While you might love watching snow fall through the winter months, the devastating effects of this weather can’t be ignored. As snow piles up, the roads are covered in rock salt in an attempt to keep ice buildup at bay. Although this quickly cuts through snowfall, making roads safer for drivers, it also builds up on your tires and finds its way into your garage. 

You might not think much of this salt accumulating in your garage, and instead focus on other household responsibilities. However, ignoring it can have devastating consequences on your untreated concrete floors. In this blog, we’ll break down how rock salt interacts with your concrete floors and the steps you can take to keep your floors safe this winter.

What is Rock Salt? 

Rock salt, also known as halite, is a naturally occurring form of sodium chloride, but is much larger and coarser than traditional table salt. During the winter months, this salt is commonly used to melt ice and snow on driveways, sidewalks, and roads. When spread over icy surfaces, rock salt lowers the freezing point of water.

This lower freezing point helps break the bond between ice and pavement. When this bond is broken, surfaces are less slippery and much safer for walking and driving. Road crews love using this during the winter months because it is effective, easy to apply, and more cost-efficient than other ice melting options. 

How Does Rock Salt Damage Concrete Floors? 

Although rock salt does a wonderful job of keeping drivers safe through the winter months, it can be incredibly harsh on concrete surfaces. When concrete is first poured, it forms a flat, smooth surface, ideal for spaces like driveways, sidewalks, and garages. However, constant exposure to this salt can quickly deteriorate the surface. 

While concrete is incredibly durable, frequent exposure to salt may also introduce the risk of repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Over time, this repeated expansion and contraction can weaken the concrete, leading to spalling. When dealing with spalling on your concrete, the surface will go from smooth to chipped and pitted. 

Damage from exposure to this salt may also result in cracking, scaling, and surface erosion across the floor. New concrete is especially susceptible to this damage if it hasn’t had time to cure before being subjected to regular use and exposure to rock salt. Although this salt can be damaging, you can protect your concrete from premature degradation. 

How to Keep Your Concrete Safe This Winter

If you live in an area that experiences frequent snowfall, protecting your concrete floors from rock salt is crucial. But what is the best way to keep your concrete safe during the winter months? To ensure your floors look and perform their best, you should consider investing in a concrete floor coating. 

Professional floor coatings serve as an effective barrier against rock salt and moisture penetration. When your concrete is untreated, salt and water may seep into the porous surface. Over time, this puts you at risk of dealing with spalling and cracking, which can compromise the structural integrity and safety of your floors. 

By preventing this penetration, you won’t have to worry about the freeze-thaw cycle expanding and contracting your concrete floors, which can damage them over time. Installing a floor coating is especially important if you’ve just poured a new concrete slab. The installation of the coating can help you protect your floors from the moment they’re cured. 

Do You Need to Patch Spalling Before Installing a Coating? 

If you’ve decided that a floor coating is the right option for your home, you may wonder whether you need to make repairs to the floors before your appointment. To ensure you get the most out of your floor coating, it is best to consult with a trusted floor coating professional to schedule an in-home consultation.

During this consultation, they can inspect your floors and determine whether you need to make major repairs before scheduling an appointment. Many floor coating professionals will make minor repairs and patch small cracks across your concrete. However, if the damage is too significant, they may recommend working with a concrete installer to make more substantial repairs. 

The Best Floor Coating Options for Denver Homeowners

Before scheduling an appointment with your trusted floor coating professional, consider your floor coating options. With numerous options available on the market, it can be challenging to determine which one is best suited for your home. Many homeowners find themselves drawn to the modern, beautiful epoxy coatings.

These coatings are easily customizable and ideal for homeowners seeking a more contemporary aesthetic. However, epoxy has a longer curing time of approximately two weeks, which may not be feasible for everyone, especially in high-traffic areas. For homeowners who need a faster and more reliable option, consider Polyaspartic coatings.

This advanced floor coating has a fast 24-hour curing time, making it ideal for homeowners who want to return to regular use of the space sooner. Additionally, your floor coating professional can incorporate nonslip additives to the coating, making your floors safer when they get wet from winter weather. 

If you’re unsure which floor coating is best for your home, don’t hesitate to speak to your trusted floor coating professional. They can take your aesthetic goals and space use into consideration and make the best recommendation for your home. With their support, you can trust that you’re choosing the best coating for your space. 

Reliable Garage Floor Coatings in Denver, CO

If you’ve dealt with the devastating effects of rock salt on the concrete floors in your home, don’t let it plague you for another winter. Instead, turn to our team at Solid Garage Floor Coatings in Denver for support. Our team is dedicated to helping you find the ideal floor coating for your home, regardless of your specific needs or preferences. 

