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  Floor Shields has been working with customers for decades, providing the best Epoxy Floors. Read our magazine to find more ideas and installation tips. Talk to our expert technicians by dialing 866-556-8857 or walk into our office at 5455 N Federal hwy Suite L1, Boca Raton, Florida. 33487. Mail your inquiry to [email protected], and we will respond within a few hours.   

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Spread the loveRecently, concrete has topped the flooring options industry. Concrete floors are preferred instead of traditional carpet, vinyl, or hardwood flooring. Many homeowners are turning to concrete floors for their stylish and durable solution. If what you have in mind are dull industrial concrete floors, we are here to let you in on a […]

Floor Shields published a guide to the best concrete stains!

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How To Protect Wood Floors

Whether your home was built with hardwood floors or upgraded with them, learning how to protect wood floors is vital to a long and beautiful life. Maintaining these floors doesn’t have to be challenging and can be done effortlessly if a proper upkeep routine is established. That said, it is not easy either, commitment is critical, which is why making a house schedule is highly recommended. 

As Floorshields, we would like to share our top wood floor maintenance tips. But first, we need to give you a reason for why flooring maintenance is so important and what damaging factors you are trying to prevent.

Why is maintaining wood floors important?

How to protect wood floors is not only about maintenance so that you can continue to see those same advantages, but it can help with future costs and inconveniences for necessary repairs. There are various reasons why people get wooden flooring. For example, health, in order to reduce allergens in the home. The other example would be aesthetics, whether it’s acoustics or interior decoration. There are many benefits to having them, but knowing how to maintain wood floors is important. 

Depending on the size of the home and the style and installation options you choose, the average cost of replacing a wood floor is between $2,500 and $6,000. 

If you already have wood floors, instead of having to replace them only a few years down the road, it’s much easier and cost-effective to follow the best common wood floor sustainability tips. Plus, it makes sure you are able to enjoy the beauty of hardwood floors in your house every day.

What is most damaging to wood floors?

There are different reasons why a wood floor damages and include both solid hardwoods to engineered wood flooring. If you firmly understand them, maintaining wooden floors becomes much easier.

Moisture

Moisture is your floors’ biggest foe. Although humidity is important for maintaining the proper level in your home, most people have a problem with too much instead of not enough. 

A slight mess can quickly permeate through the wood and cause harm, as can leaking water, high humidity, or incorrect cleaning techniques. This is probably the number one thing you need to protect from when it comes to the finish of your floor.

Dirt & Grit

Excess dirt and other contaminants on your hardwood floors can cause serious damage over time. It’s just dirt, you say. No. Dirt is very abrasive and easily scratches and scuffs away at the perfect finish on the floor. If the floor has been damaged and the finish has been worn away, then the same damage can happen to the flooring itself. Dirt can even hide in unexpected places like under carpets and under tables, especially when you have pets around. In addition to vacuuming, having a mop for those hard-to-reach areas is best.

Food Crumbs

Food crumbs can lead to much more damage. As a result, food crumbs often lead to mold and mildew. Regularly sweeping and making efforts to keep litterers in your home under control (aka your family members) can help combat this. Also, those crumbs are gritty, and we know what happens with that, they can cause scratches to the floor. Immediately you finish a meal, it is best to mop the food crumbs away. Also, always remember to check below the furniture for food crumbs.

Sun

Whereas closing the curtain may not be an option to protect your wood floors, over-exposure to the UV rays can be harmful, particularly over many years. The type of damage based on UV rays requires a refinishing process.

Salt

Salt can be damaging to your wood floors, especially in snowy areas. The salt that is used to de-ice your porches and driveways can do serious harm to the floors. You can mop the floors with neutral pH products. The use of this salt can lead to scratches even if it’s used to protect from snow.

How to protect wood floors: main tips for maintenance

You probably think maintaining wood floors is difficult and uncomfortable after reading the above. You were not looking for extra work! Well, the good news, it is not rocket science to maintain hardwood flooring. You don’t have to be an everyday Elon Musk to keep your floors out of harm’s way and stay on top of things. You just need to get a few things right set up a proper maintenance routine. 

And frankly, what kind of flooring, over time, does not require at least some care? You can also find that it’s easier to maintain hardwood floors than stuff like linoleum or carpet. 

Our maintenance tips will make sure that keeping your floors fresh is as simple as possible.

Frequent cleaning

It is necessary to keep it clean, just as with any other form of flooring, to make it last. One of the most important wood floor maintenance tips you can use to prolong the longevity of your floors is daily cleaning. 

At the end of each day, a quick sweep will make sure that additional dirt, dust, grime, or food crumbs are cleaned up and will not cause more damage. And microfiber dust mops are highly recommended for this practice. They are easy to use, inexpensive, and very efficient at picking up microscopic dust particles. Higher-quality devices often run much better and typically bring less wear and tear on your floor. 

It is important to think about deeper cleaning every so often while picking up the daily dust on your floors. It should only be appropriate to clean your floors using products specifically made for hardwood floors every week or so unless there are any unexpected messes. Products designed for this type of floor help in this daily and deep cleaning routine.

You have to get the proper products

We mentioned that it is crucial that the right products clean your hardwood floors to help them shine and not harm them. Also, you may have come across some methods of cleaning wooden floors that damage them. For instance:

Applying diluted vinegar will darken the previously shiny floor. 

Most soaps and cleaners leave a residual film that can cause damage to the surface on which they are used. 

Steam cleaning involves high temperatures and water that can cause long-term damage.

So, what do you do instead? Well, this is what you need to do.

Get the appropriate cleaning products

Have a good routine for keeping your floors clean

If you are looking for wood care products, seek out those that: 

Will not damage hardwood floors. 

Do not leave a mark. 

Targeted for use around both children and pets.

Neutral pH wood cleaner

Preventing water damage

It was mentioned earlier how moisture can be damaging to wood floors. Part of maintaining wood floors is ensuring that there is no water damage or excessive moisture in the home. If there is an area that looks hazy or blurry, this is likely from water damage that has compromised the finish of the item. 

Common places where this occurs are near the kitchen sink and back door where the trash usually is put. This can easily be washed off with an assortment of soft, cotton towels (always get new ones to replace worn-out pieces). However, you want to prevent re-exposure by covering the area, so getting an area rug or mats may help.

If there is a large quantity of water on the floor as a result of spilling, then it needs to be removed quickly. Ideally, a wet/dry vacuum can be used for vacuuming a large amount of water. After which,  you can use absorbent towels for the excess fluid. Wet floors can cause mold and mildew, which sometimes necessitate replacing flooring.

A moisture testing meter can help you determine if your wood floors are at risk of damage from moisture. You also might want to think about investing in a dehumidifier to prevent this.

Prevent furniture damage

To move furniture into and out of a space without scratching surfaces, use plywood to avoid scratches. To protect the hardwood flooring, the furniture legs should be mounted on protective pads before they are put down. Furthermore, make sure that the protective pads are regularly checked to ensure they are still in position and working as they should. Generally, you might want to make sure that furniture legs have felt pads. The best felt pads are round unless it’s unusual furniture in which case you’ll have to get appropriate felt pads. As aesthetically pleasing a piece of furniture might be, preventing scratches should be your top priority. If you must have the avantgarde Warholian piece of furniture, place an apropos rug beneath it. Not all felt pads are created equal, especially felt glides which work best on hard, smooth surfaces. So you want to think through that. What you like and what works may differ. Maintaining a home based on science as much as it is art, right?

Reducing Traffic Wear

One of the toughest aspects of preserving wood floors is avoiding dust from settling in high traffic areas. Area rugs or mats may be positioned in front of doors, or runners in hallways. This will help minimize noise and reduce abrasion on the hardwood flooring. 

Residents and visitors are welcome to remove their shoes when coming into your home. Offering a place to put shoes that also acts as a changing area for socks and slippers provides a simple way to implement a “no shoes” policy in the house. If shoes must be worn indoors, then wearing the kind of shoes that don’t put excess poking pressure into the hardwood floors is appropriate. You can’t be wearing high heel shoes on your hardwood floor. Matter of fact, avoid high heels on any hardwood floor, whether it’s yours or not. Non-marking shoes have a non-marking surface for the floor’s finish, high heels don’t. Shoes should be gentle to your hardwood floors. Any type of shoes that would create scratches on the finish should be avoided in the house. Placing area rugs where there is heavy traffic can lead to scratches over time.

Don’t forget your pets either. Keeping a clean and well-manicured paw may avoid a common occurrence of unnecessary scratches and scuffs. Deploying a carpet in almost every heavy traffic area comes in handy and is part of keeping your floors safe.

The National Wood Flooring Association, or NWFA, states that a person weighing just 125 pounds can put up to four tons of pressure onto the flooring when wearing high heels! It’s basic high school physics. This is because of the weight of the person being placed on a very small area, the bottom of the heel.

Use Mats & Rugs

The use of mats and rugs around your home is not just a matter of decor, but it should be done effectively in order to help the flooring and not make matters worse. They should protect it. This is because mats and rugs can retain moisture.

Mats that have a rubber backing accumulate moisture underneath their surface that can damage the floor underneath. What’s even more frustrating is that this moisture has nowhere to go. Improperly maintained mats and rugs will cause damage. The rug or mat you select should be lightweight and breathable, thus avoiding the buildup of moisture.

Rugs and mats can also be safe harbors for dirt and grit. The frequent motions or walking on a rug will push the dirt under the rug onto the finished surface, creating scuff marks. Regularly washing your rugs and mats is necessary to prevent damage to your floors. 

Rugs and mats can minimize water penetration in a bathroom and kitchen, and help avoid spoilage in front of an exterior door. They can also be put in high traffic areas to avoid wear damage to the finish.

They can also be placed under your furniture as one of the ways to keep the floors clean and safe. Just make sure that the furniture is not moved frequently.

Make sure you mop underneath the rugs and mats, not just the top.

