What Makes Commercial Concrete Coating Durable?

Tile or marble flooring in commercial properties has a very slim chance of surviving or is negligible. The heavy foot traffic in shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, or hospitals can cause them to wear out quickly. Additionally, tile or marble cannot withstand the load of heavy machinery or equipment or the effects of chemicals found in manufacturing plants.

Therefore, you need commercial concrete coatings like epoxy, polyurethane, and polyaspartic. These coatings enhance the durability of concrete floors by creating a protective barrier designed to withstand rigorous commercial environments. 

But what makes them durable? Let’s understand!

Epoxy vs. Polyurethane vs. Polyaspartic

The durability of commercial concrete coatings depends on their molecular structure, chemical composition, and how they’re cured. Explore why these three are the most preferred coatings globally for commercial floors.

Epoxy Commercial Concrete Coatings

Epoxy coatings have two primary components: a resin and a hardener (curing agent). Both elements chemically react to form a rigid, thermoset polymer. This crosslinked molecular structure gives epoxy its impressive compressive strength and resistance to scratches, dirt, or oils.

Epoxy coating has a smooth, non-porous surface that prevents moisture penetration, making it suitable for warehouses, manufacturing plants, and automobile garages. Additionally, its flexible properties allow it to resist sudden temperature changes without chipping or cracking.

The 100 percent solid epoxy coatings are known to be among the most durable coatings. They contain no solvents, water, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Therefore, it has a thick, solid layer that maintains its integrity over time in high-traffic areas.

Polyurethane Coatings

Polyurethane commercial concrete coatings have an upper edge over epoxy because they have a higher elongation rate due to their elastic properties. This helps them absorb impacts and accommodate slight concrete substrate movements without cracking.

The abrasion resistance of polyurethane is superior because of its advanced polymer structures, and it can easily maintain its aesthetic in constant foot traffic areas such as shopping malls or hospitals. They are also highly resistant to scratches and scuffs, making them ideal for industrial flooring.

Polyaspartic Coatings

Polyaspartics are polyurea with better performance characteristics and a slowed-down cure rate. They form a highly cross-linked polymer surface. They combine high tensile strength, flexibility, and UV resistance, allowing them to resist impact, abrasion, and harsh chemical exposure without discoloration. 

Polyaspartic commonly consists of a colored base coat, a layer of vinyl flake, and a clear top coat for extra shiny and durable performance. That’s why they’re preferred in cold storage, industrial floors, and outdoor patios in hotels or restaurants.

Resistance to Wear and Tear

Because of their strong polymer structures, these three coatings are highly resistant to mechanical and chemical wear. They form a protective layer engineered to endure heavy abrasion caused by continuous foot traffic, forklifts, or rolling equipment.

For example, coating with a high Shore D hardness rating (a measure of how resistant a material is to indentation) resists surface deformation. Additionally, their abrasion resistance minimizes visible wear patterns. 

Epoxy generally has a high Shore D hardness when it's completely cured. On a scale of 0 to 100, the rating lies between 80 and 85, making it harder than most plastics but not brittle. Therefore, the material is ideal for resisting heavy scratches and scuffs caused by foot traffic without cracking.

Environmental and Chemical Resistance

Commercial spaces face environmental challenges such as moisture, chemical spills, and UV exposure that cause concrete floors to deteriorate over time. In contrast, commercial concrete coatings provide impervious features to stand against these issues.

• Moisture resistance
  Unsealed concrete can absorb water, leading to cracks, stains, chipping, or mold growth. However, the floor creates a moisture barrier when sealed with concrete coatings, especially epoxy or polyaspartic. Therefore, no damage from water spillage.
• Chemical resistance
  Industrial facilities, such as pharmaceutical ones, are exposed to acids, oils, and cleaning agents that can damage uncoated concrete floors. The chemical doesn't seep into concrete when covered with either epoxy, polyurethane, or polyaspartic because of the absorption-resistant, non-porous top layer.
• UV resistance
  Polyurethanes, particularly Aliphatic polyurethanes, offer excellent UV stability, maintaining their color and surface integrity in outdoor or sun-exposed areas. Similarly, polyaspartic commercial concrete coatings repel UV rays and don’t become yellow over time. The epoxy coatings have UV protection additives, making them withstand harsh sunlight.

Commercial Concrete Coating vs. Tiles

Tile flooring is unsuitable for a commercial setting because it is more susceptible to cracking, chipping, and wear. Concrete coatings, on the other hand, are a smarter investment because they are easier to clean and maintain than tile, which can accumulate dirt and grime in grout lines.

Tiles or marble require frequent replacement as they can’t resist heavy loads and crack easily. In contrast, high-quality commercial concrete coatings can last between 10 to 20 years, depending on the material, installation, and maintenance quality. Therefore, concrete coatings are more cost-effective in the long run compared to tiles.

Conclusion

In commercial spaces where floors take a daily beating, durability isn’t just a nice-to-have feature when looking for floor protection options; it’s essential. From scratches and liquid spillage to UV damage, commercial concrete coatings provide 360-degree protection.
At Concrete Coatings of the Carolinas, we offer a variety of concrete coatings for commercial spaces. Contact us today for a free quote on commercial concrete floor coatings.