Applying epoxy floor coatings is big business for many reasons. The first is that concrete is the most widely used commodity on earth. Concrete is a fundamental part of all structures around the world, but it presents problems such as moisture, bacteria and mold growth. With new high-performance epoxy and polyurea decorative systems, there’s no need to live with unsightly, dirty, bacteria-laden concrete floors.

New technology coatings are perfect as they always have been. That prevents the growth of bacteria. Moisture has always been the enemy of coatings. New products and application methods will resist excessive pressure from soil moisture and salts inherent in concrete. If you have experienced delamination or spalling of a concrete lining, part of the problem is upward moisture pressure called “hydrostatic pressure.” Moisture pushes salts up through vents and capillaries in the concrete, breaking down the chemical crosslinking of a coating. The new technology allows the floor covering to soak into the pores of the concrete when the surface is properly smoothed. High-performance coatings absorb into the surface and become part of the floor instead of simply adhering to the surface.

Advances in coating technology have resulted in a fast curing process. In many cases, a floor can be completed in half the time and used almost immediately. This has increased demand. Customers no longer have to go out of business to install a floor. With the correct surface preparation equipment, a floor can be prepared with a single machine at 100-400 square feet per hour. This depends on the size of the floor polishing equipment. With two large mills, a floor can be prepared as of Friday close of business at 5:00 pm and 10,000 square feet completed by 7:00 am the next morning. With a fast cure system, 4 coats can be applied and completed on Sunday afternoon and ready to use on Monday morning.

This fast cure system benefits more customers and increases applicator profitability. As a result, the flooring business is attracting more high-quality flooring entrepreneurs. Everyone is winning, the customer, the applicator and the manufacturer.

Let’s take a look at some uses.

residential garages

In recent years, homeowners have come to realize that a good garage adds value to their home. Homeowners are updating their garages with cabinets, organization systems, and doors. The biggest problem has been the floor. In the past, a high performance epoxy coat took 4 days to complete. Now a floor can be completed in 2 days. That allows a contractor to complete 3 floors in a week instead of just 1. As a result, application quality has improved as business-savvy entrepreneurs capitalize on this market.

warehouse floors

An existing business often cannot afford the downtime and lost revenue to renovate their flooring. Fast curing systems allow projects to be completed in a weekend. Large installations can be completed in sections over the weekends without interruption.

dog kennels

The number one problem in kennels is bacteria buildup. In the past, an epoxy coating would have frayed edges at the scratches. Frayed edges trap dirt and breed harmful bacteria. This creates a canine cough and health problem that can be life-threatening for a pet. Polyaspartics and polyureas will scratch but with a clean, straight line. This prevents dirt and bacteria from getting trapped. Adding trim to the inside edges allows the siding to be applied to the top edge creating a tray. Now when the installation is hosed down and clean water will not seep under the wall.

Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens

Restaurants and commercial kitchens have the same kind of health issues as a kennel. The problem is the accumulation of bacteria. High traffic areas with food take a beating. Polyaspartic topcoats avoid this problem due to straight scratches and the ability to effectively clean bacteria.

Retail Stores and Decorative Finishes

High performance topcoats come in clear. This means that an applicator can apply custom decorative flooring using dyes, stains, or pigments. Clear, non-yellowing polyaspartic finishes provide not only function but enhance decorative subfloors. The finish lasts for years with proper maintenance.

The versatility of these flooring products is opening up new opportunities in a broad spectrum of real estate uses and creating a massive growth industry.