In Indianapolis, GatorGuard specializes in high-quality epoxy and polyaspartic coatings designed to protect and beautify residential and commercial floors. Understanding epoxy terminology will help you make the best choice for your home or business.
Epoxy Terminology: Coating Types
- Epoxy Coating: Epoxy is a versatile, durable floor coating that forms when resin and hardener are mixed together. It’s popular in Indianapolis for garage floors and commercial spaces because it resists damage from chemicals, moisture, and foot traffic. Although there are many types of epoxies, a moisture-mitigating 100%-solids epoxy is a superb direct-to-concrete primer coat. Although epoxies can be used as color and top coats too, they do fade over time when exposed to UV light. Hence, they’re best used for interior applications (no UV exposure) or exterior applications, including garages, as a primer coat only (if covered with a pigmented polyurethane, pigmented polyaspartic, or full flake broadcast).
- Polyaspartic Coating: Polyaspartics are known for fast curing times and extreme chemical and UV resistance. They’re ideal for outdoor spaces or areas exposed to sunlight. Although unmatched as clear top coats, polyaspartics (aliphatic polyureas) are not spec’d for use as direct-to-concrete coats, especially under medium to high concrete moisture conditions. In Indianapolis, a polyaspartic is a popular choice as the clear top coat in garages.
- Polyurethane: This flexible color or topcoat provides additional protection against scratches, UV damage, and chemical spills. It’s especially useful for concrete exposed to direct sunlight (it provides extreme UV resistance). However, some polyurethanes can be odorous and are susceptible to hot-tire transfer. Hence, it’s best to use these coatings outside and where no vehicular traffic is present (e.g., patios, walkways).
Epoxy Terminology: Ingredients and Components
- Resin: The base component of epoxy, resin, is mixed with a hardener to create a solid, durable surface. Resin forms the foundation of the concrete coating, bonding to the concrete and creating a seamless finish that resists damage from impacts, chemicals, and moisture.
- Hardener: When combined with resin, the hardener initiates the chemical reaction that solidifies the epoxy. This bond ensures that the floor can handle heavy use and maintain its strength through Indianapolis’s seasonal changes.
- Flake System: GatorGuard’s flake systems incorporate decorative flake blends into the coating system (they are broadcast into the “wet” primer coat). Embedding colorful flakes into the epoxy base coat provides depth and contrast, perfect for residential or commercial flooring. In Indianapolis, these systems are both durable and stylish.
Layman’s Terms
- Garage Floor Coating: In Indianapolis, when people talk about garage floor coating, they’re usually referring to epoxy or polyaspartic coatings used to protect concrete floors. These coatings provide long-lasting protection against oil spills, road salt, and heavy loads, which is crucial for garages that endure both summer heat and winter snow.
- Concrete Paint: This term is often used to refer to garage floor coatings, but it’s important to note that true concrete paint is much less durable than epoxy. While concrete paint may offer a quick aesthetic fix, it won’t provide the same level of protection against chemical spills or heavy use.
Conclusion
In Indianapolis, GatorGuard’s epoxy and polyaspartic coatings offer the durability needed to withstand harsh weather conditions while providing a polished, attractive finish. Understanding these key terms will help you choose the right flooring solution, whether you’re looking to protect your garage, basement, or commercial space. With GatorGuard’s advanced coatings, your floors will be built to last through every season.
Share this Post
