If you want a beautiful, smooth surface for your home or business, epoxy flooring is a great option. Epoxy floor coatings are up to four times stronger than a 4-inch concrete floor and are excellent at hiding imperfections in a concrete base. Epoxy flooring is also a good choice for surfaces in areas where constant debris is an issue, such as in an auto repair shop. The multitude of color options and chip sizes ensure you get a variety of looks.
Epoxy Coatings
These are usually packaged in two parts that are mixed before application. The two parts are a hardener (co-reactant), which is cross-linked with an epoxy resin. An epoxy coating is formulated based on the performance requirements for the final product. Epoxies will provide you with a hard finish that is resistant to chemicals and solvents when they are properly catalyzed and applied. They are normally used on steel and concrete to provide resistance to alkali, acids, and water.
Application
While the actual product is epoxy floor coating, it is also known as “garage floor paint.” Typically, epoxy coatings are used on residential garage flooring, warehouse floors, and automotive shop areas. Standard solid colors include white, off-white, light gray, medium gray, beige, tile red, and many more.
If you need epoxy color flooring outdoors, it is best to hire a contractor during the summer, as good weather is necessary to install the flooring. Companies look for indoor projects during the winter. Here is a brief overview of the installation process:
- Base preparation: If you have a concrete base, the process begins by sanding it down and repairing any cracks. An epoxy putty may also be applied to repair imperfections in the concrete.
- Primer: An epoxy primer is rolled onto the floor to help the flooring system adhere properly.
- Color: The color is broadcasted onto the primer. Typically, two to three color coatings will be necessary, though even more will be needed if the concrete is in relatively poor condition. Extra color is removed by sweeping after each layer is applied.
- Curing: After each layer of epoxy and color is applied, it can take approximately eight hours to cure.
Things to Consider
When selecting and using epoxies, there are a few things you need to be aware of:
- Humidity generally needs to be below 85 percent.
- The temperature needs to be above 55 degrees Fahrenheit during the first three days of drying and at least 5 degrees above the dew point.
- You have to determine if the coating is suitable for the conditions it will be exposed to.
- Fresh air needs to circulate above the surface as it dries.
Transform your garage or home floor today with a professional epoxy coating provided by Sledge Concrete Coatings! Contact us for a free project estimate.
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