What is Epoxy Flooring?
Epoxy flooring is an increasingly popular flooring option for those looking to cover anything from
industrial flooring in workshops and garages, to those in manufacturing plants, aircraft hangars,
and
more. A variety of options for epoxy flooring helps supply a customizable floor coating that suits
various levels of traffic. You can also acquire flooring epoxy in several types of finishes to
capture
the specific aesthetic you want for your space while still having a durable and chemical-resistant
floor.
Simply put, epoxy flooring is multiple layers of epoxy applied to your flooring surface. The
material
typically comes in two parts, a resin, and a hardener, that when combined, forms a clear and durable
material. This material is a result of the combined parts curing. Curing is defined as a process
during
which a chemical reaction or physical action takes place. Examples of chemical reactions include
things
like polymerization and physical actions are processes such as evaporation. Once these occur, a more
stable bond or substance is created (such as the result of mixing materials to make concrete).
What Are the Benefits of Epoxy Flooring?
Aside from the customizability and the unique finish supplied by flooring epoxy, there are
numerous
benefits attributed to it. These include:
- Chemical Resistance
- Scratch Resistance
- UV Resistance
- Impact Resistance
- High Strength
- Superior Adhesion
- And more!
How To Do Epoxy Flooring?
Safety First
When it comes to applying flooring epoxy, your material is only as good as the base it’s adhered to.
The
level of success rests in the attention to preparation and following the specified instructions.
Preparation is key to achieving your best possible results. Additionally, wear the appropriate PPE.
At a
minimum, it's recommended you wear a respirator, safety glasses, and gloves.
For Epoxy Flooring, Preparation is Key
Before applying your flooring epoxy, several conditions must be met on behalf of your concrete.
Firstly,
if the concrete you will be coating has been recently poured, we recommend the concrete cure for a
minimum of 28 days before the epoxy is applied. Various other factors such as alkaline levels,
efflorescence, and relative humidity need to be taken into consideration before the application
process
as well. The numbers that your base flooring needs to meet to be compatible with flooring epoxy
depend
on the specific product you use.
Failing to adhere to the necessary conditions for proper epoxy flooring adhesion may result
in a
flooring finish that is discolored, delaminated, or overall complete failure of the
application process.
If at any point, you’re concerned about how epoxy flooring will work with your base
flooring, it’s
always good to test your material on a small section of the floor beforehand.
To prepare your concrete surface, remove any debris of any kind from your flooring. This
includes brick,
tile, dust, etc. Chisel away pieces of materials such as brick and tile and sweep away or
vacuum dust
and looser debris.
If you have any holes or cracks in your concrete, you can use an angle grinder to open them
up. Opening
them up helps remove any loose debris and prepares them for proper patching.
There are a variety of products available to patch up holes and cracks in your concrete.
Choose the one
that works best for you and follow strict instructions to ensure proper coverage.
At the end of the day, it’s crucial to make sure your concrete surface is both level and
patched. After
all, flooring epoxy is liquid and can seep into any unpatched or uneven spaces.
We recommend shot blasting or diamond grinding to prepare your concrete for floor epoxy
adhesion. For
the best results, the concrete surface should feel like 50 grit sandpaper before
application. Use a
vacuum or compressed air to remove all dust and debris from your surface before continuing.
Time to Prime
Before applying flooring epoxy, it’s a great idea to use a thin layer of moisture-sealing
epoxy primer
of some kind. For applying the primer, we recommend using a squeegee to spread it around and
a 3/8th
inch non-shed nap roller to back roll and evenly spread across your concrete. If you find
that there are
areas that are harder to reach, use a chop brush or small roller.
Allow the primer to dry for 6 to 7 hours before applying another coat within 24 hours. If you pass
this
24-hour threshold, you can still reapply a layer, however, you will need to sand the surface with a
100-120 grit drywall sander for proper adhesion. If you do end up sanding, make sure to revisit the
vacuuming and debris removal process before proceeding. You can also use a spray bottle to apply
acetone
and wipe away any remaining small dust particles.
Measure and Mix
Choosing the right flooring epoxy depends on many things, including what kind of finish you want.
There
are clear options that can be tinted with dyes and pigments or ones available in specific colors to
suit
the look you’re shooting for.
When it comes to mixing and measuring, the process will vary depending on the product. A common
measuring ratio is 2:1, that is, 2 parts Side A with one part Side B by volume or 1:1. From that
point
on, you may use a drill motor to mix both parts for several minutes at a low speed. It’s always
important to continuously scrape the sides and bottom of your mixing container to ensure a thorough
mixture.
Some products will have a shorter working time once they’re spread out on the prepared concrete
flooring, so you don’t want to linger on keeping the mixture in the bucket too long.
How to Apply Epoxy Flooring
Spread properly mixed and dyed epoxy flooring in strips along the edges of your room, so
that you can go
in with a small utensil such as a brush to cut in on those hard-to-reach areas. After
dealing with the
edges, pour the material and use a trowel or squeegee to spread evenly, and back roll the
epoxy.