When you’re ready to install a high-quality garage floor coating in your Denver home, don’t hesitate to contact our team to schedule a consultation.

In a busy school environment, your floors take a constant beating, scuffed by sneakers, scraped by furniture, and worn down by daily foot traffic from students, teachers, and staff. Over time, this wear and tear not only impacts the appearance of your school but can also lead to safety hazards and costly repairs.

Investing in professional floor coatings offers an effective solution that boosts durability, improves safety, and creates a clean, polished look that reflects the high standards of your school. Whether you’re managing a primary school, high school, or campus facility, proper floor protection is essential.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of investing in floor coatings for your school, keep reading. 

1. Improved Safety for Students and Staff

The safety of the students and staff at your school is of the utmost concern. While you might not realize it, many of the flooring options on the market may create a bigger safety concern than they address. Slips and falls are among the most common causes of injuries in educational facilities, particularly hallways, cafeterias, restrooms, and gymnasiums.

Professional floor coatings can significantly reduce this risk by providing a slip-resistant surface. Specialized coatings with textured finishes or anti-slip additives enhance traction, even when your floors are wet or heavily used. Proactively addressing potential hazards creates a safer environment for everyone, reducing liability concerns. 

2. Enhanced Durability and Longevity

School floors are subjected to some of the heaviest foot traffic of any facility. Standard flooring materials without protective coatings often wear down quickly, requiring frequent repairs or replacements that disrupt learning and cost valuable budget dollars that may otherwise be allocated to other needs across your school. 

Professional epoxy or Polyaspartic coatings provide a hard, protective layer that resists scratches, stains, abrasion, and chemical damage. This is particularly useful for floors in science labs, art rooms, and cafeterias where exposure to spills or chemicals is more likely. With added resilience, schools can extend the life of their floors and save money over time. 

3. Easier Cleaning and Maintenance

Maintaining a clean environment is essential for a healthy school. Professional floor coatings create smooth, sealed surfaces that are much easier to clean and disinfect than other materials you may consider. Dust, grime, and spills are less likely to seep into the flooring and can be easily wiped or mopped away. 

This is especially important in high-traffic areas across your school, like entryways and halls. Additionally, these coatings repel moisture and resist staining, helping janitorial staff focus on other cleaning responsibilities. With these floors, you can trust that your school is easier to maintain while supporting the health and hygiene of everyone who steps through the doors. 

4. Cost-Effective Over Time

While installing professional floor coatings like Polyaspartic coatings requires an upfront investment, the long-term savings are significant. Floor coatings minimize wear and tear, reducing the frequency and cost of repairs, replacement, and intensive cleanings in your school. They also decrease the likelihood of accidents and related liability expenses.

For budget-conscious districts, this makes floor coatings a smart financial decision. Rather than budgeting for ongoing issues year after year, you can rely on a more durable surface that stands the test of time. Additionally, when professionals apply high-quality coatings, they come with warranties that add extra peace of mind. 

5. Improved Aesthetic Appeal

First impressions of your school matter, whether it’s for new students, parents, faculty, or visitors. Worn-out, discolored, or damaged floors send the wrong message about your school’s standards and upkeep. Professional floor coatings provide a glossy, uniform appearance that enhances the look of any space, from classrooms to gymnasiums. 

Options such as color epoxy coatings or polished finishes can even be customized to match your school’s colors or branding. A well-maintained floor reflects positively on your institution and contributes to a more welcoming and professional atmosphere. This attention to detail can help instill pride in students and staff. 

6. Protection Against Harsh School Environments

Schools present unique environmental challenges for flooring. These floors see heavy desks, chairs dragged across floors, science experiments, tracked-in mud and snow, and art projects gone awry. Without protective coatings, these activities can cause permanent damage to tile, concrete, or linoleum surfaces. 

Floor coatings act as a barrier, shielding your floors from everything from chemical spills to moisture intrusion and UV damage. They’re especially useful in spaces that experience extreme use, like gymnasiums, locker rooms, or art classrooms. By fortifying the floors across the property, you’re better prepared to handle the daily demands of school life. 

7. Custom Solutions for Different Areas

Not every room in your school has the same flooring needs. A gymnasium has different wear and safety concerns than a cafeteria or science lab. One of the major benefits of professional floor coatings is the ability to customize the material and application based on each area’s specific needs. 

For example, high-gloss coatings might be best for hallways, while something like a durable epoxy coating with an anti-slip grit is ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. Your flooring professional can assess each space and make recommendations for each, ensuring your floors don’t just look their best but also perform their best. 

