Epoxy Flooring: How They Do It

How They Do It

Epoxy flooring is the customizable, long-lasting, and durable flooring solution that’s making its way into homes and businesses everywhere. The popularity of this concrete coating has been on the rise for years.

With all the options available for personalizing these floors and where they can be installed, you may be wondering how they do it. That’s the question we’re here to answer. In the article below, we’ll discuss the process for installing epoxy flooring in detail so you can get a better understanding of how this floor coating works.

Installing an epoxy floor is a process that should only be performed by a licensed professional. This process requires specialized tools, attention to detail, and years of experience to accomplish successfully. Not to mention, the DIY epoxy kits found in Big Box stores aren’t the same as professional-grade epoxy. These kits are most often water-based epoxy that’s best utilized as a thin, temporary floor coating or as epoxy paint. When you choose a professional epoxy flooring contractor, you can take comfort knowing that your epoxy floor will be high-quality and will last for 25 years or more.

Step 1: Cleaning, Inspection, & Repairs
The first step in this process is to have the existing concrete cleaned and inspected for damage. Any significant damage, such as cracks, chipping, or flaking, will need to be repaired before the process can move forward. Minor damage, such as pits or dents, will not need to be addressed because the next step will take care of that damage. Typically, cracks will be repaired using an injectable epoxy filler to prevent them from spreading or translating to the new epoxy floor. Once the repairs are completed, the next step can begin.

Step 2: Floor Preparation
Next, the concrete will need to be prepped for the epoxy application. This step involves using a floor grinder with a coarse, diamond grinding wheel or a shot blaster to remove the outermost layer of the concrete to ensure proper adhesion between the concrete and epoxy resin. This step will also remove any of the aforementioned minor damage. In most cases, the epoxy flooring contractor will choose to use the floor grinder as it’s considered the more efficient method for floor prep. With preparation complete, the floor is ready for epoxy.

Step 3: Mixing & Pouring the Epoxy
Now that the floor is prepped, the epoxy resin can be mixed with the chemical hardener and can be poured over the concrete. Several layers of epoxy are poured over the concrete’s surface to reach the desired floor thickness, accounting for the thickness of the clear epoxy topcoat that finishes the floor. After the base layer of epoxy is poured and dried, the following layers are used to create any desired patterns. With the designs in place, the final layer is a clear epoxy topcoat to seal everything in place.

Step 4: Letting the Floor Cure
The last step in the epoxy flooring installation process is to let the floor cure. The curing process is the chemical reaction between the epoxy resin and the chemical hardener. This chemical reaction is where epoxy flooring gets its signature strength and durability. On average, an epoxy floor is 90% cured after 24 hours and can accept foot traffic. However, it takes 72 hours for the floor to be 100% cured and ready for full use.