Key Takeaways
- Traffic coatings are a coating solution that protect concrete surfaces from wear, water, chemicals, and light (UV rays), providing safety and long-lasting durability for concrete and other surfaces.
- Types of traffic coatings include pedestrian coatings for foot traffic, vehicular coatings for cars and trucks, and waterproof coatings designed to block water infiltration in moisture-prone areas.
- Polyaspartic coatings are a modern solution with faster cure times, better flexibility, superior UV resistance, and greater durability compared to traditional epoxy systems. They are one of the best concrete coatings for both commercial and residential spaces.
What is A Traffic Coating?
A traffic coating is a specialized protective system applied to concrete surfaces to increase durability, shield against environmental damage, and improve safety.
These coatings can be a range of thicknesses but all seek to form a protective layer against water penetration, chemicals, and wear-and-tear while also often providing slip-resistance for both people and vehicles.
The name “traffic” highlights the demanding environments these coatings are designed to endure, from constant footfalls to vehicular traffic.
Are They Different from Polyaspartic Coatings?
While traffic coatings might be applied with a few different solutions, polyaspartic coatings are the best concrete coating today. They cure quickly, flex with concrete’s natural expansion and contraction, and resist UV exposure, preventing yellowing or fading over time. These advantages make polyaspartic coatings an economical option for all kinds of high-traffic areas.
Types of Traffic Coatings
1. Pedestrian Traffic Coatings
Designed to maintain slip resistance and withstand daily pedestrian traffic, these coatings offer safety and durability for walkways, staircases, and municipal pedestrian areas.
2. Vehicular Traffic Coatings
Engineered to handle the weight and abrasion of vehicular traffic, these coatings are ideal for parking garages, ramps, and service bays, generally for long-lasting protection for horizontal and inclined surfaces.
3. Waterproof Traffic Coatings
These coatings form an impermeable barrier to water infiltration, safeguarding concrete substrates in decks, balconies, and mechanical rooms from deterioration caused by moisture.
Applications and Uses
Traffic coating systems are great for protecting high-traffic areas and extending the service life of concrete structures. Common applications include:
- Parking garages: Protect against vehicular traffic, oil spills, and water penetration. Can also be applied in lines or designs to aid in directional flow.
- Decks and balconies: Provide slip resistance and excellent waterproofing against rain or snow.
- Walkways and pedestrian areas: Provide safety and durability in spaces subject to constant pedestrian traffic.
- Mechanical rooms: Block water infiltration and resist chemical exposure to maintain structural integrity in underground or mechanical spaces.
Why Polyaspartic Coatings Rock for Traffic Coatings
Polyaspartic coatings offer superior performance for most environments. They’re the 21st century alternative to older epoxy solutions, which can both yellow over time and light exposure, and can crack or chip from movement in the underlying concrete.
Polyaspartic coatings are best for the following reasons:
UV Resistance
Imagine a surface that’s out in the blazing sun all day, every day, and still looks as fresh as it did on day one. That’s what polyaspartic coatings deliver. They shrug off UV rays like it’s no big deal, keeping their color vibrant and their quality intact. No fading, no yellowing, just a finish that keeps its promise.
Durability
Let’s talk tough. These coatings are built to handle life’s rough edges—from scuffs and scrapes to full-on impacts and heavy wear. They’re the kind of finish that stays looking sharp even when everything else takes a beating. You’ll have a surface that feels practically indestructible, holding up its smooth, like-new appearance for the long haul.
Flexibility
Concrete moves. It expands in the summer heat, contracts when the temperatures drop, and does its best to crack under pressure. But polyaspartic coatings flex and stretch right along with the concrete, filling gaps where epoxy would split. It’s the secret to a surface that stays whole and holds strong, no matter what the seasons throw at it.
Quick Cure Time
Polyaspartic coatings set up faster than a strong cup of coffee, cutting downtime to a minimum. Whether it’s a busy parking garage or an essential walkway, the space gets back to work sooner, saving you time and a whole lot of hassle.
Is a Traffic Coating Right for You?
For surfaces exposed to high traffic, harsh weather, or worse, traffic coatings provide long-lasting protection and safety. Polyaspartic coatings, in particular, deliver unmatched durability, weather resistance, and cost-effectiveness.
At Everlast Concrete Coatings, we’re experts in providing tailored traffic coatings in the Finger Lakes region. Whether you’re safeguarding a parking deck, pedestrian area, or basement, we’re here to help.
Get in touch today for a free quote and take the first step toward upgrading your concrete surfaces with professional traffic coating systems!
