Choosing the level of protection
We usually frame the decision around three questions. How hard will the floor be used? How much does appearance matter? And how much maintenance are you willing to do over the years?
A storage room that sees occasional foot traffic might only need a penetrating sealer. A busy workshop benefits from a solid-color system with a tough urethane topcoat. A restaurant restroom needs texture and a seamless cove. Each of these costs differently, and the most expensive option is not automatically the right one.
Whatever the system, preparation still comes first. Even a clear sealer performs better on a properly cleaned and profiled slab, and film-forming coatings require grinding to bond reliably.