Concrete epoxy coatings are a practical addition to concrete floors in commercial and business facilities. They make floors look clean and shiny, are easy to maintain, and can even extend the life of your concrete. Epoxy is used in many other coating applications too, including appliances, mechanical parts, and to line certain food containers. What is this seemingly-magical solution though? For smart business owners who are looking into having this feature installed, you might be curious about what materials can be used and how it works.
What Exactly is Epoxy?
Epoxy is a resin in the epoxide functional group. It can serve several purposes and is commonly used as an adhesive when two resins are combined. These prepolymers and polymers react with one another or with other materials, such asacid, alcohols, phenols, and thiols. This means that it is important to determine the function of your floors during the planning stages. Since some types of epoxy react with certain shop chemicals, you will want to use a variety which is resistant if your floor may come in contact with these. Concrete epoxy coatings are considered an environmentally-friendly option because they can reduce a facility’s water loss, prevent chemical contamination, and reduce the need for pesticides.
What Materials are Used in Concrete Epoxy Coatings?
Epoxy is made from several natural and chemical materials. The most common is petroleum, although a plant-based type called glycerol is growing in popularity. Some classes are combined with bisphenol A or bisphenol F. Novolac epoxy is created using a formaldehyde reaction. Other version may use a combination of manmade chemicals that are largely unavailable to the general public. In some cases, it may be beneficial to know from what your concrete epoxy coatings are made. However, the finished floors will be solid and durable. There is no risk of individual chemicals causing harm. If you are concerned about health risks, know that they are primarily a concern for your installation team. The company you hire will take appropriate precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.
How Does Concrete Epoxy Coating Work?
Epoxy is a somewhat fascinating material. Two ingredients in liquid form become a solid when combined. The contractors will mix the appropriate materials together before applying the coating to the floor. It will be smoothed to an even thickness using various trowels or machinery. The epoxy will dry and become as hard as the concrete. The materials used determine the drying time, but most take only a few hours. Because the finished material is clear, the surface beneath will be visible.
Following the concrete epoxy coating process, your facility will benefit from top-quality damage-resistant floors. With a reliable floor coating, you can minimize maintenance costs and downtime.
What Decorative Features are Available?
There are options for finishing the concrete before applying the epoxy, such as polishing or applying dye and stains. These can make the end result quite attractive and professional with minimal investment. Some concrete may be too moist for dye or stains, but paint chips may be added to the epoxy for an addition of color and texture. If you are interested in something even more luxurious, terrazzo produces a result that rivals high-end flooring solutions. During the application of terrazzo, chips of quartz, marble, glass, granite, or other similar materials are added with the epoxy. The finished floor has both a smooth finish and a textured appearance. Other aggregates, such as shells or stones, may also be used in a similar manner.
This is not an exhaustive list of the materials available, but includes some of the common varieties. When you hire a contractor for your concrete epoxy coatings installation, he or she will talk you through your options. This will ensure your project uses the most appropriate materials for your facility’s needs. ICS offers personalized service to ensure your project is a success and you will be satisfied with the results. Regardless of the architecture and interior design of your facility, you’ll be able to install a concrete epoxy coating that complements the rest of the building. Our team of professionals have been able to provide customized solutions for many different types of facilities across a wide range of industries.
When you are ready to talk with a professional about your next concrete floor project, talk to the team at ICS. We have over 20 years of experience and have installed or updated over a million square feet of concrete floors. The combination of expertise, proprietary equipment, and dedication to a job well-done make ours the service you can trust. To get started, fill out the Got a Project form with some basic information about your project. We’re ready to give you everything you need today.
Concrete Flooring Service Area
ICS provides concrete solutions to all of the northeast. Here is a small list of cities and states where we have completed many industrial and commercial concrete flooring applications.
| Portland, Maine | Bangor, Maine | Augusta, Maine |
| Nashua, New Hampshire | Manchester, New Hampshire | Portsmouth, New Hampshire |
| Boston, Massachusetts | Worecester, Massachusetts | Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Burlington, Vermont | Montpelier, Vermont | St. Johnsbury, Vermont |
| Providence, Rhode Island | Warwick, Rhode Island | Cranston, Rhode Island |
| Hartford, Connecticut | New Haven, Connecticut | Stamford, Connecticut |
| New York | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |