Finding the right floor solution that can withstand the test of time can be tough. Not every flooring system is resistant to spills, stains, as well as chemicals, and almost every single one of them has its disadvantage in a particular aspect. Epoxy floors, though seemingly having fewer drawbacks than benefits, is no different.
To help you in getting to know the material more, here are the pros and cons of having an epoxy flooring.
Pros:
Appearance
Epoxy floors appear brighter and more professional than an average garage floor. This upgrade in appearance alone makes them more enticing to use. Cleaning won’t be that difficult either as the smooth, and even surface of the flooring prevents pretty much anything to stick and is very easy to sweep and maintain as well.
Resistance
Epoxy floors are resistant to almost everything — whether it’s oil, bleach, gasoline, cleansers, and others. Epoxy floor coating is heat and water-resistant as well and doesn’t get affected by most chemical spills. For this reason, they make the perfect flooring system for garages, basements, patios, and the like.
Another advantage of having an epoxy floor is that it is resistant to bacteria and germs, making it very easy to sanitize. Thus, epoxy is also the preferred choice of flooring for hospitals and clinics.
Durability
Concrete floors are already durable, as is. Applying an epoxy coating will add to its durability even more. An epoxy concrete floor is the second most durable floor type with a longer lifespan than most of the other flooring systems except concrete. Owing to the resistant nature of epoxy. It is one of the preferred options for establishments, both commercial properties, and residential homes alike.
Fast Installation
Most epoxy floorings have a quick installation time. Since it requires lesser time to install, it saves you from costly facility shutdowns. The faster installation also benefits your business in a lot of ways as downtime is kept to a minimum while your new facility will already be up and running in no time.
Safety
A lesser-known advantage of having epoxy flooring is it actually makes your workplace safer. By reflecting light off the floor, it dramatically enhances visibility in your work area.
Cons
Slippery SurfaceEpoxy floor paints are very slippery, especially when wet. A slippery floor proves to be dangerous, as it becomes prone to slips and accidents. This makes epoxy a poor choice of flooring in areas where rainfall and spillage happen rather frequently. As a remedy, you can add texture to the floor to make it less slippery.
Adherence
Before applying the epoxy coating, you must ensure that the concrete surface is prepared, dried, and cleaned thoroughly. Otherwise, adherence issues will ensue since epoxy does not adhere well in musty areas such as your basement. The epoxy paint lifts off the floors if applied on concrete surfaces in a damp environment.
Smell
Wet epoxy lets out strong fumes. Epoxy in darker shades has more hardeners than the lighter ones. Concrete surfaces will smell of ammonia after the application of epoxy.
Additional Costs
You will need to buy specific types of cleaning acids and other chemicals to make sure that the epoxy sticks. Working with chemicals will also make it necessary for you to purchase and use special protective clothing, eyewear, and breathing devices. The added steps increase not only the costs you need to allot for your epoxy coating project but the amount of time and effort as well.
Removal
Once the epoxy is already applied, changing the color or design of your floor can prove to be a more arduous task than the application itself. Even in instances where surface repairs need to be made, removing the coating is quite laborious and difficult.
Now that you know more about the pros and cons of having epoxy floors, consulting a professional contractor is the next step for you to take. Conduct an analysis of your concrete surfaces with their help before making any decision. They can also help determine the moisture tolerance of the floor to minimize the chances of delamination.