Basement floors are highly susceptible to scratches, spills, and moisture damage. Fortunately, choosing the right epoxy paint can improve the appearance and functionality of your concrete floors. But how do you know which epoxy coating works best?
Each type of epoxy paint provides different benefits. Contact your local concrete coating experts for recommendations to find the best epoxy paint for your home improvement project. But for now, keep reading to learn about the different options for basement floors.
What Is Epoxy?
Often confused with solid epoxy coatings, epoxy paint consists of color pigments, a small amount of epoxy, and latex acrylic. Meanwhile, solid epoxy coatings contain hardeners and resins that, when combined, create a highly durable, plastic-like film. Epoxy paint does not need mixing before application to concrete floors.
Epoxy paints are widely available at hardware stores and local concrete coating companies. You can add vinyl flakes, metallic powders, and different color pigments to epoxy paint to create a unique style and design for your basement floors.
Popular types of epoxy coatings include:
- Metallic epoxy coatings
- Gravel coatings
- Epoxy-flake coatings
- Quartz epoxy floors
Epoxy coatings contain excellent stain, scratch, and moisture resistance properties. Epoxy’s original use was for dental fixtures and the aerospace industry before being used to coat residential, commercial, and industrial concrete floors. The durable qualities of epoxy create perfect protective layers for concrete floors, making it valuable for a wide range of applications.
Three Different Types of Epoxy Paints
Choosing the right epoxy paint for your basement floor depends on the size of your basement, the amount of activity occurring in your basement, and your budget. Solid epoxy coatings are more expensive than other epoxy paints but significantly longer.
The three most popular types of epoxy include the following:
1. Solid Epoxy
Solid epoxies contain resins and hardeners that form protective coatings on substrates. Industrial facilities with constant foot traffic, heavy machinery, and hazardous chemical spills often use solid epoxies for their concrete floors. Slip-resistance, fire-resistance, and shock-resistance additives enhance its ability to protect floors.
All applications of solid epoxy require the help of trained professionals. Solid epoxy’s potlife, or drying time, is extremely short, at about 30 minutes. Once mixed, trained experts must apply solid epoxy quickly and correctly.
Solid epoxy contains low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and lasts for 20 years or longer. Solid epoxy forms solid, glossy protective layers for basement floors.
2. Solvent-Based Epoxy
Solvent-based epoxy paints contain additional solvents to improve the potlife of the epoxy formulation. In the past, solvent-based epoxies were popular in commercial and industrial operations. However, the government maintains strict regulations on its uses due to the high amount of VOCs and chemicals in solvent-based epoxies.
Never use solvent-based epoxy coatings in areas of poor ventilation because the fumes from hazardous solvents cause trouble breathing and reduce your home’s indoor air quality. Additionally, you should always wear respiratory protection rated N95 or higher to apply solvent-based epoxy properly. Ensure all children, pets, and family members remain clear of the living space before using solvent-based epoxy.
Solvents in solvent-based epoxy improve potlife and create a brighter finish on concrete floors. However, tread carefully when using solvent-based epoxy, and always consult local concrete coating professionals for advice regarding the use of solvent-based epoxy.
3. Water-Based Epoxy
Water-based epoxy coatings contain water solvents that provide thinner epoxy coatings. The water included in water-based epoxy coatings makes the application of epoxy easier and extends the potlife of epoxy mixtures. In addition, water-based epoxies contain no VOCs, emit no harmful fumes, and contain environmentally safe compounds.
Water-based epoxy paints adhere firmly to concrete slabs and provide water-resistant properties to your basement space. The water in water-based epoxy quickly penetrates porous concrete surfaces, creating strong bonds between the protective coating and substrate. Water-based epoxy coatings create glossy finishes and are an excellent choice for all basement flooring options.
Contact your local concrete coating professionals to learn more about the best epoxy coating for your basement. You can protect your basement from the coming winter weather with the help of solid epoxy coatings.
Trust Skyline Concrete Coating for All Your Epoxy Basement Floor Needs
Skyline Concrete Coating proudly serves the entire Metro Washington, D.C. area. Our team trains tirelessly to provide exceptional concrete coating services at an affordable price. We offer concrete coating services for garages, basements, decks, driveways, patios, and more!
We happily serve residential and commercial properties. To learn more about our services, contact us at Skyline Concrete Coating at (571) 831-2144 to receive your free quote.
