Epoxy flooring is increasingly popular, both at home and in commercial spaces. These floors are known for their rock-solid durability and unique aesthetic, but there are several other advantages.
However, did you know that there is more than one type of epoxy coating? If you wish to install an epoxy coating, it is essential to know which type best suits your project. Béton Surface is a company that specializes in epoxy floors in Montreal, Outaouais, and all over the province. Our consultants are ready to guide you through the different floor coatings, so you can make an informed decision.
We invite you to browse this complete guide on epoxy floor coatings to discover everything there is to know about the subject.
What is Epoxy Flooring?
An epoxy flooring is a floor that is coated with epoxy resin. The first mistake people tend to make is to think of epoxy coatings as just another floor painting. While it’s not wrong to think of epoxy as paint, it’s also not entirely correct. Contrary to most floor paintings, epoxy is a two-part coating that you mix, rather than a simple paint that you can just readily use on the floor.
Epoxy can also be described as containing a resin part and a hardener part, and this is where the difference lies between paint and epoxy coatings. Floor paints don’t usually have the hardening part, and that’s why epoxy is thicker, more durable and resistant than simple floor paint.
For example, garage floor paints are mainly oil and water-based and tend to flake within a couple of years. A garage floor in epoxy, or even better in polyurea, will last up to 20 years under the right conditions. If you wish to coat an interior concrete surface with a durable product, it is highly recommended to opt for an epoxy coating. That is why epoxy is the perfect floor finish for lofts and basement floors.
That said, while the epoxy is an excellent flooring option, it is still essential to choose the right type of floor coating. Not all epoxies are the same, and some might be preferable for your project. Do not hesitate to ask our team for help. We’re happy to put our expertise at your disposal.
How Many Types Of Epoxy Flooring Are There?
At Béton Surface, we offer three different epoxy types: solid color epoxy, transparent epoxy, and metallic epoxy. Each of these materials is unique and can be used in various flooring projects. Here is a quick lay down of their properties.
- Solid Color Epoxy: olid color epoxy creates a smooth, uniform finish for your floor as every epoxy coating. It also resists stains, chemical products, and scratching with the right protective coating. Solid color epoxy is a favorite for both residential and commercial uses because of how versatile it is.
- Clear Epoxy: This coating enhances the natural beauty of concrete, by giving it a wet look. It fits perfectly with an industrial decor. The clear epoxy is very similar to a sealer except it is thicker and therefore more resistant. Like the others epoxies it protects against stains , scratches, and chemicals with the right protective coating
- Metallic Epoxy: Metallic epoxy is an excellent coating for commercial spaces, restaurants, or any space at home that you’re looking to modernize. Its metallic river designs are eye-catching and contemporary. They enhance any room they are added to. This epoxy coating is also resistant, durable, and low maintenance. It is offered in a wide range of colors, making it the most customizable floor coating out of all epoxies.
The Difference Between Epoxy Floors and Other Floor Coatings
The main difference between epoxy floors and other floor coatings is the components. Most coatings are single component, such as oil-based or water-based paints. However, epoxies are two parts that need to be mixed, which are the resin part and the hardener part.
Garage paints can be used on the floor, but the coating will deteriorate rapidly in heavy traffic, whether on foot or by car. In that case, we would recommend opting for an epoxy resin coating instead of choosing a floor paint, simply because it is more resistant and will last a lot longer.
That said, there are other and better coatings for the garage floor, such as polyurea coatings.
Our experts would usually recommend choosing a polyurea with flakes coating in the garage, as they are way more flexible. This flake floor, when compared to epoxy, has a higher resistance to temperature fluctuations and ground movements.
What Are the Benefits of Epoxy Floors, and How Long Does It Last?
There are several benefits of epoxy floors. Besides their durability, which can go up to 20 years under the right conditions, epoxy coatings are also known to be:
- Watertight: Epoxy creates a protective layer on top of your concrete. This layer is smooth and has no joints, preventing any water from infiltrating your concrete and damaging it.
- Resistant: Stains, scratches, chemicals , bring it. Epoxy coatings have a high performance and tolerance that no other coating can compare to. With the right protective coating added to it, it can almost meet your every need.
- No VOC before, during, and after the installation. Epoxy isn’t made with solvents, and so it has a very low odor and isn’t dangerous for your health.
- Brightness: It comes in a glossy finish that reflects light and improves luminosity in your space.
- Resistant to mold and bacterial growth: Because epoxy has no joints and a smooth surface, it is easy to clean. Furthermore, since this material is watertight, nothing can penetrate it, which prevents the possibility of bacterial growth or mold .
