Application and Choices in Epoxy Floors

Epoxy is an expert-recommended flooring material for its capacity to capacity to increase floor strength and control microbiological activity. Epoxy floors also provide insulation and strongly prevent moisture emission. It is highly resistant to chemicals and does not give in under heavy weight (e.g. heavy-duty equipment and vehicles). With its many important benefits, it is no wonder that epoxy flooring is used for a wide range of applications, which include:

• Factories and warehouses
• Car showrooms
• Laboratories
• Printing houses
• Garages and wash bays
• Railway stations
• Kitchens
• Hotels
• Walkways

Laying Out Epoxy Floors

Epoxy floors use coatings that use a chemical combination of resins and hardeners. The resin is a light or clear-coloured substance and nearly odourless. Hardeners are dark-coloured and possess a smell that is similar to ammonia. The resin and the hardener are mixed together during the application process. The chemical reaction turns the mixture into a rigid and plastic-like material that is durable and waterproof.

Epoxy floors may be applied with single or a double-coating. Single-coat installation of epoxy floors is quicker but two-coat epoxy flooring is more secure and long-lasting. For better resistance and the avoidance of pinholes or voids that may happen during application, double coating is recommended. This option also results in better waterproofing qualities and stronger resistance to chemicals.

Options in Epoxy Flooring

Contractors offer a variety of epoxy coating choices for epoxy floors. The following are some of the basics and you may choose according to your budget and needs:

• Self-Dispersing Epoxy – Commonly seen in garages housing heavy-duty equipment and construction vehicles, epoxy floors that use self-dispersing epoxy coatings feature excellent mechanical strength. Because of its non-slip properties, common applications also include industrial kitchens and locations where huge amounts of liquid are present.
• Self-Levelling Epoxy – Self-levelling epoxy coatings are best applied on old and new concrete floors. They are easy to install and produce a smooth surface. Self-levelling epoxy coatings are commonly used for epoxy floors in dining rooms, kitchens, warehouses, garages, dining areas, and storage buildings.
• Mortar Epoxy – Mortar epoxy coatings are recommended for heavy industrial applications because it produces the strongest of epoxy floors. The coating may be used for filling in cracks and uneven surfaces before applying other types of epoxy floor coating.
• Graveled Epoxy – If you wish to add brand marks, logo types, and other decorative details to your epoxy floors, gravelled epoxy coating is a good choice.
• Epoxy Terrazzo – Epoxy terrazzo coatings are also decorative. Common applications include entrances and hallways of offices, schools, and public buildings.
• Epoxy Anti-Static – Epoxy anti-static coatings come in handy for environments where static-sensitive electronic components are found. Anti-static epoxy floors are often found in hospitals, broadcasting companies, hospitals, and electronics manufacturing plants.
• Vapour Barrier – Epoxy floors sometimes use liquid epoxy vapour barriers to create a surface that eliminates vapour transmission. Vapour barrier epoxy coatings may also be used as an undercoat for vinyl sheets, carpets, hardwood floors, and tiles.
• Epoxy Flaked – The addition of tiny multi-coloured chips or flakes on a layer epoxy coating produces a decorative finish on epoxy floors.