The Perfect Floor Coatings for Your School in Denver, CO

Professional floor coatings are more than just a cosmetic upgrade. They’re a smart investment in safety, durability, and long-term value for your school. By protecting your floors from damage, enhancing their appearance, and reducing maintenance needs, you create a more beautiful learning environment. 

If you’re looking for a reliable floor coating provider in the Denver, Colorado, area, turn to our team at Solid Custom Floor Coatings for support. For years, we’ve helped every commercial and residential property owner find the perfect coating for their space, and we can do the same for you. 

When you’re ready to invest in the perfect floor coatings for your school, don’t hesitate to contact our team to schedule a consultation. 

 

If the concrete floors in your garage look a little dull after years of use and exposure to grease, oil, and everyday friction, you may consider investing in a garage floor coating. These coatings are a great way to revive your floors and protect them from damage down the road. With so many products on the market, you may want to know more about the benefits before investing. 

However, one factor that is even more important is the average cost. You don’t want to get too far into this process only to be caught off guard by a higher-than-expected price. If you want to learn more about the average cost of floor coating projects and the factors that impact pricing, keep reading. 

What is the Average Cost of a Floor Coating? 

The average cost of a professional floor coating project typically ranges between $5.50 and $6 per square foot. For a standard two-car garage, which is about 400 to 500 square feet, homeowners can expect to pay between $2,200 and $3,000. As this space gets larger, your cost will continue to increase. 

The average cost of your floor coating typically includes materials, labor, and surface preparation. However, before signing any contracts with a coating team, it is important that you discuss this cost with your garage floor coating professional. This ensures there are no surprise costs when the project is complete. 

Factors That Impact the Average Cost of a Floor Coating

There are several factors that will impact the average cost of an upcoming floor coating project, including: 

• Garage Size: The largest factor that impacts the average cost of your garage floor coating is the size of your garage. Coatings prices are usually determined by square footage. The larger your garage is, the more expensive this home upgrade will be. 
• Coating Material: Not all coatings are created equal, and higher quality materials will run you more than others. If you choose a high-quality material, like Polyaspartic, the average cost of your project may be higher than some other products. 
• Current Concrete Condition: Your current concrete condition plays a major role in the average cost of a floor coating project. If your floor is damaged, whether with cracks, crumbles, or chips, you’ll need to pay for repairs before installing your coating. 
• Current Coating Product: The average floor coating has a 10 to 20-year life expectancy. If your coating has reached the end of its lifespan, you’ll need to pay for removal before installing a new one, which raises the average cost. 

Is a DIY Floor Coating a Better Option? 

If you are worried that the average cost of a floor coating is more expensive than you anticipate, you may consider performing this service yourself. While a DIY floor coating may seem like a quick, easy, inexpensive way to boost the strength and aesthetics of your floor, this can lead to a more significant headache than you anticipate. 

Before installing a floor coating in your home, you’ll need to purchase coating products and rent essential preparatory tools. This cost quickly rises as you patch your floors or remove old materials. In addition to the financial cost, it can be time-consuming and difficult to perform if you have no prior experience or knowledge of this task.

Instead of attempting a DIY floor coating, it is always best to reach out to a trusted floor coating professional for support. They have the training, tools, and materials to complete this task without a major headache. While professional coatings are a pricey investment, it is the best step you can take to protect your concrete. 

How to Choose the Right Coating 

Homeowners who are attempting to keep the average cost of their floor coating project down may consider choosing a less expensive coating option. While this might initially seem like a good idea, investing in a high-quality floor coating is the best way to save yourself hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs and maintenance. 

Although you may be tempted to choose the least expensive option, it is best to choose a coating product based on your space’s needs. If you’re installing a coating in a high-traffic space, it is best to choose a Polyaspartic coating. For spaces where you want increased customization options, epoxy coatings may be best.

In order to find a coating that is the best fit for your home, it is often best to reach out to a floor coating professional for support. With their experience, they can help you decide whether your chosen floor coating is equipped to handle your needs or if there is another material that may be more suitable for your space. 

Installing Expert Floor Coatings Across Denver

While the average cost of a garage floor coating project might be intimidating, investing in a coating from an experienced team is a great investment in your home. Working with a reliable, expertly trained team, like our Solid Custom Floor Coatings team, ensures you have a reliable, high-quality coating in your home. Whether you love the sleek appearance of Epoxy floors or want something more durable, like Polyaspartic, we’re here and ready to help.

If you’d like to learn more about our floor coating cost or schedule installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today for support.