The 7 Biggest Myths About Concrete Coatings in Arkansas—Busted by a Pro Installer
Let’s Cut Through the Concrete B.S.
Spend five minutes online researching epoxy floors or polished concrete, and you’ll come away more confused than when you started. Some folks swear epoxy peels every time. Others think polished concrete is slicker than an ice rink. And then there’s the ever-popular hot take: “It’s just paint, right?”
Let’s clear the air.
As installers who’ve done thousands of square feet across Little Rock and Central Arkansas, we’ve heard every myth in the book. And here’s the thing: most of these horror stories come from bad prep, the wrong products, or cheap DIY kits that were doomed from the start. They don’t reflect what a properly installed coating or polished floor can actually do.
If you’re a homeowner planning a garage upgrade, a business owner renovating a retail space, or just someone tired of dusty, cracked concrete, you deserve straight answers. Not internet guesswork. Not “bro-science.” Just real talk from a crew that installs this stuff every week.
In this post, we’re breaking down seven of the biggest myths we hear about concrete coatings—especially here in Arkansas. No fluff, no sales pitch. Just facts that’ll help you make the right call for your floor.
Let’s bust some myths.
Myth #1: “Epoxy Floors Always Peel”
This one’s the heavyweight. It’s the first thing homeowners say when we bring up epoxy coatings:
“Yeah, but don’t those things peel after a year or two?”
And honestly? They’re not wrong—bad epoxy jobs do peel. But that’s not a product failure… it’s an installer failure.
Why It Does Happen
Epoxy peeling is almost always the result of one (or more) of these problems:
Poor surface prep. The concrete wasn’t properly profiled. If the slab is smooth, dusty, or still has old sealer on it, the epoxy won’t bond.
Moisture vapor. In Arkansas, we have a lot of moisture coming up through slabs. If that’s not accounted for, epoxy can blister and delaminate within months.
Cheap DIY kits. Big box “epoxy paint” kits have weak adhesion, low solids, and almost no build thickness. They’re more paint than coating—and they don’t last.
So yes—epoxy can peel. But that’s not the epoxy’s fault. That’s what happens when shortcuts are taken.
The Truth: When Done Right, Epoxy Sticks Like Crazy
Industrial-grade epoxy systems (like the ones we install) bond chemically and mechanically to the concrete. When the slab is properly diamond-ground and any moisture issues are addressed, that coating is not coming up without serious grinding equipment.
In fact, in a proper install, the epoxy doesn't fail—the concrete does if you try to rip it up. That’s the difference between a pro system and a kit.
Arkansas-Specific Reality Check
Here in Central Arkansas, we have high humidity, clay-heavy soil, and slabs that weren’t always poured with moisture vapor in mind. That’s why we always test moisture levels before installation. If needed, we use moisture-mitigation primers that lock down vapor before epoxy ever goes on.
Bottom line: Epoxy doesn’t peel when it’s installed right. It peels when somebody skipped the prep, used the wrong product, or rushed the job.
At Rock City Epoxy, we don’t play those games. We grind deep, test thoroughly, and use coatings that are made to last—because we’d rather do it once than come back and fix it later.
Myth #2: “Polished Concrete Is Slippery”
We hear this one all the time:
“It’s shiny, so it must be slick, right?”
Wrong.
Just because a floor looks glossy doesn’t mean it’s unsafe. And polished concrete? When done right, it’s actually less slippery than tile, laminate, or sealed concrete—especially in Arkansas’ humid conditions.
Where the Myth Comes From
Polished concrete has a sleek, clean look—especially in high-gloss finishes. But people tend to confuse shine with slip. That’s understandable… but it’s not how traction works.
What really determines slipperiness is the coefficient of friction—basically, how much grip a surface provides when it's wet or dry. A high-gloss tile floor might look similar to polished concrete, but it often has less traction, especially when wet.
The real culprits behind slippery floors:
Smooth coatings (not polished concrete)
Improper cleaning that leaves soapy residues
Water pooling without proper drainage
Polished concrete, by contrast, can be engineered for grip.
