Choosing a coating system
Most professional systems have three parts: a base coat that bonds to the ground concrete, an optional flake layer for texture and color, and a topcoat that takes the wear. Contractors use different products for each layer. What matters most is that the system is matched to your slab and installed over proper prep. See epoxy vs. polyaspartic for a plain-English rundown.
What a coating protects against
- De-icing salts and mag chloride: a sealed surface keeps winter chemicals from soaking into the concrete.
- Oil and fluids: drips wipe up instead of staining.
- Dust: coated concrete stops shedding the fine dust bare slabs give off.
- Everyday wear: a good topcoat handles tires, tools and foot traffic.
Choosing an installer
Ask how they prep the slab, which products go in each layer, how they test for moisture and what the warranty covers. Get a written estimate that lists the square footage, prep method, crack repair, each coat and any stem wall work so you can compare bids line for line. Franchise and independent installers both work in the area; compare the written scope, not the brand.