Epoxy floors are some of the best looking and long-lasting floors available and over the years, with advancement in installation technology, epoxy floors have begun to last even longer. One of the most important factors in the lifespan of an epoxy floor is how well the floors are installed. Do-it-yourself kits will rob you of the true experience of what it means to have an epoxy flooring system because they simply will not last as long and the quality is sub par. That being said, an epoxy floor’s lifespan really comes down to, how well it was installed, and if the right precautions were taken prior to installment.
Epoxy floors are abrasion-resistant, impact-resistant, water and chemical-resistant, and stain-resistant. Epoxy flooring systems are utilized in residential, commercial, and industrial settings because they are versatile and virtually impossible to destroy. Epoxy floors are wear and tear resistant and can be installed with features to prevent accidents. They are incredible flooring systems that belong in any property you own.
Testing your concrete’s strength is a good indicating factor on whether or not your concrete will last into the double digit decades. These tests can easily be administered by licensed professionals who can not only conduct the tests but read the results for what they are. Surface prep is the next important step. If this is done incorrectly, you are minimizing the chances of your floors lasting as long as they should. The surface should be well cleaned and dusted so that it is free of any oils, liquids, damages, cracks, stains, or residual chemicals from previous floor treatments. This inspection should not be taken lightly, because if important details are missing, you are shortening your floor’s lifespan, essentially causing you to lose money. The thickness of an epoxy coating certainly ranges and is a specific that should be discussed with your contractor but this and the top coat should certainly be applied with professional precision to ensure the best possible outcome.
Once the epoxy has cured with your concrete, you are free to roam around your floors with less caution and much more freedom. Epoxy floors are not impervious to damage and breaking down, but these things don’t happen for 20 to 30 years after installation, making them an intelligent investment in the grand scheme of flooring choices.
Residential epoxy flooring will certainly have a truly longer lifespan than other areas because, for the most part, you are not driving a forklift or heavy construction machinery through your home or garages. Commercial epoxy is typically the next longest lasting because these floors are installed to handle just what a commercial floor needs: heavy foot traffic, spills, and in need of any and all safety features. Industrial epoxy grade floors are installed at high thickness levels to counteract the unavoidable heavy machinery, heavy impact, and other additional stressors that warehouses, and factory floors endure: chemicals, oils, water, etc.