What Is Epoxy Floor Coating?

Flooring for your garage or warehouse or any industrial use must be different from those you use at home. They should be durable, sustainable, decorative, and also blend in with the interior. Considering the above, a long-wearing and cost-effective option is the Epoxy Floor Coating.

What is epoxy floor coating? Epoxy floor coating is a two-part coating made of an epoxy resin and a hardener. It also includes appropriate additives such as UV inhibitors, flow control, accelerators, etc.

They adhere to the floor steadfast with a high gloss finish than their counterparts. Do not confuse epoxy flooring with an epoxy floor coating. While both are similar, the differences lie in depth. Epoxy coating has a depth lesser than 2 mm, while the epoxy floor has multiple layers with a depth of more than 2 mm. They both have different applications and formulations. 

Get to Know More About Epoxy Floor Coating

Epoxy floor coating is a mixture of epoxy resin, polyamine hardener with a blend of other additives. When mixed, the resin and hardener react with one another. This chemical reaction forms an airtight bond and adheres to the floor below. 

The result is an epoxy that gives a distinct layer to the floor, making it resistant to wear and tear. The additives’ addition provides the coating with superior performance characteristics such as accelerated curing, endurance, different viscosity levels, etc. 

The coating also comes in different colors and artistic preferences. You can achieve this by adding varying pigments, quartz aggregate in the desired color, glitter, vinyl flakes, and more. 

Epoxy floor coating is an ideal choice if you are looking for something long-lasting. But you need to know that it comes at a cost. For epoxy to cost less, there will be some trade-off in the materials.

What Are the Different Types of Epoxy Floor Coating?

This coating can be quite versatile and has a variety of applications. Currently, it is mostly used for industrial flooring. But it is slowly and surely making its appearance in households replacing hard flooring. 

Here are the different types used for residential and commercial purposes. 

Solid Epoxy Floor Coating

This is probably the most preferred variety with a lifespan of 20 years, even in commercial areas. Technicians use hardeners, which allows the coating to dry to a 100% solid form when it binds with the concrete floor. 

But this is sensitive to temperature. Hence, you must check for vapor migration before applying the coating. This type of flooring is an ideal choice for commercial purposes like restaurants, retail stores, etc. 

Solvent-Based

The solvent-based epoxy floor coating uses solvents along with sealer and primer. The epoxy solids percentage is about 30%-70%. While not as thin as the water layer, it is light enough. Hence not as durable as 100% solid. 

The very presence of solvents makes it less desirable since they are often non-compliant with VOC regulations. 

Water-Based

The water-based epoxy floor coating uses water as a base. The percentage of solids is much less, much lesser. As a result, you end up with a much thinner layer than the above two methods. Since it can penetrate porous areas, you can also use it as a primer or sealer.

This method of application is simple, user-friendly, and inexpensive. Hence mostly available as DIY kits. But they do not last long. You may have to reapply repeatedly.  

Clear and Metallic

Rather than types, these are the different aesthetics available in epoxy flooring. As the name depicts, the clear coating is transparent. Hence, it shows off the beauty of the underlying concrete floor. It is durable and an ideal fit for any environment, mainly the garage.

Metallic flooring offers a timeless design and looks stylish in modern decor. It is available in various colors, styles, and finishes (mat and gloss).

FAQs

What is epoxy flooring used for?

Epoxy floor coating is used over concrete floors in industrial and commercial operations to withstand heavy loads and prevent damage. The surface is smooth and durable and can last for several years. 

How long does epoxy flooring last?

If used for residential purposes, the epoxy floor coating can last as long as 30 years. But in an industrial setting, heavy machinery can accelerate wear and tear much faster, reducing the lifespan.

Is epoxy flooring good for homes?

Epoxy floor coating is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, mudroom. You can use it anywhere there is a need for a hard floor. They are smooth, slip-resistant, and durable when compared to concrete flooring. 

Conclusion

Epoxy floor coating was primarily used for commercial and industrial purposes. But currently, the coating is now used in residential flooring. The reason is its durability and modern design. It can fit with any decor and is available in many colors. 

This type of coating is a mixture of 2 parts: resin and hardener. Then there is the addition of additives. They help achieve specific properties like fast curing, UV resistance, endurance, etc. The application process, although easy, is time and temperature-sensitive. Hence, it is a professional’s job. If not applied correctly, the epoxy may not bond properly with the concrete. And you run the risk of it chipping.

If you are looking for a stress-free floor coating experience, you need to choose the right contractors – contact Nelson Greer Painting Contractors for your FREE quote today. We will make sure that your home’s flooring is properly coated and sealed to last you for years to come. With over 220 years of experience in our company’s history, you’ll love what we can do with our professional painting contractors.