Decorative Epoxy flooring is a popular residential, commercial, and industrial flooring solution. Most epoxy floor coatings are two-part systems with a resin (Part A) and a hardener (Part B).
Coatings use flow control, UV inhibitors, adhesion promoters, and accelerators. They work well in a wide range of flooring applications.
It is possible to modify the properties of epoxy floor coatings in a variety of ways. It speeds up curing and makes them more durable, wears- and chemical-resistant, etc.
To make epoxy floor resin look different, colors, quartz aggregate, vinyl flakes, and glitter are added.
Decorative Epoxy Flooring is a very versatile type of flooring. It can be made and put down in a wide range of ways that affect how well they work and how they look.
WHAT IS Decorative EPOXY?
Decorative Epoxy is a polymer of epoxides that can be used as an adhesive, paint, plastic, or other material. The word “epoxy” is used to describe coatings that are made from two parts, also called “resin.” Resin is a mixture of two different chemicals. Because of this, epoxy is a copolymer. Chemically, the resin is made of short-chain polymers that end in an epoxide group.
Using an epoxy floor coating instead of other types of resin for flooring has a lot of advantages. The most important thing to know about epoxy is that it is the strongest resin in the business. They make the strongest bond between the resin and the reinforcement. It allows the lightest and most durable modules to be done.
Most people choose epoxy because it has good mechanical properties. When properly cured, decorative epoxy flooring is resistant to chemicals and heat. It doesn’t shrink much.
Decorative epoxy flooring resins are an excellent choice for repairs because they can stick to different materials. It is also perfect for materials that have already hardened. Most epoxy resins can be heated to make them stronger after they have been cured. It helps to work better at higher temperatures and keep their shape.
Parts should be fixed at a temperature equal to or higher than their maximum operating temperature. The epoxy could warp or bend if they aren’t cured at this temperature. Epoxy paint is stronger than other common materials like vinyl ester or polyester because of how it bonds.
Types of Decorative Epoxy Flooring
1. Quartz, Chip Blends, and Metallics
If you’re looking for decorative floor coatings that can go with any design scheme, we’ve got you covered with a variety of quartz, chip, solid, and metallic options.
When placed with a trowel, slurry, or broadcast method, our attractive tinted quartz blends with a resin system. It provides outstanding strength and impact resistance to an aggregate-filled floor.
Terrazzo’s aesthetic may be achieved at a far lower cost using innovative colored chip blends and resin finishes that don’t require any waxing or extra buffing.
2. Metallic Epoxy Floor Coating
The organic beauty of stained or polished concrete is replicated in our metallic “faux stain” flooring, but it performs significantly better. This kind of decorative epoxy flooring is both durable and eye-catching. It gives a decorative look that you can’t get by painting a surface in the usual way.
When used on a floor, unique metallic colors can make it look like there is movement and depth. This type of coating is often used in commercial floorings and high-traffic retail settings. So, it gives floors a striking look.
Decorative EPOXY FLOOR COATING APPLICATION PROCESS
The process for putting on epoxy floor coating is important to make sure that it is put on correctly. Putting on an epoxy floor coating involves putting on different layers. There are three of these: the priming layer, the body coat, and the top coat. This makes the floor thicker and stronger than if it only had one or two coats of paint.
1. Priming Layer
When putting on an epoxy floor coating, the first thing to ensure is that the concrete floor has been ground and is in good shape. The floor’s surface must be ready for the new coat of epoxy coating that will go on top of it.
Getting ready involves getting rid of dust, grinding, shot blasting, and scarifying. The priming phase comes next. During priming, the primer must get deep into the floor to make sure it’s in good shape to be painted.
2. Body Coat Layer
After priming, the next step is to use epoxy to fill in all of the holes and cracks that can be seen on the floor. This is how the first coat of the epoxy layer system is put on.
After this is done, the floor needs to be lightly ground, sanded, and layered again. To see if there is sealant on the floor, a small amount of water can be pressed down and put on the floor. If the water doesn’t soak in, likely, the floor isn’t ready for the next step, which is to put on the epoxy floor coating.
3. Top Coat Layer
During the second part of the epoxy coating process, the epoxy resin and epoxy hardener products are mixed. This makes sure that every part of the component is used. Again, all dust that can be seen must be cleaned off to get the right finish.
It’s important to remember that epoxy resin is made from heat and chemical reactions. However, at room temperature, epoxy resin tends to be very stable. The process of curing doesn’t start until the epoxy resin reacts with another curing agent.
PROS AND CONS OF Decorative EPOXY FLOORS
Decorative Epoxy flooring is popular in commercial, industrial, and residential settings. For many applications, epoxy resin’s benefits outweigh its downsides. Here are the pros and cons of resina epoxy flooring for homes and businesses.
Pros
When it comes to decorative epoxy flooring, the pros far outweigh the cons. Some of the advantages are:
Durability
It’s great for places with a lot of foot traffic, where people lift heavy things, or where processes could be hard on the floor.
Affordability
It is less expensive than other types of flooring. Since they last longer, this also means you get more for your money.
Visual Appearance
Decorative Epoxy flooring has a shiny finish that works well in garages, other homes, and business buildings. The polished surface also makes it easy to clean, so the shine will last for a long time.
Safety and Regulatory Standards
They are reliable. For example, there are epoxy floors that are approved by the USDA and FDA for use in places that process and distribute food and drinks.
Cons
When people put in decorative epoxy flooring, the main problems they run into are smell, moisture, and sensitivity. All three problems can be easily fixed with a good epoxy flooring installation.
Application Fumes
When you are putting on epoxy, the wet epoxy gives off a bad smell. When putting in decorative epoxy flooring, people with severe asthma should be very careful. However, you won’t have to worry too much about the smell of epoxy because it will only be there while you are installing it.
Moisture
Moisture doesn’t affect epoxy unless it gets trapped before it is put in place. Before they start putting on the epoxy, our installers will make sure your floor is completely dry to make sure it doesn’t get wet.
Sensitivity
Lastly, epoxy can be sensitive if it is installed wrong or when it is not the right time of year. As for the second question, it’s usually best to put up epoxy when the humidity is low. Since the way we install things has been tried and tested, you can be sure that we’ll do it right.
California’s Premier Choice for Decorative Epoxy Flooring
Who says that high-performance floors can’t be aesthetic? Our decorative epoxy floor coating systems and other resinous materials show that beauty is more than skin deep. Looks can deceive, but these floors are built to last.
Decorative epoxy flooring that can resist strong foot traffic or large point loads is what we specialize in. We can meet your needs no matter what they are. Our quartz, chip blends, and metallics all produce beautiful surfaces that can withstand daily use, so your floors will look great while also serving a practical purpose.
With years of experience, Diverse Technology Industrial Inc. is California’s leading company for decorative flooring and protective coatings. Call our experts at (209) 250-7828 to learn more about our trusted services.
