Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Types Of Epoxy Flooring With Pictures

Different Types Of Epoxy Flooring
Pictures By Arizona Epoxy Systems

Both epoxy coatings and floors are increasing in popularity for use in industrial and commercial flooring. There are many various types of epoxy coatings which are available for floors, including self-dispersing epoxy coating, self-leveling epoxy coating, graveled epoxy coating, epoxy coatings, epoxy antistatic coatings, epoxy terrazzo coating, as well as vapor barrier epoxy coating. Each Type of epoxy coating provides its own advantages as well as disadvantages in comparison to other types.

Epoxy Coating Decisions for Flooring:


Take a look at the different types of Epoxy flooring used in the industry.

Self-Dispersing Epoxy Coating

Self-Dispersing Epoxy Coating

It is common for this form of epoxy coating to be used in places which has heavy truck traffic or forklifts because it provides good mechanical strength. Self-dispersing epoxy with quartz sand is another type of this epoxy that’s durable. This type is frequently used in locations with liquids present, such as food processing industries as it has anti-slip functions.

Self-Leveling Epoxy Coating for Floors

 Self-Leveling Epoxy Coating for Floors

It is easy to install self-leveling epoxy coatings to concrete floors, new or old, because this type of epoxy easily levels and create a smooth and seamless surface. Self-leveling epoxy is often used in dining rooms, kitchens, garages, storage locations, office buildings and other areas.

Mortar Epoxy Coating for Floors

Mortar Epoxy Coating for Floors

Out of all epoxy types, this is the strongest. It is often used for applications within heavy industries and it is used for repairing cracks prior to putting in other forms of epoxy flooring.

Graveled Epoxy Coating for Floors

Graveled Epoxy Coating for Floors

This type of epoxy coating is the most decorative option, used with brand marks, adding logotypes, and other decorative details to the floor.

Terrazzo Epoxy Coating for Floors

 Terrazzo Epoxy Coating for Floors

This is another form of epoxy which is easy to clean and decorative. Terrazzo epoxy is often used for larger areas, such as entrances or hallways in commercial buildings, office buildings and schools.

Antistatic Epoxy Coating for Floor

Antistatic Epoxy Coating for Floor

This is an epoxy coating that is specialized and designed for being used in locations that use static-sensitive components, requiring a static-free environment. Places such as hospitals, laboratories, and manufacturing plants for electronics.

Vapor Barrier Epoxy Coating

 Vapor Barrier Epoxy Coating

The liquid epoxy vapor barrier gets applied over concrete flooring, this provides a surface that is impenetrable while reducing vapor transmissions almost to zero. These type of epoxy coatings usually get applied before the final flooring surface is added, including tile, sheet vinyl, hardwood or carpet flooring.

Flaked Epoxy Coating

 Flaked Epoxy Coating

This is more of an epoxy applying style rather than a type of epoxy. Using this method, multi-colored chips or flakes are added to the epoxy coating while it’s wet to create a decorative look.

100% Solids Epoxy Coating

 100% Solids Epoxy Coating

Out of all the epoxy types, this is the most durable. Professionals often recommend and use it as it can last 20 years, even with heavy traffic or with surfaces which need protection from the elements, such as abrasions, hot tire marks, and chemical reactions. The professional installer uses hardeners which allows the epoxy coating to dry in a solid form while bonding with concrete substrates.

Water-Based Epoxy Coating

Water-Based Epoxy Coating

This is more of a sealer and primer for the floor, as it spreads thin, but lacks the degree of resistance and durability that the 100% solid type uses. This for form of epoxy is included in DIY kits and is more user friendly compared to the 100% solid option. With the ability of penetrating porous surfaces, it is used for a sealer or primer over concrete surfaces that have been degreased. It provides the concrete surface a glossier and smooth finish, while providing protective abilities against abrasions, stains and chemical reactions.

Solvent-Based Epoxy Coating

Solvent-Based Epoxy Coating

As implied by the name, this form of epoxy coating uses solvents when being used for a floor primer and sealer, similar with water-based. The solvent based epoxy has solids that range between 30% to 70%, allowing only a thin layer to be achieved. Additionally, it is a less favorable option of epoxy due to the solvent based nature. The reason for this is, the amount and/or types of solvents required are commonly non-compliant with Volatile Organic Compound regulations (VOC). Between the three epoxy coatings for floors, both DIY and Chicago installers rarely choose solvent-based epoxy, even for primer or sealer purposes.

Thank you for reading "Different Types Of Epoxy Flooring" by Arizona Epoxy Systems.