From Dull to Designer: How Modern Floor Coatings Are Changing the Game

3 hours ago
5 min read

Ready to turn drab concrete floors into designer masterpieces?

Concrete floor refinishing for residential spaces has never been more popular. What was once a boring grey slab has transformed into high-end looking floors that:

Cost way less than traditional flooring materials
Require minimal maintenance
Look amazing
Last for years

Sounds too good to be true, right?

Think again. Today's modern coatings have changed everything about how homeowners view concrete floors. Let's take a closer look…

What you'll learn:

Why Homeowners Are Becoming Fans of Concrete Floor Refinishing
The Types Of Floor Coatings You Can Choose From
Coated Floors Add Value To Your Property
How To Choose The Right Floor Coating

Why Homeowners Are Becoming Fans of Concrete Floor Refinishing

Let's start with the basics…

Concrete floors used to be the ugly cousin of the home flooring world. Reserved only for driveways, basements and utility spaces.

Not anymore.

Concrete floor refinishing has become one of the fastest growing home improvement projects. Families love modern coatings because they finally offer a blend of beauty and durability without constant upkeep.

Here's the deal…

The concrete floor coatings market is expected to reach $8.89 Billion by 2028. What's driving the growth? As more homeowners realize how ugly, expensive and high maintenance traditional flooring materials are, they're turning to coated concrete instead.

Sprucing up a garage, basement or outdoor patio through concrete floor refinishing has never been more popular. Residential applications are especially attractive because professional coating specialists like MotorCity Floors And Coatings make transforming spaces ridiculously easy.

Homeowners can upgrade just about any room in their house. Coated concrete floors are popping up in kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and even outdoor entertaining spaces.

But why? What's changed?

Well…modern coatings have addressed the top 3 complaints people used to have with concrete floors.

They look GOOD. Seriously good. Modern coatings offer countless colour and finish options that can mimic virtually any high-end flooring material.
They're comfortable. Remember how cold and harsh concrete felt on your feet? Not anymore. Advanced coatings absorb foot traffic and offer insulation from the bare slab below.
They're incredibly durable. Expect these things to resist stains, scratches and chemicals for upwards of a decade.

Not too shabby at all.

The Types Of Floor Coatings You Can Choose From

There are several different types of coatings that contractors use to transform surfaces. Some offer higher durability, while others focus on design versatility. Here's the low-down on modern coating options:

Epoxy Coatings

Arguably the most popular type of concrete coating is epoxy. Epoxy offers a slick, seamless finish that looks amazing on garage floors, basement floors and living room floors.

But why do homeowners love it so much?

Simply because it creates a super durable surface. Epoxy is made up of two components, resin and hardener. When mixed together and applied to the concrete, it cures to form one strong layer.

The result? A chemical resistant, impact resistant and stain resistant floor coating.

Epoxy coatings have a long lifespan of up to 20 years with proper care. Making it one of the most affordable options for homeowners on a budget.

Polyaspartic Coatings

Polyaspartic coatings are very similar to epoxy. In fact, most flooring contractors use them together to achieve the highest level of durability possible.

Polyaspartic does have one major advantage over epoxy. And that's speed.

Not only does it cure up to 5 times faster than epoxy, but it's also UV stable. Meaning you won't see any yellowing or degradation in colour like you would with an epoxy floor.

Polyurethane Coatings

If epoxy is the Superman of floor coatings, polyurethane is his sidekick. Polyurethanes don't have the same durability on their own, but they offer incredible flexibility.

That makes polyurethane coatings the perfect second layer on top of epoxy. Homeowners looking to take their floors to the "next level" typically opt for this blend.

Metallic Floor Coatings

Love them or hate them, metallic coatings have been growing rapidly in recent years.

Thanks to unique pigments that allow for 3-dimensional swirling designs, metallic coatings give your floor a one-of-a-kind look that's sure to impress guests.

Coated Floors Add Value To Your Property

Wait, there's more…

You may be thinking, "Cool story. But do coated floors really add value to a home?"

You better believe it.

Floor coatings are quickly becoming one of the best home renovations you can do to increase property value. Real Estate agents everywhere will tell you that finished floors are a major bonus for buyers.

Not only do they look great, but they signal to a potential buyer that the home has been properly cared for. Gone are the days of "we need to replace these floors" scaring off would-be buyers.

Plus, with nearly half of homeowners planning to renovate their house this year, it's likely that more families will seek out upgraded flooring options like concrete coatings.

Keep in mind…

Coated floors aren't just for inside your home, either. Garage floor coatings add serious value to properties because they instantly change how homeowners look at that space.

Suddenly, your garage isn't just a storage unit for cars. It's a space you can leverage into a home gym, workshop or entertainment room. Options are limitless with coated garage floors.

The same goes for your basement. Freshly coated basement floors turn what's normally a dingy, cold area of your home into a bright and welcoming room. Exactly what buyers are looking for.

How To Choose The Right Floor Coating

Alright, you got your heart set on coating your floors but now you're not sure which route to go. Here's a few things to consider when picking the right type of coating for your home:

Location: Where will the coating be applied? Indoors vs outdoors makes a big difference. Kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms have different needs than your garage or patio.
Traffic: Will this be a high traffic area? If so, you'll want something tougher. Epoxy and polyaspartic are both fantastic options for areas with high foot traffic.
Sunlight exposure: Too much sunlight? Make sure to use polyaspartic or polyurethane to prevent yellowing.
Budget: Do you want the most bang for your buck? Or are you looking for the highest quality finish regardless of cost? Epoxy is almost always cheaper than metallic and decorative coatings.
Timeline: How soon do you need the project completed? Polyaspartic coatings cure within hours. Epoxy can take up to 3 days. Think about how much downtime you're willing to live with during the installation process.

Honestly, the best bet is to work with a professional coating company that can walk you through your options.

One word of caution…

No matter which coating you choose, always verify that the surface was properly prepared by the contractor. Surface preparation is the key to a long-lasting floor coating job. Neglect this step and you'll be bidding farewell to your beautiful new floors a few months down the road.

Wrap-Up

Concrete floor coatings have revolutionized indoor and outdoor flooring for homeowners everywhere. What used to be drab concrete slabs are now desirable floors that:

Cost less than traditional flooring products
Offer incredible design flexibility
Last for years with minimal maintenance
Are installed by a professional flooring contractor

Keep in mind that floor coating technology is only getting better with time. As more and more homeowners learn about coated floors, expect this trend to continue growing.

To recap: