There are many things you need to consider when deciding whether a polished concrete floor or an epoxy floor is the best choice for you. Both of these use concrete slabs as the foundation substrate, but present two different flooring surfaces.
Polished concrete flooring is created by repeatedly running grinding machines with polishing heads – including diamond grinding machines –across a treated concrete slab to form a smooth and burnished surface. It is not considered polished concrete until a high gloss and a smooth, fine surface is achieved.
Epoxy flooring, otherwise known as resin flooring, is a two-part mixture consisting of resin and hardener which is fluidly-applied to a concrete, wood, or tile surface which has been mechanically prepared. It is then cured with chemicals to form an incredibly strong, durable surface, which is both waterproof and aesthetically pleasing.
Both have distinct advantages, so it will come down to your own individual budget, needs, and preferences.
Polished concrete flooring
There are a number of advantages to using polished concrete flooring for your industrial and commercial propositions:
- Cost-effective
Compared to its counterparts, polished concrete floors are more affordable. The cost will match up, or be even lower, than buying materials for a wood or tile flooring. There is also money to be saved on maintenance costs.
Once installed, minimal maintenance will ensure it still looks good many years down the line, reducing the need for further spending.
- Eco-friendly
When installing polished concrete floors, there are no toxic chemicals used, which means they are safe for employees, family members, children, and animals.
- Sustainable
When correctly installed with a good maintenance plan, including a deep cleaning schedule, polished concrete floors can last in excess of 20 years and still maintain their appearance.
- Enhanced reflectivity – high visible shine on final product
When correctly installed, polished concrete floors have a highly polished appearance that effectively looks like glass, reflecting indoor lights and sunshine.
- Unique/versatile
Polished concrete floors come in many different colours and designs, and can be extremely aesthetically pleasing. This can be particularly advantageous when you have specific business branding colours, which can be matched by the flooring.
- Reliable
Once applied, polished concrete floors are there for life. Hard-wearing and reliable, this flooring will stay in place for as long as you want it to.
- Reduces slipping incidents, even when wet
Though the high shine presents a polished concrete floor as slippery, the opposite is true. If installed properly, the floor offers a high level of slip resistance and water resistance.
It is also resistant to oil or chemicals in the event of a spillage.
- Immune to moisture damage and mould
Polished concrete floors are immune to mould and moisture damage, making them a popular choice for families with allergies.
The disadvantages with polished concrete flooring are few:
- Requires regular maintenance including polishing
- Lower compressive strength
- Can be damaged by certain harsh chemicals and extreme pH substances
Epoxy floors
There are a number of advantages to using epoxy flooring:
- Strength/safety
Epoxy flooring is extremely strong and can be used in garages or car parks, as it doesn’t damage vehicle tyres. It holds up equally well against human traffic and can reduce slips or falls, meaning it is also very safe.
- Shock-resistant
Epoxy floors have a high resistance to shock, including both cold and hot thermal stress, so they’re ideal in industrial and commercial settings, such as food retail outlets.
- Heat and fire-resistant
Epoxy flooring can withstand heat of up to 200 degrees. This can limit the spread of fire and also make it easier to control.
- Full coverage
You can apply epoxy flooring on top of an existing floor to change the appearance and increase its functionality, easily covering the entire floor.
- Aesthetically pleasing
Epoxy flooring can be used to create a wide variety of designs, and comes in many different colours and finishes. These include marbled, granite, and metallic.
- Low cost
When purchased per square foot, epoxy flooring is inexpensive compared to other floorings.
As an epoxy floor is usually installed over an existing floor, these installation costs remain low, as do replacement costs. This will normally need to be every 3 years or so.
- Damage/weather resistant
Wear and tear on epoxy floors does not result in damage such as cracks, peeling, or eroding. If the flooring is correctly cured, then it is moisture resistant and able to withstand heavy weight.
Epoxy flooring can also withstand extreme hot and cold weather.
The disadvantages with epoxy floors include:
- Yellows over time
- Slippery when wet due to its non-porous condition
- Strong application fumes
- Long curing time – it can take 72 hours to completely dry and cure
You can mitigate these disadvantages by adjusting the application process and adding additional materials.
If exposed to heavy traffic, epoxy floors can last between 2 and 3 years. However, if properly looked after with regular maintenance, epoxy flooring could potentially last a lot longer between applications.
Appropriate maintenance can be achieved with a simple dust mop if the space covered with epoxy floor is smaller. If it’s a large space, it’s a good idea to use a hosepipe, and then absorb the moisture with a sponge.
Is polished concrete or epoxy flooring right for you?
Both types of flooring can be used for a variety of reasons, including:
- Commercial spaces
- Residential property floors
- Warehouses
- Basements
- Garages
- Patios
So, if you are looking for polished concrete or epoxy flooring, Quest Ltd can provide you with both. Contact us and our specialist flooring contractors will be happy to help.