Maintaining the right indoor relative humidity

According to the Mayo Clinic, humidity levels in homes typically falls within the range of 30 to 50%. Wood floors are engineered to tolerate this level of humidity, and so if humidity is on the high end or low end, you may need to act immediately. Running a humidifier in a room increases the shelf life and durability of the wood flooring. Splits form when pieces of the plank dwindle in size, which allows dirt and even bacteria to creep in. These uninvited visitors return to their normal size when the planks return to their regular size. Additionally, they allow mold and mildew to grow. 

If the humidity level in the home exceeds 50% for an extended period, investing in a dehumidifier is a great way to prevent wood floors from damaging. Moisture should be removed from the home to prevent cupping of the wood furniture. This kind of damage may become irreparable and will need proper repair.

It might be good practice to keep a hygrometer in several areas of your house so you can habitually check levels of humidity. Having this kind of day would help you to decide whether you need a humidifier or dehumidifier to keep an optimized level of humidity relative to your wood floors.

Prevent Sun Damage

It takes many years for your wood floor to show a visible change in color due to UV exposure. Most people notice the discoloration only after the material covering it for a long time has been moved, and it becomes noticeable. The change in color is the result of a chemical reaction called “photochemical oxidation” and ultimately affects the colors of the wood floors. 

There are several ways you can prevent this discoloration. These are three tips for wood floor care when UV exposure occurs:

Install and/or alter window treatments. 

Apply protective films to windows that block ultraviolet rays. 

Pay attention to the carpeted floor’s UV blocking properties.

Your walls, ceilings, and floor aren’t the only places that get affected by UV rays. Over time, even your furniture fabric can become discolored. Suppressing UV damage can help you maintain the beauty of your house.

The regular recoating of wood floors

Regularly maintaining wood floors probably won’t prevent all wear and tear from occurring. The dirt and grime can build up and add up over time, and the texture of the wood can start to look worn and dull. Re-touching them can bring them back from the brink of death with renewed vibrancy and luster. Start the sanding process before the finish on the wood wears and becomes damaged. 

Refinishing wood floors when necessary

Proper maintenance of wood floors prevents the need for re-coloring. Refinishing is the process of applying a new coat of finish on the floors, and repairing and/or replacing deteriorated wood where needed. Some types of damage occur unexpectedly, such as a water main breaking in the house. If the wood floor is damaged or worn, refinishing it may prevent it from having to be replaced as a whole. A maintenance process should be done prior to the damage. Refinishing is one of the best ways to protect these types of floors. Refinishing helps you getting you new floors.

Bottom Line

If you are looking to protect your wood floors, then applying these tips means you are well on your way to maintaining a beautiful house. Remember these basics, they are the best ways to make sure your house wood floors are looking great even years later. You don’t have to get new wood floors is not always the necessary recourse.

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Guide To Temporary Floor Protection During Moving or Construction

There are different reasons why you need to protect your floor. You may have, tile, carpet, or another hard surface, but there are specific temporary floor protection products that will work best for you. Some common types of temporary floor protection include masonite, Ram board, and other durable plastic floor protection options.

When you are investing in a construction project, you will need to be sure that your floors are protected. Below is a description of some of the best temporary floor protection options. They will help you make a good decision. Note that, it is wise to get in the habit of considering the type of flooring you have, whether it’s new concrete, marble, or laminate. Many types of temporary floor protection work well across all flooring types including ones that experience heavy traffic leaving them looking new after the construction project.

Why is floor protection important?

Why is it important for you to keep your home floors protected? Why do you need floor protection during construction? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you decide on what you need, be it plastic, Ram board protection, or Masonite products.

Contractors prefer floor protection during construction projects. It is recommended to place a durable temporary floor protection product before you start your construction project. Depending on the situation of your construction project, and the type of temporary floor protection tools and products you plan on using on your different types of flooring,e.g. wood floors, you can use anything from plastic to paper, to cover your floors. Keep in mind factors such as your budget, ease of installation, and space to make your choice.

Invest in temporary floor protection covering that will collect debris for disposal. If you think that your floor may take some heavy hits during construction, invest in something durable. The kind of floor protection you may need to use on your floors to keep them safe during the duration of your remodeling project and looking good as new will determine how safe you protect them.

One of the leading brands in temporary floor protection is Ram board. Most Ram board products are designed with patented technology (all rights reserved ) that will guarantee you complete heavy-duty protection on your floors, despite the types of flooring you have. You can contact us by giving us a call today to get the best prices. Use your email address to subscribe to our newsletters too! ( Copyright 2020)

There’s a great list of construction floor protection products that are designed to suit any occasion. These are,

Ram board benefits

Ram board floor protection products are made with the following in mind,

Affordability-Ram board solutions are quite affordable and can also be custom ordered depending on your needs.

Efficiency-Ram board is easy to install and durable, it stays in place.

Quick installation- Ram board materials are easy to lay even with no experience.

Re-usability– Ram board products are reusable. They can be used for different temporary floor protection projects over and over.

Ram board products also come with the spill guard technology (all rights reserved) which is engineered to protect your floors against, water, grime, paint, and other types of debris.

Ram board products

Ram board products invite customers to an experience that is revolutionary in protecting their floors.

They include,

The Ram board painter’s board.

The Ram board painter’s board is a revolutionary Ram board floor covering product that introduces reliable temporary floor protection for any large painting products while protecting floors. It is made with layers of durable materials that act as a sponge to soak up spills. It will also protect your floors from being prone to drips and drops and won’t tear with use.

Ram board

Ram board is the pioneer heavy duty construction floor protection option. It has patented technology such as Wall Guard, exclusive Spill Guard technology,(all rights reserved), and Vapor cure. This means, that the Ram board will get rid of cure lines and protect your surfaces against any form of damage. It will also prevent spills from ever touching your concrete floors ( because of the exclusive spill guard technology. This product is FSC certified and will not stain or damage your floors.

The Ram board plus

Ram board plus is a great new addition to the Ram board product line. The Ram board plus offers great temporary floor protection for many types of floors e.g. concrete. Ram board plus comes pre-taped and this makes it faster to install as a temporary floor protection option. It saves time and comes with all the features of the original Ram board, making it a preferred choice for your many construction projects.

Home edition

The home edition brings out the Ram board feature that makes it easy to take home in pre-made roles. It is easy to lay on the existing floors during construction projects and won’t stain when used as a temporary floor protection product. This flooring product is a lighter version of the original Ram board. This makes it a great choice to protect new floors, for small DIY projects, such as construction. It saves you money on damage repair costs, on your existing flooring. Many Ram board products are heavy duty and suitable for protecting floors. They are a good way to temporary protect floors that require any hard surface protection including vinyl, and hardwood. The home edition is lightweight and will offer the ultimate temporary protection to existing floors during construction.

Masonite floor protection

This is extremely durable and easy to install. It is heavy duty and one of the most flexible temporary floor protection options which are also quite dense. Any masonite products come with built-in protection that will protect your floor against any kind of damage during construction. There are many flooring protection materials on the market that contain masonite and come in large rolls that can be easily laid out flat while protecting floors. They require little to no installation.

Tempered masonite- plywood

Masonite is constructed from plywood fibers. It is a durable temporary protection flooring option. This is a good recommendation for high-end construction projects that require a lot of temporary protection on the floors because of moving e.g. furniture around. Regular masonite is usually steam cooked and this contributes to its flexibility. It is then molded under pressure and placed over a layer of rosin paper to protect finished floors,e.g. concrete. Tempered masonite is a reliably durable board that is made through molding while using extreme heat and pressure. These aspects create a flexible yet dense board that can bend into curves without cracking.

Rosin paper

Rosin paper (brown or red) goes hand-in-hand with masonite. It offers an extra layer of protection to prevent any moving between your concrete floor and the masonite. It’s not reliable on its own as it stains and tears easily.

Benefits of Masonite

Environmental friendliness– Masonite is made from recycled wood and other options. It is reusable and gentle as a floor protection choice on the environment and your construction project’s cost.

Flexibility-masonite’s flexibility makes it versatile to utilize many kinds of flooring surfaces. It can be bent to form curves without breaking. It is also quick and easy to install.

Affordability– Masonite products are cheaper than wood and other plastic options. This is because it’s made out of recycled products. It is one of the cheaper options available.

Durability -due to its flexibility and dense nature, masonite becomes quite durable when it is subjected to direct impact, it is not damaged. It is also waterproof, will deflect and absorb spills to protect your floors keeping them looking new.

Masonite is versatile enough to work with any kind of floor. Many contractors, home owners, and DIY enthusiasts like to use masonite while they are painting walls, investing in building and remodeling projects, and moving furniture. A small mistake like dropping your hammer can ruin your concrete floor and cost you thousands of dollars in labor and repair costs. Instead of taking that risk, invest in heavy duty protection products that will protect your floor by sealing them against any potential harm.

Recycled materials and wood are not the only good floor protection options. There are paper and plastic options that will efficiently help you protect your floors as well. If you’re in search of a quick and affordable temporary floor covering, take a look at the plastic floor protection options available.

Available plastic floor protection options

Plastic construction floor protection options are a great alternative to masonite and Ram board. Many Ram board projects will include plastic materials, and masonite, made of recycled materials and wooden fibers. However, there exist different options that will be great for protecting vinyl, carpets, and other hardwood floors that do not sit well underneath a material similar to masonite.

Advantages of plastic floor protection

The benefits of plastic flooring options can suit your specific needs. This is indeed true if the area you’re working on has vinyl tiles, non wood surfaces, or shag carpets. Available products such as vinyl mats and roll-out film will protect your floors in a better fashion than a thicker board may.

Advantages of plastic films, sheets, and mats include,

Consistent masking– Many hard surface protection films and sheets will completely cover your flooring and offer thin yet sturdy protection for the whole room. This is a great choice for a project where you can expect a lot of debris.

Carpet protection-Flat plastic film is a good product to protect carpets, as it will not offer any stains or damage to your carpet like red rosin paper would. It is a good floor covering to protect carpet.

Affordability– Plastic films, sheets, and mats are cheap. These sheets are also transparent and will allow you to see your flooring as you work.

