The Most Common Misconceptions About Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy floor coatings are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners and for many good reasons. They represent a significant upgrade from traditional concrete systems and they can prevent your floor from deteriorating and turning into a potential safety hazard. Epoxy flooring systems also require minimal maintenance, and they are incredibly affordable (considering the amount of value that they offer). In other words, epoxy installations are always a worthy investment.
However, there are a lot of myths circulating out there that we want to dispel. These misconceptions are a big reason why homeowners are also avoiding epoxy flooring. That being said, we want to provide you with some accurate information that you can rely on. Here is the truth about epoxy flooring:
Regular Paint Produces the Same Results
This is completely untrue. Although paint coatings certainly perform a similar function to epoxy overlays, they are still very different. Just using paint alone is not going to provide you the same level of protection as epoxy. Paint cannot prevent stains and abrasions from occurring. The epoxy mixture actually adheres to the concrete floor, forming a layer of protection that offers a lot of resistance to normal wear and tear.
You Can’t Install Epoxy Flooring on a Budget
This is a myth that many professional installers cannot begin to fathom. The incredible durability of the epoxy material alone makes it the most cost-effective option in the long term. The longevity of epoxy also makes it a worthy investment because you will end up spending less money on future repairs and replacements.
Think about some of the alternatives to epoxy flooring, such as interlocking tiles or vinyl flooring. These are materials that will end up needing a lot of maintenance and repairs, which is going to hurt you financially in the long run. Some of the cheaper alternatives are going to require you to invest more money in regular upkeep and repair work.
You Must Reapply Epoxy Every Year
Resealing your epoxy flooring is undoubtedly something you will need to do. However, resealing only needs to take place once every five to ten years if you hire a professional to perform the initial installation. The durability and structural resilience of the material minimizes the number of resealings you will need to undergo. Epoxy installations are often ideal for industrial settings that experience a lot of foot and vehicle traffic, so you can expect the material to offer a great deal of resistance to damage.
Epoxy Flooring Is Slippery
Epoxy flooring offers plenty of skid-resistance, which is another reason why the material is ideal for industrial and commercial settings. However, if it’s slip- and skid-resistance that you need, then you should discuss it with your professional epoxy installer. That’s because they will need to add an anti-slip additive into the epoxy mixture to produce the traction and resistance that you need. Slips and accidents tend to occur in a variety of commercials settings, including industrial buildings, doctors’ offices, and hospitals.
Epoxy Installations Are Perfect for DIY Projects
There are DIY epoxy kits that you can purchase in many home improvement stores. However, the quality of the product is well below industry standards and not on the same level as professional-grade materials. Also, with every epoxy installation, you can expect there to be a lot of prep work. Without all the necessary tools and equipment, your DIY installation project will suffer. If you overlook any steps in the process, then you may need to re-apply your epoxy paint, which can become a costly and time-consuming process.
We always strongly recommend that you at the very least consult a professional installer about your epoxy flooring project. Ask any expert, and they will tell you that the preparations are as equally important as the installation itself. Without the proper preparation, your epoxy application is doomed to fail.
What do the preparations entail? They include wiping up and removing any grease, cement paste, waxes, glue, and other debris that’s stuck to your flooring. Once you perform a thorough cleaning, you may need to undergo acid etching, diamond grinding, or shot-blasting to smoothen out the concrete floor. We should mention, however, that these kinds of solutions won’t be applicable to every flooring system.
Is Epoxy Flooring the Right Choice for You?
Epoxy surfaces are not always the ideal choice for every commercial or residential space. However, epoxy flooring offers you a lot of flexibility and versatility in terms of how you decide to apply the material. The overlays provide you with an incredible amount of durability and protection. You can also expect to spend a lot less money on maintenance and repair expenses.
As we discussed earlier, we strongly advise that you avoid any DIY projects. If you lack the necessary experience and equipment, then epoxy installations are not easy to perform on your own. Hiring a professional to assist you throughout the process is going to make everything a lot simpler. They can also purpose different solutions so that you can choose the most viable option moving forward.