CONCRETE COATING SYSTEMS
Concrete Coating Systems
Understanding Your Options
Not every floor needs the same concrete coating system, and not every system is built for every surface. The coating that works great in a garage showroom is not necessarily the right choice for a basement or an auto shop. This page breaks down the concrete coating systems we install across Missouri, what makes each one different, and where each one performs best. If you are not sure what fits your project, that is exactly what the free consultation is for.
Flake Epoxy (Decorative Broadcast System)
Flake epoxy is our most popular concrete coating system and the one most people picture when they think of a professional garage floor. A 100% solids epoxy base is applied to the prepared concrete, decorative vinyl flake is broadcast across the surface, and a polyaspartic or polyurea topcoat seals and protects the finish. The result is a durable, easy-to-clean floor that holds up to daily use.
Best for: Garages, basements, shops, gyms, retail spaces, schools
Metallic Epoxy
Polyaspartic and polyurea are fast-curing, high-performance concrete coating systems used on their own or over an epoxy base. Polyaspartic is UV stable and will not yellow or chalk under sunlight, making it the right choice for patios, driveways, and spaces with natural light exposure. Polyurea is rated for heavy vehicle loads and chemical resistance, making it a strong choice for auto shops and industrial floors. Both cure faster than standard epoxy, which means less downtime.
Best for: Outdoor concrete, driveways, patios, auto shops, industrial floors
Polyaspartic and Polyurea Systems
Polyaspartic and polyurea are fast-curing, high-performance concrete coating systems used on their own or over an epoxy base. Polyaspartic is UV stable and will not yellow or chalk under sunlight, making it the right choice for patios, driveways, and spaces with natural light exposure. Polyurea is rated for heavy vehicle loads and chemical resistance, making it a strong choice for auto shops and industrial floors. Both cure faster than standard epoxy, which means less downtime.
Best for: Outdoor concrete, driveways, patios, auto shops, industrial floors
Grind and Seal
Grind and seal is a concrete coating system for spaces where a decorative finish is not the goal. The concrete is diamond ground to open the surface and remove contaminants, then sealed with a penetrating or topical sealer that protects the slab while letting the natural look of the concrete show through. It is low maintenance, professional looking, and a strong fit for commercial environments
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Best for: Office spaces, retail floors, warehouses, polished concrete applications
Urethane Cement Overlay
Urethane cement is a resurfacing concrete coating system used when the existing slab is too worn, pitted, or damaged for a standard coating to be applied directly. It is also the right choice for environments with thermal shock or heavy chemical exposure, like restaurant kitchens and food processing facilities. It bonds directly to concrete and handles conditions that would destroy a standard epoxy system.
Best for: Restaurant kitchens, food service, heavily damaged slabs, industrial chemical environments
Not sure which concrete coating system fits your project?
We come to you, walk the space, and give you a straight answer on what we recommend and why. No pressure, no obligation.
Common Questions
About Epoxy Basement Floors
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EPOXY AND POLYASPARTIC?
Epoxy is the base layer in most of our coating systems. It bonds into the concrete and builds the thickness and strength the floor needs. Polyaspartic is a topcoat applied over the epoxy that provides UV stability, abrasion resistance, and the final finish. They work together as a system. Polyaspartic can also be used on its own for certain applications like driveways and outdoor concrete where UV resistance is the priority.
HOW LONG DO CONCRETE COATING SYSTEMS LAST?
A professionally installed coating system using 100% solids materials and proper surface preparation will last many years under normal use. The biggest factors are prep quality, product quality, and how the floor is maintained. Store bought kits fail early because they skip prep and use lower grade materials. Our systems are built to hold up long term.
CAN CONCRETE COATINGS BE APPLIED OVER DAMAGED OR CRACKED CONCRETE?
In most cases yes. Cracks and chips are filled during the surface preparation process using professional grade polyurea filler that bonds directly into the concrete. For slabs that are severely worn or pitted, a urethane cement overlay can resurface the slab before any coating goes down. We assess the condition of every slab before recommending a system.
WHAT MAKES PROFESSIONAL GRADE COATINGS DIFFERENT FROM STORE BOUGHT KITS?
he main differences are product quality and surface preparation. Store bought kits use water based or low solids formulas that are too thin to bond properly and wear out quickly. Professional grade 100% solids systems build real thickness and grip into the concrete. Prep is the other factor. Without diamond grinding the surface first, no coating will bond the way it should. Store bought kits skip both.
HOW SOON CAN I WALK OR DRIVE ON THE FLOOR AFTER INSTALLATION?
Most of our systems are ready for foot traffic within 24 hours and vehicle traffic within 48 to 72 hours depending on the system installed and the conditions during cure. We will give you specific reentry times for your job before we leave.
HOW DO I MAINTAIN AND CLEAN A COATED FLOOR?
Coated floors are low maintenance. Regular sweeping and occasional mopping with a mild cleaner is all most floors need. We go over care and maintenance during the final walkthrough and provide written instructions so you have it on hand.