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November 7, 2022
Looking for a floor solution that can handle the spills, hazards, and everyday wear and tear you’ll be throwing at it? Epoxy is strong, striking, and super popular in Melbourne homes and businesses. But is it right for you? Here’s how you find out.
Epoxy floors are known for their sleek appearance, highly durable finish, and multi-purpose use. But are epoxy floors right for you?
Don’t answer that, it’s a rhetorical question.
We’ve rounded up the top advantages and disadvantages of epoxy flooring to help you make an informed choice. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your tired Melbourne garage, or need a point of difference on your commercial property that still stays strong under heavy foot traffic, epoxy *might* be right for you.
Ready to learn about this popular flooring solution?
Let’s get right into it.
Hold on, what is epoxy floor?
If you’re already an epoxy pro, you can skip to the next section. But for everyone else, let’s quickly recap what this flooring solution is (and how it works).
Epoxy is a type of synthetic resin applied to a concrete surface that’s been properly prepared (otherwise the epoxy resin won’t form a lasting bond). This resin cures (or dries) to provide a lasting form of protection against liquid, scratches, heat, impact damage, and a range of hazards that can leave a floor looking tired, chipped and worn out.
It’s easy to think of concrete and immediately think “hard” but without protection, your concrete surfaces can become damaged. It is also easy to maintain as it is seamless and non-porous – which means it won’t absorb liquid. If you see a spill or mess, cleaning is quick and easy.
Alright, let’s move on and cover some of the major pros and cons of this durable, innovative floor protection.
An epoxy-coated floor is a popular addition to showrooms, industrial spaces, retail outlets, and even residential garages. While no flooring is perfect, there are plenty of reasons to choose epoxy to protect your concrete surfaces. We’ve rounded up some of the top advantages that come with epoxy to help you decide if an epoxy coating is right for you.
Epoxy looks sharp and professional. But, let’s be honest, the primary reason Melbourne home and business owners invest in epoxy is to provide protection against, well…everything.
Residential and commercial flooring is resistant to a range of hazards including:
On top of liquid protection, epoxy is also water and heat-resistant. These qualities make epoxy an ideal choice in busy locations from commercial garages to retail stores and showrooms.
Epoxy is a cost-effective flooring solution that doesn’t require you to tear up your current floor. In fact, epoxy is installed directly on concrete without the need to add extra layers of floor. Keep in mind, certain concrete may need to be prepared for epoxy which can involve diamond grinding.
While it’s true the initial cost of epoxy can be higher than alternatives like concrete polishing, the long-term durability of epoxy means it’s actually *cheaper* when factoring in its lifespan. This becomes a low cost per m2 as epoxy won’t wear out as quickly as alternate concrete sealers like acrylic sealing.
Any home or business upgrade needs to last. You don’t want to update your floors, only to find chips and scratches within a couple of months. When it comes to longevity, epoxy floors are a standout. Depending on application and volume of traffic, you can expect to enjoy an epoxy floor fr up to 20 years (or more).
Although industrial epoxy applications tend to have a shorter lifespan – as a result of heavy vehicle traffic – it’s not unknown to enjoy an epoxy floor for decades which isn’t just convenient but keeps money in your pocket too.
Epoxy floors may be strong and robust, but that doesn’t mean they’re dull. There is a wide range of epoxy finishes and styles to choose from to get the most out of your concrete floors. Choose from a range of striking patterns and aesthetic finishes from flake flooring to metallic epoxy.
This level of creative control makes epoxy valuable for commercial sites that need a little branding touch, or personalisation to stand out from the crowd. From busy shopping centres where stores need a way to attract foot traffic, to retail stores that want to project a visual brand identity, epoxy is strong – but it’s also super versatile.
No matter what flooring you choose, you’ll need to factor in some of the downsides. Keep in mind, these aren’t broad disadvantages like ‘Your floor will turn to dust in 10 years’. Instead, they’re features of epoxy that may not suit all settings or applications.
For example, certain epoxy surfaces may be slippery when wet without non-slip additives included. If you’re installing epoxy in a setting where moisture is likely, you’d need to take this into account. But keep in mind, all high-gloss surfaces are likely to become slippery when wet, so it’s important to put each ‘disadvantage’ in context.
Preparing your current concrete surfaces for epoxy application can be time-consuming and costly. Application isn’t as simple as throwing down a coat of epoxy and taking the arvo off. Your concrete floor will need to be properly cleaned to remove all grease, oil, or solvents that can affect the bonding process. If there are cracks, those will need to be filled to ensure an even application. While any uneven features may need to be removed through concrete grinding.
So if you plan on a quick install, you may need to re-evaluate your timeline.
As a premium form of floor protection, epoxy will cost more than other sealers, for example, acrylic sealers. You’ll need to factor in this higher initial cost when deciding if epoxy floor is right for you. Keep in mind, you get what you pay for. Epoxy is a longer-lasting sealer than acrylic and is suitable for busy, high-traffic areas.
In the long run, you’ll end up paying less for repairs and maintenance, so the upfront costs may be worth it.
Looking for a full price breakdown? Click here to find out how much epoxy flooring costs in Melbourne
Planning to install epoxy on your own? You’ll need to follow a strict framework to avoid unsightly (and expensive) mistakes.
Epoxy floors aren’t the type of home or business upgrade you can knock off in a spare afternoon. You’ll need several days for your epoxy to fully cure and handle foot and vehicle traffic without a problem. On top of this lengthy process, you’ll need humidity levels low enough for proper application.
Why?
Because any moisture trapped under your epoxy coating can start to evaporate as the epoxy resin dries. This creates bubbles, buckling, and bulging on the floor that may need touch-ups – or a complete do-over!
If you’d prefer to skip the DIY approach and trust your new floor to Melbourne’s leading experts, call 0450 550 649 for a fast and FREE quote.
Looking for Melbourne’s leading experts?
Call off the search, you found them.
At Absolutely Flawless Floorz, we have a team of highly experienced professionals who know everything there is to know about epoxy. Our world-class tools and machinery ensure stunning results across a range of epoxy finishes, while our commitment to high-quality results means you get the floor you wanted the first time, every time.
But enough about us, we want to hear about you!
Contact our friendly team today on 0450 550 649 to arrange your 100% obligation-free quote and discover just how affordable and reliable your own epoxy floor can be.
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