Epoxy floors are increasingly becoming the gold standard for a clean and durable modern-day floor covering. Epoxy flooring has many advantages; they make the floor more attractive and save the cost of constant floor repairs. Moreover, epoxy floor coverings are suitable for both residential and commercial places.
What is Epoxy and Epoxy Flooring?
Epoxy is a polymer of epoxide that can be used to make adhesives, plastics, paints, and other materials. Epoxy comprises two components or a mixture of two distinct substances known as resins.
Epoxy floor coatings are a mixture of chemicals put together in specific proportions. They are different flooring options from tiles, with different types that can be used in several ways based on each material's characteristics.
What Are the Benefits of Epoxy Floors?
- Attractive appearance
Epoxy floors give a gleaming attractive finish, making them great for garages, compound floors, homes, and commercial buildings.
- Durability
Epoxy is made of strong chemicals held together by strong covalent bonds; this makes them ideal for high-traffic places and garages.
- Safe and regulated
Epoxy flooring and epoxy products are safe for the environment and are well regulated to ensure harmless use.
Epoxy Floor Coating Application Process
Epoxy floor coating involves making epoxy coatings in different layers until a solid floor covering is achieved. The following are what a satisfying epoxy floor coating process looks like:
1. Self-preparation
During the process, you may be exposed to various physical hazards. Therefore, ensure you have your Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to minimize danger. For example, use disposable gloves, sleeved clothing, well-covered shoe, and masks.
2. Preparing the floor surface
Surface preparation is important to ensure adhesion between the epoxy coating and the substrate floor. It is, in fact, one of the most important steps to achieve success in any floor covering procedure.
Most importantly, the floor has to be prepared by making it rough. You can achieve this by using specific techniques like grinding using diamond rings, milling, or sanding. The common method of surface preparation is grinding with a floor grinding machine.
Preparing the floor also involves sweeping and cleaning. Ensure to remove any chemical or oil spill that may prevent the epoxy from sticking to the surface of the floor. You can effectively do this by using an industrial vacuum cleaner.
3. Priming the floor with a suitable epoxy primer
The next step after preparing the floor is to make a surface coat using an epoxy primer to which the epoxy will effectively bind. Priming gives better adhesion to the floor surface and seals the floor, thereby reducing the risk of bubbles and gasses in the final coat.
4. Refilling
Before you begin to coat the floor with epoxy coating, fill up all holes and cracks that may be on the floor. You can use an epoxy filler from the various types available to refill. You can either use clear epoxy resins or go with epoxy patching grout. Leave the patches and fillers to dry for some time.
5. Applying base coat
Once you have done a thorough preparation of the entire floor, the next thing to do is begin applying the first epoxy coat. But first, you need to mix the epoxy properly. In the case of a two-part epoxy, make a proper mixing of the available coating and hardener. As soon as the mix is ready, begin to pour. After pouring, you can use a squeegee or roller to spread and smoothen out the coating. Keep the area ventilated after pouring.
6. Adding decorative chips
As the base coat begins to solidify, ensure there are no bubbles. Apply decorative chips or flakes to the flooring. The best way to achieve a good decorative chip spread is to toss the chips into the air and let them diffuse evenly to all parts of the floor. Apply the chips continually until the desired result is achieved.
7. Applying finishing coat
Using the squeegee or a paint roller brush, spread in another layer of the epoxy coat in the same manner as the base coat. The purpose of applying the epoxy coat in layers is to reach a consistent and smooth epoxy floor covering layer. Allow the final coat to set overnight, and use acetone to clean up any spills.
The key to a quality epoxy floor coating is to prepare adequately, not rush the steps.
How To Do an Epoxy Floor Coating
You can make an epoxy floor coating in two ways:
- Hire expert flooring contractors
You can get your epoxy floor coverings done by hiring a professional. If you are searching for "epoxy floor coating contractors near me," garagefloorcoatingofnashville.com is highly recommended. Their team of experts can help you bring your epoxy floor covering dream to reality with a satisfying installation process.
- DIY method
You can do your epoxy floor coating by yourself. Follow the above DIY step-by-step guidelines.
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