FAQ
Your Complete FAQ Guide to Epoxy & Polyaspartic Flooring
Welcome to Duration Concrete Coatings’ FAQ page, where we address the most common questions about our concrete coating services. With years of experience providing high-quality epoxy and polyaspartic coatings for both residential and commercial clients, we’ve compiled this resource to help you make informed decisions about your flooring needs. Browse through our frequently asked questions below, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact our team directly.
General Questions
What are concrete coatings and why should I consider them?
Concrete coatings are protective layers applied to concrete surfaces to enhance their appearance, durability, and functionality. At Duration Concrete Coatings, we offer premium epoxy and polyaspartic coatings that transform ordinary concrete into attractive, long-lasting surfaces. These coatings protect against stains, chemicals, and wear while providing a sleek, professional finish. Whether for your garage, commercial space, or automotive facility, our coatings add value to your property while extending the life of your concrete floors.
What types of concrete coatings do you offer?
Duration Concrete Coatings specializes in two primary coating systems: epoxy and polyaspartic. Our epoxy coatings provide excellent adhesion, chemical resistance, and durability at an affordable price point. For clients seeking faster curing times and superior UV resistance, our polyaspartic coatings offer the ultimate in performance. We also provide specialized solutions for garage floors, automotive facilities, and commercial spaces, each formulated to meet the specific demands of these environments.
How long do concrete coatings last?
With proper installation and maintenance, our concrete coatings deliver exceptional longevity. Epoxy coatings typically last 5-10 years in residential settings, while our premium polyaspartic coatings can extend that lifespan to 10-15 years or more. Factors affecting durability include foot traffic, vehicle traffic, exposure to chemicals, and maintenance practices. All Duration Concrete Coatings come with detailed care instructions to help you maximize the lifespan of your investment.
Are concrete coatings suitable for both indoor and outdoor surfaces?
While both our epoxy and polyaspartic coatings perform exceptionally well indoors, we generally recommend our polyaspartic coatings for outdoor applications. Polyaspartic coatings offer superior UV resistance, preventing yellowing and degradation from sun exposure. They also provide better flexibility to withstand temperature fluctuations and weather conditions. For indoor spaces like garages, basements, and commercial interiors, both coating types deliver excellent results, and our team can help you select the best option based on your specific needs.
How do concrete coatings compare to other flooring options?
Compared to traditional flooring options like tile, carpet, or hardwood, concrete coatings offer several advantages. They’re more durable, easier to clean, and resistant to moisture, stains, and chemicals. Unlike tile, there are no grout lines to collect dirt. Unlike carpet, they don’t harbor allergens. And unlike hardwood, they won’t warp or scratch easily. Our coatings provide a seamless, attractive surface at a competitive price point, with minimal maintenance requirements and exceptional longevity.
Products and Services
What’s the difference between epoxy and polyaspartic coatings?
Epoxy and polyaspartic coatings differ in several key ways. Epoxy coatings are more traditional, offering excellent adhesion and chemical resistance at a lower cost. However, they require longer curing times (typically 24-72 hours) and may yellow when exposed to UV light. Polyaspartic coatings, while more premium in price, cure much faster (often within hours), allowing for same-day use in many cases. They also offer superior UV resistance, greater flexibility, and enhanced durability. Our team can help you determine which option best suits your specific needs and budget.
Do you offer customization options for concrete coatings?
Absolutely! Duration Concrete Coatings offers extensive customization options to match your aesthetic preferences. We provide a wide range of color choices for both the base coat and decorative chips. Our color chart includes everything from subtle neutrals to bold statement colors. We also offer various finish options, including solid colors, decorative chip blends, metallic finishes, and custom patterns. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your design goals and help you create a unique floor that complements your space perfectly.
What areas or surfaces can you coat?
We apply our high-performance coatings to a variety of concrete surfaces, including garage floors, basement floors, patios, driveways, commercial spaces, retail floors, automotive facilities, warehouses, and industrial environments. Our coatings are versatile enough to work on virtually any properly prepared concrete surface, both horizontal and vertical. If you’re unsure whether your surface is suitable for coating, our experts can evaluate it during a consultation and recommend the best approach.
Do you offer services for both residential and commercial clients?
Yes, Duration Concrete Coatings proudly serves both residential and commercial clients. For homeowners, we typically focus on garage floors, basements, patios, and driveways. Our commercial services extend to retail spaces, offices, warehouses, automotive facilities, restaurants, and industrial environments. We understand that residential and commercial projects have different requirements regarding timing, durability, and aesthetics, and we tailor our approach accordingly to ensure optimal results for each client.
How do concrete coatings compare to other flooring options?
Proper preparation is crucial for coating adhesion and longevity. Our process begins with thorough cleaning to remove dirt, oil, and existing coatings. We then use diamond grinding or shot blasting to profile the concrete surface, creating the ideal texture for maximum adhesion. Any cracks, spalling, or damage are repaired during this phase. We also test for moisture issues that could affect the coating. This comprehensive preparation ensures your new coating bonds properly and performs as expected for years to come.
Application Process
How long does the installation process take?
The installation timeline varies based on the coating type and project size. For standard residential garage floors (approximately 400-500 square feet), epoxy installations typically require 2-3 days from start to finish, with most of that time allocated for curing. Polyaspartic installations can often be completed in just 1-2 days, with much shorter curing times. Commercial projects naturally take longer depending on square footage. During your consultation, we’ll provide a specific timeline for your project, including preparation, application, and curing periods.
