Epoxy, Polyurethane, Methyl Methacrylate and Polyaspartic are the most common types of families of resin flooring systems. Resin floors are becoming the ideal option for designers, developers and business owners as a direct result of the extreme durability and longevity offered. Whilst historically resin floors were regarded as industrial floor finishes, over recent decades resin flooring systems have become an excellent choice in commercial environments where a decorative and functional floor finish would be required.
Floors Inspection
Understanding the nature of your project is your key to defining your floors’ preparation and installation steps. Talk to your floors and know their history. Look for all the signs and enquire about the set of specific items that define the way forward in dealing with the floors. Your “Look for” characteristics are:
- Nature of the substrate
- Strength
- Moisture Content
- Levels & Flatness
- Contamination
- Operational Conditions
Outline the work procedure
Use the knowledge obtained from the floor inspection to your benefit and outline a clear procedure of work to achieve a smooth uninterrupted installation. Define your surface preparation method that is most suited to the nature of your substrate. Choose the correct resin flooring system that fits your design and adds benefit to the overall functionality of the room. Know how to maintain and repair your floors before commencing the installation, to ensure the correct choice of resin flooring system has been made.
Surface Preparation
Over 70% of newly applied resin floors fail due to improper or inadequate surface preparation. It is therefore critical to take the time needed to achieve the correct prepared surface. Learning the industry standard methods and the resin floors manufacturer’s recommendations is key for a successful preparation. Resin floors overall performance is directly correlated to the suitability of the selected surface preparation technique. The lifetime expectancy of the resin flooring systems can dramatically decrease as a result of inadequate surface preparation. The perfect technique is one that ensures a perfect adhesion between the resin flooring system and the substrate.
Check your Tools and Equipment
It is important to check the availability and functionality of all the tools and equipment necessary to execute the works. Make a list of the ones required and note it down before commencing with the work procedure. Safety comes first: start by lining up the required safety equipment from goggles, dust masks, safety shoes, helmets, safety gloves, etc… Ensure that the preparation and installation equipment are in good working condition and are free of residue from any previous works.
Following timing exactly
When working with resins, monitoring time is critical. All the procedures are time critical from mixing durations to the product’s pot life. When base components are mixed with hardeners or catalysts, a polymerisation effect will occur. By undermixing there is a risk of delayed cure (when applied, the product will be tacky) and if overmixed, there is a risk of accelerated polymerisation (reduced pot life for application). Read the manufacturer’s instructions and diligently follow the stated timings for each process.
Monitor results
Whilst installing resin floors, the outcome of every step must be carefully monitored and recorded for future analysis. Focus on the technique of each application and layer being installed. Note the pot life and mixing time of every application to maintain blending consistencies and ensure full compliance with overcoating windows.
Trafficking the floors
Each resin type offers varying speeds of cure allowing light to medium traffic from as early as two hours following application, up to thirty-six hours depending on ambient temperatures. Care must be taken to not traffic the floors too early, as this could result in footprints or other marks being impregnated into the finished floors. Note the manufacturer’s guidelines on when to light or heavy traffic the floors whilst monitoring the ambient temperature and humidity.