How To Compare Epoxy Floor Coatings
There are many individuals that swear by epoxy coating, and with good reason.
They are great at helping garage floors look more professional than ever, and help to increase their overall durability. However, the truth is that there are many different epoxy floor coatings out there that vary dramatically in terms of quality. This now begs the question: how do you know which epoxy floor coating to choose, and beyond that, how do you compare coatings to know which one to purchase?
Just like anything else, it does require a bit of education. It doesn’t matter whether you are hiring a company to apply epoxy coating or applying it yourself - it’s worth it to know a bit more about the properties of epoxy floor coatings. The more you know about epoxy floor coatings, the more that you can make an informed decision.
Carrier Agents in Epoxy
Often times, there is water and/or solvents that are included in epoxy floor coatings, and the reason for them is because it helps to increase the “pot life” of the coating, which means that a longer time period of application is possible. As if that wasn’t enough, carrier agents can also help tremendously in terms of overall application ease and adhesion.
Since epoxies make it easier to apply the coating, many individuals who are interested in DIY often prefer the fact that their epoxy coating has carrier agents. For those who might not be aware, DIY refers to “Do It Yourself” - the method of building and repairing objects directly without the help of professionals. However, it’s important to note that the carrier agent is not part of the coating, so they might evaporate after application.
Water or Solvent?
You might be wondering now whether you should opt for water based epoxies epoxies solvent based epoxies. One of the reasons that many opt for solvents is due to the fact that it often appears glossier. For those who are concerned more about a professional “shine” look - solvent might be the obvious choice here.
It should be noted that solvents cannot always be used, due to the fact that they contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Why is this important? The fumes associated with solvents are not always safe for indoor use, and this can obviously affect when and where you apply the coating. You may have to wear respirators during application and ensure that there are no open flames near the coating during application, as well.
In fact, depending on where you live - you might not even be able to find or purchase certain solvent -based products, and regulation has actually affected the overall quality of many products.
Water-based epoxy is growing in popularity thanks to increased regulation within the industry, and some have even proved to rival solvent-based products in terms of overall “shine” and durability. Many also prefer water-based epoxy due to the fact that it is more environmentally safe, and there are less fumes involved.
100% Solids Epoxy
There is a third option as well, in the form of 100% solids epoxy. Some find this epoxy a bit more difficult in terms of application due to the fact that it has a short pot life and the fact that it is much thicker. However, many companies prefer 100% solids epoxy because it is more “resistant” in general to various factors - including chemicals, abrasion, and more. In fact, more and more companies are also choosing 100% solids epoxy overall because of its durability, and time will tell whether that trend will strengthen.
If you are looking for an easy to install, highly durable 100% Solids Epoxy, our Commando Coat 200X is a great option. This three layer DIY kit features a single layer of epoxy primer, single layer of epoxy coating, and standard polyurethane topcoat along with our decorative flooring chips. Ideal for garages, basements, storage areas, pantries, home work stations, and any other residential flooring that is concrete based. It is a super durable floor that can withstand high impact falls, chemicals, cleaners, car fluids, any other substance that might get onto your floor. Hit the link here to see available options.
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