Installation Process of Epoxy Floors
Epoxy isn’t that difficult to install, but we still highly recommend leaving that work to specialists. Because it requires precision at the time of mixing as well as at the installation, working with experts will guarantee you impeccable results. Epoxy flooring is an investment, so do not hesitate to seek professionals expertise if you have a floor coating project.
Here are the steps for a successful epoxy coating installation.
5 Steps Installation Process
1. Cleaning the concrete surface
The first step is to clean your concrete floor. You do not install a fresh new coating on top of dust or an old cracked floor unless you want your flooring to be uneven.
Start by taking the extra furniture out of the room, then give a good sweeping to your floor to get as much dust out as possible. Then you can either choose a mechanical grinding or a chemical etching to prepare the floor. You want the surface to be as clean and smooth as possible. Clean any stain too as they may compromise the adhesion of the epoxy coating.
Vacuum or hose the entire floor, depending which surface preparation you choose, to make sure there is no dust,debris or chemicals left, then leave it to dry, if wet. If you have any cracks in the concrete, it is recommended to fill them in before installing a fresh coating.
2. Protect the Limits of Your Floor
Protect with duct tape the zones where the epoxy flooring stops. In an enclosed space, apply the tape directly beneath the door. Protect the walls with 4 inches of tape at the bottom.
3. Mix Your Epoxy
Once the floor is dry, you can start mixing your epoxy following the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging. Mix the concoction until complete blending.
4. Installing the Epoxy
Using a paint roller or a squeegee, install the first layer of epoxy , then leave it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once it’s dry, you can install the second or final coat, making sure to hide noticeable seams if there are any. Roll it horizontally and vertically. Keep the edges wet as you move from section to avoid these seams from forming at all. Repeat the process if other layers of epoxy are needed.
5. Finish
While not mandatory, the right finish or protection can add another layer to your epoxy, ensuring optimal resistance and durability. Once the first two-three coats are dry, you can install the finish protective coating and take the tape off your walls.
Cleaning And Maintenance Of Epoxy Floor Coating
Another advantage of epoxy flooring is that it is low maintenance. All you have to do is sweep any debris you see and immediately clean any spills with a soft cloth, soap, and warm water.
Since the surface is smooth and without joints, dust won’t find cracks to set in, and your floor will look and be clean with a simple weekly cleaning.
Although they’re easy to clean, we highly recommend avoiding the use of abrasive products, which can damage the epoxy finish.
How long does an epoxy floor last?
If you are wondering how long an epoxy floor lasts, you will not find a single answer. A number of factors determine the lifespan of an epoxy floor, including:
Residential or Commercial floor :
The type of floor matters mostly because of usage. The more use an epoxy floor gets, the sooner it will show signs of aging. Regular exposure to heavy machinery or sunlight is also a factor in aging. In most cases, an epoxy floor in your home will have a lifespan of 20 + years. With that said, we can help determine whether an epoxy floor is the right choice for your, based on your usage and needs.
Cleaning:
Regular cleaning – both sweeping and mopping – will ensure your floor looks as good as it can while also keeping dust and particles from building up. Epoxy resin is non-porous, waterproof, and able to accommodate most chemical floor cleaning products.
Maintenance:
Adding a wax coat to sure up the surface or fixing little kinks and scratches when they emerge are both cost-effective ways to extend the lifetime of your epoxy floor.
Quality of Installation:
A DIY installation may be alluring to you because of up-front savings, but it comes with a high risk: if the installation is not done properly, your epoxy floor will begin to age far sooner than a professionally installed floor. There are plenty of hidden costs in a DIY install – including having to replace it within 5-10 years.
So how long does an epoxy floor last? It depends on the factors mentioned above. That being said, a professionally installed, well-maintained surface that is not exposed to too much heavy machinery should last up to 20 years or more. At Béton Surface, we guarantee a 5 years warranty on all our residential installation projects.
Custom Epoxy Flooring At Béton Surface
Installing epoxy requires certain expertise. Béton Surface’s floor specialists have nearly a decade of experience installing custom epoxy flooring.
Whether you’re looking for a new coat in your garage, basement, or kitchen, our team can help you. Working with our team will ensure you’ll have high-quality, impeccable results and flooring that meets your expectations.
We can also work on residential, commercial, and industrial projects. No matter the scale of your flooring, we’ll make sure you are satisfied. To work with our team, all you have to do is fill a form and an experienced member will call you to book an appointment at your home, so you can have a full and free quote specific to your project. Once you approve, the work can start.
If you have any questions about epoxy flooring or the different epoxies, contact us. We’ll gladly take your call and answer all of your questions.
