Concrete flooring is praised for its durability, its practicality and its cost effectiveness. Unfortunately, it can also be known for being gray and drab. Whether it is a garage floor, a patio, or a driveway, you want your concrete flooring to look its best.
One of the easiest ways to update the look of your concrete flooring is to give it the right finish. Two of the most common finishes are epoxy coatings and acid staining. Each one can be a great choice for the right situation. To help you decide which one is right for your concrete floor, take a look at our quick guide to each of these finishes.
Epoxy Coatings
If your biggest concern is updating the look of your floor while increasing its durability, then epoxy coating may be the correct choice. Epoxy coating is extremely durable and a great choice for a high-traffic area. Some of the most common places you will find an epoxy coatings are on the floors of garages, storage rooms, warehouses, industrial building floors, basements, and patios. In general, due its hard finish, epoxy is the preferred choice for any flooring that needs to be water resistant.
Epoxy goes on like paint, comes in a variety of colors and generally lasts around 20 years – making it the longest lasting finish around. It adds an extra layer of protection against oils, dirt, chemicals and even just general impacts. It also helps make your floor more slip resistant; keeping those you care about safe.
The biggest downside to epoxy is that it can be a little tricky to install. The floor must be properly prepped and have the correct barriers. If any of the installation steps are skipped or not done correctly, it can affect the ability of the epoxy to set, undermining its overall effectiveness.
Acid Staining
If your biggest concern is transforming the look of your concrete flooring, then acid staining may be the choice for you. Acid staining uses a chemical process to permanently alter the color of your floor. Coming in a variety of colors, acid staining can transform everything from your patio to your driveway, giving your home a unique look.
Like epoxy coatings, acid staining does help add an extra level of durability to your concrete floor. However, it provides less of a protective barrier and can also be potentially slippery when wet. This makes acid staining a better choice for more decorative areas of the home where the look of the floor contributes to the overall feel of the space.
