The average vehicle today weighs a little over 4,000 pounds. Trucks will weigh even more, coming in between 7,000 and 12,000 pounds.
When you house vehicles in your garage, you need a stable floor that can withstand the tons of weight in however many cars you own.
Basic concrete will work initially, but if you want a concrete floor that will last, you need adequate concrete coating. Bare concrete has significant weaknesses that cause it to break down over time.
By the time you finish reading this article, you will understand the weakness of bare concrete and the strength that the right Polyurea concrete coatings can provide.
Bare Concrete Floor Weakness
A bare concrete floor is a simple start for a garage floor. But it has its weaknesses. Here are just a few downsides of using concrete under your vehicles.
Moisture
Concrete floors are porous. They absorb moisture and are susceptible to expanding and contracting with the weather. When this happens, the floor will crack.
The floor will sustain damage as water seeps in, freezes, and thaws with the weather change.
Hygiene
With the water that the concrete absorbs comes the contaminants in the water. Chemicals, bacteria, and other materials will soak into an untreated concrete floor.
The concrete coating will keep your floor clean. You can mop up whatever contaminants spill because they will pool on the top of the flooring.
Safety
A bare concrete floor is slippery when it is wet. You run the risk of falling and injuring yourself when you have a bare concrete floor.
Polyurea flooring will have some grit to it. A non-slip concrete coating will eliminate the risk of falling completely.
Damage
Concrete floors, as hard as they may seem, will chip and crack. Road salt, dropped tools, and the weight of a vehicle will lead to cracks and chips in the concrete.
A concrete coating will protect the floor from damage and make it last much longer than it would without proper coating.
Concrete Coating Strengths
The right concrete coatings will protect your concrete flooring. Polyurea concrete coating has proven itself to be one of the best options out there. It is stronger than epoxy and has a variety of other benefits.
Here are a few reasons why you should use polyurea concrete coating over an epoxy finish.
Aesthetics
While epoxy and polyurea change the look of your basement, patio, or garage, polyurea will even out even surfaces and fix chipped and cracked areas better than epoxy.
Furthermore, homeowners have more color options with the polyurea chip system. They can choose a color that matches their home decor because of the variety of choices. Ultimately, they end up with beautiful flooring that will last for years to come.
Fade Resistance
Polyurea concrete coating comes with UV-stable elements. These do not yellow or fade with sun exposure. In comparison, epoxy will discolor over time.
This means you can have your garage doors open with the sun on your flooring as much as you want without worrying about damage to the concrete coating. Let the sun in and enjoy the warmth.
Durability
A polyurea floor is one of the most durable flooring choices on the market, especially for floors that will sustain chemicals, oils, and salts on them. Plus, the flooring underneath will have to sustain temperature changes. Polyurea flooring has proven to flex with the changes that occur in a concrete floor in it.
Polyurea flooring can withstand damage caused by abrasions, impact, heavy traffic, and skids. It creates an impenetrable barrier to moisture as well as unwanted pests.
Furthermore, polyurea has a flexible quality to it. The elasticity in it will allow it to expand and contract with the concrete under it. It thus is less likely to pit, split, or chip compared to typical epoxy flooring coatings.
Moisture Resistant
Polyurea flooring will resist moisture. The vapor transmission under concrete slabs can cause a typical concrete coating to delaminate. Polyurea flooring will not behave in this way but rather will resist moisture both under and over it.
Slip Resistant
Epoxy creates a smooth surface over concrete. But when it gets wet, it is incredibly slippery. Such flooring leads to falls and unwanted medical bills.
A polyurea flooring chip system has grit in it. It is thus naturally slip-resistant and much safer than epoxy flooring.
Lifespan
Polyurea lasts much longer than typical epoxy flooring. Epoxy flooring will come with a 12 to 36-month warranty. In comparison, a polyurea concrete coating will come with a 7-year to a lifetime warranty.
Polyurea accommodates expansion without cracking, making it a much more durable floor. Its lifetime can exceed 25 years. Thus it works best, especially for those places that experience extremely cold weather as well as warm summers.
Commercial Uses for Polyurea Flooring
Because of its durability, lifespan, slip-resistant qualities, and aesthetics, you will find polyurea flooring in a variety of domestic and commercial buildings. You can find polyurea concrete coating in the following commercial businesses:
- Auto shops
- Car dealership showrooms
- Warehouses
- Hospitals
This flooring goes on quickly and cures within minutes. In comparison, epoxy flooring takes up to a week to cure. Thus it only makes sense to pick flooring that resists chemical absorption, lasts longer, and goes on more quickly.
Plus, polyurea flooring just looks nice.
Cover Concrete Intelligently
A bare concrete flooring is a good start for a garage and the heavy vehicles that sit in it. But if you want your flooring to last, you need adequate concrete coating.
A polyurea floor coating has proven itself to be the frontrunner of all coatings. Many commercial businesses use it, and many garage owners have chosen it as well. It lasts decades and is a beautiful, durable option.
Are you interested in coating your concrete floor with the best polyurea floor coating available? If so, contact us. We can make your flooring both beautiful and durable for years to come.