Underlayment– Plastic floor protectors can also work as an underlayment. This is true for the rubber and the integrity of ceramic, and tile floors. This temporary flooring will protect the floor from moving furniture keeping it good as new for a long time.

Plastic protection options are also reusable on another day (e.g. on moving day), and long-lasting. In the long run, this move to get them will save you time and money and keep your surfaces looking new.

Plastic floor protection products

Carpet protection film

This plastic film product is thin in nature and adheres to any surface. It leaves the surface looking new without leaving behind any damage or marks. It works great to protect a carpeted floor product, when you lay the plastic film on top, you keep your carpets safe from paint, water damage, and debris. You do not need any tools to install it as it is self-adhesive and will not move.

Hard floor protection film

Similar to the carpet protection film, it that can be used to protect hardwood floors like, vinyl, concrete, marble, and tile. It protects the surface against dirt and debris and also moisture, keeping it looking good as new. It is also easy to install.

Runner mats

These are great temporary floor covering used in any situation. They protect carpeted floors against dirt and water, and general wear and tear. Many homeowners are using clear vinyl mats for carpet protection when placing heavy furniture or chairs. It is also aesthetically pleasing.

Sticky mats

These are some of the best floor protection solutions for rooms where sanitation is required. The sticky mat removes dust and debris from your shoes when you walk by. This surface protection option is easy to lay down on any hard surface, will not move, and requires no installation.

Prevent unwanted damage by choosing floor protection

Despite having carpet or hard flooring surfaces, you will find the most appropriate protection options to suit your needs and protect floors. When looking for your next construction or renovation project,e.g. after moving houses, do keep in mind what type of flooring you are working with e.g. concrete or tile, as well as your budget and sanitation requirements. Make sure to look at the temporary floor protection options discussed above. You will gain a better understanding of what temporary floor protection option works best in different scenarios. This will assist you to narrow down to the right choice for your need for floor protection during construction. If you are in doubt contact us and give us a call today!

The post Guide To Temporary Floor Protection During Moving or Construction appeared first on Floor Shields.

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Best Protective Floor Coverings

What’s your drive in considering floor protection? Well, how do you feel about protecting your floors? Once you know the answers to these questions, it will help you decide on what floor covering option you will need to back your floor with.

Many contractors will prefer to seek temporary floor protection for various construction projects, from remodeling to painting. It is advisable to install a durable floor protection material. Depending on what you intend to use your space for, consider factors such as budget, space, and ease of installation to finalize your choice.

If you expect that the floor will be collecting a large amount of paint and debris, make sure to invest in proper temporary floor protection covering that will properly collect the debris for disposal. If your floor takes some forceful hits or large amounts of weight, you will need to invest in more durable floor covers. A good kind of construction or floor covering protection will ensure that your floors and carpets are safe and secure during the duration of your remodeling or construction project.

Reasons to cover your floors

There are a couple of reasons you may need to protect your floor, e.g., in a home or a gymnasium with a good floor cover. They accommodate large crowds, which are far beyond traditional sporting events. The size and central location of a gymnasium will make it ideal for concerts, banquets, and other such events. Some facilities may be hesitant to host these events as the concern for potential damage to the expensive wood floor is always a cause of alarm. There are options of floor covers to protect the gym floors, however, with various floor coverings that are protective in nature. This kind of product option will allow for high-traffic events .e.g. sporting events, while still protecting the excellent condition of the particular gym floors.

When you look at a protective gym floor cover, you will find that the list may seem overwhelming. However, you want an option of a floor cover that is easy to put up, durable, and cost-effective.

Plastic floor protection products

One way to protect your floors, e.g., in the home during remodeling or construction, is by using plastic floor covers protection products. Some popular choices that are rights reserved are discussed below.

Carpet protection film

This is a roll of thin plastic film that adheres to any surface in your home without leaving any marks or damaging the floor covering. It is among the best floor covers that protect carpeted floors in your home as it keeps a carpet safe from debris, paint, and water damage. It requires no tools to install and stays perfectly in place once it’s laid out. It is related to its hard floor protection film counterpart.

Hard floor protection film

This film can be used to protect your hard surface flooring such as marble, tile, vinyl, and concrete in your home. It is related to its plastic relative. It is used to protect the surfaces against dirt, moisture, and other debris. It is one of the easier options to set up similar to the carpet protection film.

Runner mats

These are great temporary floor coverings that are used in almost any situation. It is among the great options for protecting carpet floors and tiles against dirt and water and general wear and tear. Many home users use clear vinyl mats for carpet protection when using an office chair or any such heavy furniture pieces. They are also aesthetically pleasing.

Sticky mats

Sticky mats offer the best floor protection solutions for areas where sanitation is key. If you work in a special environment that needs to be sterile, a sticky mat will remove dust and debris from your shoes as you walk by. They do not require any installation and can be laid down easily on any hard surface. e.g., tiles

High traffic floor coverings

The floor protection choice that you choose should correspond with the surface’s use to be covered to get good results. In high traffic areas, e.g., in a gymnasium, the right kind of special flooring should be chosen to protect the surface from high traffic and damage.

Below are the different types of coverings, with some providing better protection than others.

Tarp floor covers

Tarp floor covers are among the desirable types of a gym floor cover option. They are inexpensive in price and will allow you to save and get your investment back. They are easy to fix and lightweight to store. They come in a variety of colors and are tear-resistant. They are also designed to be among the best options to stand up to foot traffic. However lightweight in nature, a commercial tarp is heavy-duty enough to allow the laydown of tables and chairs on the gym floor without the worry of it moving back around too much while causing wear and tear to the gym floor.

One thing to consider while choosing the best gym floor cover is the tarp’s fabric’s durability. Coatings on the tarp provide for slip prevention and even fire retardation. This gym flooring also provides for whether or not sizing is well customizable or standard. If a gym floor will require to be covered frequently, a heavy-duty option will be a better choice.

Vinyl protective gym floor covers

This is an ultra-protective and durable gym floor covering. The vinyl gym floor cover is among the best and quite popular, and many facilities get it for their gym floors. It is PVC coated, slip-resistant, and fire retardant. It is made easy to put up as it provides easy handling, allowing just a couple of people to place it and put it well back in storage.

It results in a strong flat smooth surface. A Vinyl floor covering comes in an array of sizes and weights. They are typically mildew resistant and waterproof. They are also antibacterial and antifungal. You will only require to get a broom to clean before storage.

Protective carpet tiles

Large carpet tiles are among the desirable gym floor covering products. These flooring products (carpet tiles) require no adhesive. They are stylish and comfortable, easy to set up on a gym floor, and easy to remove. This gym floor cover product is among the best flooring covering around. It is also a durable and slip-resistant flooring choice. If you are looking for a classic and professional look to the gym floor with superior protection, e.g., to the wood or tile floors, this is the way to go. They will transform the gymnasium’s look and feel as there are no wrinkles that occur with other floor coverings. With a carpeted surface on the tile, the concern of people slipping is non-existent. The tiles are designed to provide for many years of protective beauty. They are cleaned and put back in storage, looking great as new until the next use.

Even when other different flooring types are of high quality and easy to set up, the use of adhesive and likelihood of movement and rippling exists to the gym floor. With the use of protective carpet tiles; however, there is no adhesive or tape because the individual tiles’ weight is substantial enough to stay put once positioned next to each other. Other made floor coverings usually require two or three people to install them. However, with carpet tiles, only one person is required to install them. The carpet tiles are usually piled on a large cart, and the installer pulls one off as they lay it on the gymnasium floor. To remove the tiles, the installer needs to reverse the process as they like.

Rubber roll

Another durable and low-maintenance option of flooring to the gym floor is rolled rubber. It’s like a sound and shock absorber and a floor protector in a package. This is an environmentally friendly material. It is made from a recycled rubber material. Rubber rolls are a cheap and resilient protective option.

The installation of the gym floor is much more involving due to the weight of the rubber rolls. The installation will involve multiple people, and it’s reserved for when high impact protection is required. Its installation involves the laying down of the rubber roll to fit the area that needs protection. The design requires them to lay side by side with little to no space between the rolls. The use of double-sided floor tape or adhesive is required to hold the rolls in place until it’s time to remove them. When the installation takes place over hardwood, a protective paper placed on top of the wood may be desired to prevent chemical reactions between the wood floor’s finish and rubber material.

Woven poly sheeting

if you fancy a gym floor covering that will be mildew, rot-resistant, waterproof,anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, slip-resistant, durable, and easy to handle, resulting in a smooth finish, get the woven poly sheeting with a range of colors to choose from, depending on what your gymnasium needs. Normally two people can easily cover a gym floor with woven poly sheeting flooring within half an hour. You also only need to clean it with a broom before storage.

What option should I go with?

Despite the flooring protection you like, it is important to consider how and where the flooring will be stored. Get a storage rack. It is one of the great options. Look for one that has wheels to reduce damage to the gym floor by even weight load distribution. This is best as it allows for ease of movement. A durable storage rack should have trays to store any items required to lay or remove the coverings, such as cranks and clips.

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How To Stain Concrete Floors Patios and Pool Decks

Concrete stains are known for their translucent color and unique patterning that will not fade, peel, or chip to your concrete pool deck or patio.

Contractors have used acid stains to achieve a rich decorative color scheme that gives a coating that resembles natural stone, wood, or even leather to concrete pool decks and other surfaces. However, today’s products, like aqua-based stains and concrete dyes, have expanded the artist’s ideas with colors that range from soft pastels to vivid reds, yellows, oranges, and purples. In some cases, the newer coloring products are easier and much safer to apply, including a sealer, e.g., a pool deck 0r patio.

The best outdoor concrete stain

Stained concrete is an affordably quick way to transform the exterior concrete in your backyard. You can take a boring stamped concrete pool deck, for example, surrounded with concrete pavers, and transform it. This can also be done for a patio area or pool deck and make it into a beauty. There are two types of stains.

Most acid stained concrete is a more durable choice for an area of exterior concrete projects surfaces than aqua-built formulas. You will find that the aqua-based products will do fine on an exterior stone floor, e.g., on a stamped concrete pool deck in your backyard if a sealer is used frequently. The sealer makes the finish nice and new.

