A Quick Guide To The Different Kinds Of Floor Paint You Can Buy

There are a number of specialist floor paints on the market, but most of them fall into three categories: single pack paints, epoxy paints, and solvent-free paints. Let’s take a look.

1) Single Pack Floor Paints

These paints are ready for use once you have given it a good stir, with this you will not need to mix a catalyst in before you get to work. Practical and quick to dry, they are handy for cost-conscious home or business owners who need to paint floors in low-medium foot fall areas.

This paint is not durable enough for use in high traffic areas, or where vehicles and forklift trucks will be used so we don’t recommend them for use in commercial or industrial settings, or anywhere else where the risk of damage from wear and tear is high.

Single pack floor paints can be used externally however like any painted surface when wet is slippery, so we do recommend using the non-slip single pack floor paint.

2) Epoxy Floor Paints

Epoxy floor paint is more hard-wearing than single pack paint and, as a result, it usually comes at a higher price. Manufactured using epoxy resin, it’s water, oil and chemical-resistant, however, so it will protect your floors effectively. It will also look good for longer than its non-epoxy competitors, even when used in high traffic areas. Therefore, epoxy floor paint is ideal for commercial kitchens, garages, hospitals, offices, workshops, warehouses, and factories.

When you purchase epoxy paint, you’ll receive two different packs: the first will contain the epoxy resin paint, while the second will contain a hardening catalyst. You’ll need to mix these items together correctly before you paint your floor.

3) Non Slip Paints

Both Single pack and Epoxy Floor paints are available in a non-slip finish. This is where an aggregate is added which adds a rough textured finish. Although the non-slip finish reduces the risk of slips it is still a painted surfaced so when wet may still be slippery.

4) Solvent-Free Paints

Solvent-free paints use catalysts which don’t contain solvents, so they can be used in places where you wouldn’t want to utilise this type of substance, such as kitchens and food stores. This also offers the best chemical resistance and is the most durable out of the single and epoxy floor paints.

Download Our Free Floor Paint Guide

For more details about specialist floor paint and how to buy the most suitable product for your needs, take a look at our free e-book, The Ultimate Floor Paint Guide. It’s full of handy hints and tips to help you to successfully find and apply paint, and maintain your painted floors.