Not All Epoxies Are Created Equal - When Is Epoxy Not Epoxy and What is the Difference between Epoxy Paint and an Epoxy Coating?

It will come as no surprise to you when we say we love epoxy coating as a floor covering. It’s tough, easy to care for, and stylish enough to use inside your home, office or showroom. And don’t get us started on how good it looks outdoors, whatever the weather.

But like any high-quality, highly desirable product, there are plenty of impersonators, and while they may claim to be “just as good, only cheaper”, they come with their share of pitfalls.

If you’re looking to breathe new life into your concrete floor, you may be wondering what the difference is between epoxy paint and epoxy coating. In the DIY world, these two terms can get mixed up and, since there’s a big difference, it’s a good idea to do your homework first rather than make a choice you may regret.

What is Epoxy Paint?

Epoxy paint is essentially garage floor paint. Any epoxy paint product will consist of mainly acrylic latex, although some may contain an amount of epoxy in the paint formula to help it adhere better to the floor and last longer. However, it is still just paint and lacks the durability of a true epoxy resin coating. Epoxy paint will crack and peel, particularly if used in an area that gets a lot of foot or vehicle traffic.

Using epoxy paint instead of an epoxy coating may potentially be a cheaper option up front, but the finished product will only provide minimal surface protection over the base concrete. This is because, unlike an epoxy coating, the epoxy paint dries rather than hardens, and doesn’t form a seal with the substrate. The resulting layer is thinner, without the long-lasting qualities and resistances of an epoxy coating.

Also referred to as one-part epoxy, epoxy paint doesn’t require the mixing process of a true epoxy coating. What is termed epoxy paint is a paint product – usually an acrylic or latex base – with some epoxy in the mix. While it is more durable than standard acrylic paint, it doesn’t have the resilience of a true epoxy coating.

Epoxy paint doesn’t need any special application, other than a roller or paintbrush and is usually just given a single coat. While that may be a much easier option than laying an epoxy coating, it will start to show signs of wear after a relatively short time.

If the surface beneath is stained or hasn’t been properly prepared, large chunks of paint can start to chip off. Whether you’ve invested the time to do the work yourself or paid a contractor, seeing this deterioration so soon – it can start cracking and flaking after only a few months in high traffic areas – is no less a disheartening and disappointing sight. Not to mention a deceptively false economy, as it will need regular replacing.

True epoxy floor coatings involve a lot of preparation – a process you may forget once the floor is down, but one that will perform and last for years to come. Where an epoxy paint might stain, crack, chip or wear; an epoxy coating is highly resistant to all of these degraders. It is by no means invulnerable, but its’ hardwearing, easy-care features make it highly attractive – in both form and function – for a wide range of applications.

What is true Epoxy Coating?

The term “epoxy” denotes the materials used, and by implication, the application process. A true epoxy coating includes a resin component that is mixed with a hardener, then applied under specific conditions – temperature and time being the most critical. (Think of mixing Araldite – once mixed, the components need to be applied quickly and accurately for the adhesive to do its job.)

An epoxy coating is a thermosetting epoxy resin containing a hardener that undergoes a curing process after application. A top sealant is also applied, and this results in a tough and durable surface that can be resistant to chemicals, oil, grease, stains, and abrasions. The surface preparation required for an epoxy coating is more costly and rigorous, but this ensures a smooth, well-bonded, and hard finish of much higher quality than you’d get from using epoxy paint.

While there are products out there that call themselves epoxy “paint”, this is more of a consumer-focused name – people associate the application with painting, and so hardware suppliers use the term to help their customers find the product more easily. Unfortunately, this does nothing to clear up the confusion of what is a true epoxy finish.

When compared to epoxy paint, an epoxy coating is the most cost-effective method of ensuring long-lasting surface protection for the area you’re covering. An epoxy resin floor coating can also be top-coated with a UV-stable protectant and slip-resistant coating, to add additional protection and usability. There is also a wide range of finishes?available, including flake and decorative finishes, that you can’t achieve with epoxy paint.

Epoxy paint vs epoxy coating

Epoxy coating, when applied correctly, will achieve a much higher quality finish that will outlast an epoxy paint-treated concrete surface significantly.

An expertly applied epoxy coating can achieve a lifespan?of over a decade if?installed professionally and properly cared for. By comparison, using epoxy paint on a concrete surface is likely to show considerable wear marks from foot traffic and suffer from peeling and cracking within a few years. In the long run, an epoxy coating is a more cost-effective and durable investment than epoxy paint on a concrete floor.

Floortrak understands the importance of balancing cost with quality. We’re an accredited epoxy flooring company, and we offer expert technical advice to make sure you have all the information you need to decide what epoxy flooring solution is best for you.

01794 885 284 / [email protected] / 07376 982 035