Epoxy flooring offers one of the most durable finishes on a concrete floor. Its durability ensures that it protects the surface for years to come.
Thorough floor preparation is necessary for a successful epoxy installation. This includes repairing cracks and filling holes. It also involves testing the floor for moisture.
Preparation
In addition to ensuring that the epoxy you are about to apply adheres and cures properly, proper surface preparation is critical to the durability of your new floor. This includes sweeping and vacuuming to remove loose dirt, debris, and oil or grease stains. You may also need to etch or grind the concrete surface in order to create a rough texture that helps the epoxy grip the floor.
Once the surface has been cleaned, it is time to prepare it for the epoxy. This process usually involves a shot blaster, which shoots metal beads at the floor, removing the top layer of concrete to create a smooth, even surface for the epoxy to bond with. This step is critical, and it requires careful attention to detail in order to get the best results. The fine concrete dust left behind by this process can inhibit adhesion, which will ultimately affect the longevity of your new floor.
You can apply the epoxy in one of two ways: by rolling or spraying. Both methods require certain equipment, so it is best to work with a professional that has the required experience and tools. Rolling the epoxy is the most common method, and it is important to apply thin coats in order to avoid puddling or pooling. Spraying is a more advanced technique, and it requires more training and equipment to master.
Once you have applied several thin coats of the epoxy, it is ready for a protective topcoat. This final step not only adds a beautiful finishing touch, but it will also ensure that your floor is protected from dirt, grime, and other contaminants that can degrade the epoxy over time. You can choose between a glossy or matte topcoat, depending on your preferred aesthetic.
The Garage Store can provide you with high-quality epoxy flooring products and support to help you achieve professional-quality results in your home garage or workshop. We also offer a variety of other home improvement and garage storage solutions that can complement your new epoxy floors. Contact us today to learn more about our products or schedule an appointment with our expert staff.
Mixing
Taking on the task of applying an epoxy floor can seem daunting, but proper research and planning go a long way toward ensuring success. Choosing high-quality materials and learning essential application techniques will help you create a strong, durable surface that will enhance the look of your garage or basement.
Before starting your project it is important to assemble all the required tools and equipment. These include a concrete grinder, vacuum cleaner, paint rollers and brushes, a plastic sheet tester and a concrete-specific etching solution. It is also a good idea to tape off walls and baseboards with wide painter’s tape. This will protect them from any accidental spills or smears while the epoxy is curing.
Following your prepping steps and mixing the epoxy correctly will ensure a professional-quality finish that lasts longer, reducing the frequency of replacements. Using a concrete floor coating mix that is appropriate for the type of flooring you want to install will provide you with the best results. Epoxy consists of two parts, a resin and hardener, that must be combined in the correct ratio to achieve proper adhesion and curing. Some systems require a special catalyst to speed up the reaction, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
After the initial coat of epoxy dries, it is time to add non-skid additives to your floor. These can be mixed directly into the epoxy or poured onto the wet surface. It is important to use a generous amount of the additives and to make sure they are spread evenly across the entire surface.
It is important to apply thin coats of epoxy and to squeegee or roll out the material evenly, so that it forms a smooth, even finish. Thin coats of epoxy will avoid problems like excessive heat generation that can cause the product to crack or bubble. It is also a good idea to work in small sections and to keep the wet floor edge covered at all times to prevent drying before it is finished.
Once the first coating has cured, it is time to begin adding color flakes and other decorative elements. These can be mixed into the epoxy or poured on top and stirred in with your squeegee or brush. Then, once the coating is fully cured (this can take 24 to 96 hours) it is ready for foot traffic and other heavy use.
Rolling
Epoxy floor coatings are a popular way to enhance the look of any room. They are durable and easy to maintain. If you are planning to install a new epoxy floor, it is important to do it correctly. The preparation process can be time-consuming, but it is vital to a successful result. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure you apply the best possible epoxy floor.
Begin by diamond grinding the concrete surface to remove any dirt or grime. This will create a smooth, even texture for the epoxy to adhere to. You can also choose to acid etch the floor before applying the epoxy, but this is not recommended as it can damage the floor. Once the floor is prepped, mix the epoxy resin and hardener according to manufacturer instructions. It is a good idea to add grit additives into the final epoxy coat to provide an industrial-grade slip resistance.
Use a notched trowel to spread the epoxy evenly across the floor, making sure to work in small sections. Allow the epoxy to dry completely before walking on it or moving furniture. When the epoxy is fully cured, you can apply a clear topcoat to protect the epoxy flooring from UV rays and scratches.
After the first coat dries, it is necessary to sand the floor with a 180-grit sandpaper or a power sander with a sanding disc. You can rent floor sanders from most home improvement stores, which will make the process much faster and easier. Afterward, rinse the floor with clean water and allow it to dry overnight.
The next day, apply the second coat of epoxy in a similar manner to the first. If you notice any cracks or holes that were missed in the first coat, fill them in with epoxy paste before applying the second coat. If you are using a color flake additive, it is a good idea to scatter them lightly over the entire floor while the epoxy is still wet.
Once the epoxy has dried, you can walk on the floor and place your furniture back in the room. Be sure to wait at least 24 hours before driving on the floor and up to 96 hours if it is humid or cold. Regular sweeping and vacuuming can keep the floor looking like new.
Finishing
Once the epoxy has been mixed and applied, it must cure for a recommended amount of time. This will vary depending on the type of epoxy used, so consult the product’s technical data sheet for specific information. Once the curing process is complete, it’s safe to start using the floor, but it’s important to wait until the surface has cured completely before driving any vehicles or heavy equipment over it.
Epoxy flooring is ideal for floors in industrial and commercial spaces that need to be durable, hard-wearing, and slip-resistant. In addition, this material is also incredibly versatile, as it can be applied in a wide range of textures and colours to suit any decor or design scheme.
A well-prepared and applied epoxy resin floor will look great, last for years, and be easy to clean and maintain. The key is to make sure that the concrete slab is in good condition, free of cracks and chips, and has been degreased and etched as instructed by the manufacturer of the epoxy system.
It’s also worth spending the extra money to hire a professional to apply the epoxy flooring, as this will ensure that it is applied evenly and professionally, and that any decorative flakes or topcoats are well-distributed. This is especially important if the space is a busy commercial or industrial area, where the new flooring will be subject to lots of foot traffic and vehicle movement.
The first step in the application process is to mask the floor perimeter, ensuring that no paint or epoxy gets on the walls and doors. Then the floor must be sanded with a fine-grit sandpaper, such as 180-grit. This can be done by hand with a sanding pole or by using a power or floor sander. The sanding process can be messy, so it’s a good idea to use an industrial-strength vacuum cleaner to suck up any dust and debris that is left behind.
Once the sanding process is completed and the floor is cleaned again, the epoxy primer can be applied using either a roller or a squeegee. It’s best to work on 10 sqm at a time, starting in one back corner of the room and working your way across. Remember to rub the roller sleeve with tape to remove any loose fibres, as these could show up in the epoxy coating.