Getting a great floor is all about matching your needs with the most suitable flooring option, and making the right decisions every step of the way.
On this page, we want to discuss the key characteristics of epoxy flooring to help give homeowners, business owners, builders, designers and architects a better understanding of how it compares to other flooring surfaces.
To start off with we’ll list the things most people love about epoxy flooring compared to other flooring types, and then follow that up with a look at the limitations that can come into play.
Note - There are a few different types of epoxy flooring, however the majority of systems are based on two-pack epoxy resin technology, and, therefore, that will be the focus here.
As you can see, epoxy resin flooring has many benefits when compared to other flooring surfaces, however,
as with any floor, there are certain limitations that are worth keeping in mind.
Below is a summary of these for epoxy floors, as well as a quick discussion of the common measures that can be taken to minimise their
impact.
Will epoxy floors fade or yellow in direct sunlight? Yes, like all paints and plastics (including vinyl), epoxy flooring will slowly weather, however the term “yellowing” is a bit of an exaggeration as it’s often the gradual appearance of a subtle yellowish tinge or undertone rather than turning daffodil overnight.
Although this type of fading is usually a cosmetic issue only and doesn’t compromise the epoxy floor itself, it’s obviously important to minimise its impact. To do this, there are design features and certain other measures available, such as using darker or yellow-based colours, avoiding contrast lines where possible, applying topcoats that help protect against UV, and tinting windows.
Will epoxy floors scuff and scratch? Yes they will, if they’re not maintained and cared for properly. As with any other flooring type, dropping heavy objects or dragging furniture across the surface is not a good idea. Fortunately, there are options available to help combat this sort, including clear PU topcoats with greater scuff/scratch resistance.
If there’s cracking in the concrete or excessive movement in other subfloor materials (e.g. fibre-cement or plywood), the epoxy floor on top is probably going to crack as well. It’s exactly the same for tiles and other hard floors like polished concrete.
If the concrete slab is weak, damaged, water-affected or heavily contaminated, you have to keep in mind epoxy floors rely on a sound foundation and future problems may arise. Prevention is always much better than a cure, so an inspection of your current floor prior to installation is a must.
Some people don’t like the look of joints and ask if epoxy floors can simply go over them to get that seamless look. If you’re dealing with a construction joint then it’s strongly advised not to bridge over it because the movement either side of these joints will invariably lead to cracks forming. Instead, have the epoxy flooring run down into the joint and a flexible sealant applied over the top. It mightn’t look as good, but it certainly looks better than a jagged crack and will help the floor last longer.
Having said all that, many people choose to go over control joints (different to a construction joint) assuming they will never move. If they do and the epoxy flooring cracks, you can cut along the joint again and have it filled with a flexible sealant.
As a field-applied product, epoxy floors are susceptible to minor imperfections caused by the surroundings. For example, it’s very hard to guarantee bugs won’t land in the film while it’s wet. Epoxy flooring installers will make every effort to minimise the risks and repairs can be made in most cases, however you should keep in mind that it can happen.
There are several options you can take to help deal with these imperfections, such as using darker colours or semi-gloss finishes as they make a big difference to what does and doesn’t show up.
This information has been adapted from our Resin Flooring Guide. Download your free copy at the bottom of this page.
Real World Epoxies has formulated, manufactured and supplied high-quality epoxy flooring systems and products for more than two decades. We stand behind our products because we only use proven, high-quality materials that we know will perform as expected. If you’re a floor owner, builder or specifier with an epoxy flooring project, we can connect you with one of our recommended epoxy installers to provide a quote.
Let us help you with your epoxy flooring needs when you fill out one of our contact forms or call us on 1300 EPOXIES (1300 376 943).
To help build a strong resin flooring industry that sits alongside timber, carpet, tiles and vinyl as a mainstream flooring option.
To eliminate preventable failures
that hurt the resin flooring industry
and prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Get our 20-page resin flooring guide for specifiers and floor owners here
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