Choosing the right floor coating for your Columbus garage, basement, or commercial space can feel overwhelming with all the industry jargon. In this blog, we’ll help you understand your options. Below, we’ve provided some essential terminology to assist you when searching for the perfect epoxy floor coating.
Essential Terminology: Protective Coatings
Coatings designed to protect your floor from heavy traffic, chemicals, and moisture are crucial for both residential and commercial spaces in Columbus.
- Polyurethanes: Often used as a topcoat over an epoxy primer or color coat. Polyurethanes add flexibility and protection against scratches, chemicals, and UV rays. Albeit, these coatings use an older technology and are best applied as topcoats for exterior installations like patios and walkways. In addition, they’re susceptible to “hot tire staining”, so shouldn’t ever be used in garages.
- Epoxies: Epoxies are well known and well-used. They are high-build coatings that go down thickly, and as such, can hide concrete imperfections. Moisture-mitigating epoxies are excellent for use a primer coats as the thick, slow-cure property ensures they deeply penetrate and bond with the concrete substrate. Epoxies are poor top coats if exposed to UV light (they tend to amber or fade), albeit, they’re unmatched as primer coats in garages and basements in Columbus.
- Polyaspartics: A polyaspartic (or aliphatic polyurea) is best suited for use as clear top coats. They possess a very fast cure time and provide extreme UV and chemical resistance, so they’re highly durable. (However, they can only be applied thinly and cure so quickly that they make for poor direct-to-concrete primer coats). Polyaspartics can be walked on within hours of application, making them a great option for businesses needing quick installation in high-traffic areas.
Essential Terminology: Decorative & Functional Systems
Beyond basic protection, epoxy floors can be enhanced with decorative options that add both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits.
- Flake System: A flake system involves embedding decorative flakes into the “wet” epoxy primer coat to add texture and slip resistance. Because there are numerous flake blends available, they allow for customization to match your style and décor.
- Mica: Mica is a natural mineral flake. When mica flakes are incorporated into a flake blend, they add greater reflectivity to your epoxy floor. Consequently, they can create a more upscale finish. These flakes are ideal for garages, basements, or commercial spaces in Columbus looking to combine durability with a high-end appearance.
- Full Chip Coating: A full chip coating is a system where the flake blend is broadcast “to rejection”. That is, the flakes fully cover the floor entirely, masking the pigmented base (primer) coat. Full chip coatings provide a textured, colorful look. Not only visually striking, full chip coatings add extra durability and some slip resistance, which is especially useful in garages or high-traffic areas.
Moisture & Waterproofing
Managing moisture is critical in a city like Columbus, where humidity and rain can cause significant damage to unprotected concrete floors.
- Moisture Mitigation: Before applying any coating, moisture mitigation is essential to prevent water vapor from seeping up through the concrete. This step ensures that the coating bonds properly and doesn’t peel or crack over time.
- Waterproofing Basement: Epoxy and polyaspartic coatings act as a barrier against moisture, making them perfect for waterproofing basements. By sealing the concrete, these coatings protect your basement from mold, mildew, and water damage, which are common issues in Columbus homes.
High-End Finishes
If you’re looking to make a statement with your flooring, these options offer both durability and a unique visual appeal.
- Metallic Epoxy Floor: A metallic epoxy floor creates a stunning marbled effect, with reflective pigments that shift with the light. This high-end finish is perfect for showrooms, commercial spaces, or even upscale Columbus garages.
- Solid Epoxy Flooring: Solid epoxy flooring offers a seamless, uniform appearance with a thick, durable layer of epoxy that can withstand heavy use. It’s ideal for Columbus spaces that require both strength and a clean, professional look.
Honorable mention: Sealing & Staining: These services are often used to enhance the look of concrete while also protecting it from stains and moisture. In Columbus, where weather fluctuations can wear down unprotected concrete, sealing & staining add both aesthetic appeal and durability to driveways, patios, and more.
Conclusion
With so many options available, understanding key terms like epoxy coating, flake system, and moisture mitigation will help you choose the best floor coating for your Columbus space. Whether you’re focused on protection, style, or both, GatorGuard has the expertise and materials to transform your floors with lasting quality and visual appeal.
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