When it comes to enhancing and protecting your concrete surfaces, the choice between our product, Floor Shield, and traditional concrete paint is a decision that should take into consideration:
- Cost
- Longevity
- Aesthetics
These factors may have you wondering, “Does concrete paint provide a similar level of protection as Floor Shield?” and “Which is the better option for a garage place with heavy traffic?”
In this in-depth exploration, we will answer both questions honestly and transparently dissect the key characteristics of both options. We’ll shed light on their differences to help you make an informed choice based on your specific needs.
What Are the Types of Concrete Paint?
Concrete paint comes in three main types:
- Latex
- Oil
- Solvents
Latex stands out as the most affordable and widely used option, making it a popular choice for various applications. On the other hand, solvent paints emerge as the superior option in terms of quality due to their:
- Higher solid content
- Enhanced penetration into concrete pores
- Superior longevity.
However, it's important to note that solvents are often flammable, necessitating careful application. Opting for solvent paints with minimal odor and rapid dissipation is advisable for this reason. Solvent-based paints are also approximately 15% more solid than latex, contributing to their enhanced durability over latex paint.
Oil-based concrete paints started rapidly declining in the market in the mid-nineties. Today, they have mostly been replaced by the more cost-effective latex option. Oil concrete paints fall between latex and solvent paints in their longevity while being the most toxic to the environment out of the three options—another reason oil paints have declined so much in the last few decades.
Lack of Part A and B Components
One critical factor setting Floor Shield apart from many concrete paints is that they have both part A and B components. This essentially means most concrete paints lack crucial hardening components, resulting in a lower solid content in the coating after drying. In contrast, Floor Shield provides a more efficient solution, having far more solid content than any concrete paint. This means it requires fewer coats for the same amount of coverage.
Latex paints typically contain around 70% water. This means that 70% of the water evaporates after the product dries, leaving only 30% of the initially applied product. Consequently, more product is needed to achieve the same coverage as a Floor Shield coating. Solvent paints are not much better, with only up to 15% more solids. Floor Shield is comprised of over 90% solids, ensuring you’ll have sufficient product on your floor after it cures.
Additionally, the spread rate of latex paint is meager, at around 100 square feet per gallon. This makes it necessary to apply three coats of latex paint to achieve the same thickness as a Floor Shield coating.
How Slippery are Painted Floors?
When it comes to safety, slip resistance is a crucial consideration. Unlike Floor Shield, traditional concrete paint is inherently slip-prone. To address this issue, aggregates like Shark Grip are commonly added to concrete paints, especially those found in big-box stores. However, aggregates like Shark Grip, with their large particle sizes, are more prone to deterioration, resulting in a shorter lifespan. This means your floor will quickly lose traction over time.
In contrast, Floor Shield uses high-quality silica aggregates, widely recognized for their effectiveness as anti-slip agents in the industry. Floor Shield surpasses OSHA’s standard for both the wet and dry requirements to be considered anti-slip. To learn more about how concrete coatings keep your floors slip-resistant, check out this article.
Concrete Staining vs. Concrete Painting
While both concrete staining and painting aim to enhance the aesthetics of concrete surfaces, they differ fundamentally in their approach. Concrete paint creates a solid color layer on top of the concrete, offering a uniform appearance.
In contrast, concrete staining maintains the natural look and feel of the concrete by seeping into its pores. The root system formed by concrete staining enhances its longevity by creating a strong bond with the concrete. In comparison, paint, sitting on the surface without deep seepage, tends to deteriorate and chip more easily.
Floor Shield optimizes its primer to penetrate and bond with the concrete. Then, we place our thick color coat on top, resulting in a coating that is not only visually appealing but also exceptionally robust.
Are Painted Floors Resistant to Moisture?
Moisture is a common adversary for concrete surfaces, and its impact varies between Floor Shield and concrete paint. Latex concrete paint, permeable to moisture, poses a risk of efflorescence. This occurs when moisture from below causes the paint to peel off the concrete.
Most concrete paints allow moisture through, exposing the concrete to the freeze-thaw cycle. This cycle, where moisture in the concrete freezes and expands, can lead to:
- Cracking
- Breaking
- complete degradation of the concrete.
The fantastic root system of Floor Shield further enhances its ability to hold water back. It not only blocks external water but also prevents efflorescence.
Cost-Effectiveness and Application
Concrete painting is often lauded for its cost-effectiveness and ease of application, making it a popular choice for DIY projects. Home improvement retail stores offer a variety of concrete paints and related products, including acid etches commonly used for surface preparation.
However, it's worth noting that acid etching, while effective in cleaning the surface, can seep into the concrete and lead to its deterioration. We recommend Pressure washing as an alternative, although this option can slightly reduce adhesion. Many individuals skip the cleaning and preparation step altogether, diminishing the longevity of the concrete paint.
In contrast, Floor Shield, being a concrete coating system, requires professional installation by certified installers for a proper application. While this may involve a more complex process, the superior longevity and performance outweigh the initial convenience of concrete paint.
Floor Paint Durability and Longevity
One of the most significant distinctions between Floor Shield and concrete paint lies in their durability and longevity. Concrete paints typically last about two years at best and require frequent repainting due to chipping and peeling, especially in areas with heavy traffic. This is a crucial consideration for those who regularly park in their garage, as concrete paints are not designed to withstand frequent heavy traffic.
In contrast, Floor Shield boasts remarkable resilience to heavy machinery traffic in industrial settings and is even resistant to hot tire pickup. Moreover, Floor Shield comes with a 15-year non-prorated warranty, providing peace of mind and eliminating the need for constant repainting. The ‘non-prorated’ in the warranty means the coverage on it does not deteriorate with our product’s age. You’ll be fully covered for 15 years!
An example of longevity comes from one of our customers, Bill, and his experience with solvent-based concrete paint. Bill had to purchase 18 gallons of paint within two years for the same driveway. The constant repainting, done by the customer himself, required a full day of drying. This was a major inconvenience as he couldn’t park his car or walk through his driveway for an entire day. After switching to Floor Shield, Bill enjoyed a worry-free experience with a coating that dries in as little as 6-8 hours. He hasn’t had to apply a new coat since.
Conclusion:
In the Floor Shield vs. concrete paint debate, the choice ultimately boils down to your specific priorities and requirements. While concrete paint may offer cost-effectiveness and ease of application, Floor Shield emerges as the superior option, offering:
- Anti-slip properties
- Moisture resistance
- An extended warranty.
However, if you are on a tight budget, don’t want to pay the premium of an installation crew, and are willing to apply the product yourself, floor paint is the better option to achieve an enhanced look.
Whether you prioritize longevity, safety, or environmental impact, a thorough consideration of all these factors will guide you toward the flooring solution that best aligns with your needs. We at Floor Shield always advise investing in a flooring solution that not only enhances the aesthetics of your space but also provides lasting protection and peace of mind for years.
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