Epoxy resin flooring can have a life expectancy in excess of 10 years when specified and installed correctly.
Life expectancy of an epoxy resin floor coating will depend on its applied thickness and use. Typically, two coats of epoxy resin should provide a film thickness of around 400-500 microns, roughly 5 times thicker than a normal floor paint.
Depending on the type of epoxy, solvent-based epoxies will have an odour. The available solvent-free systems have a very low odour.
Epoxy resin floor coatings would not be expected to crack when used in most service conditions.
Epoxy is the most well know resin flooring option and very often used in industrial, or hard working domestic, environments. It is a remarkably hard wearing, painted plastic coating which is the perfect covering choice for flooring warehousing, food production areas, factories, manufacturing plants, showrooms, reception areas, etc.
Applied in liquid form. they hardened up to result in an attractive, durable, scuff-resistant floor. Optional anti-slip properties can also be applied, making the flooring even more suitable for commercial environments and domestic use such as garages, where liquid slip-hazards may be a risk.
Epoxy resin floor coatings are attractive, solvent-free and have excellent chemical and abrasion resistance. They are extremely hard-earing and will provide a long-lasting, seamless glossy finish that is easy to keep clean and maintain.
Resin floor coating systems comprise of two elements; a base and hardener (also known as a catalyst) that are mixed together and applied in liquid form to a prepared floor.
Optimal performance requires that prior to coating, surfaces are scrubbed clean using diamond headed grinding machines to remove any weak, loose and/or friable laitance from the surface. This also provides a mechanical ‘key’ to which the resin coating adheres.
Epoxy floor drying time depends on air temperature: epoxies stop curing below about 5 degrees centigrade. The warmer the temperature the quicker the cure.
Usually, epoxies require twenty-four hours to cure, with the full cure taking place over 3-5 days. It is possible to accelerate the cure using a fast-cure additive.
In general terms epoxy resins are not UV stable however there are other products that can be used that resist UV.