When it comes to protecting and enhancing the longevity of your flooring, it's essential to consider a solution that not only offers long-term benefits but also addresses various challenges that homeowners and business owners may encounter. One such solution is Floor Shield's polyaspartic floor coating, a product that combines durability, aesthetics, and functionality. In this article, we'll explore the long-term value of Floor Shield, highlighting its benefits and addressing some of the downsides associated with polyaspartic coatings.
Should You Spend More on Polyaspartic Floor Coatings?
One of the most significant downsides of polyaspartic coatings is the cost. Polyaspartic coatings tend to be more expensive on the low end than more traditional options like epoxies and polyureas. The higher cost may be a deterrent for some homeowners or businesses, especially when considering larger surface areas.
Some Cost Comparisons:
- Epoxies: $3 - $10 per square foot.
- Polyurea: $6 - $8 per square foot.
- Polyaspartic: $6.50 - $9 per square foot.
Floor Shield’s Durability
- Generally, polyaspartics are 4 - 20 times stronger than epoxies and polyurea.
- The exact disparity depends on which specific polyaspartic and which other product you are comparing against. But usually, it is in the 4 - 20 range.
Are Polyaspartic Coatings Good for Basements?
One of the standout advantages of polyaspartic floor coatings is their suitability for basements. They act as a robust barrier against water damage, mildew, and mold. This protection not only preserves the appearance of your floors but also contributes to the long-term structural integrity of your space.
Benefits of Polyaspartic Coatings for Pools
UV stability is a significant advantage of polyaspartic coatings. This means that these products are highly resistant to fading and yellowing due to sun exposure.
To enhance durability, some companies use a polyaspartic clear coat on top of their epoxy or polyurea products. While this is a good practice, it lacks the same UV protection that a 100% polyaspartic product provides. Since the exterior polyaspartic coat is clear, it enables the sun to penetrate through to the less resilient paint. Choosing a 100% polyaspartic solution ensures maximum UV resistance and long-term performance.
Additionally, Floor Shield boasts exceptional slip resistance, surpassing OSHA mandates by being 151% of the dry requirement and 207% of the wet requirement in the DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) test. These qualities not only enhance safety but also ensure long-lasting aesthetics. This makes coatings like Floor Shield the perfect option for concrete surrounding a pool.
The Pros and Cons of Quick Curing
Polyaspartic coatings are known for their quick drying time. Typically, this means floors are usable again in the 4 – 6-hour range. This is convenient for businesses that don’t want to close up shop for days, (which is typical with epoxy-based coatings) or homeowners who might need their garage in working use.
This quick drying time can pose some issues, though. Like:
- Installers have a limited window to apply the coating, which can be problematic for larger projects.
- Climate plays a role. Hot and/or humid environments increase the speed of adhesion, which an installer must factor into their job, or else risk messing up.
- Inexperienced installers may struggle to complete the job within the prescribed time frame, leading to inconsistencies in the coating's finish.
To circumvent these drawbacks, we at Floor Shield provide our dealers with a comprehensive training program to ensure proper installation in any environment.
Adherence to Surfaces
Polyaspartic coatings offer 40% more adhesion than polyurea and similar adhesion to epoxy. This robust adhesion ensures that the coating stays securely in place, even under heavy use, contributing to its long-term durability.
Does Floor Shield Hide Cracks?
When it comes to surface imperfections, polyaspartic coatings are versatile. They can coat over hairline cracks, restoring your floor to a pristine condition. This ability to address imperfections contributes to the product's long-term value.
For larger cracks, we use a moisture-free silica with a crack filler to ensure it doesn’t show through the coating and risk growing larger over time, which could harm the integrity of your new floor. Your installer can gauge which cracks can be coated over and which need to be filled.
Surface Preparation
- Polyaspartic coatings require thorough surface preparation to ensure proper adhesion, which typically involves grinding down the concrete surface to create a smooth, porous substrate.
- For older or damaged concrete surfaces, this preparation can be time-consuming and costly.
- May not be optimal for all types of flooring materials, such as wood, which can limit its versatility.
Gloss Retention
Compared to other epoxy-based formulas, Floor Shield boasts twice the gloss retention. This means that your floors will maintain their attractive appearance for an extended period, even in high-traffic areas.
Environmentally Friendly
Floor Shield stands out as an eco-friendly choice with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This feature makes it safe to breathe, particularly in indoor environments, and doesn’t leave toxic runoff that pollutes the environment.
Prorated vs Non-prorated Warranty
- While some products may promise a lifetime warranty, these often come with prorated limitations.
- With a prorated warranty, the coverage deteriorates as the product ages, which can make it negligible over time.
- If the product does not last for the time specified, a non-prorated warranty guarantees a free installment.
- Floor Shield offers a 15-year non-prorated warranty.
Investment vs. Initial Cost
Here’s a refresher of all the reasons people might go with Floor Shield over the alternatives:
- Up to 20 times stronger than other coatings.
- Water damage resistant.
- UV stable.
- Slip resistant.
- Double the gloss retention over competitors.
- No toxic VOCs.
- 15-year non-prorated warranty.
For those on a tighter budget, polyaspartic coatings might not be for you. But for those who can handle the increased initial cost, your investment will more than pay for itself in its long-term viability. If you’re interested in Floor Shield’s 100% polyaspartic coating and would like to get a free, no-obligation quote, scroll down.
