Choose Polished Concert or a Coating?

Epoxy vs. Polished Concrete: 3 Questions to Help You Choose the Right Flooring

Choosing the right concrete flooring system for your commercial or industrial space in Chapel Hill, NC doesn’t have to be complicated. By asking a few key questions, you can determine whether polished concrete or an epoxy coating is the better fit for your needs.

While polished concrete is often the preferred choice for its low maintenance, scratch resistance, and long-term durability, there are situations where epoxy or urethane coatings are essential—especially when compliance or chemical exposure is involved.

In fact, for large facilities, we often recommend a hybrid approach: polished concrete in general-use areas and epoxy coatings in zones requiring chemical resistance or regulatory compliance.

Here are three questions to help guide your decision:

1. Does Your Space Require USDA Food Grade Flooring?

Polished concrete is not USDA food grade and will not meet code in areas that require this certification. If you're outfitting:

• Commercial kitchens

• Breweries

• Food prep zones

…you’ll need a urethane/epoxy flooring system to meet USDA standards. These coatings create a seamless, non-porous surface that resists bacteria and complies with food safety regulations.

✅ Pro Tip: USDA food grade requirements are typically localized—they apply to prep and kitchen areas, not dining rooms or cafeterias. Be sure to read the spec carefully.

🧪 2. Is Chemical Resistance a Priority?

Epoxy is a top coat, while polished concrete is a refinement of the slab. If your space regularly deals with:

• Acids

• Oils

• Greases

• Harsh cleaning agents

…then epoxy is the better choice. It forms a protective barrier that resists chemical damage far better than polished concrete.

This is especially important in:

• Manufacturing plants

• Auto repair shops

• Laboratories

• Industrial wash-down areas

⚠️ Occasional spills that are cleaned promptly? Polished concrete may be fine. Constant chemical exposure? Go with epoxy.

3. Is Moisture Coming Up from Below the Slab?

Polished concrete is breathable—which means it allows water vapor to pass through without damaging the surface. Epoxy and urethane coatings, on the other hand, are non-breathable. If moisture pressure builds beneath the slab, it can cause coatings to:

• Peel

• Bubble

• Delaminate

If your space has hydrostatic pressure or is prone to moisture transmission, polished concrete is the safer, more durable option.

In rare cases, breathable coating systems can be used—but if polishing is possible, it’s usually the better long-term solution.

A Note About Staining

Both polished concrete and epoxy coatings can stain. If spills are likely to sit for more than a couple of hours, epoxy is the better choice. While not completely stain-proof, epoxy will block most substances longer than polished concrete.

Rule of thumb: If you can clean up spills quickly, polished concrete works. If not, epoxy offers better protection.

A smiling Chapel Hill Resident. Colin Mahoney watches the FIFA World Cup qualifier

About the Author

Colin Mahoney is a second-generation concrete contractor with over 20 years of experience in industrial and commercial concrete flooring. As the founder of Crete Coatings, he’s passionate about helping clients make informed decisions and delivering high-performance surfaces that last. When he’s not refining concrete, you’ll find him hiking North Carolina’s trails or playing baseball with friends.

Need help deciding between epoxy coatings and polished concrete for your Chapel Hill facility? Contact Crete Coatings for expert guidance and transparent estimates.

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