Water-based and high-solids epoxy floor coatings both protect concrete against wear, traffic and everyday spills. The best choice depends on the application environment, required film thickness, traffic, chemical exposure and installation conditions.
Water-based epoxy is generally preferred where low odour, low VOC and straightforward roller application are priorities. Higher-build epoxy systems are generally preferred where greater coating thickness and more demanding industrial service are required.
Importantly, water-based and high-solids describe different formulation characteristics. A water-based epoxy can also have a high solids content. Fortis AquaCoat is a high-solids water-based epoxy, while Fortis Coat 823 HS is a 95% solids, high-build epoxy coating.
The following comparison focuses on Fortis AquaCoat and Fortis Coat 823 HS, rather than assuming that all water-based and high-solids epoxy products perform identically.
| Feature | Fortis AquaCoat | Fortis Coat 823 HS |
|---|---|---|
| Formulation | High-solids water-based epoxy | 95% solids epoxy |
| Odour and VOC | Low odour, ultra-low VOC | Assess ventilation and VOC requirements using current SDS |
| Typical applications | Garages, offices, schools and light to medium-duty floors | Garages, workshops, warehouses, factories and commercial floors |
| Film build | High-solids roll-applied coating | High-build coating with 95% volume solids |
| Traffic suitability | Pedestrian and light to medium vehicle traffic | More demanding vehicle and industrial traffic |
| Priming | Can self-prime suitable prepared concrete | Can self-prime suitable prepared concrete |
| Slightly damp concrete | Suitable under specified conditions | Assess moisture and system requirements before application |
| Application | Roller application; water-thinnable primer coat where specified | Roller application; compatible primer where required |
Neither formulation is automatically the best option for every floor. Product selection should be based on the complete flooring system and the conditions it will experience.
Water-based epoxy flooring uses water as part of the formulation's carrier system. It is generally associated with lower odour and lower VOC emissions during application compared with conventional solvent-based coatings.
Water-based does not mean that the coating is a simple single-component paint. Professional water-based epoxy systems commonly use two components that chemically react to form a protective coating.
Fortis AquaCoat Water-Based Epoxy is a two-component, ultra-low VOC, high-solids epoxy coating designed for internal concrete floors.
AquaCoat is particularly suitable when:
Typical applications include garages, carparks, offices, schools, healthcare facilities, workshops and light to medium-duty commercial floors.
Low odour does not eliminate the need for appropriate ventilation, protective equipment or compliance with the product Safety Data Sheet.
High-solids epoxy contains a high proportion of non-volatile material that remains in the coating after application and curing. This allows suitable formulations to achieve greater film build with less volume loss than lower-solids coatings.
However, solids content alone does not determine abrasion resistance, chemical resistance or service life. Resin chemistry, formulation, film thickness, substrate preparation and operating conditions are also important.
Fortis Coat 823 HS is a 95% solids, two-component epoxy coating designed for demanding concrete flooring applications.
Coat 823 HS is generally preferred when:
Typical applications include garages, workshops, warehouses, factories, manufacturing facilities and commercial floors.
For self-levelling or substantially higher-build flooring requirements, consider the Fortis Coat 824 system.
The following figures are based on the published Fortis product information. Actual coverage, film thickness and curing depend on the substrate, application conditions and system requirements.
| Specification | AquaCoat | Coat 823 HS |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Two-component water-based epoxy | Two-component high-solids epoxy |
| Volume solids | High-solids formulation | 95% |
| Typical coverage per coat | 5–7 m²/L | 5–7 m²/L |
| Published film thickness | 150 microns per coat | Approximately 150 microns per coat |
| Typical recoat window | 8–24 hours | 8–24 hours |
| Typical foot traffic | Approximately 24 hours | Approximately 24 hours |
| Typical number of coats | 2–3 | 1–2, depending on the system |
Although both products have similar published coverage ranges, their formulations and intended service environments differ. Select the system according to required performance rather than coverage alone.
Both AquaCoat and Coat 823 HS can be used on suitable garage concrete.
AquaCoat is a practical choice for residential garages where low odour, ease of application and light to medium vehicle traffic are priorities.
Coat 823 HS is generally better suited where greater film build, abrasion resistance or a decorative flake system is required.
Garage floors should also be assessed for tyre exposure, chemical spills, substrate moisture and the intended cleaning regime. Hot-tyre marking or pickup resistance should not be assumed without suitable product-specific evidence.
Coat 823 HS is generally the preferred Fortis option for demanding warehouse, factory and workshop floors requiring a high-build, hard-wearing epoxy finish.