The Truth: It’s Customizable for Traction
When we install polished concrete, we can control the level of slip resistance based on how the floor is going to be used. Want a satin finish with high traction for a retail space? No problem. Need a matte finish for an entryway or kitchen? We’ve got you covered.
Plus, because the polish is in the concrete itself—not a sealer—it won’t become slick over time the way coatings can. You get consistent performance without reapplying anything.
Why It Matters in Arkansas
Arkansas gets humid. Floors sweat. You drag in rain on your boots. If you’ve got a sealed floor or tile, that moisture pools and stays slick.
Polished concrete, especially with a satin or matte finish, gives you better surface friction—even when wet. And for commercial properties, we can help you meet ADA slip resistance guidelines with finishes that look sharp and keep people safe.
Myth #3: “Concrete Coatings Are Only for Garages”
This one’s an old-school mindset—and it's holding a lot of people back. Somewhere along the way, coatings like epoxy and polyaspartic got branded as “just garage floors.” That might’ve been true years ago—but today? That idea’s way out of date.
Where the Myth Started
Most people first saw epoxy flooring in residential garages: gray flake systems, installed over rough old slabs to clean things up and make them easier to hose down. For years, garages were the go-to application. So it makes sense that people still associate coatings with that one space.
But concrete coatings have evolved—big time. Now, we’re installing these systems in places most folks never expected.
The Truth: Concrete Coatings Are Everywhere Now
We’re talking about:
Retail stores that want decorative, low-maintenance floors
Restaurants and breweries with slip-resistant finishes that still look sharp
Showrooms and studios that need a clean, seamless look
Commercial kitchens that require high chemical resistance and easy cleaning
Basements, patios, offices, medical clinics, church buildings—you name it
Modern coatings come in tons of customizable styles:
Metallics for showrooms or entryways
Quartz or flake systems for texture and grip
Tints and dyes for color coordination or branding
Logo embeds or saw cuts for added design impact
They’re also chemical-resistant, stain-resistant, UV-stable (with the right system), and built to take serious abuse.
What We See in Arkansas
Here in the Little Rock area, we’ve installed coatings in everything from residential laundry rooms to mechanic shops to boutique retail spaces. Clients are blown away by how clean and versatile these systems are. And when they realize they don’t have to deal with grout, wax, or peeling laminate? Game over.
So if you think coatings are just for garages, think again. With the right system and installer, they can elevate just about any space
Myth #4: “Concrete Will Crack No Matter What, So What’s the Point?”
Here’s the thing:
Yes, concrete can crack.
But that doesn’t mean your floor is doomed—or that you should just leave it raw and ugly forever.
This myth usually comes from frustration. Homeowners and even contractors have seen slabs shift, hairline cracks form, or joints pop over time, and they assume, “Why bother finishing it? It’s just going to crack anyway.”
It’s defeatist thinking—and it’s dead wrong.
The Truth: Cracking Is Manageable, Predictable, and Treatable
Concrete can crack—especially in Arkansas, where you’ve got:
Clay-heavy soils that shrink and expand
Humid summers and sudden cold snaps
Slabs poured decades ago with no vapor barrier
Builders who skipped control joints or used weak mixes
But guess what? We account for all that.
A proper coating or polishing job starts with understanding the slab beneath. At Rock City Epoxy, we inspect, test, and prepare every surface before we coat it. That includes:
Repairing existing cracks with flexible epoxies or polyureas
Installing control joints or honoring them to allow movement
Using flexible membrane systems under epoxy to bridge hairlines
Moisture testing so we don’t trap vapor under coatings
So yes, the slab may still move. But your floor won’t fail if it's installed to flex with it.
Polished Concrete? Still a Smart Move
People often think polished concrete will just highlight every crack. But we can fill and blend cracks before polishing—or intentionally leave them visible as part of the design. Some clients actually love the look of a few controlled, natural imperfections.
