What is Epoxy Flooring?

This versatile concrete coating has been taking the flooring industry by storm over the last few years, both in the residential and commercial sectors. With a myriad of benefits and options to choose from, it’s no surprise why home and business owners are switching over from more traditional flooring systems.But you may be left wondering, “What even is epoxy flooring anyway?” That’s the question that we’re here to answer.

Continue reading as we cover all you need to know about this unique flooring system.

Epoxy flooring isn’t actually a new flooring system, it has merely gained popularity over recent years. This resinous floor coating has been in use for quite some time, just not so much in residential homes.Epoxy flooring got its start in the industrial and commercial world, used as long-lasting floors for places like manufacturing plants, production facilities, retail stores, hospitals, and more.

Epoxy flooring is created by mixing a resin and a hardening chemical together that is then poured over a concrete base. The chemical reaction produces a hard, durable floor coating that can resist stains, impacts, and abrasions. It can be applied in multiple layers to create a thicker coat, depending on the floor’s intended use.

There are many different varieties of epoxy flooring available today. Epoxy is no longer merely solid, neutral colors. It can be made with an endless assortment of colors, patterns, and textures. Below, we’ll cover some of the more popular styles out there.

Standard Epoxy

This is the most basic form of epoxy that you can have installed. It comes in practically every color that you can think of and can be patterned. Whatever your design scheme may be, standard epoxy can be made to complement it.

This concrete coating can be finished anywhere from a matte finish to a high gloss. If your floor is exposed to wet conditions, it can be applied with non-skid additives to provide slip-resistant texture.

Popular patterns for standard epoxy include stripes, tiled patterns, floral patterns, and everyday, solid colors.

Metallic Epoxy

Highly popular for homes and businesses, metallic epoxy is one of the most unique epoxy flooring systems on the market. This one-of-a-kind epoxy coating creates beautiful effects that can’t be replicated.

Metallic epoxy is created by incorporating metallic pigments into the epoxy resin during the mixing process. These pigments add a distinct shimmer to the floor that aids it in creating fantastic effects.

The most common patterning for metallic epoxy is swirl designs. These colorful swirls can be made with one or more colors to suit your design needs. Metallic epoxy can also be used to mimic natural scenes, such as crashing ocean waves, flowing lava, or cloudy skies.

Decorative Flake Epoxy

This epoxy flooring style is created by applying a base layer of epoxy primer, followed by a clear epoxy that’s topped with the decorative flakes, then finished with a thin coat of clear topcoat.

Decorative flake epoxy adds a touch of texture along with its beautiful aesthetic. Any color of epoxy can be used as the base, and the acrylic chips come in virtually any color variety as well. The decorative flakes also come in different sizes ranging from 1/16″ to 1″ and can be broadcast from sparsely covering the floor to covering it entirely.

Epoxy floor coatings provide ample benefits to both home and business owners. Below, we’ll cover the most notable benefits of this unique concrete coating.

Durability

The durability of epoxy floors is unmatched by traditional flooring systems. These resinous coatings can handle hard impacts from heavy objects, rough abrasions, and high traffic without being damaged.

Resistance

Epoxy floors are highly resistant to many different household and industrial chemicals. When a spill occurs, simply wipe up the chemical without the worry of staining or harming the floor. As epoxy is non-porous, it will also repel water without warping or buckling.

Longevity

These sturdy floors are some of the longest-lasting flooring systems available. When properly installed and maintained, epoxy floors can last for 25 years or more!

Ease of Maintenance

Many conventional flooring materials require labor-intensive, time-consuming maintenance routines to preserve their appearance and performance. Epoxy differs thanks to its seamless installation and smooth finish.

These floors simply need to be swept, or dust mopped regularly and occasionally wet mopped when required to keep them looking their best.

Customization

One of the most notable benefits of epoxy flooring is the ability to customize it; how you see fit. The colors, patterns, and textures available for epoxy make it one of the most customizable floors on the market!

Now that you have all the information on what epoxy flooring is, you can make an educated decision on whether or not it’s right for your home or business! This adaptable concrete coating comes in several styles, including standard, metallic, and decorative flake epoxy. With its amazing benefits, like enhanced durability, resistance, longevity, ease of maintenance, and customization, it’s clear why epoxy has gained so much popularity. The next step is to decide which epoxy coating you want and to find yourself a contractor!