10 Reasons to Invest in a New Epoxy Floor

Mar 28, 2022 | Epoxy Flooring Tips

There are a number of reasons to invest in a new epoxy floor, whether you are a homeowner or business owner. The first thing to keep in mind is that an investment should be viewed as a long-term agreement rather than a one-time expenditure. This article will cover the top ten reasons to invest in a new epoxy floor.

What is an Epoxy Floor Coating?

Epoxy floor coating is a two-part compound that consists of an epoxy resin and a hardener. Once these are combined, they produce very strong chemical bonds to create resilient, high-quality floors. The huge advantage of epoxy floors is the fact that once it has dried, it can be exposed to oil, grease, gasoline, and other chemicals without the fear of damage.

Regardless of whether you are installing an epoxy coating for the first time or if you plan on applying multiple layers over existing floors, one thing is certain: Epoxy coatings offer both beauty and protection against wear damage. That means that there are numerous benefits associated with considering this type of material as your next surface option. These include:

1) Resistant to Wear Damage – No matter what kind of work environment or traffic flow pattern exists underneath your feet, epoxy coatings offer exceptional resistance to wear damage. This stands true even when subjecting the flooring system to high amounts of vehicular traffic like forklifts and pallet jacks. When worn down, epoxy flooring is also very easy to rehabilitate.

2) Additional Design Flexibility – A wide range of epoxy-based coatings are available that allow for excellent design flexibility. This includes the application of camouflage, de-glossed, and pearlescent finishes. In addition, it is also possible to create textured effects on the surface using granular materials such as limestone screenings or plastic beads. One particularly popular feature involves creating a granite appearance on floors.

3) Low Maintenance Costs – In comparison with other types of material options for commercial spaces, epoxy coatings stand alone in terms of low maintenance costs. With this being said, there are more benefits associated with these systems than just affordability.

4) Ability to Customize – Most epoxy flooring systems are capable of being customized for specific requirements. For example, you can request the addition of recycled glass, quartz chips, or even plastic pellets with an added metallic shine.

5) Wide Variety of Surface Options – The surface options associated with epoxy coatings are virtually limitless. One popular option is using a reptile theme that can be applied both indoors and out. Other types of coatings include recessed 2D graphics like wood grain, marble swirls, and Italian slate finishes. However, it is important to note that some flooring systems may not be suitable for certain situations, such as medical facilities where surfaces need to be smooth and unobtrusive.

6) Long-term Value – When you invest in an epoxy floor coating, it offers long-term value. The versatility of this type of system means that your surface can be updated to reflect the evolving tastes and decors of different decades. For example, a simple paint job or stencil design can transform a room from appearing dated to contemporary within just a matter of hours.

7) Clarity – Epoxy coatings are extremely clear when dry, which is something that cannot be said for other types of materials such as carpeting. This allows you to see the true beauty of samples during the selection process before investing in larger amounts for installation.

8) Targeted Heating Capabilities – Epoxy floors are increasingly preferred over carpeting due to targeted heating. In many cases, tile and stone surfaces already allow for heat transfer using radiant tubing. However, epoxy coatings offer an even greater level of targeted heating since the material itself is an excellent thermal conductor.

9) Cohesion With Subflooring – When using epoxy resins over concrete subflooring, all materials bond together to create an extremely strong system that will not separate or crack even in extreme weather conditions like cold winters and hot summers with extended periods of drought.

10) Aesthetic Appeal – Epoxy floors can be used to create a wide variety of looks that fit into nearly any type of environment, including commercial businesses, warehouses, garages, underground parking areas, basements, theaters, and more. The material is so versatile that it can even be used for a wide range of art projects.

Why You Should Choose Epoxy Over Other Materials

One of the most common questions we receive is about epoxy vs. rubber flooring. Epoxy flooring is the best choice for a variety of reasons, and it overtook carpeting due to its durability and ability to be customized. Though rubber does offer some benefits, such as being slip-resistant and more eco-friendly, there are plenty of reasons why an epoxy coating remains the better option:

Epoxy Has No Odor – The fumes associated with some flooring options can cause nausea and dizziness depending on the exposure time and concentration of chemicals used during production. In comparison with other materials, epoxy has no odor, so exposure risk is extremely low even when compared with standard paint.

Better Chemical Resistance – Another reason that epoxy is preferred over rubber is that the latter’s chemical resistance capabilities are subpar. This means that some materials, such as transmission fluid, can permanently damage certain rubbers even when cleaned within just a few hours.

Resists Scratching – Rubber flooring has poor scratch resistance since its hardness rating of around 50 on the Shore durometer scale is lower than other options, including epoxy and stone, which offer a rating of 65-75.

Does Not Absorb Water – Though water resistance remains a positive aspect for both rubber and epoxy, the latter option does not absorb liquids like its competitor. Epoxy is simply due to its use of cross-linking agents during installation, whereas rubber does not have any type of reinforcement material.

Epoxy Is More Aesthetic – In addition to being non-absorbent, epoxy does not wear down as quickly as rubber when exposed to foot traffic. This means that flooring coatings will remain clear and vibrant for a much longer period of time which is ideal if you want a high-performing surface that still looks great even after extended use.

10) Cost Savings – One of the most significant reasons epoxy has become such a popular option is that this material provides superior performance with minimal costs associated with long-term maintenance. Rubber requires more frequent replacement due to its significantly shorter lifespan, which can end up costing hundreds or thousands of dollars over the years of use.

Epoxy flooring is a superior replacement option for vinyl, carpet, or rubber flooring. It provides many benefits, including high-performance durability and versatility with the capacity to be customized to meet your needs. In comparison with other materials, epoxy comes out on top in nearly every category, from heat transfer capabilities to chemical resistance. In fact, when it comes to epoxy vs. rubber, there really is no competition since one material performs much better than the other in every aspect, from scratch resistance to cost savings over time.

Contact us today for more information about our epoxy flooring services and how we can help you gain a new epoxy surface!