Epoxy Flooring
What exactly is epoxy flooring anyway? Epoxy floor is actually a special floor surface material that has slowly grown in acceptance over the years. When a finished concrete floor is prepared and smoothed, an epoxy resin and a bonding agent are combined together.
Over a period of time, this mixture will turn into a tough, durable plastic underlayment. In addition to its durability, epoxy flooring also offers some other benefits. It is a great industrial flooring option because it is extremely easy to install, very resistant to moisture and scuffing, and has a wide range of applications. If you are considering an epoxy flooring option for any of your flooring needs, there are several things you should know before starting your project. Continue reading to learn what those things are.
Before attempting to install epoxy flooring, you first need to have your concrete floor properly prepared. Part of doing this is making sure there are no underground gas or oil leakages. If there are any such leaks, they must be repaired and the affected area must be cleaned out. You will also need to prepare the floor surface by making sure it is clean, dry, and free of debris and dirt. Any loose particles can prevent the resin from adhering to the concrete and make it more difficult to install the floor.
Once your surface is ready, the epoxy flooring itself can be installed. Usually, this can be done on-site at the manufacturer’s manufacturing facility or at a reputable floor installation and improvement business. On-site installation will save you both time and money since it enables the manufacturer to make sure that the resin is correctly applied to the floor. Professional installation companies charge a fee for their services, however, since this kind of work requires precise coordination with all of the components of the installation, the fee can be quite reasonable.
Regardless of where you choose to have your epoxy flooring installation performed, preparation work must still be done before the actual installation. Any surface cracks or other irregularities should be addressed before the coating is applied. Otherwise, the epoxy flooring may crack under the weight of the newly installed floor and cause premature deterioration. The installer should also sand any rough spots he finds before applying the epoxy flooring so that it will adhere properly to the floor.
If you’ve decided to install epoxy floors in your home, you are likely excited about the benefits this kind of floor coating has to offer. But before you start spending a lot of money on new flooring materials, check out the durability of your current floors. Epoxy flooring that’s four or five years old might be able to outlast most other kinds of surfaces in your home, but epoxy floors are not forever. With regular care, epoxy flooring can provide you with durable epoxy flooring that will last a long time without requiring that you replace the entire thing.