces, like stairs. Others may not know that driveways need special types of floor coatings, otherwise, it isn’t safe to coat them.

So, in short: if you want to know whether you should or shouldn’t get a floor coating, consult with the professionals. Don’t try to DIY a floor coating, especially if you’re guessing that it’s okay, as you could end up needing expensive repairs to fix a botched job or floors that shouldn’t have been coated in the first place.

What Floors Shouldn’t Get A Floor Coating?

Floor coatings are typically used for concrete surfaces. In some cases, they can be applied to other surfaces. However, this involves a specific process and specialized care, otherwise the results can end up not worth it. In other cases, you can’t apply a floor coating to a surface at all.

Here, we’ll go more into detail about what floors shouldn’t get a floor coating.

Damaged Concrete

A floor coating is only as good as the surface it’s applied to. If you try to apply a floor coating to a damaged surface, the floor coating isn’t going to repair the issues. Rather, the issues are going to impact the quality and durability of your floor coating.

If you have damaged concrete, it will need to be repaired prior to floor coating application.

Wood

Applying floor coatings to wood typically results in losing your warranty. This is because wood isn’t well-suited for the installation of typical floor coatings. They can have adhesives and chemicals that can interfere with the coating. 

If you want to apply a floor coating to wood, the condition, age, type, and construction of the wood surface will need to be evaluated. In many cases, it’s best to finish wood, rather than put a floor coating on it.

Tile

Tile is tricky. In some cases, tiled floors shouldn’t get a floor coating, while in others, you may be able to have a floor coating installed. Depending on the type, age, and condition of the tile, you may or may not be able to have a floor coating applied overtop. 

Whether or not the tile is ceramic plays an important role here. Floor coatings need a porous surface to bond with, which is why floors are diamond-ground or acid-etched prior to application. If it is possible to apply a floor coating to your tile, it will need to have the slick surface removed.

Vinyl

Vinyl is used in many different applications, including flooring. If you have vinyl planks or tile or another type of vinyl flooring, it may not be suitable for a floor coating. This is because the makeup of vinyl may not be compatible with floor coatings.

Typically, if you want a floor coating, experts will recommend that you remove the vinyl flooring first. As always, you’ll want to consult with the professionals for personalized input on your specific case.

Do You Want A Floor Coating?

Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Virginia is here to take your home to the next level with our top-quality floor coatings. Floor coatings greatly improve the appearance, strength, and durability of your floors. If you’re unsure if your floors can get a floor coating or not, simply contact us. We’re more than happy to help you however we can.