What Are The Different Types of Epoxy Flooring?

Epoxy flooring, also known as resinous flooring, is one of the top choices when it comes to flooring systems used in industrial settings. In a nutshell, it is described as a synthetic protective and decorative flooring laid on top of concrete substrates to prevent degradation of concrete over time. Planning to use epoxy flooring?

Before you look for the best epoxy flooring in Mississauga, you should first know the different types of epoxy flooring, their uses, and application. Epoxy floor coating is way more versatile than you might think and an excellent option for both interiors and exteriors because of its seamlessness and easiness to clean.

Types of Epoxy Flooring

Before we explore the different types of epoxy flooring, let us first address the confusion between epoxy floor and epoxy floor coating. What sets them apart is depth — epoxy floor measures more than two millimeters thick while any resinous flooring that measures less than two milliliters is referred to as epoxy floor coating. Nonetheless, both flooring styles provide the durability and slip resistant properties of epoxy.

Here the different types of epoxy flooring:

• Anti-static epoxy floors, also known as electro-static discharge (ESD) resistant floors are used to reduce any ESD hazards in work environments such as electronic, chemical, or pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, healthcare facilities, or any spaces that use flammable gases or liquids that bring a risk of combustible dust buildup. This epoxy floor holds a conductive compound that collects static electricity that eliminates any potential discharge.
• Epoxy flake floors contain decorative flake chips that also provide subtle grooves to each surface that requires slip-resistant properties. This type of flooring is commonly used in locker rooms, sports venues, showrooms, clinics, commercial kitchens, and more. When it comes to the variety of sizes, colors, styles, and textures of epoxy flake floors, the options are endless.
• Epoxy mortar floors are made up of 100 percent solid epoxies and graded or quartz sand. This type of flooring is ideal for working environments where people commonly use chemicals and perform high-impact activities such as mechanical spaces, warehouses, commercial kitchens, restaurants, garages, manufacturing plants. Epoxy mortar floor is also used to repair cracks before applying another type of epoxy floor.
• Quartz-filled epoxy floors are made of high-performance epoxy polymer resin and stained quartz grains. This epoxy flooring is used in spaces that require sanitary and non-skid properties such as cafeterias, lobbies, locker rooms, offices, restrooms, schools, showrooms, and more.
• Self-Leveling epoxy floor is a shiny and seamless epoxy flooring applied over new, old, cracked, or damaged concrete floors to create a smooth, durable, and leveled texture on the surface. It comes in different colors that is why it is ideal for industrial, commercial, and residential settings.

Applications

Now that you know the different types of epoxy flooring, the next step is to learn how to apply epoxy. The first and most crucial part is the preparation. Here’s how you prepare your concrete floor base before applying epoxy:

• To make sure it adheres to the concrete floor base, it is important to clean and cure the surface, repair all major cracks and chips, and to remove all grease.
• Check whether previous layers of epoxy or other products have been applied before. You may test for sealant by pouring a small amount of water onto the floor. If it soaks in, the floor is suitable for epoxy. But if the water beads on the surface rather than soaking in, it may not be suitable for an epoxy flooring application.
• Ensure that the temperature is suitable for application. The epoxy may bubble and peel if the surface is too hot, too cold, or if the humidity is high.
• Depending on the product you use, you might need to apply an epoxy primer and finisher coat which lengthens the whole process. To apply the primer, wet the floor with a thin layer of water, then spread out the primer in a thin layer using a roller pin. Let the primer dry for several hours, apply the second coat and just like the first coat, let it dry before applying the epoxy. Apply the finisher in the same manner as the primer but eliminate the water in this step.
• Read and follow all manufacturer’s instructions in preparing the epoxy mixture. Once the product is mixed, apply it immediately since epoxy dries fast.

Conclusion

Epoxy’s high-performance, durability, ease of application, versatility, and undeniable aesthetics put it on the top of the list of flooring systems. Need an elegant entrance to a restaurant? Or an unyielding surface to withstand industrial work? The different types of epoxy flooring you can find in Mississauga offer you limitless options when it comes to design and functionality.