Your choice for the best outdoor concrete stain will be on what decorative concrete design or look you want to see. A sealer will lock in the color but can make the surfaces slippery when wet, e.g., around pools and a pool deck. You can add a plastic anti-slip additive to the sealer to make the outdoor surface anti-slip without changing the color.

Best interior concrete stain

Staining the floor and later using a sealer will make and set a decorative design to your home. When selecting a product, note that acid staining concrete is much better for high traffic flows due to its longevity. Aqua-built stains(product) such as acrylic will be easy to apply and require less clean up after the sealer is applied and not toxic. Acid stained floors will give an old-world mottled look that will blend well with any stone and wood. The Water-built product,e.g., acrylic products on floors, will bring out a more vivid, consistent coloring.

Concrete stain vs. paint and dye

Stains work by penetrating the concrete surface, creating a long-lasting colored surface that won’t peel, chip, or fade. They are commonly available in earth tones. They will impact a rich variegated, translucent color to both outdoor and indoor concrete. Any imperfection or stain will show through, even after a couple of coats of the product have been applied.

Note that, if you enjoy a natural lasting look, opt for stains.

The paint will usually coat the surface and create a shade that will wear away after a while. Paints will impact a solidly consistent color. This is one of the good ideas if your concrete is badly stained and you’d like not to see the imperfections.

Concrete dyes will offer an array of colors such as blue, yellow, and purple. They are commonly utilized together with stains to enhance the final result greatly. Dyes also impact transparent color. They, however, dry quicker and require little cleanup. They are also popular for adding color to polished concrete. These materials are not popularly applied outside the home because they are UV unstable.

How to stain concrete

Staining can be done to, e.g., pool decks, patios despite their age. The staining process varies dependent on the type of stain utilized, whether its application is outdoors or indoors, and the effect you want. It is important always to follow specific instructions provided with the stain you intend to use.

There are four important steps to follow when staining concrete.

Surface preparation, e.g., around a pool deck

Applying the stain (staining concrete)

Clean up and the neutralization of the acid stain, e.g., on the pool decks.

Using a sealer

It is important to really understand the information behind the staining process of a pool deck, patio, stamped concrete before you attempt to stain, e.g., a pool deck, if you intend to make beauty and see great results.

Concrete stain colors

There are many stain color product options(materials) that can be put to use to finish a concrete pool deck, patio, or concrete pavers. The acid stained surface will offer various variegated earthy tones, while the aqua-build kind will offer a broad range of hues. Experienced contractors know how to blend colors to create custom shades and beautiful surfaces, e.g., pool decks and pavers.

Some of the popular stain colors are; grey, green, tan, brown, terracotta, and blue.

Many contractors will also use saw cuts to create exciting patterns on floors, patios, and pool decks that are then stained with multiple colors. This cut will prevent the stains from bleeding into one another and mixing, ruining the surface, e.g., the pool area. Stencils made for use on concrete are also a great addition for creating an impressive decorative concrete design on the pool deck floor with concrete stains.

Concrete acid stains

An acid stain works by reacting with the concrete to change its color. It can be utilized around, e.g., concrete pool decks

if you are keen on achieving

a permanent color that will not chip, peel, or fade on your pool deck or patio,

a rich natural shade with variations that will bring alive the surface near your pool,

getting deep earthy tones that can be diluted to create great effects,

Choose an acidic stain. Once the acid stain’s reaction to the concrete is complete, the color coating produced is permanent and will not fade away. Their translucent coatings produce a unique look whenever used on the pool deck, depending on the concrete’s condition. The colors are primarily earthy tones, and the acid in the stain needs to be neutralized to stop the reaction.

Tips to note when applying an acidic stain to concrete.

Don’t acid wash before application.

Wear protective gear and be careful when working with acids.

Let the acid stains dry for about 5 to 24 hours, dependent on the intensity of the colors you want.

Neutralize the acidic stains with alkaline soap and water.

Water-based stains

Water-based concrete stains are a much newer, non-reactive option too. Similar to acidic stains, they are UV stable and can be used both outdoors and indoors. However, unlike acidic stains, they provide a full spectrum of colors with longer working times.

If your project requires shades not available with acid kind,

You want to add an artistic finish by layering and blending colors.

You want a stain that will be safe and easy to apply a coating of, e.g., An acrylic product, to your pool deck area.

Choose a water-based product.

A water-based product will additionally impart a more consistent color. Many contractors and some DIY experts prefer using the products because they are safer to apply, dry quicker, are low in VOCs and save you time. Many nonreactive stains will call for acid washing to prepare the surface to ensure good bonding. They come in the following options; acrylic, semi-transparent, and solid-colored.

Concrete stain reviews

Most concrete stains with good reviews will be of a professional-grade. These stains can be acquired through specialized companies, ordered online, or purchased at your local concrete supply store. Some reasons to use a good concrete stain are;

They are easy to apply by professionals or DIY enthusiasts, will adhere well, dry evenly, give a rich dark colored look, be diluted for color control, ages well, and work well on new or old concrete.

The post How To Stain Concrete Floors Patios and Pool Decks appeared first on Floor Shields.

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Concrete Dye Vs Stain

Concrete is a unique substance that is strong enough to build buildings. It is also unbeleivably absorbent, like a giant sponge that allows you to stain it in almost any color that you desire. There are different concrete stains and dyes for concrete that come in an array of different formulations. They run the gamut from water-based low VOC products to much harsher chemical-based solutions. They are typically available in stores. They are typically applied with a sprayer to give a solid color or mottled decorative stained look. Concrete stains have different advantages and disadvantages that depend on the application and the artistic effects that you strive for on the concrete surfaces. Below is an overview of the different types of common concrete stains and dyes and several pros and cons based on my review. Also discussed are a few tips for getting the best color results using stains and dyes.

Acid stains (Acid-based stains)

The stain starts a chemical reaction that reacts with the lime that is component of the concrete. The higher the lime content the deeper the color. This reaction makes the color permanent. A high quality sealer such as a solvent based acrylic or a urethane will bring deep color to the project and must be used to protect the bare concrete. One disadvantage of the acid stain is there are only eight color choices. Six of the colors are earth tones like tans, browns and blacks. Some manufacturers offer blue and green but unlike the earthy tones these two colors are not suitable for outdoor use. You might achieve many effects and colors if you dilute the acid stains, but the color palette is still generally limited to earthy tones. These chemical stains work as a great stain for exterior concrete surfaces (outdoor concrete)because the color will keep, as long as a sealer protects the surface.

Some tips worth noting

Remember to neutralize the surface after the concrete acid stains have finished reacting on the concrete. This can be done by adding 12 oz. of ammonia to each gallon of water and using a garden type water can to completely wet the floor. This application is absolutely necessary because ground moisture wicking up through the concrete could still cause the concrete stains to react again. This reaction will cause a hazy film that will be unsightly under the sealer.

Remove any stain residue that might create a barrier to the sealer’s penetration to form a film after its application. It is recommended to use a pressure washer on the exterior surfaces or thoroughly mop interior concrete.

Powdered acetone dyes

Many acetone-based concrete dyes in the market come in powdered form. These concrete dyes make an excellent choice for interior use after their application. There is a great array of colors available. However, the concrete dyes are not UV stable, and thus their application cannot be typically made on an outdoor concrete surface. They usually dry in a short time. This is different from acid concrete stains, which need a couple of hours to react. When used, concrete dyes can dry in seconds.

Some tips to note

These dyes are interior-only products. The dyes are not UV resistant. The profile of the concrete surface becomes quite important. For the (stains) dyes to bind or be absorbed into the concrete floor, the concrete surface pores need to be open. This can be achieved by grinding the surface.

If you prefer to etch the floor surface to open it up chemically, grinding is the way to go as muriatic acid and related product options will not give the surface a proper break down to give you good bond stains to produce the color as desired.

If you desire to polish your floors, powdered dye products are the products to use, as this is the only type of dye that will penetrate the pores, dyes concrete, and give the applied coloring.

Liquid acetone dyes

This isn’t a dye actually, but a thin, UV stable solvent stain with small enough pigments to penetrate the surface. They come in a wide range of color choices, like paint, unlike their non UV stable powder dyes counterparts. You can achieve a great range in color in a short amount of time. Similar to their powdered cousins, these dyes will dry quite quickly.

Some tips to note

If a contractor colors a surface with a liquid dye, you cannot polish it like you can with a powdered dye. Despite its great penetrating power into the concrete, it still leaves a small film on the surface that needs to be removed when the stained concrete is polished.

Water-based dyes

A water-based concrete stain is similar to paint that is designed to bond to the concrete. These Water-soluble dyes are available in many color options that are used by contractors in decorative concrete ideas. Water-soluble dyes are safe for contractors to use. These water-based dyes are a surface coating. This is because the pigments are too large to penetrate the concrete. However, this type of decorative concrete strain will give you a longer working time than dyes do. Water-based dyes give you greater control over the color.

Some tips to note

When water-based stains concrete is used, the concrete surface profile is usually quite important. These stains are more about bonding and less about pigments penetrating the concrete surface. It. Therefore, it needs to be rougher than when using the dyes (stains) to concentrate on enabling penetrating the dye pigments into the concrete surface.

These concrete stains will work well in outdoor settings since they are UV stable, and the penetrating pigments will provide vibrant colors. However, remember to reseal the concrete dyes regularly. This is because these things are like a sheet of plastic bonding to the surface. You will need to protect them.

It is only water-based stains and UV stable dyes that have white as an available color option. This is because of the actual particle that makes them white- Titanium is one of the too-large pigments to absorb into the concrete when applied.

Solvent-based dyes

A Solvent-based concrete stain is used primarily to tint solvent-based coatings. The solvent-based dyes can dry quickly if you apply them on concrete indoors, depending on what solvent dyes concrete is used. Using solvent-based stains with epoxies and urethanes on concrete is an easy way to create solid colors that will last and give a great look to the surface. This is especially so for industrial or other high-traffic floors.

