Do Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Scratch Easily?
Do Polyaspartic Floors Scratch Easily? | Jersey Epoxy Do Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Scratch Easily? In
Deciding what flooring to go with during your remodel can often be an overwhelming experience. There are so many options, opinions, and materials to choose from that it can make your final decision that much more difficult.
Thankfully, your choice can be easy if you already have a concrete subfloor in the space you are looking to upgrade. Polished concrete and epoxy floor coatings are both simple and beautiful solutions to your flooring dilemma!
You have probably heard of both of these flooring solutions before, but have you wondered what is the difference between polished concrete and epoxy? Let’s find out together below so you can make an informed decision for your own home.
Polished concrete is simply concrete that has been polished and ground down to a luminous shine. Picture a traditional concrete floor. They are usually pretty rough and abrasive, and are often used as a subfloor for other, more aesthetic flooring solutions.
However, concrete can be beautiful and functional as well! To achieve a polished look, diamond concrete grinders are used to transform the rough surface into a smooth and glossy one. Smaller and finer grinders are used until the final desired look is achieved. The final product can have a matte appearance or it can have a high-gloss, almost wet-looking shine.
Concrete polishing can be a complicated process, so it’s always best to let the professionals handle your flooring upgrade. Here are the more specific steps to achieve a finished, polished concrete floor.
The grinding process begins with coarse diamond abrasives. This removes any existing coatings, adhesives, or imperfections on the concrete’s surface. This grinding also opens up the various pores in the concrete so it can be refined even more.
Once the initial grinding process is complete, more refined diamond abrasives hone the surface. This process smoothes out the scratches left by the coarser abrasive. It also starts to give the concrete a sheen as the diamond abrasives become finer. The honing part of the process is where your personalization comes into play. The floor will only become shinier and smoother the further you go, so you can decide how you want the final flooring to look by choosing the appropriate grit size.
The final step involves polishing the concrete surface until it reaches its desired shine. This can range from a matte or satin finish to a high-gloss appearance. Finally, the surface is sealed to protect it from damage and to prevent imperfections. The sealing process also helps the concrete become resistant to stains.
Epoxy floor coatings also require a concrete subfloor, but they are a resin-based coating system that is installed on top of a prepared concrete floor. Epoxy is made out of a compound consisting of a resin and a hardening agent, and that thick liquid substance is then poured over the concrete.
One of the cool things about epoxy is that it can be entirely customizable based on your home or business’s preferences. Pigments can be added to change the color and add drama, or decorative flakes can add texture and dimension to the floor. Once your epoxy is completely cured, it is rock-hard and resistant to scratches, stains, and premature wear and tear.
Installing epoxy can also be a tricky process, so investing in a professional epoxy flooring installer is always your best bet for a professional finish. Below are the intricate steps that need to be followed during installation.
To start, your concrete subfloor needs to be free of dirt, grime, and any imperfections before the epoxy is poured on top of it. The entire floor needs to be cleaned and sanded down, and any cracks or holes in the concrete need to be repaired as well. The floor should also receive an etching sand to help improve the epoxy adhesion.
This is where the fun happens! You can decide what color, sheen, and texture you want your epoxy floors to have, and a professional flooring installer can make it happen for you. Any additional components are added to the resin during this step, and then the hardening agent is added.
This process needs to be done in a timely manner, as the chemical composition will eventually cause the epoxy to start hardening and curing. The epoxy is poured into place and then is left to cure.
The curing stage is one of the most crucial parts of epoxy installation. The floor must be left undisturbed while the resin sets and becomes hard. This can take anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the conditions.
In some situations, the floor can be approved to walk on lightly during this stage, but it is always best to let it cure completely before resuming regular use. Finally, a sealing clear coat can be added if desired for optimal protection and a glossier finish.
In the end, the choice is entirely yours! It is your home or business, so you get the final say in how you want it to look and feel. However, each flooring solution has different pros and considerations that should be taken into account.
Polished concrete is typically a more affordable option as no resin is used. The floor is simply ground down and polished, so no additional installation is required. It can also withstand heavy foot traffic and is considered low maintenance. Polished concrete does come with a small added risk of staining if the clear coat isn’t applied properly. It can also become slippery when wet, so it may not be the best choice for all locations in your home.
Epoxy floors are incredibly durable and will also withstand heavy traffic without breaking down. It also has the added benefit of being weather-resistant. Rain and snow don’t have any effect on the floor, and a completely cured epoxy floor is also considered slip-resistant.
Can’t decide between polished concrete and epoxy floors? We have you covered. Call the team at Jersey Epoxy today at (877) 376-9965, and we will help you make the right choice for your next flooring project.
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