Non-skid aggregates can be applied at this stage to create stronger slip resistance.
You may want to apply multiple coats to your floor, in which case, we recommend waiting for the
product's prescribed amount of time before reapplying. Usually, this is when the first coat is dry
to
the touch.
Epoxy Flooring Cure Times
There is no one specific cure time across all brands and available epoxy flooring products.
Additionally, cure times are sometimes separated based on the type of traffic it’s looking to
support.
So, one product may allow for light foot traffic after a 24-hour cure, light vehicle traffic after
72
hours, and finally, will result in a full cure after 3 to 7 days. The best approach to cure time
with
epoxy flooring is to pay attention to each product's needs.
How to Clean Epoxy Flooring
If you’re wondering about how to clean epoxy flooring, the only big thing that you have to watch out
for
are highly acidic cleaning products. Using things like isopropyl and acetone may eventually wear
down
the epoxy. Generally, a warm water wash with mild soap and detergent will do the trick.
What is Polyaspartic Flooring?
Another up-and-coming type of flooring that allows for both durability and customizability is
Polyaspartic Flooring. Polyaspartic Polyurethane is a material subset of polyurethane that, when
used in
floor coatings, results in a combination of two parts creating a customized and strong surface. Just
like with flooring epoxy, you can customize your polyaspartic flooring finish by adding color or
distributing decorative paint chips. Different polyaspartic flooring products exist with shifted
chemistry to allow for qualities such as faster drying times or limited-gas emissions.
What are the benefits of Polyaspartic Flooring?
Although it depends on the specific products, generally, in addition to being customizable,
polyaspartic
flooring’s advantages include:
- Chemical Resistance
- Scratch Resistance
- UV Resistance
- Impact and Abrasion Resistance
- High Strength
- Superior Adhesion
- Color and Gloss Retention
- Application Versatility
- Flexible Drying Times
- And more!
How to Apply Polyaspartic Flooring?
Stay Safe
Before working with polyaspartic flooring, always consult product information about the necessary
safety
and PPE equipment to wear. Typically, the most common items include a respirator, safety glasses,
and
gloves, but you should consider each environment you’re working in.
Preparing for Polyaspartic
Like with flooring epoxy, there are certain criteria that your base floor needs to meet for it to be
compatible with polyaspartic flooring. These include qualities like humidity, pH level, and other
factors whose qualifying numbers will be specific to the product that you use. For example, your
floor
could need to reach a pH reading between 5-9 to be compatible.
As mentioned in epoxy flooring, if there are any holes or cracks in your concrete, you can use an
angle
grinder to open them up. When you open them up, you’re helping to remove any loose debris and
prepare
them for proper patching. There are a variety of products you can use to patch up any cracks or
holes,
it's just essential you follow the appropriate instructions and use what's best for your particular
situation.
Always make sure your concrete surface is level and patched before applying polyaspartic flooring. If
you
have any divots or cracks remaining, you increase the likelihood that your product will seep into
those
uneven spots.
Again, the success of polyaspartic flooring is all about preparation. Ensure that, whether through
the
process of diamond grinding or shot blasting, the surface of the concrete floor beneath feels like
30
grit sandpaper. It should also be porous and free of any contaminants before you consider applying
your
product.
Measuring and Mixing
When it comes to mixing Polyaspartic flooring, the steps for combining the necessary
materials might
vary depending on the individual product. A common ratio involves mixing one part of each
side of the
polyaspartic flooring until it forms a homogenous mixture. This is not a universal ratio,
however, so
always be sure to thoroughly read through instructions beforehand.
Be aware of your product’s working time before measuring and mixing. This will help you section out
how
much time you’ll need for mixing and calculate what you have left for the pouring and application
process.
How to Apply Polyaspartic Flooring
Whether you’re using epoxy flooring or polyaspartic flooring, it’s important to sand in
between layers
to increase the product’s adhesive capabilities.
The best approach to applying your combined polyaspartic flooring is by using tools such as
rollers,
brushes, or squeegees. We recommend using a troweled squeegee to initially spread it before
rolling back
over with a 3/8th inch non-shed nap roller.
Spread thin and evenly to create the perfect surface coating and avoid allowing the material
to puddle
or be over rolled, as this can affect the overall finish and curing process. For
harder-to-reach areas,
you can typically cut in using a brush.
You can also apply non-skid aggregates to this coating to create a more slip-free surface.
Polyaspartic Flooring Cure Times
Some polyaspartic flooring options are fast drying and some are slower. Each type is meant to suit a
consumer’s specific needs and will likely result in various drying times even across brands. For
instance, some slow-drying formulas may need 72 hours before allowing for light foot traffic or even
a
full 7 days for vehicle traffic. Faster cures may land at about 48 hours cure tie for light traffic
and
3 to 7 days for a full cure.
How to Clean Polyaspartic Floors
Clean Polyaspartic flooring using a mop, mild soap and detergent, and warm water. Depending on the
product used, you will likely need to reapply another coat in several years to reseal the surface.