Some tips to note

When using these dyes of concrete stains to tint coatings, it is essential to make sure that they are compatible with the coating’s chemical makeup.

Be careful when you use these concrete dyes to tint outdoor concrete coating. This is because the concrete dyes will be creating a bond with the coating rather than the concrete. The color will wear off if the coating does too. Once this happens, it is quite difficult to recoat and correct the stain colors in these spots. It is advisable to protect these outdoor color surfaces with a solvent-based sealer. Make sure to use a sealer every 2 to 3 years to keep the color.

Practice makes perfect

It is only with experience that you will know how to choose and apply the best stain or dye (product)for every project and properly combine them to achieve the desired look. You will learn how to use different options for stains and coatings to achieve the desired coloring. Whenever possible, it’s important to make a sample for each client to see the coloring results. When working with exterior projects, you might need to pour a separate slab to create your samples. While dealing with interior floors, you can always test in a closet. Clients are interested in seeing the process and results, give them a show. You can also follow us online and contact us on the same.

Something to remember

Unlike chemical staining agents, which react with cement particles, dyes do not react with concrete or other cement-based surfaces. The small dye particles are embedded in the pores of the concrete; therefore, many will not be removed.

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Best Concrete Stains For Pool Decks and Patios

Concrete finishings for concrete pool decks and patios are becoming more popular. Personalizing pools and patios are a great alternative to traditional decor. Not only do they add value to your home, but they also add color and style.

Can you stain the concrete pool deck?

Absolutely, there are a variety of stains you can choose from for your concrete pool decks. The three most popular ideas for your home are antiquing concrete stain, penetrating concrete stain, and stencil staining using acid. Antiquing concrete stain is a finishing technique that gives colored concrete an older feel and it uses spray-on, quick-drying stains with a multitude of colors to choose from. The penetrating stain is a weather-resistant stain that gives natural stone vibrant, deep colors. For concrete pool deck decor, you can use acid-based stain color in conjunction with stencil to create personalized touches for your home. If you’re looking for great design ideas for your pool, pin ideas from Pinterest, and create your pool deck portfolio.

When picking stained concrete, you should pick something that works for your home and your budget. Staining concrete can be expensive but a great way to save money is by shopping online. Check your area code because Amazon gives free shipping orders to customers who buy more stained concrete products. Just put the items in your shopping cart menu, pay for your order through your account, and get free shipping!

Should I paint or stain my pool deck?

There are many things to consider before you decide to paint or stain your pool deck; the porosity, the coat as well as the longevity of paints or stains. Both paint and concrete stains create beautiful variations of colored concrete but have distinct differences. Paint coats the top of the concrete making the paint susceptible to wear and tear whereas stained concrete is absorptive leaving your pool deck flawless for a longer period of time. The advantage of using paints is that it can be an inexpensive DIY contest with the family and you don’t have to outsource help. Wear and tear of the paint can be eliminated by using a concrete sealer over the paint. Two great sealers are lastiseal lastiseal stain sealer and acrylic sealer.

There are two types of concrete stain: acid-based and water-based. The advantage of these techniques is that they give more variety when it comes to decorative concrete ideas for pool decks. Acid stain concrete creates a stamped concrete effect where it resembles stone, wood, and a plethora of other patterns, textures, and colors.

Overall painting or staining concrete depends on what type of decorative concrete color you are looking for. Before embarking on this venture, look for trial kits design ideas that can give you a sense of what your perfect scenario and color should look like.

What is the best concrete sealer for pool decks?

A concrete sealer is essential for protecting pool decks after staining. Sealers protect stained concrete from water damage, dirt from everyday life, salt, and other contaminants. There are two main types of sealers:film-forming sealers and penetrating sealers. Film-forming sealers like acrylics form a film or coating on top of the stained concrete and are more susceptible to wear and tear. This means that they are expensive to maintain and need to be reapplied frequently. Penetrating sealers like Siloza-Tex 8500 have a long lifespan and do not wear easily. The sealer used for the concrete around your pool deck will vary based on the different techniques that were used and the location. For example, indoor and stamped concrete and water-based stains are better suited with film-forming sealers like acrylic sealers. An exterior concrete pool deck with a swimming pool that has saltwater or acid stains are better suited to penetrating sealers like Siloza-Tex 8500 sealers. Siloza-Tex sealers are slip-free finishing that protects your home from water damage, pitting, and cracking.

There are many different types of sealers that can seal the concrete around your home. If you have finished your stained masterpiece, make sure to seal it to keep it looking timeless. Before deciding on your all-time favorite sealer, make sure to use autocomplete results and use of cookies to optimize your Google search results.

What is the coolest pool deck surface?

The coolest pool surfaces are pool Cool Deck coating, Acrylic Lace, and Marcella Pavers. Choosing an exterior concrete, cool, pool deck for the summer can be stressful especially for those that do not know much about the topic. There are many products and different types of products that lower pool surfaces during the summer months. For a stamped concrete pool, Kool Deck is a spray-on product that you spray on any concrete surface that reduces the temperature of the concrete pool deck. The best color to choose is white because it reflects heat. Acrylic laces are altered concrete overlays that dissipate the heat coming from the sun. They come in a variety of colors but utilizing a lighter color will reduce the temperature even more. Marcella pavers are a type of natural stone that really diminished the temperature of your pool deck. The porous nature of the stone is non-slip, cool, and is great for different staining techniques if you would like more vibrant colors.

Personalizing your pool deck and patios is a great way to add color and style to your home. If you need any more advice on concrete pool decks and patio staining please call the toll-free phone number of the Concrete Network- 1-800-867-8246 for advice on anything you want to know. You can also call us (Floorshields) for more information. The Concrete Network is a great website that has everything you need on concrete and staining. Alternatively, touch device users can utilize other resources like the Amazon app for supplies and advice.

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Best Interior Concrete Stains For Inside Your Home

Recently, concrete has topped the flooring options industry. Concrete floors are preferred instead of traditional carpet, vinyl, or hardwood flooring. Many homeowners are turning to concrete floors for their stylish and durable solution.

If what you have in mind are dull industrial concrete floors, we are here to let you in on a secret. Modern-day concrete floors can be fully customizable with different, yet beautiful finishing options to choose from.

As a matter of fact, concrete floors do come in a range of stains, colors, and textures. Thanks to advances in technology, even a normal grey concrete floor will look amazing with the right surface preparation and finishing.

If you are thinking about putting on a concrete floor for your home, do keep reading for a list of the best concrete floor finishes available.

Benefits of concrete flooring

Before we dissect the many finishing options available, let’s look at some of the main benefits of concrete flooring.

There are three main reasons why many homeowners choose to use concrete in their home. First of all, is the wide variety of finishing options available.

The other two benefits of concrete flooring are,

Low maintenance-though some finishing options do require occasional sealants or waxing, concrete floors are incredibly low maintenance. Not only do these floors wipe clean easily they are also resistant to water and chemicals.

Durability-concrete floors are tough and resilient they can withstand pressure from almost anything. These include furniture legs, pets, high heels, and more. So, where do people install these concrete floors in their homes? Concrete floors can be used throughout the house. They are however most popular for basements, kitchens, garages, and living areas.

On the YouTube channel, Chris loves Julia, on the video autoplay (playback), you will see, Chris and Julia talk about the concrete staining process of their home and its advantages. They take time to record and camera share information on how they prepare the surface with a floor buffer, cleaning it with a cleaner (Goo gone Pro power), and applying the stain color. This is a YouTube channel that has many videos on staining, construction, and renovation ideas (on autoplay) that will guide you with information on staining your concrete floors. You can record the videos on your DVR storage space device to playback when you need to. You can also create a playlist of Chris loves Julia videos on your computer to play on autoplay, this will prevent any video interruptions. These video shows discussing different products will help you learn more about DIY products, and concrete staining. Playing TV recommendations on autoplay will give you better views on staining.

You can also go to the Chris loves Julia website(rights reserved), copy link tap to start the playback or autoplay on more videos on the playlist. It’s all about sharing information. Do not forget to Chris loves Julia subscribe and comment name. Also, leave your email address to receive notifications of their video shows, and get information and more details on products on how to stain your interior concrete floor.

You can access these video views on your computer device and phone and can copy link tap on the video with most views and share with your friends. You can also connect your TV to your DVR storage space and save the videos in a playlist and set them on autoplay.

How do you finish an interior concrete floor?

What concrete floor finishes are available? Which is the right fit for your home? Look at the list below of the most used concrete floor finishing options.

Acid-based stain

Acid-based stains do stain concrete floors and will give you a very bold look. Acid stains are recognizable by their mottled appearance and highly variegated finish when you use them to stain an interior surface. Once this acid stain reacts with your concrete floor, it produces a very durable color that will not fade or chip.

Acid-based stains will offer you a variety of vibrant earth tones such as blue-green colors, browns, and tans. You should note that the color that acid-based stains will produce, will vary depending on the color and condition of the substrate that it’s applied to. Acid stains tend to be translucent and provides a unique look every time. Remember to neutralize the acid in the stain to stop the reaction.

Steps when applying an acid stain to concrete,

Make sure to put on protective gear and be cautious every time when dealing with acids.

Do not acid wash the concrete before applying to it.

Allow the acid stains to dry for 5-24hrs. This depends on the intensity of the color desired

Use alkaline soap and water to neutralize the acid stain when cleaning.

Check out more videos on Chris loves Julia on YouTube, to learn more on staining concrete. Do so on your mobile or computer device on autoplay now!

Water-based stains

These are usually used to bond(stain the interior concrete) and are available in different colors. They are a surface coating, however, so you shouldn’t expect water-based stains to be absorbed into the concrete. You have more control over a water-based stain color and thus not prone to make an error . This staining interior concrete floor method will also provide your surfaces with more working time than dyes,

If you are looking for something to stain your interior concrete floors and spaces but looking beyond the subtle shades palette of acid stains to a full spectrum of colors, a water-based stain will be the best staining option to get for your stained concrete floors. Water-based stains, however, will tend to be slightly less vibrant on stained concrete. They offer different colors of concrete stain, to choose from including metallic tints. A water-based stain is low in volatile organic compounds and is much safer to apply to your interior concrete floor. When staining interior concrete floor, it produces a different chemical reaction during application that results in the final color details produced to be more consistent throughout your stained concrete.

