Epoxy resin is used extensively in both commercial flooring and domestic homes, with multiple advantages over conventional flooring surfaces, including a flawless, attractive finish that can withstand heavy use. But what makes Epoxy great for flooring?
As a flooring system, epoxy resin dries to form an incredibly strong surface layer. It is suited to almost any application since it bonds well to most base layers, creating a floor that is hard-wearing, smooth and resistant to spills and pressure.
The Benefits of Epoxy Resin Flooring
There are several types of resin flooring, and epoxy is perhaps best known in industrial settings as a thermoset material which delivers performance and longevity. However, it can also be used in private properties giving a modern, contemporary aesthetic.
A large variety of finishes mean you can select the appearance and style best suited to your property and usage, with flooring that is insusceptible to wear and tear, water ingress, chemicals and oils.
Durability
Epoxy resin flooring is versatile, and the coating bonds perfectly to pre-existing flooring surfaces, in many cases without preparatory work if the original flooring is in good condition.
The high-quality surface lasts for years, with excellent resistance to any impacts, which is why it is such a popular option for commercial spaces, where heavy machinery, foot traffic and usage would cause other flooring systems to break down or develop deviations.
Provided the epoxy resin is professionally installed, it can last as long as 20 years, retaining its durability the same colour, and finish throughout.
It would take an immense amount of pressure to crack epoxy flooring, making it a viable option for any space, including garages, basements, workshops and business premises.
Low Maintenance
One of the primary requirements for flooring in kitchen spaces, both residential and commercial, is that the floor is easy to clean and won’t develop stains, fading or patches when exposed to water and other spillages.
Homeowners can clean epoxy resin with any household cleaner, and in commercial environments, the flooring can be treated with any chemical cleaners required to adhere to safety or regulatory standards.
Conventional flooring naturally has pores and gaps, such as between tiles, floorboards or around the edges of a vinyl floor. Because the epoxy resin is poured and creates a sealed surface, it is invulnerable to dust, dirt, bacteria and contaminants.
Cost-Effective
While epoxy resin isn’t necessarily the lowest-cost flooring system to install, it provides excellent value for money in durability. It does not require any maintenance, treatments, upkeep or repair work.
Many flooring options, such as laminate wood, lift, warp and become uneven over time. Likewise, carpeting can become dirty, frayed and unattractive over a few years, meaning the initial cost is duplicated many times over, while the original epoxy resin floor would remain undamaged.
For most epoxy flooring projects, the cost is comparable to premium hardwood or tiling, although requiring considerably less time to install.
Customisable Finish
The design, finish, colour and style of your epoxy resin flooring is entirely your choice, with excellent versatility to match the décor, theme or period of a property or branding and safety layouts for industrial facilities.
You can replace a tired, worn, outdated floor with any finish or texture, from high-shine gloss to a bespoke colour scheme. Colours and finishes are applied to the resin mixture, so they are embedded in the epoxy rather than applied later.
Compared to wood stains, varnishes and flooring paint, epoxy resin will retain the same appearance throughout its lifecycle without requiring additional work to refresh worn or flaking colour finishes. However, in direct sunlight, most epoxies will start to turn yellow, unless they are protected with a aliphatic PU.
Non-Slip Safety
Despite the smooth, flawless surface of an epoxy resin floor, it is regularly used as part of a safe working systems approach. It can be treated with additional aggregates or additives for higher-risk environments.
The surface is smooth yet non-slip, similar to a tiled floor without special treatment, and resistant to almost all hazards, including chemicals and fire.
Oils, chemicals and abrasive cleaning products damage many flooring systems. Epoxy is uniquely robust and can be used in even the most challenging safety settings, including pharmaceuticals manufacturing – it is, therefore, more than suited to busy kitchens or living spaces.
Expedited Installation
A professional flooring team can lay an epoxy resin floor in minimal time. As long as the original foundation or sub-base has been laid or prepared correctly, you can apply epoxy over any surface.
We don’t recommend attempting to lay any resin flooring independently since it requires expertise and knowledge of the correct installation conditions, but most projects require as little as 24 hours from pouring to become stable.
Depending on the depth of the floor, it may need longer to become fully cured, and your engineers can advise on the curing time prior to installation to ensure you understand when the floor is suitably cured.
Environmentally Friendly
Alongside performance features and the tailored aesthetic, epoxy flooring is environmentally sound and requires minimal manufacturing, without any harmful substances used to create the resin mixture.
You can also clean an epoxy floor without harsh and potentially hazardous chemicals since the surface is resistant to all bacteria and can be cleaned with soapy water.
Added benefits include the sustainability of a long-lasting epoxy floor, which generates less material wastage than flooring that requires replacing every few years and is a great option for both homeowners and businesses that prioritise value for money and greener flooring solutions.
Applications for Epoxy Resin Flooring
The long list of advantages makes epoxy resin a hard-wearing flooring option for any property or building. Still, one of the key benefits is the beautiful, smooth and bespoke appearance you can achieve.
Epoxy is low-odour and, hygienic It is flexible enough to use in high-traffic areas, busy family properties, warehousing sites, commercial production plants and any other setting where the flooring needs to be impact and stain resistant.
During the application process, epoxy resin can be blended with any additives or specialist finishes required, providing a floor that cures quickly, can withstand any pressure, and looks pristine for years to come.
