Epoxy floor coating is widely used in commercial and industrial buildings for both protection and decoration.
But did you know how versatile it is?
Read on for three fantastic ways to use epoxy floor coating and get great effects.
What Is Epoxy Floor Coating?
Epoxy floor coating is a layer of epoxy resin, which is a solution made by mixing up hardeners and polymer resins.
(If you like the technical stuff, epoxy resins are also known as polyepoxides, which are reactive prepolymers and polymers that contain epoxide groups).
Epoxy floor coating is a popular treatment for the floors of both commercial and industrial spaces because it is insanely durable. It is laid on top of concrete and can be made up of multiple layers of epoxy resin that are heat-set. Once cured, the resin forms a permanent bond and is exceedingly strong.
Many businesses choose to use epoxy floor coating in their premises because it is…
Strong
Epoxy floor coating is incredibly durable, making it the perfect flooring solution for high-traffic areas.
Customisable
Epoxy floors are so easy to personalise – you can even add your logo to your design. But if that’s not your thing, the sky is the limit regarding colours, designs and patterns. Choosing epoxy resin to treat your floors means you can make a feature of them and involve them in the aesthetics of the property.
Affordability
Epoxy floor coatings are an economical choice, no matter the size of the space. The range of resins out there is vast, but an epoxy floor can set you back as little as £20 per m2.
Resistant To Marking
Epoxy flooring won’t be permanently damaged by spillages of various chemicals, grease, petrol, oil or bleach. This is why you’ll find it laid in places like factories, car showrooms, schools, warehouses and hospitals, among other commercial and industrial buildings, including places of work that use hazardous, potentially damaging materials.
Waterproof
Not only does epoxy resin’s water resistance mean it’s unaffected by spillages, but it also makes maintenance a breeze because you don’t have to worry about excessive water use when cleaning.
What’s Out There?
Epoxy floors are versatile, and there are a few standard types to choose from. All types of epoxy floor coatings are seamless and versatile. You can expect to choose from the following styles as well as the standard epoxy floor coatings that can be custom-coloured.
Epoxy Terrazzo Flooring
This style of epoxy floor is made by mixing coloured epoxy with a selection of aggregates such as granite, marble and glass. When the floor has cured, it is ground down and polished for a highly decorative finish of exposed aggregates. Terrazzo floors have an impressive lifespan of 40 years plus.
Epoxy Flake Coatings
To create an epoxy flake floor, a coloured epoxy base coat is laid, followed by scatterings of varying sizes of flakes. It’s a style that is commonly found in schools because it is highly resistant to foot traffic and super easy to clean.
Self-Levelling Epoxy Flooring
Rather than needing to be smoothed when applied, self-levelling epoxy is applied in a smart liquid form that settles itself into a perfect, seamless finish. This style of epoxy floor is suitable for demanding environments that require an incredibly strong flooring system.
Antistatic Epoxy Flooring
You’ll find this type of epoxy floor in laboratories and food processing facilities. Antistatic epoxy flooring stops electrostatic charge from accumulating on the floor’s surface, and so is the ideal flooring system for electronic, pharmaceutical and automotive sector businesses.
Epoxy Screeds
Epoxy screeds are laid before other resin flooring coatings and coverings, such as antistatic, self-levelling and non-slip epoxy coatings. They are usually thicker than other coatings, so need to be applied using a trowel.
Applying an epoxy screed ensures you get a floor that can take high-impact pressure, and some screeds can also act as a damp-proof membrane.
Safer Flooring
Epoxy floor coating is an ideal protective flooring solution for warehouses and factories and works particularly well for those where high levels of hygiene are required.
The permanent chemical bond that the polymer resins and hardeners make ensures that the flooring system does not corrode with chemical spills or peel or flake away to create a slip hazard.
And, because it’s so easy to maintain and keep clean, you can rest assured that your workspaces are spick and span and can be washed down in minutes after a spill or at the end of the day.
Different colours can be used in an epoxy floor design to mark out various zones, such as walkways and hazardous areas where more care needs to be taken.
Opt For Non-Slip
High-performing, non-slip epoxy paint can be applied to the surface of any epoxy floor coating to provide a surface that prevents slips and falls in your place of work. It is generally UV resistant and always highly durable, making it a great option for stairs, ramps, garages, changing rooms and plenty of other commercial and industrial spaces.
Branded Flooring
When you opt for epoxy floor coating, you come face to face with a mass of colour options, including the ability to fully customise your epoxy floor. You can do this by mixing up custom on-brand colours and even featuring your business logo within your design.
Branded epoxy flooring can make a stunning yet highly practical feature for nurseries and schools, retail spaces, showrooms and reception areas, to name but a few. It can even transform the aesthetics of outdoor spaces, providing a glossy, professional finish with a contemporary look.
By continuing their brand into their flooring, businesses can create a 360° experience for clients and customers who enter your premises.
Economical Flooring
Epoxy floor coating is easy and cheap to install and can be added over existing flooring. The hard-wearing flooring solution provides up to 20 whole years of full protection and impactful decoration.
Sometimes, a hole might appear, but if it does, the issue can be spot-treated quickly and be immediately usable once cured. Epoxy floors require minimal general maintenance and are supremely easy to keep clean, with no waxing or buffing required.
Think of all that floor maintenance time you’ll save!
Epoxy Floors Are Functional AND Make A Statement
Need to maintain excellent hygiene standards in your place of work? Fancy introducing heavier branding to your workspaces? Looking for a cheap flooring option that will last the mile?
Epoxy floor coating can be used in many ways to improve and enhance your building. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.
