Basements are strongly associated with dark themes. Horror films bank on them, and movies like Annabelle and Insidious have imprinted in our feeble minds that we should NEVER stay in our basements. In contrast, people are now revolutionizing their grim underground areas by applying concrete coating and paint on their cement floors, turning it into an amazing space for recreational activities. Get that cellar transformed from a gateway of ghouls into an elegant modern room by picking the best concrete coating for you.
Types of Paint for your Basement Surfaces
Latex Paint
Latex is a popular option for painting indoors for its many benefits. The most common would be:
- It is readily available in paint stores, so it is easy to acquire
- It dries relatively faster and has less effect on the air quality
- Has better color retention and requires only a few coats
- It is CHEAPER than acrylic paints
Do take note that latex paints peel faster when exposed to friction. It generally lasts for up to two years and will require recoating every six months to keep it looking spic and span. It is the best option for people who won’t be using their basements for many activities.
Acrylic paint
Also known as Masonry paint, this is the next best deal after Latex Paint and ranks highly among its other competitors. Its qualities are listed below:
- The chemicals in the formula provide more excellent elasticity, making it easier to expand and contract with the temperature changes in the room.
- It is more durable
- It is mold, mildew, and water-resistant for easier cleaning.
Although it is more durable than latex, it will still need recoating, especially if subjected to a lot of traffic resulting in cracks, mold growth, or warping. Touch-ups will have to be done every one to two years. Since it is also chemicals-based, proper ventilation must be done to avoid inhaling the fumes.
Epoxy floor coating
Epoxy coating consists of two components, epoxy resin, and polyamine hardener. These are the benefits of choosing this kind of coating:
- It is long-lasting – even for up to 30 years!
- It is very durable compared to the first two
- It can take on high levels of work and traffic
- It is known to have a premium glossy finish that improves the aesthetics of the room.
Although this choice is one of the most recommended, your floor conditions must be taken into consideration. Things like moisture barriers under your concrete slabs and starting with a clean surface are just some of the factors that can affect its overall quality. Similar to acrylic paint, proper ventilation must also be observed.
To summarize, I’ve created a table to compare its primary qualities
QUALITIES
- LATEX
- ACRYLIC/MASONRY
- EPOXY COATING
Price
- Cheapest
- More expensive than latex
- Most expensive
Durability
- Least durable; needs recoating every six months
- More durable; needs recoating every 1-2 years
- Most durable; needs recoating every 5-10 years for high traffic
Fumes
- No odor
- Strong odor
- Powerful odor, dangerous if inhaled for too long
Special qualities
- Better color retention
- None
- Glossy finish
Be sure to always do the proper procedures before, during, and after painting your cement floors. Best of luck!