What is Epoxy Flooring?

Did you know that the epoxy flooring market is predicted to reach $41.71 billion by 2024? The popularity of epoxy flooring isn’t surprising — it’s a versatile, durable flooring option with a wide variety of commercial and residential applications.
Whether you’re looking for new garage flooring, need a durable warehouse floor coating, or want strong indoor flooring for high-traffic areas, it’s worth considering epoxy.

Not sure exactly what epoxy is? Unsure if it’s right for your project?

Keep reading for all the details on what epoxy flooring is made of, how it’s installed, where it’s used, and how it compares to other flooring options.

What Is Epoxy Floor Coating Made Of?

Epoxy flooring is a durable coating which is usually applied on top of concrete. It’s a system of resin and hardeners which react to form a hard, durable plastic when mixed together.

You can choose from different types of epoxy flooring depending on your needs. Self-dispersing epoxy floors with quartz sand are ideal if you need anti-slip flooring; epoxy antistatic floors are perfect for applications which require no static in the environment; and epoxy terrazzo floors are a nice decorative option, popular in schools, malls and cafeterias.

How Is Epoxy Flooring Installed?

For epoxy flooring to be installed, you’ll need to start with a clean, level surface that’s free from cracks and chips. In most cases, epoxy is installed on top of concrete.

Once the floor is prepared, the epoxy floor coating will be applied evenly and left to harden, with at least three layers applied in total. If the epoxy system you’ve chosen includes flakes or other decorative elements, these will be scattered prior to the second layer of epoxy.

Solid epoxy is the purest form of epoxy; it hardens quickly and should always be installed by a professional. Water-based and solvent-based epoxy can be applied by homeowners, but the quality of finish won’t be as good.

Where Is Epoxy Flooring Used?

Epoxy flooring is ideal for almost any application that requires a durable, long-lasting floor. This could mean an area that has high foot traffic, like a school, airport, commercial kitchen, shopping mall or convention center.

The ease of cleaning epoxy means it’s ideal for medical applications and can be found in hospitals, doctor’s surgeries, operating rooms and dental practices. Thanks to its chemical resistance, it’s also popular in laboratories and chemical operating plants.

Industrial applications include warehouses, factories and manufacturing plants. Around the home, epoxy is ideal for garages, workshops and storage rooms. It’s long-lasting, doesn’t need any maintenance, and is easy to clean.

How Does Epoxy Flooring Compare to Other Options?

Epoxy flooring is highly durable, and it’s easy to remove stains yourself. This means you won’t need to spend a fortune on having the flooring repaired, replaced or professionally cleaned, which is often the case with concrete or tiling.

Unlike most other flooring options, it’s chemically resistant, meaning it won’t be damaged by spillages in industrial locations. The strength of epoxy means that your concrete floors will last longer, and you won’t have to pay for regular repairs. Epoxy is also a safe, non-slip option, which reduces the risk of accidents at work and at home.

Ready to have your own epoxy floor coating installed? Contact us today for a free consultation.