Can I use my garage/floor during the installation process?
During the installation and curing process, the area being coated must remain completely unused. For epoxy coatings, this typically means keeping vehicles and foot traffic off the surface for 24-72 hours after application. Polyaspartic coatings offer a significant advantage here, often allowing light foot traffic within 4-6 hours and vehicle traffic within 24 hours. We’ll provide you with a detailed schedule before beginning work so you can plan accordingly. For garages, we recommend making temporary parking arrangements during the installation period.
What temperature conditions are required for installation?
For optimal results, concrete coatings should be installed when temperatures are between 50°F and 90°F. Extreme temperatures can affect curing times and adhesion quality. Additionally, the concrete surface temperature should be at least 5 degrees above the dew point to prevent moisture issues. Our team monitors weather forecasts carefully when scheduling installations and may recommend rescheduling if conditions aren’t ideal. For climate-controlled indoor spaces, temperature is rarely an issue, but garage installations may need seasonal planning in some regions.
How do you handle concrete cracks or damage before coating?
Addressing existing concrete damage is an essential part of our preparation process. For hairline cracks, we typically use a high-grade epoxy filler that creates a seamless repair. Larger cracks or spalling areas may require more substantial patching with specialized concrete repair products. In cases of significant damage, we might recommend partial concrete replacement before coating. All repairs are carefully blended and profiled to match the surrounding surface, ensuring that the final coated floor has a uniform appearance without visible evidence of the original damage.
Will the coatings emit strong odors during installation?
Traditional epoxy coatings can emit noticeable odors during application and curing, which is why proper ventilation is essential. Our professional-grade epoxies have lower VOC content than many DIY products, but some odor is still present. Polyaspartic coatings generally produce less odor and for a shorter period. In all cases, we use industrial fans to maintain air circulation during installation. For residential projects, we recommend that sensitive individuals and pets remain out of the home during application and the initial curing phase, typically returning once the floor is dry to the touch.
Maintenance and Care
How do I clean and maintain my coated concrete floor?
Maintaining your coated concrete floor is remarkably simple. For routine cleaning, sweep or dust mop regularly to remove abrasive particles. For deeper cleaning, use a neutral pH cleaner diluted with water and a microfiber mop or soft-bristle brush. Avoid harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing pads that could damage the coating. Clean spills promptly, especially chemicals, oils, or highly acidic substances. For stubborn stains, a gentle scrubbing with a soft brush and approved cleaner should suffice. We provide detailed care instructions with every installation to help you maximize the lifespan of your floor.
Are concrete coatings resistant to stains and chemicals?
Our concrete coatings offer excellent resistance to a wide range of stains and chemicals. Both epoxy and polyaspartic formulations create a non-porous surface that prevents liquids from penetrating and staining the concrete beneath. They resist automotive fluids like oil, gasoline, and brake fluid, as well as household chemicals, food stains, and beverages. Polyaspartic coatings generally offer superior chemical resistance compared to epoxy. However, we still recommend promptly cleaning any spills, particularly from harsh chemicals or acids, to maintain your floor’s appearance and integrity over time.
Will my concrete coating yellow or fade over time?
Epoxy coatings may gradually yellow when exposed to UV light, which is why we typically recommend them for indoor applications like garages and basements. Our polyaspartic coatings offer superior UV resistance and are much less prone to yellowing or fading, even in areas with significant sun exposure. For outdoor applications or indoor spaces with substantial natural light, polyaspartic is the preferred choice for long-term color stability. Regular cleaning and avoiding harsh chemicals will also help maintain your floor’s appearance over the years.
Can damaged areas of the coating be repaired?
Yes, damaged areas can typically be repaired without replacing the entire floor. For minor scratches or small damaged areas, we can apply a new topcoat over the affected section, blending it with the surrounding area. More significant damage may require removing the damaged portion and reapplying the complete coating system in that area. While we strive for perfect color matching, repairs to older floors may show slight variations due to natural aging of the original coating. To minimize the need for repairs, we recommend using furniture pads, avoiding dragging heavy objects, and promptly addressing any chemical spills.
Customization Options
What color options are available for concrete coatings?
Duration Concrete Coatings offers an extensive range of color options to complement any design aesthetic. Our solid color epoxy base coats come in over 20 standard colors, from classic grays and beiges to bold blues and reds. For decorative chip systems, we offer dozens of pre-formulated chip blends or can create custom blends to match your specific vision. Our metallic epoxy systems provide unique, one-of-a-kind floors with depth and movement in over 15 pearlescent color options. During your consultation, we’ll review all available colors and help you select the perfect option for your space.
Can you create custom patterns or designs with concrete coatings?
Absolutely! Beyond standard solid colors and chip systems, we offer several options for creating custom patterns and designs. These include: decorative scoring to create tile-like patterns or geometric designs; custom chip blends with your choice of colors and densities; metallic epoxy effects that create unique marbled or flowing patterns; stenciled designs for logos or decorative elements; and border effects to define spaces or create visual interest. Our design team can work with you to develop a custom look that reflects your personal style or brand identity.
How do I choose the right finish for my concrete coating?
Selecting the right finish depends on your aesthetic preferences, practical needs, and the specific environment. For high-traffic commercial areas, a more textured finish provides better slip resistance. For residential spaces where appearance is paramount, smoother finishes showcase decorative elements better. Matte finishes hide dust and minor imperfections, while high-gloss finishes create a wet-look that enhances color depth. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your priorities and recommend finishes that balance your design goals with practical considerations for your specific application.