Side by side
| Factor | Full coating | Densifier only |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $6-$14/sq ft | $1.50-$3/sq ft |
| Stops dusting | Yes | Yes |
| Can it peel? | Yes, if prep or moisture is wrong | No, there is no film |
| Adds colour | Yes | No |
| Chemical resistance | High | Minimal |
| Slip texture | Yes, via broadcast | No |
| Line marking | Installed into the coating | Not possible |
| Applied while operating | Rarely | Yes |
Gold marks the stronger option for that factor. A tie is shown in neutral text.
Choose a full coating when
You need any of the things a densifier physically cannot deliver: a specific colour, chemical resistance in a shop or kitchen, slip texture underfoot, line marking and safety zoning, or covering a stained and patched slab. Those are real requirements and no amount of densifier substitutes for them.
Choose a densifier when
The complaint is dust on inventory, grey film on lower racks, or a slab that powders under traffic, and nothing more. In a warehouse that is often the entire problem, and solving it for a fifth of the cost with nothing that can ever delaminate is simply the better engineering answer.
Grind first either way
Applying densifier straight over laitance treats the weak surface layer rather than removing it. A light grind that cuts through to sound concrete, then densifier, gives a substantially better and longer-lasting result. A contractor who quotes densifier with no preparation at all is selling you a spray, not a floor treatment.
Not sure which applies to your slab?
The site visit includes a moisture reading and an honest look at the concrete, then a written fixed price. We will tell you when the cheaper option is the right one.