What Is Epoxy and Other Concrete Coatings, Really? (And Why They Matter)
What Is Epoxy, Anyway?
You hear the word tossed around a lot, “epoxy garage floors,” “epoxy countertops,” “epoxy this, epoxy that.”
But most people don’t actually know what epoxy is.
So let’s clear it up… with zero fluff.
Epoxy Is a Type of Resin! Not Paint
Let’s get one thing straight: epoxy isn’t paint.
It’s a two-part thermosetting resin made up of:
Part A: Epoxy resin
Part B: Hardener (activator)
When mixed together, a chemical reaction kicks off and it hardens into something strong, durable, and permanently bonded to the surface—if the surface is prepped right.
This is why it’s used in aircraft, bridges, and manufacturing floors. It doesn’t just sit on top—it soaks in, cures, and becomes part of the surface.
Types of Concrete Coatings (and What They’re Made Of)
Not all coatings are the same. Here's what you’ll commonly see in garages, patios, basements, and commercial spaces:
- Epoxy
Made from: Resin + hardener
Strengths: Deep bond, great adhesion, durable, budget-friendly
Weaknesses: Longer cure time, not UV stable
Common Use: Base coat in flake/metallic systems, sometimes full coat in basements or interiors
- Polyaspartic
Made from: A type of aliphatic polyurea
Strengths: Cures fast, UV stable, high chemical resistance
Weaknesses: Low moisture vapor resistance, doesn’t bond as deep as epoxy
Common Use: Top coat for garages and outdoors
- Polyurethane
Made from: Polyol + isocyanate mix
Strengths: Chemical & abrasion resistant, slightly flexible
Weaknesses: Still limited MVT resistance, not ideal as base
Common Use: Top coat or sealer in commercial spaces
- Concrete Overlays
Made from: Cementitious blend + polymers
Strengths: Resurfacing old concrete, adds texture or decorative finish
Weaknesses: Not as chemically resistant as resin
Common Use: Patios, walkways, driveways
So Why Does This Matter?
Because not every floor coating is right for every surface.
If someone’s throwing down a single coat of polyaspartic and calling it a day, your floor might look good for a minute—but it’s missing depth, bond strength, and moisture control.
At Solid Finish Coatings, we don’t just pick one system for every job. We look at:
The surface condition
The moisture levels
Whether it’s indoors or outdoors
What kind of abuse the floor will take
Then we build a system using the right base coat, repair method, and topcoat.
The Bottom Line
Epoxy and other coatings are more than a shiny upgrade, they’re engineered chemistry designed to bond, protect, and last.
Know what’s going on your floor.
Know what it’s made of.
And always make sure the prep and the system match your space.
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