When durability matters, epoxy floor is an obvious choice. No flooring option quite matches epoxy when it comes to providing so much durability and decorative appeal in one material! This is a long-lasting option that is increasingly being chosen by people looking for both residential and commercial flooring options. What is epoxy flooring? Take a look at the benefits of this high-impact, high-gloss look that is growing in popularity.
What Is Epoxy Flooring?
Epoxy flooring is a flooring material that is intended to be placed over smoothed concrete. This is what makes it such an ideal choice for finished garages, finished basements, retail spaces and commercial spaces. Epoxy floor is actually comprised of a resin component and hardening chemicals that join to create a single solid product. This dual-agent composition is what gives epoxy flooring its strength and durability. It is also why epoxy flooring offers so much stain resistance when compared to a normal concrete floor.
The Science Behind Epoxy Floor
If you’ve seen beautiful, luminous epoxy flooring while visiting a showroom or garage, you may be wondering exactly how these impressive floors are created. Epoxy floors are created in two steps. Fist, epoxy resin and hardeners are combined to create a reaction. Through this reaction, the two components bond together to create a third substance. That substance is your epoxy flooring. During the chemical reaction, this new floor forms into something that is incredibly stiff and durable. It is noted for its high resistance to degradation caused by age, the elements and high traffic. Lastly, a topcoat is typically applied over epoxy floor. The topcoat brings a new degree of hardness that will allow epoxy floor to be preserved through strenuous wear and tear.
Is Epoxy Floor the Same Thing as Floor Paint?
No, epoxy flooring is not the same thing as standard floor paint. In general, floor paint is far inferior to epoxy floors. A standard floor paint is typically an oil-based or water-based paint. By contrast, epoxy floor uses resin and hardeners to create a very solid, impenetrable finish. Standard floor paint is mainly a cosmetic tool that allows you to cover unattractive concrete or flooring. Epoxy flooring essentially transforms an existing floor into a new material. Many people make the mistake of thinking that floor paint will provide permanent benefits. The reality is that floor paint becomes scuffed and stained very easily. In areas with high traffic, the paint color often wears off very soon after application. Cleaning painted floors using typical cleaning methods causes the paint to fade. The bottom line is that floor paint is not a sustainable option when compared to something as durable and permanent as epoxy flooring.
What Are the Benefits of Epoxy Flooring?
The big benefit of epoxy flooring is that you get the same benefit of installing a new floor without actually having to install a new floor. This can help you to save both time and money. Epoxy flooring is a very attractive alternative to something like tile, vinyl or wood when you’re trying to apply flooring in a large space because you don’t have to put down your flooring “brick by brick” with this method. Instead, you’re merely “rolling on” a new floor over existing concrete. That also means that you don’t have to worry as much about uneven subflooring, moisture issues or the other common pitfalls of applying flooring over a large area. What’s more, maintenance and repair costs are typically much lower with epoxy floors because you don’t have to worry about replacing cracked tiles, refinishing wood flooring or re-grouting your floors.
How Long Do Epoxy Floors Last?
Epoxy floors can be expected to maintain their shine and beauty for several years when used in high-traffic commercial areas like shops and restaurants. The big benefit is that upgrading your epoxy floor is fairly simple. You will simply reapply your epoxy flooring instead of having to deconstruct an entire floor before reapplying individual planks or tiles. If you own a business, this is an important benefit because it reduces or eliminates the downtime needed during your upgrade. That means you won’t have to lose business just to get your floors back in shape when the time comes!
Can You Use Epoxy Flooring in Homes?
Epoxy flooring is increasingly being used in residential spaces. Traditionally, epoxy floor was used in commercial spaces and restaurants because of the way these floors resist staining. Homeowners and residential builders are now embracing epoxy floors for the same reasons. This flooring option is becoming especially popular for living rooms or game rooms because of how easy it is to maintain. What’s more, the many beautiful colors that can be chosen today allow you to create a very elegant, eye-catching and glossy look in your home that is deceptively inexpensive and easy to maintain! Epoxy flooring is also an attractive alternative to simply living with bare concrete in garages and basements.
Epoxy Floor: A Beautiful Choice That Should Be on Your List
If you’re looking for an affordable and durable flooring option that can still deliver that high-shine look you’re after, put epoxy flooring on your list. The big thing to know about epoxy floor is that getting your questions answered by a professional can make a world of difference. There are many types of epoxy products out there that are ideal for various scenarios and settings. Talk with a flooring pro to discover how you can get new dream floors without actually “installing” any new floors at your home or business!
