When most people hear the word epoxy, they think of a strong type of glue. While epoxy is used for this purpose, it is also used as a coating. Epoxy consists of two main elements, which include a hardener and a resin. When the two are combined, they form a rigid plasticity. An epoxy coating is a type of protective floor covering that is good for a variety of purposes and can bond with several surfaces. If you are considering a floor coating for your home or business, it is important to understand the pros and cons of epoxy to determine if this is the right choice for your needs.
What Is Epoxy Floor Coating Good For?
Since epoxy is commonly used for bonding two materials together, people often think of only practical applications for flooring. However, epoxy floor painters do not always apply the substance to factory, warehouse or concrete floors. In addition to several types of commercial or industrial flooring, some types of decorative residential or business floors may be coated with epoxy to enhance their appearance. A few specific examples include terrazzo, aggregate and chip flooring.
Advantages of Epoxy Coating for Floors
In most instances, the benefits of applying epoxy to a floor outweigh the disadvantages. These are some of the top reasons why people choose epoxy floor coating.
It may lower your liability risks. Imagine that you own a large store that sells items in bulk. There are often forklifts driving around with pallets, and you have plenty of customers walking along the aisles each day. If the floor is not optimized to resist skidding, there are slip hazards. A forklift driver may brake fast and slide. Also, a customer could turn a corner quickly and fall. If your floors are as slip-resistant as possible, you have a lower chance of seeing either a lawsuit from an injured customer or a worker’s compensation claim from an injured employee. Most epoxy coatings have an anti-slip additive.
It is attractive and promotes brightness. The composition of epoxy makes it shiny. If you have a floor without a coating and add epoxy to it, you will notice that the area looks brighter. If the area is too bright, you may be able to use less light or dimmer lights that do not consume as much energy. In this way, epoxy is a good substance to choose if you are trying to be more economical. Additionally, epoxy can make your floor both safer and more attractive if there are chips or cracks in it. The epoxy will cover the chips or cracks. Paint can be added to match the floor’s color, which will reduce the unsightliness of cracks or chips.
It is durable and can withstand heavy loads. One great advantage of epoxy is that you will not have to reapply it as often as you would with floor wax for a nice shine. It retains its anti-skid property well even with heavy traffic. This is true with both foot and vehicle traffic. For example, if you own an oil change business and use epoxy on the garage floor, it will stand up well to cars and trucks being driven across it or parked on it. Well-maintained epoxy floor painting jobs are typically good for several years.
It is quick to apply. Although it is not recommended that you apply epoxy yourself, epoxy floor painters can apply it in a short time. There is no cutting, piece laying or other lengthy processes.
It is easy to maintain. If you have employees who buff and wax the floors regularly, you know that this takes time that they could be using to do other things. Epoxy is easy to clean. If there are chemical or oil spills on it, most of them do not cause damage that requires a new application of the substance. Since it is resistant to spills, it is an ideal choice for most industrial plants.
Disadvantages of Epoxy Coating for Floors
Although most of these disadvantages are not significant enough to warrant a different coating choice, they may be important to you for specific reasons. These are the top disadvantages to consider before you choose epoxy floor painting.
It can be slippery when wet. As it is with any smooth floor, the surface of epoxy can be a slip risk in some situations. For example, if there is a leak in the ceiling that causes a puddle on the floor, a person could slip and fall. However, this is true with most types of flooring as well. It is good to have slip-resistant additives in the epoxy, and it should be kept dry.
It can develop chips or cracks. Epoxy is not indestructible and can develop chips if heavy items fall on it. When people wheel tool carts, shopping carts or anything else across a damaged epoxy floor, the damage can worsen and grow. Although epoxy may last for years, it is necessary to apply a new coat or have damaged areas repaired when chips or cuts develop.
Preparation and application require expert knowledge. Although many DIY sites tell readers that epoxy installation is simple, this is only true of the application process in comparison with tiling and other flooring options. The epoxy should be applied when humidity is low, and there must not be any moisture on the floor’s surface. A small amount of moisture can lead to buckling and damage that reduces the longevity of the coating. Also, it will not last as long if all directions are not followed exactly. Another disadvantage is the strong smell of wet epoxy during installation. Each of these disadvantages can be avoided by simply hiring a professional.
Why Choose TD Painting & Wall Covering in Sterling Heights MI?
If you live in or near Sterling Heights MI and are considering an epoxy floor coating for commercial, industrial or residential use, our professional epoxy floor painters are here to help. As a licensed and insured business, we have over 20 years of experience. At TD Painting & Wall Covering, we are so confident about our quality of work that we offer a satisfaction guarantee. We know how to work with a variety of materials and use the latest technologies and equipment, and our professionals can work in even the most challenging environments. Please call us today with any epoxy flooring questions or to receive a free estimate.
