Are you considering an epoxy floor for your Lansing home but are unsure about the material? Here is a guide for what you should know about epoxy flooring, as well as factors that are less important. This can help you to choose the best variation and design of epoxy for your new floors. You can read more below on the specifics of epoxy and the importance of working with a professional company like Epoxy Flooring Lansing in Michigan.
What You Should Know About Epoxy
Many homeowners assume that epoxy is similar to standard water or enamel paint, but the truth is there are some big differences between these two products. First, standard paint is considered a one-part system, which means the material comes ready to apply and is used on walls or floors to solely change appearance. Epoxy is a two-part system that consists of epoxy resin and a hardening chemical. The epoxy mixture adheres to any concrete to form an incredibly durable and seamless surface. Epoxy floors are also versatile and can be customized with design, functionality, and coating additives to meet your specific needs.
Epoxy is Good for a Variety of Settings
Due to the excellent resistance and durability of epoxy, the floors are suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Many people believe that epoxy is only used in specific settings like retail stores or auto showrooms, but the truth is that epoxy floors have grown in popularity over the last years and can be found in a variety of different environments. These strong and versatile floors are a great choice for residential areas like basements, garages, and bathrooms due to their moisture and stain resistance. In commercial and industrial settings, epoxy can stand up against heavy foot traffic and the use of machinery like forklifts.
Will I Need a Primer?
It can be difficult to say whether your specific project will require a primer prior to applying the epoxy because each installation is unique with different specifications. Generally speaking, a primer can always help with epoxy installation. This is because the primer acts as another layer of flooring material that also acts as a sealant for the surface. Many DIY and budget epoxy floors claim to be a one-step installation but this means you may be risking quality for cost. When you choose a primer with your epoxy, the concrete will receive a three-step process that consists of primer, epoxy, and topcoat. This is the best way to ensure your floor is able to resist damage and function for years.
What Is Pot Life?
Generally speaking, epoxy pot life is the total amount of time the material can be used once the chemicals are mixed together. The longer the pot life, or the longer the material is able to sit, the more questionable the quality of the epoxy is. A dependable and high-quality epoxy mixture should be able to sit for no more than 60 to 70 minutes at a stable temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For every ten degrees increase over 70-77 degrees Fahrenheit, the pot life of high-quality epoxy should decrease by around 5 minutes.
Will I Need a Topcoat?
For most epoxy floor installations, it is standard procedure for a topcoat to be applied over the primer and epoxy layers. This is because of the added protection and security a topcoat provides to not only the epoxy but the concrete slab base. There are a variety of different epoxy topcoats available that provide different functions such as UV protection, stain resistance, and moisture resistance. You should try to avoid any epoxy products or installation companies that want to install an epoxy flooring system with no topcoat, as these materials may be lacking in quality and reliability. Even if you are having a 100% solids epoxy installed, a topcoat is necessary for ultimate functionality.
How Durable is Epoxy?
Epoxy is one of the strongest and durable flooring materials available on the market today! Traditional materials like wood, tile, or cement have positive qualities but also lack in certain areas like cost, reliability, and longevity. Some materials are prone to damage from moisture and are not able to have the surface appearance customized to meet design preferences. Epoxy has multiple layers of protection over the pre-existing material and countless design options, which is why it is one of the most popular flooring choices among home and business owners in Lansing, Michigan.
Is Garage Paint the Same as Epoxy?
It is important to understand the differences between epoxy and garage paint, as these materials have completely different functions. Typically, garage paint is water or oil-based paint that is designed to help hide some imperfections and change the general appearance of the material. Epoxy is a two-component material that adheres to any pre-existing material to provide incredible resistance. It’s important to research the material you are using for your new floors, as garage paint will not provide any form of protection from heavy use.
There are Factors You Won’t Need to Know
While it is a good choice to learn about epoxy before having one of the floors installed in your home, there are some factors regarding the material that you shouldn’t stress over. For example, there is no need to focus on the “rating” or compressive strength of the epoxy material. This is because most residential and commercial installations will not use the floor in a way that compromises the compressive strength of the material. Looking at flexibility ratings and overall ratings of an epoxy product is also unnecessary and can distract you from more important factors to be considered.
Contact Epoxy Flooring Lansing for Help
If you are ready to have a new epoxy floor installed in your Lansing home or business, contact Epoxy Flooring Lansing for materials and installation services. Our team of epoxy experts is available to answer any questions you may have about our flooring services and can help create a customized estimate for you based on your unique space. Installing epoxy can be tricky if you are new to working with the material, which is why it’s crucial to contact a licensed professional for help with your new floors. Be sure to avoid DIY epoxy kits, as the materials provided in these sets often lack quality and resistance.