Understanding the Pros and Cons of Epoxy Flooring

Many of us are searching for the right floor that will stand the test of time. A floor that is durable, stain-resistant, and offers incredible load-bearing and shock-absorbing capabilities. Have you ever heard of epoxy flooring? It offers many incredible benefits that make the material well worth the investment. However, epoxy flooring also has a few drawbacks that we also want to touch upon.

You should know that with many of the different styles and methods, there are going to be pros and cons. Here are some of the things you should know about epoxy flooring before you decide to install it:

The appearance of epoxy flooring is unlike anything else that you will find on the market. The concrete coating creates a shiny and professional-looking surface that no other material can match. The way it looks and the beauty that it produces are the main reasons why a lot of people choose to install the material in the first place. The pristine and seamless appearance of the floor is truly incredible in terms of the visuals alone. Also, depending on who you hire, a concrete contractor will offer you a wide range of design options to choose from.

Epoxy also happens to be an affordable option when it comes to revamping your concrete flooring system. When you compare the materials to other flooring methods, you will be hard-pressed to find a more economical choice. The beauty of epoxy flooring is that you can apply it to your existing concrete installation, which will minimize a lot of your labor costs. Pricing and installation fees are always among everyone’s top concerns, and epoxy flooring represents one of your most budget-friendly alternatives.

Concrete epoxy coatings also produce one of the most stain-resistant surfaces you will ever encounter. The sturdy overlay seals off the concrete and will resist just about everything – oil, gasoline, bleach, transmission fluid, cleansers and more. This is why epoxy flooring is so popular in the auto repair and manufacturing industry. The material also offers resistance against heat and moisture, and it is also impervious to chemical spills.

You are not going to find a more durable material than epoxy flooring. It lasts much longer than most other flooring systems, and the average lifespan of an epoxy floor coating is usually around 20-30 years. You are going to get an incredible amount of usage out of the material. Epoxy overlays provide an exceptional amount of strength and resilience for your concrete flooring. Furthermore, your epoxy installation won’t begin to crack or peel for several decades if you properly take care of the material. The lifespan of the epoxy is one of the more popular features among business owners and commercial operators.

Let’s also talk about the visual variety that epoxy flooring offers. It presents you with plenty of fun decorative opportunities that you normally wouldn’t have. There are plenty of color schemes, textures, and design options for you to choose from. You should explore all of your ideas and decide on a design that expresses something about your personality. Your number of choices is truly limitless and you should take full advantage of this to improve the ambiance of the setting in which you decide to install your new epoxy flooring.

Concrete coatings also provide an incredible amount of protection against moisture, stains, grease and cracks. This is what makes it the ideal choice when it comes to long-term performance. You will also save a lot of time you would normally need to undergo maintenance and cleaning procedures. That’s because you are eliminating the need to remove bacteria and grout that gets trapped in a traditional concrete installation. The level of durability and protection you are receiving from your epoxy overlay makes it well worth the investment. We also want to inform you that the protective properties of your epoxy flooring will ultimately depend on the skills of the installer. You will want to hire someone who knows what they are doing.

Epoxy coatings also create a surface that is seamless and easy to clean. The epoxy mixture is poured onto the floor which means that there are no joints or ridges. When you remove those cracks and crevices from the floor, you take away those areas where dirt and debris tend to collect. Many professional installers will utilize an anti-microbial additive in the epoxy mixture which can greatly simplify your sanitation efforts. Epoxy and concrete coatings make maintenance and cleanings go a lot smoother.

Did you know that epoxy flooring is also the eco-friendly option? Installing an epoxy floor coating poses no danger to the environment. That is because the material leaves behind very minimal waste when you compare it to other flooring systems. Also, the non-porous properties of the epoxy overlay means that you won’t have to resort to harsh chemical cleaners to remove dirt and filth.

Epoxy flooring is technically a temporary solution. All this means is that the coatings will diminish and you will need to reseal your concrete flooring at some point in the future. The effects of daily wear and tear are something that every flooring system will undergo. Things will look good for a while, but then you will notice that your floor is beginning to lose its original luster. However, this is nothing to fret about. You can easily restore your floor’s appearance by putting down a new coating of epoxy. This is something you can expect to happen if you install your epoxy flooring in a large industrial facility.

Cracks and chipping are also common occurrences. They can be annoying at first, and if you fail to fix your floor, then those cracks can develop into a bigger problem. Carts that you wheel around your facility will get caught in those cracks which can hamper your workflow. You will need to perform timely repairs to avoid any major structural damage.

Epoxy flooring can be slippery, which will pose a major safety risk. However, this issue is typically limited to floors that are covered in oil, such as an auto repair garage. Prior to installing an epoxy overlay, then you will need to clean and remove all the oil, grease and other solvents embedded in your flooring system. Otherwise, the epoxy coatings won’t properly adhere. You can also request that the installer include anti-skid additives in the epoxy mixture to achieve a grippier surface.

The entire process involves a lot of preparation. In many cases, it will take longer just to prepare your floor for the application. A lot of effort goes into cleaning and removing any grease or oils embedded in your concrete flooring system. You will also need to fill in cracks and repair any minor defects in the concrete material so that it can properly receive the epoxy overlay. Sometimes the cleaning process alone will require multiple attempts. Also, if the epoxy does not properly adhere to your concrete flooring, then you will need to remove it and start all over again. This can end up becoming a time-consuming process.

Concrete coatings are a sensitive process. What we mean by this is that if you overlook any minor details, then you are not going to get the most out of your installation. The coatings will scratch easily and deteriorate quickly. Also, if humidity levels are high, the epoxy can end up trapping some of that moisture which can also affect the outcome of the installation. Many professional installers will use dehumidifiers on days in which there is a lot of moisture in the atmosphere.

With epoxy and concrete coatings, you will always need an under-flooring. Usually wood, cement, concrete, or steel will constitute a viable under-flooring. If you are building from scratch, then things will be a lot more costly.

You can install epoxy flooring just about anywhere, but it is more commonly used in areas that experience a lot of foot traffic. This includes office settings, retail stores, warehouses, factories, and other manufacturing facilities and commercial buildings. Most businesses are looking to optimize operations and simplify the way they do things which is why they choose epoxy. However, epoxy flooring is also ideal for various residential usages, including pool decks, garage floors, and in game rooms. Many homeowners love the unique and distinct appearance that epoxy flooring produces.

The short answer is yes. You already know about the limitations of every other flooring system. You know that sometimes you are not going to get a lot of value out of what you invest. Nothing is better than epoxy in terms of how the material will benefit you in the long run.

If you have any questions regarding professional concrete coatings and epoxy solutions, then give us a call! One of our qualified technicians can explain everything you will need to know. We can also provide you with additional information on pricing and scheduling.