Epoxy floorings are one of the best industrial and residential flooring options in the world. They endure heavy loads and weights as well as last long enough to prove that they indeed provide value for your money. Regardless of whether they are installed in school cafeterias, commercial buildings, garages, warehouses, industrial sites or other places that receive heavy traffic, epoxy flooring will provide high-performing, smooth, and durable surfaces that will last many years under constant use.
The use of epoxy flooring is on the rise. Like many entrepreneurs in the commercial and industrial sector, most homeowners are installing epoxy flooring in their homes-especially in their garages. So, why are epoxy flooring famous? Why do most architects recommend their installation and what are their advantages? Let’s find out.
Advantages of Epoxy on Garage Floors
Most of us pay little attention to our garage. The only time we see their importance is when we are working on our cars or when we decide to use the garage for another purpose-like making it a guest room. A garage is not just a place where we park cars anymore. It can be used in various ways, and its appearance matters a lot; especially when it comes to adding property value. So, why is it crucial to install epoxy flooring to your garage? What makes an epoxy floored garage better than the average garage?
Impact Resistant and Durable
Epoxy coating is among the most durable floor coating on the market. Not only do they withstand constant foot traffic, but the impact resistant coating also endures bike trick practice, street hockey games, and basketball tournaments. Epoxy is designed to endure heavy machinery like forklifts in industrial facilities. So, regardless of whether you own and drive a BMW SUV or a Honda Civic, the floor will do just fine when it comes to resisting high impacts.
Epoxy is Versatile and Colorful
Your floor color is one of the first things people will notice when they come to your house. A good epoxy flooring color makes a statement that defines your tastes and preferences; it leaves a lasting impression. Did you know that epoxy floor colors aren’t painted? The color is in the resin which is usually combined with a hardener. This means that epoxy flooring colors do not chip since they are part of the floor.
You can also paint the floor of your parking space or decorate your garage with your favorite team’s logo. There are countless ways to revamp your home garage using different epoxy flooring patterns. What’s more, the epoxy floor coatings can be done in different ways to have a variety of textures. With epoxy flooring, homeowners have the chance of customizing their homes in unique ways.
Easy to Clean
Homeowners appreciate that it feels like you have to spend too much time and money on maintaining a home. The last thing they’d want is a high-maintenance floor in their garage. With epoxy, cleaning is easy and worrying about grease and stains as a result of spills should be the last thing on your mind. Epoxy doesn’t absorb liquids. Epoxy floors are also slip-resistant which means that they protect against damage that results from spills.
Why is Epoxy Good for High Traffic Areas?
Epoxy flooring is known to maintain its appearance regardless of the pressure they receive from heavy loads and high traffic. They are ideal for high-traffic areas such as school cafeterias, entryways, hallways, and other common areas. These places are more exposed to wear and tear because of frequent use, and as a result, they are prone to damage from mildew, molds, and water. Epoxy flooring contains antimicrobial agents for protection. Impressively, epoxy flooring can hold up to 9,000 per square inch without cracking, chipping, or breaking. If you are looking for a long lasting flooring material to install in a high-traffic area, look no further.
How to Choose Epoxy Color and Finish
The same way that you take pride in your cars is the same way that you should be proud of where you store them. A beautiful well-performing car deserves to be stored in an up-to-date garage. Storing it in a cracked, stained garage doesn’t make sense. Epoxy flooring adds decorative dimensions to cement surfaces. It also prevents oil absorption meaning that the concrete floor beneath is well protected from corrosion.
The right color and finish for your epoxy add aesthetic as well as property value to your home. When choosing the right color for your epoxy, there are several things you should consider. One of the things to consider are the colors of your walls and how they reflect on the floors. Also, consider shadows and other things that will fill up the floors. When choosing the right color for your epoxy, consider how easy and manageable they are when it comes to cleaning. For instance, white floors may look fantastic, but they are a nightmare when it comes to cleaning. You should also note that some darker paints show more dust and dirt than others. You can take your garage game to a higher level by applying a metallic pearl effect epoxy. Doing this amplifies and reflects the beauty of your cars. Garages with epoxy finishes are easy and cheap to maintain because they do not need frequent repairing because of wear and tear.
How Long Do Epoxy Floors Last?
Epoxy flooring can last up to 30 years without showing any signs of damage. The following factors determine how long epoxy flooring will last.
- The quality of the topcoat
– High quality topcoat is highly resistant to abrasion and scratches. - The extent of traffic– Epoxy installed on high traffic areas will wear out faster than those installed in low traffic areas.
- UV Light Exposure– An epoxy floor has poor resistance to UV light. When exposed to regular sunlight, the binder used can chalk and turn powdery.
- The thickness of epoxy– The thicker the epoxy coating, the longer it lasts.
How to Maintain Epoxy Flooring
-Wipe the flooring with a soft cloth or paper towel for minor spills.
-Routinely clean your floor with a commercial dust mop or a soft bristle broom.
-For heavy cleaning of a soiled epoxy floor, use clear ammonia, hot water, and a hard foam mop.
-Use kitchen scrubbing pads to get rid of some stains such as rust.
-Never use soap based cleaners or acidic cleaners such as vinegar and citrus cleaners. Soap based cleaners detract the shine from epoxy flooring.
-Place a pad under motorcycle kickstands to prevent damaging the coating surface.
When Not to Use Epoxy
In as much as epoxy adds property and aesthetic value to our homes and garage, there are instances where they should not be used. Structurally unsound concrete or compromised floors such as wood, uncoated, tile, and ceramic are a few examples. Epoxy flooring cannot be applied on uncoated floors is because they breakdown quickly. They also cannot be added to wood flooring because wood floors tend to flex and move.
Epoxy flooring installation requires the help of qualified professionals who have the skills and knowledge of working with epoxy coating. At C.E.T Painting, we have exactly what you need to take care of your epoxy flooring needs. If you are looking forward to installing perfect epoxy flooring to your home or garage, get in touch with C.E.T Painting, and we will be happy to provide accurate and affordable rates. For bookings and consultations, visit our website or call us on (914) 615-1415.