Despite its high strength and durability, the concrete surface is prone to chipping, chemical attack and mechanical damage. The easiest way to protect it is staining. Properly selected paints for concrete, in addition, will significantly improve the aesthetic appearance of this material.
Protective paint functions
Often, as a result of the wear of the concrete surface, characteristic dust appears on it. This is due to the high porosity of the material, and may also be due to its poor quality or a violation of the laying technology. Special compounds that are used to paint concrete will help protect the surface from wear, destruction and exposure to aggressive environments.
In addition, the market offers a wide color palette of such paints, which makes it easy to choose the composition for any interior. Staining a concrete floor makes it more hygienic, makes it easier to maintain and hides all kinds of defects on its surface.
Types of paints for concrete
When choosing paint, you shouldtake into account the characteristics of the room. In places where surface damage from impact loading is possible, a more reliable coating is required.
Special paints for concrete - wear-resistant, containing solvents and epoxy enamels - will perfectly cope with this task. They are used not only in industrial premises, but also in garages, parking lots, hangars, repair shops, etc.
Acrylic paints (organic and water-based) are mainly used for interior or exterior wall decoration. Coatings of concrete surfaces with a composition based on solvents are particularly durable, resistant to various aggressive environmental influences. Water-based concrete paints are less durable, but in country houses where the load on facades is not as high as in industrial areas, they are widely used by many owners of private buildings.
Acrylic paints
This is a water-based composition based on acrylic resin with the inclusion of organic and inorganic pigments. The paint forms a fairly durable coating and is suitable for treating concrete surfaces in garages, basements, utility and industrial premises, and on balconies. The polymer film created by it is a serious obstacle to various chemical and mechanical influences, protecting concrete from corrosion.
Acrylic paints for concrete are highly environmentally friendly. They dry quickly and don't have a strong odor. In addition, they are resistant to moisture and high temperatures. put them onbrush, roller or spray gun, one coat is usually sufficient. You should not only apply acrylic compounds on the old epoxy or polyurethane coating. A big advantage is a wide range of colors, including matte, semi-gloss and glossy paints. The cost is on average 100–150 r per 1 kg.
Epoxy paints
The main advantages of these compounds is their ability to provide high strength and long service life of the coating. Such paint can withstand significant loads and is not afraid of the effects of acids, alkalis, s alt solutions and fuels and lubricants. The composition adheres well to the concrete surface, does not turn yellow over time and does not wear out, therefore it can be used in places with high traffic.
Due to its resistance to various atmospheric phenomena, it can be used not only for indoor surfaces, but also as an exterior paint for concrete (in open areas, parking lots).
The disadvantages include the fact that the two-component composition of this paint requires mandatory mixing before application. It is also quite difficult to change the color of the coating in the future, so you need to immediately decide on the choice of the most suitable one.
The price for 1 kg of epoxy paint for concrete is from 250 to 500 r per 1 kg.
Polyurethane enamel
The big advantage of this paint is its ability to create a perfectly smooth glossy finish.
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Despite the fact that its composition is two-component, it has excellent quality. Along with properties such as resistance to various damages, weathering and environmental friendliness, polyurethane concrete paint is very economical to use, has a high covering power.
The paint is applied at an air temperature of at least 5⁰С, and relative humidity should not exceed 75%. Coloring of a concrete surface is made in 2 stages. The second application is made no later than 24 hours after the first. The coating acquires full mechanical resistance after 7 days. Prices largely depend on the manufacturer and brand. On average, the purchase of 10 kg of enamel costs 2800–3000 rubles. Polyurethane paint for concrete is considered a profitable and very economical finishing material.
Facade paints
As a rule, very high requirements are imposed on materials for finishing facades. In addition to the task of providing the building with an attractive appearance, they must withstand the effects of all kinds of chemicals and temperature extremes, be resistant to precipitation, UV radiation, fungus and mold, and have a sufficient level of vapor permeability.
To better paint over the material, a special facade paint for concrete is used, which has all of the above characteristics. It can be both polyurethane and acrylic compositions, water-based ororganic solvents.
The service life of facade paint largely depends on the quality of adhesion, so when choosing finishing materials, you should pay special attention to those containing acrylic and vinyl resins, potash glass, lime or cement.
Rubber paints
This versatile finishing material is called a new generation product. This paint is suitable for processing both dry and damp surfaces. Due to its elastic structure, such a coating will never crack and will not peel off, it has a very pleasant texture to the touch. Rubber paints for concrete have a composition that is absolutely harmless to the human body. Caring for such a coating is very simple, just wash it with soap and water. By creating a film that does not fade in the sun, the paint protects the concrete surface from the negative effects of the environment, while at the same time allowing it to breathe.
One of the advantages of these compounds is that the surface treated with them has anti-slip properties, and this is very important for a concrete floor. Due to the wide color palette that rubber paints for concrete differ in, they not only serve as a high-quality coating, but are also suitable for solving any design idea. The price of one kilogram of paint is from 120 r and above.
