Epoxy vs Polished Concrete: Which Is Better for Your Space?

Deciding between epoxy and polished concrete? Compare performance, costs, and suitability for different environments to make the right choice.

Two Popular Options Compared

Both epoxy resin flooring and polished concrete offer durable, attractive solutions for commercial and industrial spaces. But they're fundamentally different systems with distinct advantages and limitations.

Epoxy is an applied coating system that sits on top of concrete, providing a seamless, impervious barrier. Polished concrete is the existing slab itself, ground and densified to create a glossy surface. Your choice depends on your specific requirements for chemical resistance, hygiene, aesthetics, and budget.

Comprehensive Comparison Table

Chemical and Hygiene Performance

For environments where chemical resistance and hygiene are critical, epoxy has a clear advantage. The seamless, non-porous surface prevents liquids from penetrating and makes thorough sanitisation possible.

Hygienic epoxy flooring for hospitals and healthcare facilities meets strict infection control standards. The coating can incorporate antimicrobial additives and withstands aggressive cleaning chemicals used for daily disinfection.

Polished concrete, while dense, remains porous at a microscopic level. Spills can penetrate and stain, and bacteria can harbour in tiny surface irregularities. This makes it unsuitable for food preparation or medical environments.

Industrial and Heavy-Duty Applications

Both systems perform well in industrial settings, but with different strengths. Polished concrete handles point loads and abrasion well – it's essentially hardened concrete throughout. Epoxy builds thickness and can be engineered for specific load requirements.

Durable coatings for industrial car parks often use epoxy systems with polyurethane topcoats. This provides UV stability, flexibility for expansion joints, and chemical resistance against de-icing salts and petroleum products.

Aesthetics and Design Flexibility

Epoxy offers unlimited colour options, decorative flakes, metallic effects, and custom patterns. You can match corporate colours, create safety demarcation, or achieve designer finishes. Polished concrete is limited to the natural tones and aggregate patterns in the existing slab.

For retail and showroom spaces where aesthetics matter, epoxy's versatility is valuable. You can create distinctive floors that enhance brand identity and customer experience.

Installation and Downtime

Polished concrete can be quicker to install – grinding, densifying, and polishing can be completed in 2-4 days with foot traffic possible immediately after. However, the existing slab must be in good condition with minimal repairs needed.

Epoxy typically requires 3-5 days including cure time. Light foot traffic is possible after 48-72 hours, full use after 7 days. Fast-cure polyaspartic systems can reduce this to 24 hours if downtime is critical.

Long-Term Costs and Maintenance

Polished concrete has lower upfront costs (£25-£50 per m²) but requires periodic resealing every 2-3 years to maintain appearance and stain resistance. These maintenance costs add up over time.

Epoxy costs more initially (£35-£70 per m²) but requires minimal maintenance beyond regular cleaning. A properly installed epoxy floor can last 15-20 years without recoating in many applications.

For detailed guidance on keeping epoxy floors in top condition, our maintenance guide covers cleaning schedules, suitable products, and when recoating becomes necessary.

Making Your Decision

Choose epoxy when you need: chemical resistance, hygienic performance, waterproofing, custom colours, or seamless surfaces. It's the right choice for hospitals, kitchens, laboratories, and environments exposed to spills or aggressive cleaning.

Choose polished concrete when you need: natural aesthetic, lower upfront cost, very high abrasion resistance, or you want to utilise an existing quality slab. It works well in retail spaces, showrooms, and light industrial areas where hygiene isn't critical.

To understand the full range of epoxy systems available and their typical costs, our UK pricing guide breaks down costs by application type and system specification.