Are you thinking about installing some new flooring for your home? Maybe it’s time to consider epoxy flooring for your next renovation project!
You already know that there are dozens of options at your disposal and different materials are more suitable for specific rooms. For example, hardwood is a gorgeous option for a living room or a bedroom but a bad idea for a basement. But epoxy coating is quickly gaining in popularity with contractors and homeowners because you can make it work in virtually every room of a home, including the garage. But like with every building material, there are pros and cons to consider before you commit.
In this blog, the flooring professionals at Prestige Painting & Contracting will explain what epoxy flooring is, as well as lay out the pros and the cons of using this flooring material.
What is an epoxy floor?
An epoxy floor starts with a typical concrete pour, then a synthetic resin is poured on top of the concrete once it’s cured. The epoxy resin offers protection for the concrete, durability, and even decoration.
Typically, an epoxy floor consists of several coats of this synthetic resin for the best-looking and toughest epoxy coating you can get.
Pros of Epoxy Flooring
Let’s look at the pros and cons of epoxy flooring, starting with the pros:
Durable Material
Epoxy coatings for floors is renowned for its durability and ability to last a long time, however there are several factors which will determine exactly how long it will last. You must consider in what room it was applied, what the environment is like in terms of temperature and exposure to moisture, as well as if the epoxy installed properly.
The location of installation is also important because while epoxy holds up very well to corrosion, cracks and peels, heavy foot traffic will reduce its life expectancy by a few years, whereas if you put an epoxy floor in a basement it will likely last up to 20 years. Add in the fact that epoxy coatings are resistant to chemical spills, extreme heat and moisture — they are ideal accompaniments for commercial and industrial renovations as well.
Very Affordable
If you’re looking for a quick and affordable way to elevate the look of your existing concrete floor, then you may be surprised by what a good deal epoxy floor coatings are. The installation is easy — although it can be time-consuming. So, you’re looking at a much cheaper installation that uses fewer materials.
Now, you’ve probably heard of concrete polishing, and admittedly it’s a nice finish and has its own merits, but that’s much more expensive than a good and durable epoxy floor coating.
Easy to Customize
There are no limits aesthetically when it comes to epoxy floor coatings. There are limitless colour options. Let your creativity soar with epoxy’s seemingly magical ability to show off complex patterns, metallic finishes, and other fun geometric shapes.
And don’t worry about whether your pattern will start to fade under years of dirt and wear. Epoxy floor coatings are so durable with their non-stick engineering making it easy to clean and maintain.
Cons of Epoxy Flooring
Here are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring.
Lengthy Installation Process
The preparation process for your epoxy floor coating may take several days. The concrete surface needs to be clean extensively to get rid of any oils or grease. Installers also need to check the humidity levels in the room, because if they are too high, the floor will not cure properly and won’t last as long as it should.
Can be Slippery
Sometimes an epoxy floor coating can make for an especially slippery surface in the case of a liquid being spilled on it. That’s because the floor coatings are so water-resistant, there’s nothing to absorb a spill. However, there is a solution. For an additional cost, you can choose to add silica sand or aluminium oxide to the finish, which should make the floor less slippery.
Long Curing Time
Unlike a hardwood floor or laminate you can walk on right away, poured epoxy floors require you to wait for several days before walking on top of it. The longer the resin cures, the more durable and resistant to damage it will be. This may end up being a major frustration for some homeowners, but if you go in knowing what to expect, you won’t be disappointed with the final product.
Contact Us
Those are the pros and cons of epoxy flooring. Does the idea of epoxy flooring in homes or resin flooring sound like the perfect idea for your next home renovation? The contracting team at Prestige Painting & Contracting specializes in residential epoxy flooring.
Contact us today to book your free consultation.