Difference between Polished Concrete and Epoxy Resin Floors
Deciding on the floors for your home, or even for industrial improvement projects may be quite daunting, given that you have a wide array of choices available. With the various advantages each option has, you may find it hard to determine the right type for a certain area. But of course, you have to choose one that you can utilize all of its beneficial and positive qualities. Two of the most common flooring solutions that many people opt for are polished concrete and epoxy resin floors. Looking at them in an aesthetic manner, they may seem to be similar. But if you look closely between the two, there are noticeable differences in terms of their qualities.
Polished Concrete
Polished concrete is a popular choice among businesses and homeowners. They are style-savvy when it comes to the interiors of their home. It is a concrete floor that offers a smooth and lustrous look achieved through grinding its surface with specialized industrial grinding machines. It then uses a polishing machine to produce the finish they prefer — may it be matte or a mirror-like gloss.
Epoxy Resin Floors
On the other hand, epoxy resin floors are concrete floors professionally finished with an epoxy coating. They are the ideal choice for people who are looking for an attractive option that offers high levels of durability, are low-cost, and most importantly, guarantees safety for those who will walk by it. The coating applied includes a hardener and resin in the primary mixture. And when they are poured over the concrete flooring to coat them, the mixture forms a touch, chemical-resistant surface that is strong enough to hold out to anything, of any size and of any weight. In addition, with its durability, it became an ideal flooring solution for areas that are more likely to endure liquid spills, heavy foot and machinery traffic, and other activities that have the ability to break down less sturdy floors.
Though both flooring options offer a smooth finish, require only a little maintenance, and can last for how many years, there are other aspects that will affect your decision. They are somehow different in terms of the design and finish, the costs, how versatile each of them are, and their slip resistance. To learn more about these, keep on reading.
Design and Finish
Most people look at the overall design of the floors as one of the factors they consider before deciding on what flooring option to choose. Each type of floor has its own aesthetic appeal. They also have the ability to be customized to fit to the certain area you wish to have a new flooring installed. Both the polished Concrete Grinding Brisbane and epoxy resin floors have a wide variety of style options. It is really up to you how you would be utilizing their other qualities, and choose what would be the best for your floor.
Epoxy Resin Floors
Epoxy resin floors offer a wide array of color options and decorative features, which contributes both beauty and its benefits. Thus, if you opt for a specific color, this flooring option would be an ideal choice. Also, they can impart a modern or classic feel, making your home appear luxurious, industrial, or anything in between. It all boils down on how you would prefer them to look like. They can be customized to fit the aesthetic of the space you want to have them installed. Moreover, they are built up of layers of primers and coating, or primers and self smoothing systems, applicable to different types of surfaces — may it be used to apply over concrete grinding wheel, steel, or even plain tiles.
Polished Concrete
With polished concrete, on the other hand, has colors which are only dependent on the mixture of aggregates and sands, and they cannot be changed. You have the option to add pigment or dye to the concrete mix. However, it only changes the shade, and not the entire color. But still, this type of finish has the ability to transform these plain concrete slabs into visually appealing surfaces without ruining their durable qualities. With the use of polishing machines with diamond polishing pads, your floor can achieve a smooth finish, while still exposing as much or as little of the natural aggregates within the concrete.
Cost and Budget
Everyone takes the cost as the main factor that will determine their decision. Of course, the cheapest one would be the most common choice. However, it is still important to look into the qualities, if they would just embody the overall cost of what you paid for, or would it exceed what it is worth. Given this, both polished concrete and epoxy resin floors are affordable in a way, based on how you look at it. They are actually the two of the most affordable flooring options available in the market. Polished concrete is naturally less expensive and only requires a smaller upfront investment. While with epoxy resin floors, they are considered to be affordable. Its qualities and positive elements can live up more than to the price you are actually paying for.
If the cost and budget is the primary factor that drives your decision, of course you will initially choose polished concrete. It will cost you as little as half of the total amount you will pay for epoxy. Most people opt for polished concrete, especially if it will only be subject to light or medium use. Also, concrete is readily available, and can find it at any construction store there is. You also would not have to be spending much for the grinding process to achieve that shining floor.
Versatility
When it comes to versatility, epoxy coating brings out the finest qualities and properties. Also given that it can be customized and tailored to fit your needs. You can be able to see them in various areas, may be in commercial, residential, and even industrial settings. Also, for spaces that require chemically-resistant surfaces that have the ability to withstand exposure to harmful substances and areas that go through heavy foot traffic on a regular basis, epoxy would always be the best choice. They can stand up to the tough wear-and-tear that these industries provide. It may also be designed as an indoor or outdoor flooring solution. It all depends on your preference and decision on where you will have them installed.
For polished concrete floors, they may not be ideal and a viable option for some areas. They may give out a smooth and even concrete surface, but they require regular maintenance. Polished surfaces are not designed to withstand exposure to certain elements. They can also be at risk when it comes to absorbing them.
Slip and Resistance
A factor you must really take into consideration in deciding what flooring solution you should choose is how slippery it would be. Especially when you opt to install flooring in an area that holds a huge foot traffic. Would your floors be safe enough to use everyday, without having to worry about slipping or sliding?
Given the physical looks of both polished concrete and epoxy flooring, they may seem slippery, but they are not as you would think. Though the polished one has a smooth and glossy finish, its process still allows the surface to retain its porous nature. It provides more grip compared to other types of floorings. While with epoxy flooring, they are non-porous so it gives surfaces a smooth finish as well. It can still provide a non-slip surface to the area by having the coating mixed with non-skid additives.
All floors tend to become slippery when wet. Whether it is with polished concrete, epoxy resin floors, or even other types of flooring options. Whatever type they may be, they still are potentially risky. But then, there are ways you can avoid accidents, such as by incorporating rubber mats, non-slip tapes, and the like.
Key Takeaway
Coming up with the decision on choosing between polished concrete and epoxy resin floors, may still be a tough one, given its wide range of benefits to your home, commercial, or industrial infrastructures. But either way you go, you can still be able to utilize them to their fullest. They are both durable enough to handle volumes of foot traffic regularly. You can have them customized depending on the style and design you want. But keep in mind the availability of colors and textures, their costs, and the accident risk it may provide in the future.