While staining interior concrete floor, with water-based stains, you can work with a color palette that is not available with the acid stains. You are able to create artistic effects achieved in the concrete areas by blending colors. The stain will be easy and safe to apply and provide more room for error. Water-based stains give off more consistent colors on the stained concrete floors. The stain has a faster drying time and will save you time and labor Make sure to limit interruptions while applying so as to produce good results. Most nonreactive stains will call for acid washing to open and prepare the surface to give good adhesion.

Do not skip these steps. Use a floor buffer to prepare the interior concrete floors for staining. These are TV recommendations by Chris, of Chris loves Julia. ( concrete stain DIY expert). Make sure to Chris loves Julia subscribe to their YouTube videos, where the camera share information on the same. Water-based concrete stains will come in the following options, acrylic, semi-transparent, and solid colors.

Liquid acetone dyes

Liquid acetone dyes are relatively thin and UV stable stain concrete dyes. They have a greater extensive color palette compared to powdered acetone dyes that can be used when staining interior concrete floor. They also dry quickly so make sure to avoid interruptions during the process to not make an error.

Fast stain

This is a brand of fast-drying and Eco-friendly concrete stain. It offers a flecked appearance and a highly variegated coat, similar to the acid stain. Fast stains are a great way for polished concrete. They can be used on their own or as an addition with an acid or water-based stain. Use a sealer to lock in the stains and protect the floor

Acrylic concrete sealer

Acrylic sealers will provide a thin protective film on the surface of your concrete floor. Acrylic sealers come in a range of sheen and will provide good protection against water. These sealers are relatively hard with a little flexibility, gives a lovely matte coat, and is very uniform in color. You should note that this type of sealer coat tends to wear faster than other options. You may like to pair the sealer with waxing regularly to prevent marks on your polished concrete.

Standard epoxy

standard epoxy is recommended for staining concrete floors in highly trafficked areas of your home. It is typically limited for interior use and provides a beautiful glossy look. An epoxy finish is abrasion-resistant, chemical resistant, and durable. The coat also offers a nice uniform color to your concrete floor.

Metallic epoxy

Similar to the standard epoxy finish, the metallic epoxy is really hard and incredibly durable. The metallic epoxy will offer a brilliant metallic effect and a unique flow and beautiful color to your floor. This is a great way for a basement floor, as it is quite unique and will brighten up space. It is also a great water repellent.

Terrazzo or granite epoxy

A great way to add a unique look and some texture to your interior concrete floors. The concrete stain methods provide a similar concrete stain to your interior concrete floor. These stained concrete floors are both easy to clean, and extremely durable. The finishing methods use decorative color chips that are broadcasted into liquid epoxy. The chips will allow a huge variety of color combinations and patterns to choose from, despite having a wide range of patterns. This tends to make it look like polished concrete.

Quartz Sand Epoxy

If you’re looking for something to make your concrete floor an extra high-strength interior concrete floor surface, the quartz sand epoxy is a great option. This can be used for example, for your garage floor. This concrete floor colored finishing option will provide excellent wear resistance, chemical resistance, and sanitation. It is also quite smooth ( like polished concrete) and has a high slip-resistant surface.

So, after listing down all the different stain methods, we look at the different steps needed to achieve the right color with your stain.

How to stain an interior concrete floor

Remove your baseboards and use plastic sheets to tape off the room. Remove the baseboard trim in your room if it’s in contact with the floor. If it’s off the floor, use painter’s tape to take off the baseboards. If you decide to remove it, use a pry bar to pull it away gently from the wall and this should leave it intact and allow you easy reattachment rather than replacement.

Use an electric floor sander to sand the floor completely. Once you have sanded your floors, use the cleaner to really clean the floors. You can start by vacuuming the excess dust first. Once the floor is free of dust, mop the floors with a mixture of water and TSP. Let it sit on the floor for 20 minutes and begin to scrub with a long-handled scrub brush before mopping up.

Wash and rinse the floor and then give it time to dry. Use a sprayer to spray on the acid stain. You can add multiple coats with a 2-3 hour waiting time in between. Use a figure 8 pattern motion while not staying in one place for too long, and overlapping your sprays to apply the stain. You can also use a long handle scrub brush to scrub the stain in a circular motion as you go behind yourself.

Neutralize the acid with TSP and water two hours after the last coat and use a cleaner to rinse the floor thoroughly. Once you are satisfied that your stained concrete floors look great, and you’ve let the last coat of stain to dry for at least 2 hours, you need to neutralize the acid. You will do this easily by mixing more TSP and water and mopping on it and whilst rubbing it in with a brush.

Use an acrylic based sealer when dry and wax the floors. Make sure that your floors are totally dry before sealing them. If you do not wait long enough the sealer might come out looking cloudy.

Tip –Why should I use a sealer?, Using a sealer, to seal stained concrete is important as it helps protect the floor and the stain. A sealer should be used after staining interior concrete floor and the stain is dry. It is important to seal your floors after every few years using an acrylic-based sealer, to keep its color looking new.

Conclusion

When you have gone through the above tips and steps and are still unsure of how to properly stain your floors to the right color, you can follow Chris loves Julia on YouTube and watch their videos (which have many views and an autoplay choice) on the same. They believe that sharing information is important. You can also watch their views on how they use different TV recommendations on different products, and shows to know what stains they need to make their concrete masterpieces. These products from the TV recommendations are easily available. (Note that, the different shows one watches on TV will influence their TV recommendations). These videos can be stored on record on a DVR storage space and played on autoplay or playback to better understand the staining processes and details. They believe that sharing information is caring, on which we agree. Do remember to Chris loves Julia subscribe, and copy link tap and camera share your own DIY staining steps!

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Concrete floor coating options

In recent years, the amount of things you can do with concrete floors has exploded. There are so many different options for concrete floors sometimes you don't know where to start. Should you go with a concrete stain? If so, what's the difference between concrete dye and concrete stains? Or many you should choose an epoxy for your concrete floors? If you do, should you go with an epoxy paint or an epoxy coating... and what's the difference anyway? 

With the developments in technology, even a normal grey concrete floors can come alive. We have different guides on our site for the best garage coatings but we break down everything you can do with concrete in this article from different staining options, epoxy floor coatings and even tiles and different floor shields if you don't want to go with traditional carpet, vinyl, or hardwood flooring.

What should you do with your concrete floors?

So should you go with traditional wood floors over your concrete floors or coat them to make them more durable and good looking?

There are a few reasons why many homeowners choose to keep their concrete floors instead of opting to install something completely different. The first is because there is a wide range of finishing alternatives available. The other two essential benefits of using concrete flooring are,

Durability-Concrete is resilient and can withstand pressure from many things, including high heels, furniture legs, and more.

Low maintenance-Despite the fact that some finishing options will require occasional waxing or sealants, concrete flooring on its own is deficient maintenance. These floors are incredibly resistant to moisture and chemicals and thus make cleaning the floor an easy task.

Concrete floors can be used throughout the home. They are best for living areas, garages, and basements.

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Benefits of concrete flooring

Top concrete finishing options.

Top concrete finishing options.

Acid stains

Water-based stain

Fast stain

Acrylic sealer

Concrete floor paints

Epoxy

Tiles

Ready to explore these options?

Top concrete finishing options.

Below is a list of some popular concrete floor finishing options.

Top concrete floor finishing options.

Below is a list of some popular concrete floor finishing options.

Acid stains

For a concrete stain, it gives off a very bold look to the floor. It is quite recognizable by its mottled appearance and highly variegated finish. Once it reacts with your floor, the color becomes quite durable and will not fade peel or chip. Acid stains will offer an array of vibrant tones, such as blue-green colors, browns, and tans. However, the color produced by an acid-based stain will vary depending on the color and condition of the substrate it is applied to.

Water-based stain

If you intend to look beyond The subtle color palette of an acid stain to the full spectrum of hues, this stain is the way to go. These stains tend to be a bit less vibrant. However, there are dozens of colors that you can choose from, including metallic tints. These stains are low in volatile organic compounds and are safer to use and apply. It should be noted that a different chain reaction occurs during its application, and this makes the final color fairly consistent throughout.

Fast stain

This is fast-drying and eco-friendly. It offers a flecked appearance and, similar to the acid stain, a highly variegated finish. The fast stain is a great option for polished concrete and can be used on its own or in conjunction with an acid or water-based stain.

Acrylic sealer

Acrylic sealers will provide a thin protective film on the surface of a concrete floor. This option comes in an array of sheens and will provide good protection against moisture. It also provides a very uniform coat in color. It's relatively hard with a slight flexibility and an amazing matte finish. If you are dealing with a dowdy looking concrete floor, are on a limited budget, the floor sealer will be an affordable option that should be enough to make a difference. The concrete sealer itself will ward off future stains, offer a slight sheen, and make your floors look more stylish and a little bit fresher.

You will be required to choose between water and a solvent-based sealer. The solvent-based will offer the best protection and will last longer. The former will release fuel chemicals into the air, which is worth considering if the concrete space you're working on is not well ventilated. The concrete sealer is an affordable DIY(easy to apply) option. However, there are a few cons to bear in mind. The resulting floor can be slippery, a disadvantage to your garage floors, and a poor choice of garage flooring options. The floor will also need to be resealed every few years as it is not a long-term solution. Concrete sealers should set you back a cost of 0.1 $5 to 0.25 dollars per square foot of the floor. This is also a job that will offer you no hidden expenses.

The manufacturer will warrant the quality of the product upon installation. It is, however, unlikely to be accompanied by any further warranty. A concrete sealer will not revolutionize your concrete garage. However, if you have issues with your floors you do not have the budget to deal with them, this will be a preferred option. It should be noted that this type of finish wears faster than some other coating options. You may need to pair the finish with regular waxing prevents marks on your home surface.

