The coating products we put on your floor, layer by layer
A coated floor is a system, not one can of paint. Here is each product we install and the job it does.
How the layers work together
Every layer has one job. The base coat grips the concrete and, when needed, holds back moisture. The middle layers carry the color, flake or metallic. The topcoat takes the wear, the sun and the spills. We pick the combination for your slab at the in-person estimate, because a new slab in a growing subdivision and an older slab over wet ground do not need the same thing.
MVB moisture vapor barrier base coat
What it is: an epoxy base coat built to hold back moisture vapor coming up through the concrete. We use MVB base coats from XPS and Simiron.
Why it matters: concrete sits on the ground, and ground moisture moves up through a slab as vapor. Under a coating, that vapor can push the coating loose. Its makers rate these base coats to hold back up to 25 pounds of moisture vapor per 1,000 square feet in 24 hours.
Where we use it: on slabs where the estimate shows moisture could be a problem.
Maple Syrup clear epoxy (XPS)
What it is: XPS Epoxy Maple Syrup, a 100% solids, self-leveling clear epoxy.
What it does: it is a working coat. It can serve as the base for a flake floor, the base for a metallic floor, or a clear coat over color. It is not a moisture barrier, so it never replaces the MVB base coat on a slab that needs one.
Rockhard fast-cure epoxy (XPS)
What it is: a fast-cure epoxy from XPS’s Rockhard line.
What it does: it builds the body of the floor on jobs where a fast-cure epoxy is the right fit.
Poly fast-cure topcoat
What it is: a fast-cure polyaspartic topcoat, the clear layer on top of the floor.
What it does: it seals and protects the layers under it. Polyaspartic topcoats are rated UV stable, so they do not yellow in sunlight the way epoxy can, and they are made to resist the oil, fuel and road grime a garage floor sees.
Rockhard T200 and T2000 clear coats (XPS)
What they are: clear coats from XPS’s Rockhard line that go over a finished floor.
What they do: they add an extra clear protective layer. XPS rates T200 for abrasion, scratch and UV resistance, and it can go over epoxy or polyaspartic floors.
Flake and metallic finishes
Flake: vinyl color chips broadcast into the base coat, then sealed under the clear topcoat. The speckled look hides dust and tracked-in dirt between cleanings.
Metallic: pearl-like pigment swirled through the epoxy for a deep, glossy look. Best for a show garage or a space that stays tidy.
We show you the full color list before we quote. Compare the two on the flake vs. metallic page.
Backed by our warranty
A standard residential flake floor carries our 10-year limited warranty; metallic and commercial terms are on the warranty page. See how the system goes on a garage floor or a shop and commercial floor.
Get the right system for your floor
Every slab is different, so we look at yours before we recommend a system. Use the quote form to set up an in-person estimate.
FAQ
Straight answers before you book a floor coating
What brand of coatings does High Coat install?
Our epoxies come from XPS (Xtreme Polishing Systems), including its Rockhard line. Some floors get a Simiron moisture barrier base coat.
Why not just use epoxy for the whole floor?
Epoxy bonds and builds well, but its makers note it can discolor in regular sunlight. A poly topcoat on top is rated UV stable, so it does not yellow.
Does my floor need a moisture barrier?
Not every slab does. We check the concrete at the estimate and use the moisture barrier base coat where moisture could push up through the slab.