Cracks don’t ruin polished floors. They become part of the character—or get blended so well you’ll forget they were ever there.
So, What’s the Point?
The point is: coatings and polished systems protect the slab, stop dusting, resist moisture, and extend its life. Leaving your concrete bare because you might get a crack is like refusing to paint your house because the siding will age.
You can’t always stop cracks—but you can work with them, design around them, and build a floor that still performs.
Myth #5: “Epoxy Can’t Be Used Outside”
You’ve probably heard this one before:
“Epoxy’s great indoors, but it’ll fail the second you use it outside.”
And you know what? If we’re talking standard interior epoxy—they’re right. But that doesn’t mean all concrete coatings are off-limits outdoors. It just means you’ve gotta use the right system for the conditions.
Where This Myth Comes From
Most of the horror stories about outdoor epoxy involve cheap garage kits slapped onto a patio or driveway. These products:
Aren’t UV stable—so they yellow, chalk, or discolor in the sun
Don’t flex well—so they crack or delaminate with temperature swings
Can’t handle standing water or freeze-thaw cycles
Were installed without proper prep or moisture control
The result? Peeling, flaking, or discolored messes that make people swear off epoxy altogether.
But that’s not how we do it.
The Truth: There Are Coating Systems Built for Outdoors
We don’t use standard epoxy outdoors—and we wouldn’t recommend anyone else does either.
Instead, we use UV-stable systems like:
Polyaspartic coatings – fast-curing, UV-resistant, and flexible
Urethane topcoats – long-lasting with excellent weather resistance
Acrylic sealers – breathable and great for stamped concrete or decorative surfaces
Each system is chosen based on exposure, surface condition, and traffic. Your covered patio needs something different than your driveway. That’s why a one-size-fits-all product will always fail out there.
Arkansas Weather Isn’t Gentle—But We Plan for That
Here in Central Arkansas, we deal with blazing summer sun, sudden winter cold snaps, and plenty of moisture. You can’t ignore that when installing outdoor coatings.
We account for:
Sun exposure
Drainage
Thermal expansion and contraction
Slip resistance (especially for pool decks or entryways)
The result? A system that holds up—and looks good doing it.
So Can Epoxy Be Used Outside?
Traditional epoxy? No.
The right professional coating system? Absolutely.
If you want outdoor concrete that won’t chalk, crack, or peel every spring, you need a contractor who knows how to build it to last.
We’ve got the tools—and more importantly, the systems—to make it happen.
Myth #6: “It’s Just Paint, Right?”
This one usually comes up right after someone walks down the paint aisle at a big-box store:
“I saw epoxy at Home Depot for $80. Can’t I just roll it on myself?”
Short answer? Sure—you can.
Just don’t expect it to hold up like a professional system.
The idea that epoxy is “just paint” is a common—and costly—misunderstanding. And it’s a big reason we get called in to redo floors that failed within a year.
Why This Myth Exists
DIY epoxy kits are everywhere. They’re marketed as weekend projects:
Comes in a box
Roll it on like paint
Toss in some flake
Done in a day
Easy, right? Until it peels. Or hot tire pickup rips it up. Or moisture bubbles ruin the finish. These kits:
Use low solids content (meaning they’re mostly water or solvent)
Have poor adhesion strength
Leave thin films that wear down fast
Usually skip real surface prep (which is 90% of the job)
So yeah, it goes on like paint—but it doesn’t perform like a real flooring system.
The Truth: Real Epoxy Is a Built System—Not Just a Coating
When we install a pro-grade epoxy floor, it’s not “paint”—it’s a multi-layer system:
Diamond grinding to profile the surface
Moisture mitigation, if needed
Primer coat for strong adhesion
Build coat for depth and performance
Decorative flake, metallic, or quartz broadcast
Topcoat—often polyaspartic or urethane for UV, chemical, and abrasion resistance
These systems chemically bond to the concrete and cure into a durable, seamless floor that can handle forklifts, oil spills, power washing, Arkansas humidity—you name it.
