EPOXY FLOORS: Fact vs. Fiction
With all the conflicting information out there about the dos and don’ts of flooring installation, it can be difficult to choose the best floor option for your residential, commercial or industrial space. Perhaps one of the most controversial of the floor choices is epoxy floors.
Epoxy coating is becoming a more and more popular choice for not only industrial and commercial properties, but for residential spaces as well.
Epoxy coating is made up of a two-part mixture consisting of resin and a hardening agent. This mixture is then evenly distributed over well primed concrete, wood, tile or a variety of other surfaces you may find in a residential, commercial or industrial space.
Once the mixture is properly applied, a chemical reaction occurs creating a bond to the floor making it incredibly durable, long-lasting, slip resistant and easy to wipe clean!
Seems too good to be true, right? Let’s analyze some of the rumors swirling around out there about epoxy floors and we’ll let you be the judge.
“Epoxy Floors are only for large industries and wealthy folks. There’s no way I could afford that.”
Okay, we’ll admit, epoxy floors can be pretty intimidating considering their upscale look and incredible durability. But just because they offer these benefits and that sought after WOW factor doesn’t mean they are unattainable.
As we previously noted, epoxy floors are long-lasting which means you won’t be shelling out tons of cash for repairs and maintenance.
When you look at this as a long-term investment you’re actually saving money in the long run; Not to mention increasing the value of the property. When you do your research you’ll find that epoxy floors are also significantly more cost effective than other floor types.
The problem people will often face is that they decide on a cheaper flooring solution which inevitably requires more maintenance and repairs. You end up paying more over time.
Think of it like shopping at Costco. It might seem steep to pay $19.99 for paper towels, but it’s a whole lot nicer to not have to go running back to Walmart in a week for more and paying double for even less rolls.
“Who needs epoxy? I’ll just apply paint to the floors. It’ll look the same and cost way less!”
You’d think that were the case, but this is highly inaccurate. Even though both of these products may create a similar look when applied, they are indeed very different from one another.
For starters epoxy is superior in adhesion in comparison to paint. Paint dries, whereas epoxy cures which creates a much harder and durable surface. Paint simply won’t be able to protect the floor from abrasions, chemicals, bacteria, oil, grease and spills the way epoxy will.
Paint just doesn’t live up to epoxy’s ability to bond to the substrate making it a very costly mistake to apply instead of epoxy.
“I’ll just save my money and install the epoxy flooring myself! What could go wrong?”
It may be tempting to skip out on the labor costs of epoxy floor installation and just do it yourself with the help of the many DIY YouTube videos out there, but let us stop you right there before you go making a VERY costly mistake. I know what you’re thinking.
hard can it be? All I need to do is mix up the products listed in the video and apply to my concrete garage floor, right? Seemingly yes, but there’s far more that goes into it than that. For starters, only the most experienced epoxy floor installation crew understands that each floor is different, each with their own set of detailed challenges.
An experienced epoxy floor crew will meticulously prepare and prime the floor for installation (which can often be rather tedious) making sure the product can be applied properly. Without proper priming and preparation, you could end up with discolorations, uneven surfaces or little bubbles in the product making for a sloppy, unprofessional finished look.
Professional epoxy floors installers also have access to professional grade products which are much higher quality than the products you’ll get in the DIY kits you have at your local Home Depot. Low quality product = Low quality floor. High quality product = High quality floor. It’s really pretty simple when you look at it that way.
“Epoxy floors only make sense in warehouses and industrial facilities. Why would I use this flooring solution in my home?”
Yes, epoxy floors do make a fantastic choice for warehouses, commercial and industrial facilities due to their extreme durability and ability to withstand heavy loads, harsh chemicals and high heat. But believe it or not, the versatility that epoxy coating provides has made it a very popular choice for many residential surfaces including garage floors, basement floors, outdoor cement patios and walkways and even kitchen countertops!
First of all, let’s be real. A well-done epoxy coating is beautiful to look at. Because of the many colors and patterns you have to choose from you can radically upgrade the look of your residential space. In addition to the aesthetic appeal, the practicality is tough to beat. Here in the Lehigh Valley many people get stuck dealing with water damage and leaks during heavy down pours. Our humid summers also make having a dehumidifier a must.
With an epoxy floor you can eliminate the head aches that come along with dealing with these types of issues. Since epoxy coating is water resistant, any water that enters the garage or basement will sit right on top of the floor without seeping in making it a breeze to remove with a shop vac.
Another huge perk of epoxy floors in the home is the ability to easily wipe them clean. When epoxy is poured onto a properly prepared surface, you won’t have to deal with any ridges, cracks or seems the way you would with tile or hard wood.
The flat, seamless surface makes them a dream to clean. Their resistance to spills, stains, germs and bacteria make them a very desirable choice for a finished basement where the kids might spend most of their play time.
With regular sweeping and mopping the floors will stay clean and looking beautiful at all times.
Perhaps the most significant benefit yet is that these floors typically last up to 10 years! Talk about low maintenance!
So there you have it folks. We busted several of the myths circulating around about epoxy floors. A professionally installed epoxy floor truly has the potential to completely transform and revitalize your residential, commercial or industrial space.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may still have about epoxy floors. We’d be happy to discuss your options with you and help you decide if an epoxy floor is the right choice for you!
