Translate the proposal into layers
The coating name alone does not identify the complete floor. Ask for the exact products and compatible layers, then compare them with your room, slab and schedule.
| Term | Useful buyer interpretation |
|---|---|
| Epoxy | A broad resin family often valued for adhesion, film build, and workable installation time; UV stability varies |
| Polyurea | A broad family known for rapid cure; formulations and application windows vary widely |
| Polyaspartic | An aliphatic polyurea chemistry commonly selected for UV stability, wear, and rapid return to service |
| Hybrid system | Different compatible chemistries used where their properties fit each layer |
Why fastest is not always easiest
A short cure window can reduce downtime, but it also gives the installer less time to place material, maintain a wet edge, broadcast chip, and respond to temperature. Product selection should fit the crew, weather, slab, and size of the project.
Where chemistry matters
- UV exposure near garage doors, patios, or windows
- Temperature during installation and service
- Desired film build and texture
- Chemical, abrasion, and hot-tire exposure
- Recoat window and return-to-use schedule
- Compatibility among primer, basecoat, repair materials, and topcoat
Where the label cannot rescue the job
- Weak or dusty concrete
- Oil or silicone contamination
- Moisture above the product’s limit
- Moving cracks and joints treated as cosmetic lines
- Inadequate profile or cleanup
- Thin, uneven coverage
Questions that cut through the sales pitch
Ask these questions of any proposal, including Fortress’s. Fortress’s concrete coating service page describes its recommended polyurea-basecoat and polyaspartic-topcoat chip system for suitable projects, alongside epoxy options.
- Which product is the primer or basecoat?
- Which product is the topcoat?
- Is the full system from one manufacturer or approved as compatible?
- What surface profile and moisture limit does it require?
- What are the installation-temperature and return-to-service limits?
- Which failure modes does the written warranty exclude?
How long does installation take, and when can you use the floor?
Get two schedules: the work sequence and the permissions after coating. Removal, repairs, preparation and application determine installation duration. Drying and full cure govern later use. Do not assume “one day” means vehicles, storage and washing can all resume that evening.
As one product-specific example, Sika’s Sikafloor-515 data lists approximately 4 hours to foot traffic, 8 hours to light traffic and 5 days to full cure at 68°F. This is not a Fortress schedule, and “light traffic” is not permission to park your vehicle. Confirm the actual complete system and site conditions.
| Milestone | Get this instruction in writing |
|---|---|
| Walking | Earliest foot-traffic date and footwear restrictions. |
| Furniture, storage and equipment | When loads can return and what protection is permitted. |
| Vehicles | A specific parking date, not an inferred foot-traffic interval. |
| Water, washing and chemicals | When exposure can begin and approved cleaning products. |
| Full cure | The named system’s cure period and conditions that extend it. |
How should appearance and traction affect the finish choice?
Compare a sample with the proposed chip coverage, texture and topcoat, not just a color swatch. Solid-color, partial-chip, full-chip and metallic appearances can need different systems and cleaning routines. Request a wet-use traction plan for entrances, steps and patios.
The Sikafloor-515 product page identifies it as a clear UV-resistant topcoat for flake or quartz systems. That is an example of selecting a layer for a job, not evidence that every polyaspartic formula or floor has the same performance.