Epoxy flooring and polished concrete flooring are two of the most popular options for commercial facilities in the U.S. Both flooring compounds are durable, easy to maintain, and customizable to meet your facility's needs.
However, epoxy flooring and polished concrete flooring are not interchangeable, each with distinct advantages, disadvantages, and applications. In this article, Portamix explains how epoxy flooring and polished concrete flooring compare to help you select the best flooring compound for your facility.
Pros and Cons of Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring is the best choice for high-traffic commercial and industrial facilities because it is extremely durable, chemical-resistant, and stain-resistant. The flooring compound consists of a resin and a hardening agent that combine and chemically bond with the concrete underneath, helping the floor withstand significant impacts. The benefits of epoxy flooring include the following:
- Incredible durability and strength compared to concrete
- Protection against hazardous chemicals and oils
- A variety of colors and patterns enable design flexibility
- Affordability and low maintenance costs
- Water resistance (you can add a non-slip additive to the topcoat to ensure traction)
While epoxy flooring has many benefits, it may not be the most economical option for every commercial facility. Epoxy flooring costs more to install than traditional concrete, and it requires specialized equipment, like the Portamix Hippo Mixer, to properly mix and pour.
Pros and Cons of Polished Concrete Flooring
Polished concrete is a functional and economical flooring solution for commercial spaces. It's made by polishing traditional concrete with a diamond polishing machine that hardens the surface, resulting in a dense, smooth top layer. The benefits of polished concrete flooring include that:
- Concrete is an environmentally friendly construction material
- After polishing, the hard surface becomes resistant to flaking, scratching, and peeling
- Self-leveling concrete/polishable overlay ensures a flat floor
- Polishing boosts light reflectivity and results in a beautiful floor
While polished concrete is a great flooring option for medium-traffic commercial facilities, it is not as durable as epoxy flooring. Polished concrete has the same compressive strength as normal concrete, making it prone to cracks. Furthermore, unless it's sealed, polished concrete stains when exposed to chemicals, oils, and other hazardous materials. If your facility deals with chemicals or heavy foot traffic, you may want to opt for epoxy flooring instead.
Installing Epoxy and Concrete Flooring
Installing epoxy and concrete flooring in your facility requires a complete mix, and an even pour. Epoxy is a delicate flooring compound that can begin hardening almost immediately, so quick and effective mixing of the components is critical. Luckily, the Mega Hippo Mixers by Portamix can do this.
The Portamix Hippo Mixer is a versatile flooring compound mixing machine. It features a powerful electric motor that helps you mix flooring compounds in half the time and more accurately than a traditional hand mixer. Hippo Mixers from Portamix are also portable, allowing just a single operator to thoroughly mix, blend and pour flooring compounds without a mess.