Concrete floor paints

If your main concern with your garage floor is the aesthetic bit rather than any actual damage, the concrete floor paint is among quick and affordable floor options that will give your garage flooring a dramatic facelift. You will be required to prepare your garage floor before applying the floor paint, naturally, which means cleaning and filling up any cracks if any deep oil stains won't come up completely. Garage floor paint can cover them up. The painting itself should be a DIY job on your garage flooring, and all you will need is a paint roller and the right kind of paint. You will need to choose between oil-based and latex paint. It is easier to apply latex floor paint as it is efficient to use it out of the can. It also dries with a matte low-sheen coat. Oil-based paint will give you a high gloss finish, but you will need to use a primer coat. The resulting floor coating will be stronger than what you will get with latex. Whichever option you decide to go with, ensure to pick an alternative that offers a non-slip coat.

Concrete floor paint is a simple and affordable way to give your garage floor an easy facelift. However, it won't last. Paint is naturally susceptible to salts, solvents, and other caustic materials. You should expect to have to retouch your painted space every one to three years. This paint's cost is between 0.15 dollars to 2 dollars per one square foot, depending on the type you go for. A simple generic color will be much cheaper than a high gloss metallic coat. However, the floor paint's beauty is that you have many options to choose from, and that's something for every taste and budget.

Epoxy

There are two different types of epoxy. Epoxy paint and epoxy coatings that are 100% solids epoxy. The level of durability and application process varies greatly based on which type you choose. For more information, you can reference our epoxy paint vs epoxy coating guide. If you search for the most durable coating for your floor, look at epoxy. Similar to paint, it comes in different colors and style options. Some of these are high shine or matte, and this makes it an attractive and practical solution. Epoxy is generally applied like paint. It, however, works quite differently and therefore delivers varying results. As the paint hardens through the process of evaporation of its solvent, epoxy coatings usually harden when a chemical reaction between a resin and hardener takes place. This results in a long-lasting and durable coating.

Two types of epoxies are available for coating garage floors.

Two-part epoxy with 100% solids

This is the best quality of epoxy floor coatings as it does not contain any solvents. This ensures a heavy-duty, more durable, and thicker coat. It also dries quickly with a high-sheen finish within a day. The chemicals used are much stronger than in the other varieties, so make sure that you have good ventilation. This is the most expensive epoxy available.

Two-part water-based, one-part epoxy

This is a good alternative if you're in search of a lower chemical output. This is a good choice if your surface is not well ventilated. It will, however, take longer to dry in about 2 to 3 days. The resulting court will be thinner and less durable. It is cheaper, and you will need to refresh your floor more often. You can choose a solid color or add extra slip resistance and character to the floor with some color flakes specially designed to work with the two alternatives' epoxy coating. All you're required to do is sprinkle them evenly over your surface while the epoxy is still wet. You can sweep off the loose flakes afterward, then scrape the floor with a metal scraper to get any remaining flakes that are sticking up.

Depending on the choice of epoxy coatings you choose, the epoxy floor coatings can make your garage floor up to eight times stronger. You will only be required to refresh the coating every 7-20 years. It is fire-resistant, water-resistant, and also resistant to germs and bacteria. However, the toxic fumes that can accompany epoxy flooring should not be undermined. It can also be very slippery when wet.

Epoxy coatings are generally more expensive than paint, and the cost is $3 to $7 per one square foot. Solid options are at the top end of the range, and water-based alternatives at the lower end of the range. However, you can save money to do it as a simple DIY(easy to apply ) project. Look up tips on these projects online or contact us for the same. Many manufacturers will offer a five-year limited residential warranty when the epoxy is applied in indoor spaces. If you're interested in providing serious protection for your garage floor, as well as a funky new appearance, an epoxy coating is by far the best alternative for coating on the market.

Below are the varieties of epoxy available in the market discussed.

Standard epoxy

For floors that experience high traffic regularly, a standard epoxy coat will be ideal. This type of garage floor coating is usually limited to indoor use and will provide an amazingly glossy appearance. An epoxy coat is abrasion resistant, durable, and chemical resistant. The finished result will be a nice inform color.

Metallic epoxy

Like standard epoxy floor coatings, metallic epoxy is incredibly hard and durable e. g. for use as a garage floor coating. This alternative offers a brilliant metallic effect and gives a unique flow and color to your garage floor. Many homeowners will choose it from many garage floor coatings as it provides a unique finishing.

Granite epoxy or terrazzo

A granite epoxy or terrazzo glaze is an amazing way to add texture and a unique appearance to your garage floor in your home. These garage floor coatings are methods that have a similar look and are both extremely durable and effortless to clean.

This type of garage floor coating applies decorative color chips embedded into a liquid epoxy in their flooring options. The chips allow for a great variety of color combinations and patterns in their application.

Quartz sand epoxy

If you're searching for an extra heavy-duty surface, for example, in your garage, quartz and epoxy are definitely what to apply. This is a colored finishing option that will provide excellent wear resistance, chemical resistance, and sanitation. It is very smooth but offers a slip-resistant surface.

Tiles

Rigid tiles

Rigid floor tiles are a great example of floor coverings laid over a floor as they offer a stable and strong base that is hard underfoot in the home. They are easy to install and easy to clean. These floor tile coverings are made from a hard type of plastic such as PVC, which can withstand heavyweights such as those that might be exerted when you employ a kickstand. This covering is also resistant to chemicals, grease, and oils. These floor tiles are common floor coverings on the garage floor as it offers a good degree of protection.

These tiles also tend not to expand or contract a lot with the change in humidity conditions and heat. For example, this is important in the garage floor area, as the covering on these floors may not be well insulated against the elements as with the rest of the house. Most rigid plastic tiles coverings will come in sizes from 12 x 12 to 24 x 24 inches with a thickness of about 1/4.

These coverings are made to snap together, and this means that they are both easy to install over a concrete floor and removed. There are various styles available, and they can be used to create a very dramatic outlook. A big problem associated with these styles is that the snap lock seams feature is not airtight. This means that liquids may seep underneath and cause a mold problem between the tiles and the concrete, and this may not offer proper protection to the floor.

These flooring coverings are also expensive. The cost is about 2.5 $ per square foot for the most generic option and only goes up there. The average cost for the tiles is closer to the 4.25$ per one square foot mark. Do expect these styles to come with a 10-year residential warranty. If you're dealing with a cracked floor, rigid tiles are a great option to work with as a coating may not be enough protection. However, be wary of proper installation to ensure that you don't have moisture issues between the tiles.

Flexible tiles

If you have a garage that is more of a workshop, dealing with a hard floor, underfoot can be a killer on the joints after a few hours. In such a situation, a flexible tile covering will be a better option. These tiles work similarly to rigid tiles. They are, however, made from flexible rubber or plastic. These are also available in fancy colors that resemble LEGO bricks.

They are interlocking tiles with a simple snap-together feature system that is more watertight than with rigid tiles. This means that you are less likely to have a problem with water seepage and mold. They are also not slippery. These flexible tiles, however, are susceptible to contraction and expansion in changing temperatures. This is something to note when maintaining the temperature of your garage floor.

Ready to explore these options?

Whatever finishing option you prefer to go with, your concrete floors' long-term and high-quality appearance will be dependent on proper surface preparation. You can sign up with your email address to get tips on popular DIY floor installation sites or go-ahead and contact us.

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Epoxy paint vs epoxy coatings

Epoxy floor coatings and concrete paint, what's the difference? Without all giving it away just yet, it's a pretty big difference. Epoxy is relatively new, and a lot of home owners don't know that much about it which leads to a lot of frustration. Epoxy started being used on floors in the early 1950s for concrete restoration. Over the last fifty or so years, the industry has expanded considerably and epoxy garage coatings have become extremely popular.  Many homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and contractors have started applying epoxy paint and epoxy coatings.. But there is a huge difference..

Differences between Epoxy Paint and Epoxy Coatings

The main differences are in the durability and quality of the materials as well as the knowledge required to successfully apply the products. Concrete paint is easier to apply and a lot less expensive, but it was never meant for industrial use. These products perform well for what you pay for them, if you don't want to go through the whole surface preparation of a garage floor for epoxy coating. It's as simple as that, but you shouldn't expect them to last beyond a few years and they certainly aren't durable or strong enough for high traffic areas.

Quick Navigation

Differences between Epoxy Paint and Epoxy Coatings

What is Epoxy Floor Paint

What is an epoxy floor coating?

Epoxy coatings

What is epoxy paint used for?

What is epoxy floor paint?

Epoxy paint and epoxy coating uses

Scratch resistance vs Epoxy?

Tile vs epoxy flooring? Which is better?

Other benefits of having an epoxy floor

Installing epoxy paints

The difference between epoxy paint epoxy coatings (application and durability)

Bottom line

What is Epoxy Floor Paint

Epoxy floor paint is made up of two or three components, A true epoxy is 100% solids epoxy. If it is less than 100% solids epoxy, you know right away that paint is mixed with the epoxy and there is an acrylic instead of epoxy in the mixture. With epoxies that are less than 100% solid epoxy, whatever percentage is lower than 100% is the amount of paint that has been added to the epoxy and is not as strong and can evaporate, yellow or peel when it doesn't bond as hard to the concrete during the curing process. Water based epoxy paints can dissolve during the curing process.

Here's an example: If the epoxy is 50% solids it means that 50% of the coating could evaporate dry or condense over time. The lower the percentage of epoxy the lower the quality of the material (as a reference). 

So why do people use epoxy floor paint if it isn't as good? Simple. It's easier and cheaper. There is nothing wrong with epoxy paint as long as you know what you are getting. The floor is not as durable as a full 100% solids epoxy and you can do it yourself without hiring a contractor. For a full review of the best epoxy garage floor coatings, you can reference our guide. 

That is paint and epoxy resin and a polyamine hardener. The two need to be mixed together immediately before application. When the two are mixed an exothermic chemical reaction happens during the curing process. The coatings cure process will produce polymer structures that are closely cross-linked, and this will give the floor epoxy its superior strength and durability.

