The greatest demands are met through the use of epoxy resins of the highest quality. These resins offer continuous protection from daily wear, chemical exposure, corrosion, and heavy-duty traffic. Despite its versatility, epoxy resin is most often seen in garages, auto body shops, car dealerships, warehouses, and maintenance centers. Like polished concrete floors, epoxy floors are tough and can handle high-traffic areas.
In terms of concrete floor coatings, epoxy resin may just be the best. Concrete floors are coated with epoxy to create a unique and attractive appearance while protecting them from damage. The long-lasting, slip-resistant, cost-effective, sustainable, and easy-to-maintain properties of epoxy are unmatched.
Epoxy Resin Explained
An epoxy resin coating is composed of epoxy resin and a polymer hardener. Upon mixing these materials together and placing it on top of concrete slabs, they blend and cure perfectly. When the epoxy resin coating fully cures, the flooring becomes durable and abrasion-resistant. Shiny and versatile, epoxy resin coatings come in a wide variety of designs.
Common Applications
As a result of its durability, strong adhesion, chemical resistance and other special properties, epoxy resin is used in a variety of consumer and industrial applications. The use of epoxy resin in flooring applications is particularly important in medical settings and food-processing facilities, which require sterile surfaces.
Decorative and high-tech flooring materials like terrazzo, chips, and colored aggregates, as well as marble and granite, can also be improved with epoxy resin. You can also enhance epoxy flooring by adding contrasting vinyl chips to the top layer, or by adding grit to give the floor an anti-slip surface.
Epoxy resin systems can be used for solid color, metallic, and flake/chip finish applications. You can use these styles to give your floors a more high-quality appearance. People also invest in these industrial-grade systems because they are durable and long-lasting.
Additional Uses
The use of epoxy resins can be seen in the design of paintings and jewelry, the production of varnishes and the creation of castings. Paintings, photographs, and pictures can be finished with epoxy and they will protect the art from ultraviolet light. Castings made from epoxy resin can be embedded with natural materials such as flowers, plants, and stones. As a result of their strength and durability, they are able to withstand high and low temperatures while they are being sculpted and carved.
How Much Does it Cost to Install Epoxy Resin Applications?
Depending on the type of application you want to be installed, the cost will vary. The average cost of epoxy resin flooring is $7 to $12 per square foot. It is very affordable to use this type of coating, even if you have a larger project in mind. There is only one exception: the more complex you want the flooring to look, the more costly it will be. The investment in epoxy resin pays off since it will last for a long time and does not require excessive maintenance.
Epoxy flooring is more affordable than other flooring options like vinyl or tile. Because epoxy resin can be applied over old or new concrete, you can get the look you want without spending extra money on installation. You can use this technique especially if you are renovating older concrete slabs.
Epoxy Resin Advantages
It is common for people to worry about their floors getting worn down over time, getting stained by chemicals, or experiencing other types of erosion. Epoxy resin eliminates that stress. Besides being chemical and shock-resistant, epoxy resin is also water-resistant and heat-resistant. Your garage or body shop's floor will remain unaffected by any stain left behind by cars, and even if you drop something heavy on it, it will not damage it. Epoxy resin can withstand extreme temperatures and flooding if you live in a flood-prone area. Epoxy resin offers a variety of advantages including attractiveness, ease of maintenance, and sustainability.
Is Epoxy Resin Toxic?
In its cured, hardened state, epoxy is not toxic. It is possible to develop eye, nose, throat, or skin irritations as well as skin allergies and asthma from overexposure to resins and curing agents before the epoxy is cured. Epoxy resin systems containing solvent additives can cause headaches, dizziness, and confusion. Central nervous system damage can also be caused by solvents that are inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Overexposure to solvents can cause slurred speech, confusion, and loss of consciousness. It is advisable to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while working with epoxy resins in order to minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals.
There has been extensive testing conducted on the effects of epoxy on health and the environment. While epoxy when cured is harmless and unlikely to pose any health risks, some resins and hardeners used in the curing process may have hazardous properties that can irritate or sensitize the skin. By following specific safety instructions and taking basic precautions, epoxy systems can be handled safely.
Conclusion
The possibilities for creating a beautiful floor with any color are almost endless. Due to epoxy floors' smooth surface, you do not need to clean between cracks; a mop and broom will do. Additionally, epoxy resin floors will also reduce the need for artificial lighting since the surface shine has immense light reflectivity. Furthermore, the durability of the floor reduces waste and resource consumption.
Installing these flooring systems can be greatly simplified with a professional supplier such as Xtreme Polishing Systems. Please contact our experts today to discuss your renovation details with our experienced professionals.
