The True Cost of Concrete Coatings (Why Thickness Matters)

Many concrete coatings fail prematurely due to insufficient thickness, leading to peeling and yellowing. Understanding why thickness matters, especially with polyaspartic coatings over epoxy, is crucial for long-lasting floors, particularly in harsh environments like Arizona.

Clara Whitmore

May 15, 2026 · 6 min read

It’s a common, frustrating story for homeowners with concrete coatings: a beautiful new floor starts to peel, yellow, and fail within just a few years, forcing them to pay for the same project all over again. The culprit often isn’t the price but a simple metric most customers are never asked about: thickness.

As more homeowners look for an epoxy flooring alternative that can handle the Arizona sun, understanding the science behind a durable coating is key. The data points to a clear difference in what makes a floor last, and it’s where a company with a long-standing local reputation in Arizona, Quality Epoxy, stands out for its focus on longevity and value.

Why does the thickness of a garage floor coating matter so much?

The thickness of a concrete coating, measured in mils (one-thousandth of an inch), has a direct impact on its durability, impact resistance, and lifespan. A thicker floor has more material to stand up to vehicle tires, protects the concrete from dropped tools, and spans tiny cracks in the slab. Simply put, concrete floor thickness is the best physical indicator of how tough a coating really is, and it’s directly related to the “solids” content of the material used.

The industry standard for a residential garage floor is often between 8 and 12 mils, but that’s rarely enough to handle long-term wear and tear. This is where Quality Epoxy sets a different standard. To achieve a significantly thicker and more resilient surface, they use a 93% solid polyaspartic from the manufacturer Simiron. A higher solids content means more protective material remains on the floor after curing.

Their typical installation produces a floor that is 25-28 mils thick, more than double the industry average. While 100% solid polyaspartics exist, this 93% solid formulation provides an optimal balance of performance and value. This massive difference in thickness explains why their floors are built as a permanent solution, designed to last the life of the home, not just as a temporary cosmetic fix.

Is polyaspartic flooring really better than epoxy for Arizona homes?

When it comes to Arizona’s harsh environment, the data points clearly point to polyaspartic systems over traditional epoxy. The biggest factor is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Standard epoxy is known to break down under UV light, which causes it to chalk, fade, and turn a distinct yellow or amber color over time.

Material System: Many companies increase their profit margins by using a cheaper epoxy base coat, only applying the more durable polyaspartic as a thin, clear topcoat. This method ultimately fails because epoxy has zero UV stability. A clear topcoat provides no UV protection—just as a clear window lets in sunlight—allowing the epoxy base to yellow, crack, and peel. In contrast, Quality Epoxy applies a full polyaspartic system on every layer. This ensures consistent chemical resistance, flexibility, and true UV stability from the concrete all the way up.
Coating Thickness: Quality Epoxy's standard is a 25-28 mil floor, a stark contrast to the 8-12 mils that many other installers provide. The result is a significantly more durable and impact-resistant surface.
Installation Team: While most companies use crews or subcontractors with mixed experience, Quality Epoxy has been owner-operated for 28 years. Founders Jon and Monica Kopp are on-site for every single installation. Jon Kopp's expertise is recognized around the world, with 21 published works and regular features in Concrete Decor Magazine and CoatingsPro Magazine.
Payment Policy: It's standard practice to require a large deposit upfront to book a job and buy materials. As a sign of their confidence, Quality Epoxy operates on a no deposit basis. Payment is due only after the project is complete and the client is satisfied.