Three Types of Popular Floor Coatings in Adelaide

Concrete flooring is inexpensive, effective, and low maintenance. There is no shortage of concrete. If you own a home or business, you may find concrete flooring is perfect for a variety of rooms. Concrete flooring is often used in garages, basements, and large industrial buildings. Concrete flooring is low maintenance, but you do have the option of applying a coating. Coatings work great to prevent stains, cracks, and corrosion of your concrete floors. Three popular types of coating include polyurethane, epoxy, and acrylic. There are drawbacks and benefits to each type of coating.

Polyurethane Floor Coatings

Polyurethanes are various polymers that are chemically bonded to carbamates. Visually, polyurethane coatings are similar to epoxy coating. Physically, polyurethane floor coatings are more elastic and softer than epoxy floor coatings. Polyurethane floors are designed for moderate to heavy traffic such as shopping malls, hospitals, airports, and car parks. The elastic nature will absorb high impacts of objects or vehicles. Lastly, polyurethane floor coatings only need about a day to cure unlike epoxy floor coatings. However, the coating may start to bubble if exposed to moisture, and it is not recommended for areas with high humidity. The bubbles will blemish the smooth surface.

Epoxy Floor Coatings

Epoxy floors in Adelaide are a popular choice. The epoxy consists of epoxy resin and polyamine hardener. The chemical reaction of the two compounds creates a hardened and rigid plastic material. The chemical bond also attaches to many base layers such as concrete. Epoxy floor coatings are known for their durability. They are more rigid and harder than polyurethane floor coatings. Many areas that are subject to high impact such as industrial and manufacturing facilities use epoxy floor coatings. This is because the floor is resistant to chemical spills and hard impact. It will not absorb chemicals such as oils, grease, and bleach. Epoxy floor coatings take approximately seven days to cure. You will want to plan for your family or employees to use another area while the floor sets.

Acrylic Floor Coatings

Acrylic floor coatings are not as durable as polyurethane or epoxy floor coatings. Acrylic coatings are made with multiple monomers such as butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, or methyl methacrylate, which are processed in a solvent such as water. Acrylic floor coatings are less expensive but also require higher maintenance. You will have to buff the floor or recoat the floor more often than polyurethane or epoxy floor coatings. Acrylic floor coatings are best used for low traffic spaces to reduce the chances of needed maintenance. Acrylic coatings only take about an hour to cure, which is much faster than other types of coatings.