Epoxy resin is getting a lot of buzz lately, and it’s easy to see why. Epoxy has a rugged polymer structure that makes it chemical-resistant and highly durable. As a result, chemical-resistant epoxy flooring is gaining popularity for concrete floors with a wide variety of applications.
If you’re looking for reasons why chemical-resistant epoxy flooring is the best choice for your home or business, keep reading. This handy guide will tell you everything you need to know and answer any questions you may encounter.
What Is Chemical-Resistant Epoxy Flooring?
Epoxy is a polymer – a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together. The large molecular structure of epoxy is what gives it its beneficial qualities, including:
- Chemical resistance – When a floor is coated with epoxy, it becomes resistant to many chemicals. This means that you don’t have to worry about spills and messes as much, and you can clean them up easily.
- Abrasion resistance – Epoxy is also resistant to abrasion so it can withstand a lot of wear and tear. This makes it ideal for high-traffic areas where there is a lot of foot traffic.
- Hardness and stability – Epoxy is a hard and durable material that is also extremely stable. This means that it won’t chip, crack, or peel over time.
These properties make epoxy a natural choice for durable flooring in various applications, whether in your home or business.
When it comes to concrete floors, epoxy resin is a great choice for a coating. The acid-resistant epoxy coating provides a hard, durable surface that is chemical-resistant and easy to clean, making it ideal for areas and environments where there is potential for spills and leaks (such as garages, workshops, laboratories, commercial kitchens, hospitals, etc).
Five Reasons Why Chemical-Resistant Epoxy Floor Coating Is the Best Choice for Your Home or Business
If you’re looking to install a new floor, it’s a good idea to do plenty of research to find the best option for your needs. Here are the top five reasons to consider using chemical-resistant epoxy flooring in your home or business.
Superior Durability
The chemical properties of epoxy give it more durability than other types of floors available on the market. Properly-installed epoxy flooring won’t peel, flake, or crack. Aside from being chemical and acid resistant, it also is unaffected by heat.
Other types of flooring material will expand during hot summer days and then contract during cooler nights. This repeated expansion and contraction makes the floor susceptible to cracking, leading to regular maintenance costs.
Epoxy flooring is ideal for homes and businesses in both warm and cold climates because it’s relatively stable and won’t expand in the heat. The durability of an epoxy floor translates to fewer out-of-pocket maintenance costs in the long run.
Simple to Install
Installing an epoxy floor is so easy that you can do it yourself! You can use epoxy as a chemical-resistant floor coating over an existing concrete floor. Preparing the floor surface takes just a few easy steps:
- Grind or shot blast the surface so the epoxy can adhere.
- Remove dust and particles from the surface.
- Patch and repair existing cracks in the floor.
- Apply a primer to the surface.
When you order any Leggari epoxy floor kit, you will receive detailed tutorial videos to walk you through every step of the installation process. Just follow the application instructions to finish the installation as a weekend project. It’s easy to update the look of your home and business completely! It will take the epoxy a few days to cure completely, but the results are worth it.
Perfectly Safe and Non-Toxic
Cured epoxy resin is inert, meaning it won’t give off any chemicals that might affect your health. Of course, there is always some risk when handling uncured hardeners, but basic safety precautions will make the process safe for everyone involved.
When installing your epoxy floor, wear high-quality safety goggles and an OSHA-approved respirator to protect yourself from fumes. Sturdy boots and shoe covers will also protect your feet from splashes that might occur while installing your floor.
Easy to Clean
As already mentioned, epoxy is a highly chemical-resistant flooring material. It’s an excellent choice for commercial medical and food settings that require sterile surfaces. Epoxy is non-porous, so you won’t have to worry about dirt and bacteria hiding between any cracks.
Epoxy can also withstand the strong chemicals that are needed to sterilize surfaces. As mentioned, it is perfectly chemical-resistant to endure applications of even the most potent acids and bases.
It’s even able to hold its own against the constant mechanical stress of cleaning. So an epoxy floor gives you peace of mind knowing that it will endure even the harshest cleaning chemicals.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Epoxy floors are almost always beautiful. The highly-reflective surface brightens up any space, from living rooms to offices. Its unique look will make your home or business stand out from the rest.
Another great thing about epoxy flooring is that it’s highly customizable. You can design your epoxy floors to match whatever look you’re envisioning for your space. You can add pigments in a rainbow of colors, vinyl flakes, and even glitter to personalize the look of your floor.
Also, add-ins like Leggari’s grit additive can provide both form and function. They can change the look of the floor while also making it more durable and non-slip. Whatever look you have in mind for your epoxy floor is possible with a bit of creativity and imagination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still not sure if epoxy floors are suitable for you? Here are some answers to some of our most frequently asked questions for more information.
How long do epoxy floors last?
The durable nature of epoxy flooring means it will last for years or even decades with little necessary maintenance. A properly-installed epoxy floor can last up to twenty years in areas with light traffic. However, the chemical-resistant epoxy floor coating might wear down a bit sooner in areas with high foot traffic.
Are there disadvantages to epoxy flooring?
Although floors made with a chemical-resistant epoxy coating over concrete are great for most homes and businesses, there are some cons. One of the main cons is that the coatings higher upfront cost when compared with linoleum or vinyl flooring.
Purchasing a quality epoxy coating can be more expensive depending on the amount you need and the add-ins you want to use. However, when looking at how long the floor will last (as opposed to traditional flooring like carpet), epoxy coatings really are a “no-brainer.”
Conclusion
Did you enjoy this article? If you did, feel free to share it with your friends. And don’t forget to check out our full line of floor systems for some beautiful flooring options in your home or business.
Let us know if you have any comments or suggestions on chemical-resistant epoxy flooring. We’re always open to hearing from you.