It’s like comparing a kiddie pool to a built-in backyard pool with filtration, lighting, and tile. Sure, they both hold water—but only one’s going to last.
Don’t Be Fooled by the Label
If it comes in a one-gallon bucket and says “epoxy paint”—it’s paint.
If it involves prep, proper chemistry, and multiple steps—it’s a real flooring system.
When you want something that looks good and lasts, call in the pros. Because fixing a failed DIY job costs more than doing it right the first time.
Myth #7: “Concrete Floors Are Cold and Industrial-Looking”
This one’s hanging on from the early 2000s when “concrete floor” meant a warehouse or your uncle’s basement shop.
But here’s the truth: concrete floors today can be sleek, warm, modern, rustic, soft-toned—or whatever you want them to be.
The idea that all concrete is gray and sterile just doesn’t hold up anymore.
Where This Myth Comes From
You walk into a big-box store, and what do you see? Plain gray concrete with oil stains and cracks.
You go to a mechanic shop? Same thing.
So it’s understandable that people assume concrete = industrial.
But that’s not the type of finish we’re talking about here.
The Truth: Concrete Is One of the Most Customizable Surfaces You Can Have
When professionally installed and finished, concrete floors offer endless design flexibility:
Polished concrete with satin or matte finishes for a soft, natural glow
Color dyes or stains in browns, taupes, charcoals, terra cottas—even subtle pastels
Textured grind & seal systems that mimic stone or tile
Metallic epoxy with dramatic, marbled depth
Quartz and flake systems in custom color blends
You can go industrial, sure—but you can also go minimalist, farmhouse, modern luxe, mid-century, even beachy.
These finishes aren’t cold and harsh—they’re seamless, easy to clean, and can feel warmer than tile underfoot, especially with radiant heating or area rugs.
Let’s Talk About “Cold”
Here’s a common question: “Aren’t concrete floors cold?”
Not really.
Concrete holds ambient temperature—so yes, it may feel cool first thing in the morning in winter. But unlike tile or stone, it also holds heat—which is why it works great with radiant floor systems and stays naturally cooler in the Arkansas summer.
And for commercial spaces, a slightly cooler surface is usually a benefit—keeping interiors more comfortable without overloading the HVAC system.
Bottom Line? Concrete’s Look Is Whatever You Want It to Be
Gone are the days of gray slabs and utility-only floors. With the right finish and installer, concrete can be one of the most stylish and comfortable choices out there.
You don’t have to settle for cold and industrial. You can have seamless, stylish, and built to perform.
Final Thoughts: Get the Facts, Not the Hype
If there’s one thing we want you to take away from this—it’s that most of the myths about concrete coatings come from bad installs, internet assumptions, or flat-out cheap materials. Not from the systems themselves.
Epoxy floors don’t peel when they’re installed right.
Polished concrete isn’t slippery when finished properly.
Concrete coatings aren’t just for garages.
And no—it’s not “just paint.”
We’ve seen the results of the myths. We’ve torn out peeling DIY jobs. We’ve repaired cracked coatings installed with no moisture testing. And we’ve helped plenty of Arkansas homeowners and business owners go from skeptical to blown away by what a real concrete flooring system can do.
So don’t base your flooring decision on old stories or bad experiences. Talk to someone who installs this stuff every week—and knows how to do it right the first time.
Let’s Talk About Your Floor
Got questions? Bring them.
At Rock City Epoxy, we install polished concrete, grind & seal, decorative coatings, and full epoxy systems all across Little Rock and Central Arkansas. Whether you're upgrading your garage, renovating a commercial space, or just want to bounce a few ideas around—we’re here for it.
Reach out anytime:
Call or Text TJ: (501) 408-6160
Email: [email protected]
Contact Form: Use the form on our website for a fast, no-pressure quote or consultation
We serve Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Benton, Maumelle, Conway, Bryant, and nearby towns.
Let’s build you a floor that lasts—and bust a few myths along the way.