The floor epoxy coating reaction will cure instead of drying. This will benefit a concrete floor because the process seals the porous concrete, while the resin gives the floor a shine. Epoxy coating is more resistant to chemicals and abrasion than an ordinary paint-on application. It is also impact resistant and hard and durable. making it perfect for a garage floor coating. This means that it will not fracture, crack, or split if heavy loads are dropped on it. This includes equipment and machinery being driven over the surface.

There are various applications to epoxy paint as listed below.

When the epoxies manufacturers noted that people often used using the term 'epoxy coatings', epoxy paint was born.

Many DIY enthusiasts often used the terms 'coating' and 'paint'. This led to a marketing decision made, and many popular DIY epoxy flooring manufacturers decided to rebrand their products as epoxy paint. This was what many consumers seemed to call it.

This has made things confusing for the consumer. This is because, you might see something advertised as epoxy paint for your garage floors, but it could be either acrylic paint or epoxy floor coatings. This has made many people buy paint for their garage floor when what they really need or wanted was an epoxy coating.

What is an epoxy floor coating?

Epoxy is made up of two-component materials, one part epoxy resin, and one part polyamide hardener. You will need to mix the two parts together before application. When you mix the two parts, you are limited by time and temperature to how long you have to apply. When it comes to colored epoxy, the tinted resin gives the epoxy its color. The resin is clear if it gives a clear coating.

Epoxy coatings

Epoxy coatings will cure, but not dry like the paint does. The performance and amount of resistance of the coating are determined by the quality and solids constituents of the epoxy. The thickness of the epoxy and its ease of application will be dependent on the volume of solids content. This is displayed as a percentage. What this means is that 100% solids epoxy will have a 100% of the product on the floor as it cures. While 50% of solids will have 50% of the product remaining on the floor after it's curing process. The reason behind this is that the carrier agents (solvents and water) which are in use in the lower solids products will evaporate out during the curing process. An example is when 100% solids epoxy is applied with a roller and will have an approximate wet film thickness (WFT)of 10 mils. After its curing process, the dry film thickness will still be 10 mils, while, 50% solids epoxy will have a wet film thickness of about 6 mils but after it cures the coating will reduce to a dry film thickness (DFT) of about 3 mils.

Because of its thicker viscosity and limitation in time to apply, the 100% solids epoxy is a bit harder to work with during its application, while epoxy with a much fewer solids count will have less viscosity and will be much easier to apply.

Many cheap DIY epoxy paint kits available locally and online will have as little as 48% solids. This will make it easy to apply, similar to applying paint, and cheaper to buy because of the low solids content. These features, however, make the quality lower.

What is epoxy paint used for?

If you are looking for a little extra shine to your garage floors, epoxy will be a good choice for covering a basement, patio, or garage floor paint. As discussed above epoxy coating is a chemical mix of two liquid components, that is epoxy resin and hardener. This creates a tough solvent-resistant finish that is applied to floors, decks, and countertops. Many types of epoxy are noticed for their durability. This makes them a good option to seal the surface of concrete floors, steel, and other industrial materials.

What is epoxy floor paint?

Epoxy floor coating and epoxy paints are terms that are usually used interchangeably. When you buy epoxy paint to use on your floor as a coating in a home improvement store, you may realize that the two terms used on the can or kit. (You may also find another term, that is epoxy sealant)

The principal difference between epoxy paint and traditional paint is that when epoxy is present, the paint adheres to the surface better. This makes it more durable. Without epoxy, however, the traditional standard acrylic paint eventually flakes and peels. This is especially predominant in high traffic areas.

Many paint companies do sell their own proprietary epoxy paints. Epoxy coating isn't really traditional paint, this is despite the name being used. Normally epoxy paint is made of latex acrylic paint products that have a small amount of epoxy in their mix. These latex acrylic paint products tend to have better adhesion and durability than standard acrylic paint. Latex paint acrylic products should however not be confused with epoxy floor coatings. Straight epoxy paint contains both epoxy and acrylic paint in the mix. This is sometimes known as 1- part epoxy. This latex acrylic formula allows for customizations in coloring and it dries like regular paint. The epoxy component makes the paint resistant to chemical stains on the floor like oil or gasoline. It is thus a good choice for a workroom or a garage floor

Epoxy paint and epoxy coating uses

Do you want to give your floor a refreshing look? epoxy floor paint made for garage floors comes in an array of colors. This adds a bit of personality to a normal garage, from fresh creams to neutral tones of grey, metallic blues to clean. Application of epoxy paint to your floor will brighten up your space and protect it from oil stains, spills, peels and cracks, scuffs, and tire marks.

A concrete floor lined with an epoxy mix will seal and add extra shine to it. The same can be used for a basement floor to stand up to moisture in the space, this is because it offers moisture resistance. It will also prevent abrasions. The use of epoxy paint on a new kitchen project will protect your countertops from annoying stains such, as coffee, tomato sauce, and other spills.

Scratch resistance vs Epoxy?

The amount of epoxy in an epoxy coating will affect the scratch-resistance of the garage floor. Thicker epoxy coatings use a mix of resin and hardener that will prevent scratches when for example, something heavy is dropped on the garage floor surface. Epoxy paint with the low epoxy mix will definitely show scratches on the garage flooring given the right amount of force of the object.

In comparison to, wood, tile, and other floor coverings, an epoxy flooring system is reviewed as the most scratch resistant. Outdoor spaces, decks, high traffic areas, workspaces, and areas exposed to a lot of moisture like pool floors or saunas are excellent applicants for epoxy floor coatings. This is because epoxy coatings are moisture, scratch, and abrasion-resistant.

Tile vs epoxy flooring? Which is better?

An epoxy floor coating kit or epoxy paint is a cheap garage flooring option that will last for years depending on how big your space is. The cost of epoxy paint can be as little as $30 a gallon. This should be enough to cover a couple of hundred square feet of space. Tiles can range from a few cents to tens of dollars per tile in comparison and this makes epoxy paint one of the much cheaper floor coating systems.

Epoxy floor coatings benefits outweigh tiles as well. Epoxy floor paint is stronger, more durable, and tougher than a standard tile. Tiles do eventually warp or break exposing bare concrete, while epoxy floor coatings are quite hard to damage.

There is only one downside to epoxy floor coatings, it may sometimes change color to yellow over time depending on how clear the resin used was and how much sun exposure the floor experiences. These affects off white and clear epoxy coatings but not epoxy paint.

Other benefits of having an epoxy floor

You will note that having an epoxy floor is aesthetically pleasing and offers other important benefits.

Strength- epoxy floor coatings are extremely strong and are resistant to grease, oil, and chemical spills, e.g. on a garage floor.

Durability - your new garage floor will outlast a plain concrete surface. Epoxy floor coatings tend to withstand high traffic areas and will resist wearing down thus being long-lasting.

Low maintenance- due to the epoxy floor coatings sealing off feature, cleaning up of spills and grime is easy on your garage floor epoxy.

Safety-epoxy is slip-resistant and handles extreme temperatures well. This makes your coated garage floor, a safe haven for everyone.

Environmentally friendly- epoxy floor coatings provide a sustainable alternative to the garage flooring rather than having to reinstall a completely new garage floor after a couple of years.

Installing epoxy paints

When you want to concentrate on smaller concrete areas like a work shed or your garage flooring, installing epoxy will take you 3 to 4 days To do a good job, it is important to be fully prepared.

Devote the first day of cleaning the surface of the garage floor before the application process.

Remove any grease or oil spills, vacuum, mop, rinse the area completely.

On the second day, fill any cracks and apply the initial epoxy coating.

On the third day, apply the second coat of epoxy.

When dealing with commercial flooring and industrial spaces, the installation of an epoxy floor should be done by professionals. This is due to the size and scope of the project. Note that, it is vital to have expert contractors complete the work as per the needs of your company. This will ensure that your new floor will be ready for work and look amazing in a timely fashion.

The difference between epoxy paint epoxy coatings (application and durability)

It is easier to apply garage floor paint than epoxy floor coatings. With garage floor paint, a contractor will simply power wash the concrete floor surface, let the substrate dry, and will then apply a coat or two of the paint. The flooring will look great and this is a simple task to achieve. This is, from both a labor and financial standpoint, a quick fix with a short lifespan. However, a few months or years later, bare concrete will start to show through the layers of garage floor paint. It will begin to wear off in high traffic areas. The paint may also stain easily, and flake off in large chunks where it was applied over a stain or where there was an imperfection in the substrate. This is a major difference from epoxy floor coating systems as they will not chip to expose bare concrete.

Bottom line

An important factor to bear in mind as reviewed by Sundek (all rights reserved) is when choosing between the epoxy coating or paint is durability. If you are looking to improve the appearance of your floor and do it yourself, then epoxy paint is an easy option. Just don't get upset if you haveto re-do it in three years. If you are looking to improve an area that is traffic heavy and is at risk of chemical spillage or that you really care about protecting and not having to worry about in the future, then the epoxy coating will be a much better option. Epoxy coatings are more durable, unlike paint. Epoxy paint will not hold up to chemicals, stains, and abrasions as the epoxy coating will.

If you have an idea in mind of putting up a new epoxy floor for your business location, home, or industrial location, you need to understand the benefits of saving money and time with the investment of a true 100% solids epoxy. Unless you are sure about the epoxy coating installation, it would be wise to consider hiring a professional epoxy installer. Please enter your email address to contact us today and get started! All rights reserved.

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Top Expert Advice For Improving Floor Durability

We have been informing the readers about the benefits of Epoxy Floor Coatings for some time now. Did you know that these flooring materials give you the smoothest surface and last for several years? Epoxy requires a smooth surface for pasting correctly.

Cure the concrete before applying the coating

You should repair any significant cracks and chips and degrease the surface. 

Floor Shields has been working with customers for decades, providing the best Epoxy Floors. Read our magazine to find more ideas and installation tips. Talk to our expert technicians by dialing 866-556-8857 or walk into our office at 5455 N Federal hwy Suite L1, Boca Raton, Florida. 33487. Mail your inquiry to [email protected], and we will respond within a few hours. 

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