Epoxy flooring is a popular choice in commercial and industrial environments because of its wide range of desirable properties. However, there may still be some confusion about what makes up an epoxy floor- or how you can take care of it so that your investment pays off. King painting experts give the ultimate service of epoxy flooring; you can call us today for a quick response.

What is Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy flooring is a special coating that is applied to what was previously a concrete floor. They’re especially useful for areas such as garages and warehouses that experience heavy foot traffic or manufacturing floors.

Epoxies are used mainly in the boatbuilding industry for joining wooden boats with fiberglass superstructures. However, they have been adapted for home use too. Some people think an epoxy finish on a bathroom or kitchen countertop will make it easier to clean and last longer.

Benefits of Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy flooring is easier to maintain than traditional hardwood floors. Epoxy is unyielding and will not be scratched, marked, or damaged in the same way softer surfaces are. Additionally, because epoxy has a high chemical resistance, it may also endure various chemicals that could damage other floors. Epoxy does not delaminate, making it easy to clean with wax products that won’t leave water stains when dried.

Epoxy flooring, in particular, shines brightly in wet conditions, thanks partly to its polished finish and glossy top coat. Lastly, because epoxies are 100% solids, they don’t contain voids like other materials providing more strength for spills over great distances without breaking or cracking.

Disadvantages of Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy is a composite material and requires more care in installation. Careful installation can be very easy; it all depends on the person handling the process, what materials they use to install it, and how soon after installing they install another flooring like carpet, wood, or tile.

More often than not, epoxy is seen as a super high-quality floor product that is very durable with little maintenance needed, which is true for most installations without issue. However, when you use improper equipment such as acetone (nail polish remover) during the application of an asphalt underlayment, many issues can arise, including blistering or bubbling before it dries and loose ends even when taped securely in place.

How to Install an Epoxy Floor

Before beginning the installation, make sure you have all the necessary tools to complete the process. It includes a shovel, putty scraper, Minwax polyacrylic sealer, Minwax semi-gloss polyurethane sealer. Many other items can be helpful in this process, and these can usually be bought at any hardware store. 

Get your floor cleaned up by sanding and sweeping away dirt and debris with a broom or vacuum cleaner before installing anything else (you may need to do this more than once).

If there is any sand or anything like dust on your floor, sandpaper will help get it off. Doing this will ensure that your final product is without holes in it.

Epoxy flooring lays down in a single slab that is quickly and easily applied. The epoxy sealing and floor preparation typically take about two hours with the tools and materials needed to complete the job, which includes:

High build brightener or an alkali-resistant acid brightener 

2 Liters of hardener 

Brush for applying adhesive 

Paint roller for applying clear coat (1/4″ nap) 

Roller retaining grid system (optional) 

200 m2 scrape broom (optional) 

Mop bucket and mop head, scrubbing pad, scouring pad, pail with rags or cloths, hose with a pressure washer set on low pressure with nozzle and spray gun.

Installing Epoxy

When installing an epoxy floor, mix two gallons of liquid epoxy with the catalyst. For a 4×8 coverage area, mix four quarts of liquid epoxy and four quarts of catalyst.

Fully cover the entire surface with a thin, even layer using a 1/4 inch roller or squeegee.

Allow drying for 24 hours before walking on it or putting anything heavy on top of it, or allowing anyone in contact with it while wet.

Repeat steps 4-6 until the desired depth is achieved. The number of coats required will depend on the thickness desired and the temperature conditions under which work is performed. Keep in mind that each coat must be allowed to dry overnight before another can be applied.

Conclusion

Epoxy flooring is an excellent investment for any home. It’s durable, easy to maintain, and offers a wide range of colors so you can customize your space. If you have questions about the benefits or how it installs, don’t hesitate to reach out! We offer epoxy installation services throughout; call us today.