Tough and versatile, epoxy floor finishes are an increasingly popular choice for a wide range of applications – from industrial facilities to home garages. Typically applied over concrete, an epoxy floor coating provides a high-performance, smooth, durable surface that can last for many years. Whether you own a sprawling warehouse or a cozy single-family house, an epoxy finish may be the right choice for your Central Florida property’s flooring. We at The Paint Manager offer this guide to help you decide. Should you decide in the affirmative, we can also provide advice for the second question: professional installation, or DIY?
What is epoxy, exactly?
Most people are familiar with epoxy glue, known for the solid bond it forms. According to Your Dictionary, the definition of epoxy is “Any of various usually thermosetting resins capable of forming tight cross-linked polymer structures characterized by toughness, strong adhesion, and low shrinkage, used especially in surface coatings and adhesives.” Even if you never took a chemistry course, the gist of it is clear.
In a commercial application, epoxy flooring is used for its resistance to heavy traffic, sanitary qualities and ease of cleanup, and where slip resistance is required. In a residential setting, epoxy is used to beautify and protect a garage floor, patio, utility room or carport.
Advantages of an epoxy floor coating
Applied over concrete flooring, an epoxy product provides a non-porous surface impervious to stains – such as oil – and more resistant to damage and pitting than exposed concrete. Other advantages include the following.
- Low maintenance; easy to clean. Unlike bare concrete floors – which can require a pressure washer to clean – a good-quality mop and simple cleaning solution does the job.
- Withstands heavy, continuous traffic from forklifts and other types of industrial vehicles/equipment.
- Protects concrete from the gradual corrosive, destructive effects of oil and liquid chemical products.
- Temperature resistant. Just as epoxy is tough enough to resist damage from corrosive chemicals, it can also stand up to more heat and cold than most paints.
- Environmentally friendly. Epoxy will not erode or dissolve into its environment, such as by fumes in the air or trace amounts in water. It also needs recoating less often, and requires less cleaning agent, thereby reducing the amount of chemicals used overall.
- Creates a shiny surface that increases the brightness of interior areas.
- Can be made slip-resistant for optimum safety.
- Can be customized with colors and patterns to mark walkways.
- Can be customized with specialty colors or decorative chip blends to mask concrete flooring cracks or just for aesthetic effect.
- Extends the life of your concrete floor. Applying an epoxy coating protects concrete from damage, delaying the expense of repair or replacement.
- Can increase the resale value of your home. Used in a residential garage, an epoxy floor finish provides a high-end look – especially with the addition of stylish decorative elements. You can select from a variety of understated solid colors and hues, custom colors and blends of color flakes that match your style – or even your favorite sports team.
Do you need a professional to install an epoxy floor coating?
There are two ways of getting the job done – one is to hire a commercial services company, and the other is to do it yourself. We offer the caveat oft-repeated in our humble blog. This is a project for those with experience in similar home improvement efforts, not absolute beginners. As the Family Handyman points out, not all concrete floors will hold epoxy floor coatings, and preparing concrete for epoxy floor coatings can be labor intensive and tedious. For those who feel confident in their abilities, both Family Handyman and DIY Network offer helpful step-by-step instructions.
Again, if you’re considering taking the DIY route, be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided by the sources listed above. Most of the success of installing an epoxy floor coating lies with proper cleaning and preparation of the concrete. Missing a step or trying to hurry through the process will achieve poor results. Also make certain to buy – and use – all protective clothing and equipment required.
The take-home message
For those lacking the time and expertise to do a residential-scale epoxy flooring project – or for those who own an industrial or commercial facility – The Paint Manager is ready to provide conscientious, experienced service. No job is too large or too small. You can also contact us for other commercial services, such as exterior painting, texturing and much more. We look forward to working with you.