Concrete structures are known for their durability. In these times, almost all the buildings and houses we see are concrete. Have you ever wondered how these time-tested structures are taken care of? Or do you ever think of taking extra care of your house or workplace building? Concrete coating is the solution. These mixtures form a layer on the concrete and not only add to the aesthetics of the structures but also enhance the longevity of concrete buildings. Let’s learn more about these coatings.
What Are Concrete Coatings?
These are concrete surface treatment mixtures. These compositions act as protective layers for concrete surfaces by keeping them from potential damage. These mixtures can be of different designs, including polyurethane, epoxy, vinyl-ester, and acrylic. We will learn more about the purposes of different compositions of concrete coatings.
The Purpose: Why Concrete Needs To Be Coated?
Concrete coatings are applied on concrete structures for either aesthetic or protective purposes. Apart from giving the concrete surface a finished look, these coatings protect it from physical, chemical, mechanical, and environmental impacts.
Protection From Environmental Impacts:
Although concrete is durable, it is not entirely resistant to environmental factors such as moisture, temperature, etc. Prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions may lead to impacts like cracks, spalling, and erosion of concrete surfaces. Let’s see how these coatings can help concrete structures live long.
Waterproofing Moisture and prolonged water seepage into concrete can weaken the concrete and may lead to cracks and deterioration. Moreover, seepage of water can also result in rusting the iron structures inside the walls and pillars. This will ultimately reduce the lifespan of concrete structures.
Polymer-modified cementitious and chlorinated rubber coatings are widely used for water resistance.
Protection From Dust, UV, And Other Environmental Impacts
UV radiation can cause the degradation of concrete surfaces, and the same goes with dust. Epoxy, polyurethane, and silicate-based coatings are used to protect from these impacts.
Resistance From Chemicals
Industrial setups and buildings present in industrial areas are exposed to chemical pollutants. Cement coatings of epoxy, vinyl ester, and polyaspartic coatings suit this setup.
Aesthetic Purposes
Acrylic, epoxy, and stained concrete types of coatings are widely used for beautifying the appearance of concrete structures. Apart from these, many other layers are also used to enhance the look of the buildings.
Advantages Of Coating Concrete Structures:
- These coatings shield the concrete structures from environmental impacts.
- The appearance of the building surfaces also gets enhanced after the application.
- Repair and maintenance have been made easy and less frequent due to the use of these solutions.
- Waterproofing and dampproofing have been simplified with the use of such coatings.
Conclusion
Concrete coating is a reliable way of giving longer life to buildings. These coatings are of different substances used for various purposes. Coating of concrete structures gives it a finished appearance, but the goal is more than that. These coatings resist any direct impact on the concrete, increasing the lifespans of concrete buildings.
