Polished Concrete vs Epoxy Resin Flooring

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Polished Concrete vs Epoxy Resin Flooring

Choosing the right flooring is vital, especially for commercial and industrial spaces. The decision usually comes down to Polished Concrete vs Epoxy Resin Flooring, with both offering distinct advantages including cost, durability and hygiene. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of both, helping you find the right flooring for your needs.

Is Concrete Polishing Better Than Epoxy?

When it comes to polished concrete vs epoxy, let’s explain each of them.

Polished concrete is made by grinding a concrete surface to a smooth and glossy finish, giving spaces a modern look. The polishing process strengthens the concrete, providing a low-maintenance, sleek-looking floor that can withstand high foot traffic for years. This makes it ideal for commercial settings like warehouses, retail spaces and office buildings.

Epoxy resin flooring – or epoxy for short – is a more versatile and resistant option. It is created by applying a synthetic resin coating over a concrete base. This coating can be finished with a wide range of colours, finishes, and even patterns, giving it more versatility than concrete polishing.

Epoxy flooring is also often more functional. Its non-porous surface is highly resistant to chemicals, oil, and other spills compared to polished concrete. This makes it ideal for floor hygiene and cleanliness, including hospitals, kitchens or laboratories. Plus, as epoxy flooring is easy to clean, it’s a good choice for commercial garages or showrooms where spills are common.

Is Epoxy Stronger Than Concrete?

Polished concrete vs epoxy, which is stronger?

While concrete is a strong foundation, epoxy flooring adds another layer of durability. Epoxy resin is exceptionally tough and resistant to abrasions, impacts and even heavy loads, making it an excellent choice for industrial spaces with a lot of wear and tear.

Epoxy resin effectively acts as a shield, protecting the underlying concrete from damage while preserving the floor’s appearance for longer periods. Epoxy flooring also makes floors stronger when it comes to hygiene; its seamless surface prevents bacteria and mould from growing. This makes it a popular choice for hospitals and food processing plants where cleanliness is essential.

Alongside this, epoxy resin can be made slip-resistant, adding an extra layer of safety. This is especially important for floors prone to spills or moisture, like commercial kitchens or industrial facilities.

While polished concrete is undoubtedly strong, epoxy resin offers superior protection in environments where the floor is exposed to heavy machinery, chemicals or frequent impacts.

Is Concrete Coating Cheaper Than Epoxy?

An important consideration when weighing up polished concrete vs epoxy is the cost.

Polished concrete tends to have a lower initial price because the process involves treating the existing concrete surface without adding extra materials.

However, in the long term, epoxy flooring often provides better value, particularly in spaces where cleanliness and durability are priorities.

While epoxy flooring can be more expensive, especially with decorative finishes or thick layers, it provides significant long-term benefits. It’s resistant to spills, chemicals, and wear, so it reduces the need for frequent repairs or refinishing, adding up to significant savings over time.

Epoxy floors are also often easier to maintain. Since the surface is seamless and resistant to staining, it requires less cleaning and is less likely to show signs of wear and tear over time. In contrast, polished concrete might need periodic resealing or joint repair to maintain its glossy finish and protect it from moisture and staining.

Conclusion

Whether you choose polished concrete vs epoxy resin flooring largely depends on the type of commercial or industrial space. Epoxy offers several advantages over concrete flooring thanks to its durability, cleanliness, chemical resistance, and versatile finish, making it ideal for a wide range of warehouse and factory environments.

Northern Star are experts in a wide range of epoxy resin floors and finishes. We have decades of experience working across a wide range of industries including distribution centers, food and drink manufacturing, medical facilities and more.

Call us on 01482 738044 or email [email protected] to find out how we can get the perfect solution for your flooring!