Epoxy flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners and businesses because of its functionality and durability. Like any type of flooring, epoxy has benefits and potential drawbacks you should consider before deciding.
Read on to learn the major pros and cons of epoxy flooring.
Pros of Epoxy Flooring
Visual Appeal
Epoxy floor coatings are brilliant and professional compared to a traditional concrete floor. Their attractive appearance can enhance the look of any space.
They are available in various customizable color combinations and finishes, such as marbled, metallic, and granite. You can use epoxy coatings to cover imperfections on your existing concrete surface.
Cost-Effective
Affordability is one of the major reasons property owners choose epoxy floor coating over other options.
The per-square-foot cost of epoxy flooring is much lower than many other options. Epoxy’s installation costs are lower than other options since you can install it directly over concrete and other flooring types.
Epoxy flooring protects the underlying concrete from moisture, grease, cracks, and stains. It will save you maintenance and cleaning costs in the long run by eliminating the need to clean grout or carpet.
Durability
When considering the pros and cons of epoxy flooring, epoxy’s durability is a major plus. This coating can significantly lengthen your concrete floor’s lifespan. Epoxy coating is not vulnerable to damage that usually results from regular wear and tear.
With epoxy, you won’t worry about your floor cracking, peeling, or eroding as you would with wood, laminate, and other materials. Epoxy can stand up to temperatures below 0°F and above 140° F. It can also resist fire damage, making it a practical choice for indoor and outdoor applications.
When installed by an experienced professional, an epoxy coating can last for decades without peeling or cracking. The longevity of epoxy flooring makes it an especially popular option for industrial and commercial uses.
Resistance
Epoxy floors resist various abrasive substances, including bleach, oil, gasoline, transmission fluid, and cleansers. This advantage makes them a popular flooring option in the automotive industry.
Epoxy flooring’s resistance extends to most chemical spills, which leave no detrimental effects on the coating. These flooring systems are also resistant to germs and bacteria, making them a go-to choice for health and medical facilities.
Safety
Safety is a primary consideration when choosing a flooring material. With an anti-slip coating, you don’t have to worry about slip-and-fall accidents with epoxy floors. Epoxy is an excellent safety measure for spaces with heavy foot or machinery traffic.
Epoxy floor coatings are also highly visible as they reflect light off the floor and don’t have hidden bumps or cracks that can cause accidents.
Cons of Epoxy Floors
Unpleasant Smell
Wet epoxy emits unpleasant fumes during the application process. These strong odors can pose health hazards, especially for asthmatic individuals. It is vital to wear safety goggles and masks when applying an epoxy coating to avoid any health issues from toxic fumes.
Long Curing Times
Epoxy flooring can take several days to cure properly, depending on the type of coating and project intensity. You may need to wait up to 72 hours before you can use your property after the epoxy application. The prolonged curing time translates to a longer downtime for your business.
Highly Sensitive
You must install epoxy flooring as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Otherwise, you won’t achieve the desired results, and the flooring won’t last as long as expected. You should apply an epoxy coating only during low humidity because moisture can affect the floors’ durability.
Slippery When Wet
Epoxy can be extremely slippery when wet because it doesn’t absorb moisture. This attribute makes epoxy flooring dangerous when installed in areas frequented by small children and older adults.
Difficult Removal
Removing your old epoxy coating can be labor-intensive and expensive. Fortunately, an epoxy coating is highly durable, meaning you will need to repair it less frequently.
Need Better-than-Epoxy Flooring? Consult the Experts!
Now that you understand the pros and cons of epoxy flooring, you can decide if epoxy is right for you. If you’re interested in epoxy or another coating, the experts at Sparks Coatings can help.
We are the go-to contractor for floor coating installation and repair. Our team specializes in chip systems with polyurea base coats and polyaspartic top coats. We offer a 20-year warranty on residential and commercial coatings, and our exterior coatings come with a ten-year warranty.
Call us at (435) 292-5664 for a free consultation and quote for your coating project in Utah or Idaho.
