Floor Paint Vs Epoxy – Which Is Best & Why?

If you have a floor to paint and you need a durable, affordable finish, the choice normally comes down to floor paint vs epoxy. There are plenty of variations within these two categories, of course, but you need to decide what broad type of paint you want to use before you get started. Which is best and why? This article will help you narrow down your choice.

Single Pack Floor Paint – Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages: First let’s talk about the advantages of using a simple garage floor paint. Preparation is really simple. For most concrete floors, simply spraying the surface with a power wash should remove enough debris for the paint to adhere. Once the floor is dry, you can put the paint down very quickly for an even, attractive finish. As a cosmetic paint job, floor paint will cover most stains and irregularities in the floor. Disadvantages: The big problem with standard floor paint is that it doesn’t last long. The paint surface will quickly show signs of wear and tear after a few months. For high traffic areas this is bad news, as patches of bare concrete may start appearing within a year. When in contact with vehicle tyres the oils in the rubber can soften the paint film and lift the coating of the floor when the vehicle is moved. Of course, some floor paints are better than others. Epoxy coatings will have better durability and chemical resistance. Conclusion: Use cheap floor paint for low traffic areas, but we don’t recommend it for hard wearing surfaces, such as workshops, garages etc. Because of the inconvenience and expense of having to regularly redo your paint job, it is cheaper long-term to choose a better quality epoxy paint.

Epoxy Paint – Advantages & Disadvantages

Disadvantages: There is no denying that epoxy paint costs more than standard floor paint and takes more time to apply. A more thorough preparation stage is required, followed by paint mixing. Most paints will then require at least two coats of epoxy, separated by a 12 hour drying period, with two coats of protective finish to ensure the best quality. The time involved may be as little as two days end-to-end, but may be as many as seven before the area can be used as normal, depending on the paint. These are normal circumstances for most paints. The main downside to an epoxy coating is the ascetics when in contact with UV exposure the colours will fade quickly, if this is a problem then a single pack PU or Two Pack PU system may be more suited. Advantages: Most users agree that epoxy paint is worth the effort. Once applied, an epoxy painted surface is extremely tough and durable, giving you a beautiful finish and hard wearing area that can take a lot of traffic and abuse. Not only is the coat slow to wear out, but it also offers excellent resistance to grease, oil spillages, heat, acids and diesel. Conclusion: For an industrial quality surface finish, choose an epoxy paint. A high-quality paint, correctly applied, will last you for years, giving you excellent value for money and a floor surface that will never let you down.

Our FREE Buyer’s Guide To Floor Paint

For more information about choosing the best industrial floor paint, please download our Guide to Industrial Floor Paint, a free e-book that can be accessed here.