Concrete floors are a great option for rooms with lots of foot traffic and potential spillage or damage. Although concrete is a strong and durable surface, protecting it is still necessary for maintaining your floors. Coatings for concrete can be used to help seal the top layers and prevent scratches, scuffs, and other damages. By protecting your floor, you help your rooms stay clean and look luxurious long after the floors have been installed.
Choosing a Coating
When coating a concrete floor, you have three different types of sealants to choose from. Each operates differently and can be utilized for different rooms and purposes.
Topical
Topical sealers are the easiest coatings to apply to concrete flooring. These are placed directly on the surface of the concrete, forming an additional protective layer. This additional layer can add volume and luster to your floors and can be applied to concrete both indoors and outdoors.
Penetrating
Penetrating sealers bond with the top layer of your concrete floor once applied. This bond creates a barrier that can protect your concrete from high moisture levels. They are the best kinds of coatings to use for rooms with high humidity or outdoor flooring that sees a lot of rain or snow.
Integral
If you want the benefits of a topical sealer without the extra step of applying the coating, you can purchase concrete mix with an integral sealer already added. Integral sealers are mixed in with the concrete kit so that it begins providing protection and sealing safety as soon as the flooring is installed.
Why Use Coating for Concrete?
Concrete floors are naturally more durable and longer lasting than other types of flooring. However, applying a coating of sealant can help keep everything healthier and fresher longer.
Mold Inhibition
Mold can grow on almost any surface, especially if there is enough moisture. If your concrete floors are not properly sealed, moisture can get into the layers, and mold can begin to grow. With the proper coating, however, moisture cannot get into your floors, and you will not have to worry about mold growth anymore.
Extra Durability
The more foot traffic and exposure to the elements your concrete floors experience, the more damage they can sustain. Rooms with lots of heavy activity, such as garages and workstations, can see concrete floors begin to crack and ding more every day. And concrete flooring outside, such as in driveways and patios, can see increased wear and tear from rain, wind, and even harsh sunlight. By applying a protective coating, you are helping your concrete floors maintain their durability and last longer.
Color Maintenance
Concrete flooring can come in a variety of colors and designs. Using colored concrete is a great way to add a unique flair to any room or outdoor setting. However, exposure to harsh lights, heavy foot traffic, and other conditions can cause your concrete flooring to lose the luster and vibrancy of its coloring. When you use a coating, however, you prevent the elements from harming your floors, keeping the color clean and sharp longer.
Concrete Coating Process
When applying a coating to your concrete floors, you first must decide which kind of coating you are using. Integral sealants do not need any additional preparation or steps, but topical and penetrating ones do.
Preparing Concrete Flooring
Before you begin applying the sealants, you need to prepare your concrete floor first. It is important to make sure your floors are properly prepared; otherwise, the coating will not be as effective and could even make your floors look worse. Follow these steps to ensure your concrete floors are ready for coating:
- Remove all objects from the floor.
- Use a putty knife to remove skirting boards, as necessary.
- Sweep and mop the floor to ensure a smooth, debris-free surface.
- Ensure there is proper ventilation by opening windows and doors or turning on fans.
- Use a degreasing product to remove grease from top layers.
- If you have any oily spots on your floor, use a wire brush to clean the area.
- Use quick-drying concrete fillers to smooth any cracks or dings in your flooring.
- Make sure your floor is thoroughly dry before applying the sealant.
Applying Concrete Coating
Once your floors are clean and dry, you can begin applying the coating. Most concrete sealant kits will come with all the tools you will need, but you can use any standard painting trays and rollers to apply the coating to your floors, just like applying paint on a wall. You will want to use a smaller paintbrush to ensure the sealant reaches the edges and corners where the floor meets the wall.
Coatings usually take between 12 to 24 hours to dry, but fans and dehumidifiers can help speed up the process. It is important not to use or disturb the flooring as the sealants dry. Most sealants only need one coat, applied every 2-5 years. So, once your floor is finished drying, you can replace molding and furniture and begin using the room as intended once more.
Coating for Concrete DIY kits
At Performance-Coat we are helping homeowners and property managers create beautiful, durable floor coatings in their homes. Our DIY epoxy and coating for concrete kits are easy to use and come with all the tools and equipment needed to complete the project as soon as possible. We also offer tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your floors, and our support line is always ready to help. If you want the floors in your home to last long and look amazing, place an order with us online or give us a call on 1-800-841-5580 for more information.