AquaCoat may still be suitable for workshops and commercial floors with lighter traffic or where low odour is an important installation requirement.
For forklift traffic, concentrated loads, aggressive chemicals or heavy mechanical impact, assess the complete flooring specification rather than selecting solely between water-based and high-solids epoxy.
AquaCoat is generally the more practical choice where low odour and ultra-low VOC are important.
Its water-based formulation is suited to internal environments such as schools, offices, healthcare facilities and other areas where solvent odours should be minimised.
Appropriate ventilation, curing time and site safety controls remain necessary regardless of the coating selected.
Some water-based epoxy formulations can tolerate suitably prepared damp concrete. Fortis AquaCoat is specified for appropriately prepared damp substrates, subject to its application requirements.
However, damp concrete and ongoing moisture transmission are different conditions.
Where rising damp, hydrostatic pressure or significant moisture vapour transmission is present, investigate the moisture source and assess whether a dedicated vapour barrier is required.
Fortis HydroFort VB is designed for suitable concrete and cementitious substrates requiring moisture transmission control beneath compatible systems.
Not necessarily. Service life depends on the specific formulation, applied film thickness, surface preparation, traffic, chemical exposure and maintenance.
A properly specified water-based epoxy may provide excellent service in a light to medium-duty environment. A higher-build epoxy system may offer advantages where the floor experiences greater mechanical wear.
The correct comparison is between complete systems under the same service conditions, not simply the amount of water or solvent in the formulation.
Both AquaCoat and Coat 823 HS may be self-priming on suitable, properly prepared concrete.
A dedicated epoxy primer may be required where concrete is highly porous, difficult or requires additional penetration and adhesion.
Fortis offers two specialist primer options:
For a more detailed comparison, see How to Choose an Epoxy Floor Primer.
Both water-based and high-solids epoxy require sound, clean and properly prepared concrete.
Inadequate preparation can result in peeling, blistering and delamination regardless of the epoxy technology selected.
See Why Does Epoxy Flooring Delaminate? for further troubleshooting advice.
| Application | Suggested Fortis System | Selection Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Residential garage | AquaCoat or Coat 823 HS | Odour, traffic, finish and durability |
| Office, school or occupied interior | AquaCoat | Low odour and ultra-low VOC |
| Warehouse or industrial workshop | Coat 823 HS | High build and wear resistance |
| Decorative flake floor | Coat 823 HS with compatible flake system | Decorative finish and system compatibility |
| Self-levelling industrial floor | Fortis Coat 824 | Greater build and levelling requirements |
These are general selection recommendations. Final product selection should consider concrete condition, required slip resistance, chemical exposure and the intended service environment.
Water-based epoxy can provide durable protection in appropriately specified environments. For more demanding industrial traffic and greater film build, a product such as Fortis Coat 823 HS may be preferable.
Yes. Fortis AquaCoat is suitable for properly prepared garage floors exposed to pedestrian and light to medium vehicle traffic.
High-build epoxy systems are often preferred for demanding industrial floors because they can provide greater coating thickness and wear protection. The final specification must reflect actual service conditions.
Water-based epoxy generally produces less solvent odour than conventional solvent-based systems. Fortis AquaCoat is specifically formulated for low odour and ultra-low VOC.
No. High-solids describes the proportion of material remaining after application. It does not automatically mean the product is solvent-free. Fortis Coat 823 HS contains 95% solids.
Yes. Water-based describes the carrier system, while high-solids describes the coating's non-volatile content. Fortis AquaCoat is a high-solids water-based epoxy.
AquaCoat is designed for straightforward roller application and water-thinnable priming where specified. Coat 823 HS can also be roller-applied but requires careful control of mixing, film thickness and working time.
Fortis Coat 823 HS is a suitable base coating for compatible decorative flake systems. The complete system should be specified with the required flake broadcast and finish coat.
AquaCoat can be applied to suitably prepared damp concrete within its specification. Significant moisture transmission or rising damp requires separate assessment and may require a compatible moisture vapour barrier.
The required number depends on the product, substrate and intended system. Fortis AquaCoat typically uses two to three coats, while Coat 823 HS commonly uses one to two coats depending on the specification.
Selecting the correct epoxy flooring system requires consideration of the concrete substrate, moisture conditions, traffic, chemical exposure and required finish.
Fortis Adhesives & Coatings manufactures water-based, high-solids and specialist epoxy flooring systems in Melbourne, Australia.
For assistance selecting a suitable system, contact the Fortis technical team.
Technical note: This guide provides general product-selection information. Always refer to current Fortis Technical Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheets before application. Product suitability depends on substrate condition, installation requirements and intended service conditions.