Many people choose epoxy flooring for garages and businesses because of its strength and simple design. Understanding the process of epoxy flooring can aid in setting your expectations and smooth out the installation. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the epoxy flooring installation process and outline what to anticipate at every stage.
Why Epoxy Flooring?
Before we begin the installation steps,, we must recognize why epoxy flooring is a great choice. As a coating material, it yields an uninterrupted, glossy, durable layer. It is resistant to chemical damage and impacts while tolerating rough use and stains in garages or workshops.
Now, let’s move on to the step-by-step process of installing epoxy flooring.
Step 1: Surface Preparation
Epoxy flooring’s success relies significantly on the surface treatment applied. Correct surface preparation guarantees that epoxy sticks firmly in place and remains intact over time.
What happens during this step:
- Inspect the Concrete: The installers will check the concrete thoroughly before starting the application process to evaluate it for cracks and moisture. If the floor shows damage, the team could be required to mend minor repairs or fill gaps before proceeding.
- Cleaning the Floor: Grease and stains must be removed from the floor. To eliminate contaminants, the team often resorts to strong cleaning agents.
- Grinding or Etching: To facilitate a secure bond between the epoxy and the surface area, the floor must become coarser. Mechanical machinery or acid could be used to achieve this effect. Grinding yields a more uneven surface for better epoxy bonding, while etching achieves the same result by applying acid to the floor.
- Action Step: When you prepare the floor yourself, make certain it is free of obstructions and dry.
Step 2: Repairs and Patching
After the floor has been properly prepared, there will be cracks or some form of imperfection that will have to be corrected on the concrete floor. This step is important in order to achieve an even layering of the final outcome surface.
What happens during this step:
- Filling Cracks: If the floor has any visible or apparent cracks or holes, these are to be sealed with epoxy crack filler or patching material. It needs to be done to make sure that the surface is flat and free from unevenness in the case of the floor so as to apply epoxy coatings on it.
- Sanding: After the patching material is applied and has solidified, sanding the surface will eliminate more blends or irregularities.
- Action Step: Once you are through with this process, carefully check your floor for any visible cracks or imperfections to avoid any settlement in the next step.
Step 3: Priming the Floor
When the floor is clean, dry, and in the process of being repaired, the next thing that should be done is to apply a primer. Primer assists in increasing the bond strength between the epoxy coat and the concrete floor and also increases its durability.
What happens during this step:
- Apply the Primer: The primer is generally applied on the floor’s surface by rolling it for a uniform layer. It goes deeper into the concrete and ‘grabs’ the floor, and as a result, the epoxy coating bonds well upon application.
- Allow Time to Cure: The primer will require several hours to turn into a hard surface before the epoxy coat can be applied. These curing periods could also depend on the type of product in the market and the environmental conditions.
- Action Step: Make sure the area is well aerated and there are no dust particles or debris on the item where the primer is hardening.
Step 4: Applying the Epoxy Base Coat
After the primer has cured, the first layer of the epoxy, called the base coat, is put down. This is the base for the epoxy floor, contributing to the formation of the tough surface that the epoxy floor offers.
What happens during this step:
- Mixing the Epoxy: The epoxy material is usually a composite of the epoxy resin and the epoxy hardener, the former being highly fluid and the latter being much less fluid. These components are blended at the time of application, immediately before it takes place.
- Apply the Base Coat: With a roller or squeegee, the installer will uniformly spread the base coat over the floor area as the final step in the installation process. It also evens out the surface and gives a base for the floor of this coat.
- Optional Decorative Flakes: When the epoxy base coat is still wet, coloured flakes can be added to increase the floor’s decorative value.
- Action Step: If you are using decorative flakes, talk to the installer about coloration and design to avoid confusion.
Step 5: Applying the Epoxy Top Coat
The final step of the epoxy flooring process is applying the epoxy top coat after the base coat has dried up. This top coat can also act as a sealer of the floor and add a layer of durability in terms of usage.
What happens during this step:
- Apply the Top Coat: The top layer is then applied over the under layer in a similar process, most often by a roller or a squeegee. This coat also gives the desired shine to the coat, helps increase its durability, and provides a shield from the effects of UV rays, chemicals, and impacts.
- Anti-Slip Additives: If the owner prefers a non-slip surface, the installer can apply anti-slip additives to the top layer. These additives enable the formation of traction, which is very beneficial for garage floors or any commercial use.
- Action Step: Choose what type of gloss you prefer for the uppermost layer, high or low, and share your option with the contractor.
Step 6: Curing and Final Inspection
The epoxy top coat can be applied, after which the installation process of the epoxy floor is considered almost done. However, when it’s finished, the floor should be given enough time to dry properly before walking or driving on it.
What happens during this step:
Curing Time: From the type of epoxy floor and the environmental conditions, the floor may be entirely cured within 24 to 72 hours. During this time, one should refrain from walking or placing heavy objects on the floor.
Final Inspection: Upon the completion of the curing process, the installer will need to inspect the floor for defects that may require touchups.
Action Step: Be patient during the curing process. They also mentioned that it is possible to bring harm to the epoxy if one tries to use the floor before it has fully cured.
Step 6: Curing and Final Inspection
Epoxy flooring installation involves a series of processes and must be well done and professionally undertaken. Every process, from surface preparation to the final top coat, is vital in determining your floor’s durability and overall finish. This way, you avoid any hitches that may arise when you least expect them, resulting in a perfect installation of a strong surface.
Are you interested in having an epoxy floor in your garage or in your business premises, you need the services of Experts Garage Doors. Our experienced team members will assist you through installation so you have a well-done floor. Call us today and learn how we can help you transform your environment with our epoxy flooring products!