What Is Concrete Coating?
Concrete coating is a covering that is applied to concrete that has been cured. The process of concrete coating involves applying different coating materials on the concrete surface to make it more durable and improve its appearance. It serves the purpose of protecting them from abrasion, harsh environmental conditions, corrosion, and the wear and tear associated with daily traffic. These coatings are mainly used for areas in residential and industrial buildings like garages, warehouses, patios, pool areas, decking, and storage floors.
How Does Concrete Coating Work?
Proper concrete coating is not paint. It is a complex combination of chemical compounds — polyurethane, epoxy, and polyurea — which are applied on the concrete surface to give it durability.
Polyurethane is used in areas that have high exposure to UV sun rays. Polyurethane is:
- Abrasion resistant
- Chemical resistant
- Durable
- Easy to maintain
- Flexible
- Hygienic
- Stable
Epoxy, another type of concrete coating, is used mainly in factories and industrial facilities. Epoxy is:
- Abrasion resistant
- Chemical resistant
- Durable
- Easy to maintain
- Hard wearing
- Heavy duty
- Hygienic
- Water resistant
The third type of concrete coating is polyurea. This coating, when applied professionally, gives you the best overall performance along with a fast cure time. Polyurea is:
- Abrasion resistant
- Chemical resistant
- Flexible
- UV stable
- Thermal resistant
- Waterproof
How Are Concrete Coatings Installed?
Installation of concrete coatings is a multi-step process that involves inspecting the concrete slab, testing the slab for moisture content, ensuring proper adhesion, and finally applying the appropriate primer.
The process starts with cleaning the area, ensuring that it is free of defects, and checking that it has the right specifications. Additionally, the area must be free of dust, grease, wax, and cracks.
After clearing all debris from the area, you must roughen the surface of the slab, sort of like sanding a piece of wood before you refinish it. This can be done in one of several ways:
- Steel shot blasting
- Diamond grinding (to remove previous coatings)
- Etching (using a solution made of water and phosphoric or muriatic acid) * this is not our recommended method.
After all these steps are finished, the surface is ready for the concrete coating. Sometimes more than one coating is needed, depending on the porosity of the surface.
What are the Uses of Concrete Coatings?
Concrete coating is commonly used both in residential and industrial settings. It can be used in homes for garage and basement floors, or outdoors on walkways or driveways and patios. Industrial or commercial applications range from warehouse floors to sections of hospitals.
Concrete coatings are a versatile product that offer a range of uses and style options. If you’re curious about concrete coatings or think they may be right for your home or business, call Clarity today at (940) 898-9988 to discuss your options. We’ll talk you through the entire process and help you make the right decision for your needs.