If you have a concrete floor in your home, garage, or business and would like to protect it from high traffic or water damage, you may want to consider epoxy flooring. If you’ve been to any major city, such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago epoxy flooring is a popular choice for may big businesses. If you want an attractive, high-gloss floor that is easy to maintain, epoxy flooring may be an option for you as well.
What Is Epoxy Flooring?
Epoxy is a plastic material made from two main ingredients: synthetic resins and hardeners. The two ingredients have a chemical reaction when mixed together, and the result is a strong, adherent, durable plastic coating.
Epoxy flooring has traditionally been used in commercial or industrial settings, but it is now increasingly common to find it on residential properties, in garages or even inside the home in areas like kitchens and laundry rooms that see a lot of traffic and must withstand possible spills or leaks.
Where Can You Use Epoxy Flooring?
Areas where you can use epoxy flooring typically depend on the surface currently in place on the floor. This is known as the substrate, and the epoxy must adhere strongly to it. Some substrates, notably wood, are not suitable for epoxy flooring. It works best on concrete but has also been successfully applied to tile, marble, and terrazzo. In order for the epoxy to fully adhere, the surface must be slightly porous, clean, unpolished and unsealed, and fully cured. If the surface has had previous sealants or epoxies applied in the past, these must be fully removed. It may be necessary to grind the surface first, and be sure you always use a good primer before applying the epoxy.
What Are the Advantages of Epoxy Flooring?
Unlike paints or sealants that can peel or tiles that can crack or come loose, epoxy flooring is extremely durable and long lasting. It provides moisture protection for floors inside and out while standing up to strong pressure and high traffic.
Epoxy flooring is smooth and glossy, but if you’re concerned about slippage, additives such as colored flakes, quartz sand, or gravel can be added to the epoxy to provide a little more traction. These materials also add to the aesthetic value of the flooring.
Image credits: floorguard.com
