Epoxy Flooring
What is Epoxy Flooring and Its Benefits
The flooring of any space has an important role to play. It doesn't just create an aesthetic it also offers safety features and facilitates daily tasks. Whether you are dealing with residential flooring or a commercial and industrial setting, you need to invest in floor coatings that will withstand the space's normal activities. Epoxy coatings are particularly popular because they are easy to clean, and they stand up to heavy wear and tear for long-term application.What is Epoxy Flooring?Firstly, it is worth pointing out that epoxy is much more versatile than you have been led to believe. While it has long been popular in industrial settings or working environments, it is also a suitable solution for residential properties. Whether you need an anti-slip floor solution in the bathroom or you have a concrete floor in your kitchen that needs an upgrade. So, the image you have of a single option repeated across a series of sterile or professional environments is false.Epoxy flooring is a floor coating that is applied once a concrete surface has been prepared. Whether you diamond grind or shot blast your surface, the flooring needs to be smoothed and prepared for the epoxy coatings. This preparation ensures that the coating is absorbed and adheres to the surface properly. A two-part solution, once the hardening chemical and resin are combined it creates a chemical reaction to effectively transform the floor coating into hard plastic once it cures. Before choosing epoxy, learn which type of epoxy is right for the types of flooring you are covering.Epoxy Floor Coating BenefitsEpoxy floor coating comes with a lot of benefits from it is cost-effectiveness and chemically resistant properties to its durability and maintainability. If you are thinking about an epoxy floor coating, check out the benefits below. Durability One of the biggest benefits of applying the epoxy coating to flooring is it is highly durable. It can stand up to heavy foot traffic, equipment, and vehicles. It's far tougher than even the most conventional flooring solutions. Why is epoxy better than simple concrete? It hardens to prevent cracks, chips, and stains. When you drop a tool, you can rest assured your floor is safe. Maintainable The maintenance of epoxy coating is simple. Thanks to its glossy, resin finish it is easy to mop and wipe down after spills. You don't need to worry about staining or blotches. It also prevents bacteria and mould growth because it is a hygienic solution that slips into every nook and cranny. Aesthetically Pleasing Many people fall into the trap of envisioning a very industrial looking floor coating when they hear epoxy mentioned. There are a vast array of colours and finishes to choose from. You can opt for flaked epoxy, polished, or metallic. If you are coating residential or commercial flooring polished concrete oozes style and sophistication. And a flaked epoxy is ideal for wet areas in need of extra anti-slip grip. Cost-Effective As popular as vinyl and hardwood are, neither can beat epoxy coating when it comes to pricing. Epoxy flooring systems are one of the most cost-effective flooring solutions available. It is an affordable solution to start with, but it is a long-term investment as well. If installed correctly, an epoxy flooring system can last up to ten years. Part of its cost-effectiveness is down to the fact that it is easy to maintain. You don't need to worry about heavy cleaning equipment or product because epoxy is stain-resistant. It is a clean as you go flooring system. Slip-Resistant Finally, epoxy flooring is an excellent health and safety approved flooring solution. Since it is impregnable to moisture, there is less risk of slips, trips, and falls. Opting for epoxy with a slip-resistant additive makes it safe for use at home, in the office, garage, warehouses, and shop floors. It will keep your family, employees, and customers safe. That is why it has become such a stalwart across industries and in professional spaces. It is a flooring solution you can rely upon without much fuss.There are a variety of epoxy coating options, so be sure to research which option might be right for the type of flooring you have and the needs of your space. If you want to learn more about epoxy flooring installations, consult the professionals for expert advice. Epoxy Warehouse has stores all over Australia and is a stockist of the major epoxy brands. You can shop online or visit us in-store. Whether you need residential solutions for your driveway, garage floor, walkways or living spaces or commercial cover for showrooms, schools, storage facilities, retailers, or office buildings. We can also service industrial clients, whether you have a food processing plant, a factory or a warehouse.
Read more
How To Apply Anti-Slip Epoxy Flooring
A slippery floor could be a health and safety disaster, whether you have kids racing around the house or workers operating in a garage. If you opt for an epoxy floor coating system, you need to consider anti-slip additives. Epoxy floor paint is an excellent solution and an anti-slip additive will make your charming new floor a safe one. You can shop multiple colours and shades, and make it the perfect match for any room. Applying a non-slip coating won't just reduce the risk of accidents, it will always keep the floor looking newer for longer. Before Applying Anti-Slip Epoxy Flooring If you plan to apply epoxy flooring, whether it's the garage floor, an industrial kitchen or a warehouse, there are a few factors to address first: Check the floor for moisture. You can do this by covering the area with plastic and leaving it overnight. If you find moisture marks on the corners of the plastic later, you know the epoxy will not work. If there are no marks, you can proceed. If you see beading, it's a sure sign of concrete sealer which means you can't use epoxy. Prepare the floor. There are two considerations here. Acid etching on new concrete: Use a degreaser to remove any oil Mix 1 part hydrochloric acid with 10 parts of water and brush this onto the floor Wash the surface with clean water and allow to dry completely Fill any cracks using epoxy fillers and allow to cure Sand over the filler to make sure no residue is left behind. An 80-120 grit sand paper should suffice Vacuum the floor to ensure no dust remains - vacuuming is the most effective way to ensure you get all debris Existing concrete with coating on it Degrease the heavily affected oily area Diamond grind the floor to remove the existing coating and top layer of concrete Vacuum dust and fill any imperfections using epoxy fillers Sand over the filler, as above Vacuum the floor When floor is completely dry, apply epoxy primer Applying Epoxy Floor Coatings Once the steps above are complete, you can move on to applying your anti-slip epoxy coating. You can use a primer or move onto the slip resistance epoxy. Follow the instructions on your chosen resistant surface epoxy and wear the correct safety gear as you mix your epoxy. Follow these steps: Step One: Mix the epoxy flooring product as per manufacturer’s instructions. Remember: On 25-degree days epoxies have 20 minutes of pot life, so only mix as much as you can apply within 20 minutes Step Two: Cut the corners using a good quality brush. Step Three: Dip your industrial cover roller into the tray and start rolling. Make sure you apply an even coat of primer to your floor. Wait for it to cure (usually a few days). Step Four: Once your epoxy has cured, return and sand down any high points. Also, fill any cracks with epoxy fillers. Step Five: Vacuum the surface Step Six: Mix Part A and B together. Step Seven: Add anti-slip media (such as clean silica sand, aluminium oxide or floating anti-slip media) to your mix or broadcast it over wet film. Step Eight: Using a good quality brush, start cutting and then apply an even coat of epoxy to the floor using industrial grade roller covers. Step Nine: While it’s still wet, use epoxy flooring spikes and walk on the film, then back roll the epoxy to achieve a uniform finish.
Read more