Epoxy flooring is a popular choice for industrial, car park, and other high-traffic floors that require a heavy-duty flooring system. Epoxy resin-based flooring is renowned for its durability, customizability, and sustainability properties. Its exceptional resistance to extreme wear and tear makes it the most reliable option for long-lasting floors.
What is Epoxy?
Epoxy, also known as Polyepoxides, refers to a family or class of reactive prepolymers and polymers that contain epoxide groups. The epoxide functional group is commonly known as Epoxy. Epoxy resins can be cross-linked through catalytic homopolymerization or with various co-reactants, including polyfunctional amines, acids (and acid anhydrides), phenols, alcohols, and thiols (also known as mercaptans). These co-reactants, referred to as hardeners or curatives, facilitate the cross-linking reaction, which is typically known as curing.
What is Epoxy Flooring?
Epoxy flooring is a type of surface covering that consists of multiple layers of thermosetting Epoxy resin applied to the floor at varying thicknesses. The application techniques can include rolling, troweling, or pouring directly onto the concrete substrate. Once cured, the Epoxy flooring creates a strong and permanent bond, serving as a protective barrier for the underlying substrate. The thickness of Epoxy flooring systems can range from 0.5mm to over 1cm, depending on the specific type of Epoxy flooring and the intended use of the area. There are several types of Epoxy flooring systems, each with unique characteristics and applications.
Types of Epoxy Flooring & Where to Apply Them
The flooring system known as self-leveling Epoxy, also called self-smoothing Epoxy, is created by combining Epoxy resin with fine fillers to produce a smooth, glossy, and highly durable surface. This type of flooring not only provides exceptional resistance to common types of wear and tear but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of residential, commercial, and industrial areas with its diverse range of colours.
Where To Use Self-Levelling Epoxy Floors
Self-leveling Epoxy floors are suitable for a variety of applications, including manufacturing facilities, warehouses, showrooms, commercial garages, athletic facilities, medical facilities, back-of-house service areas, and more.
Epoxy Mortar Floors
The Epoxy Mortar flooring system is the toughest option among Epoxy resin-based floors. It consists of a blend of Epoxy resin and graded Quartz sand, providing unparalleled durability even in the most demanding industrial environments. Epoxy Mortars can withstand impacts better than any other flooring system. In addition to its strength, this flooring option can also be used to repair damaged or aging concrete floors and fill cracks before installing another type of Epoxy flooring system.
Where To Use Epoxy Mortar Floors
Epoxy Mortar Floors are suitable for use in mechanical spaces, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and for general concrete repair purposes.
Epoxy Floor Coating
Solvent-free Epoxy resin-based flooring is a coating that can be directly applied in two to three coats on top of a concrete substrate to form a thin film that is approximately half a millimeter thick. The coating forms a strong bond with the substrate, providing protection against light to medium traffic.
Where To Use Epoxy Floor Coating
Epoxy floor coating can be used in various settings, including residential garages, corridors, and more.
Coloured Quartz-Filled (or Broadcast) Epoxy Floors
Coloured Quartz Epoxy flooring is a type of high-performance flooring system that combines Epoxy resin-based polymer resin with coloured quartz grains. The coloured quartz grains are either mixed into the Epoxy resin and directly troweled onto the concrete substrate or broadcasted into the wet Epoxy floor layer during installation. This flooring system is commonly used in decorative spaces that require both aesthetic appeal and sanitary, slip-resistant properties. It offers a perfect balance between the extreme durability of Epoxy resins and the visual benefits of coloured quartz.
Where to Use Quartz-Filled Epoxy Floors
Quartz-Filled Epoxy Floors can be used in Changing rooms, Toilets, Schools, Canteens, Reception areas, Offices, Exhibition spaces, and other similar areas.
Epoxy Flake Floors
Similar to Coloured Quartz Epoxy floors, this type of flooring system contains coloured flakes that are broadcasted in the Epoxy flooring layer to create a vibrant, multi-hued look. The flakes not only offer a seamless appearance but also provide each surface with subtle grooves to reduce slips and falls. Epoxy flake floors come in an infinite variety of sizes, colours, styles, and textures that can be customised for any space.
Where To Use Epoxy Flake Floors
Epoxy flake floors are suitable for use in a variety of settings, such as locker rooms, sports venues, showrooms, clinics, commercial kitchens, and more.
Anti-Static Epoxy Floors (Electrostatic discharge (ESD) Resistant Floors)
ESD can pose a risk to many work environments. To mitigate static hazards, it is necessary to install anti-static epoxy floors. This epoxy flooring system usually contains a conductive compound that accumulates static electricity and dissipates any potential discharge. An anti-static solution is highly recommended for spaces that contain flammable materials or use flammable gases or liquids, as they carry a risk of combustible dust build-up.
Where to Use Anti-Static Epoxy Floors
Ideal locations for Anti-Static Epoxy Floors include Electronic, Chemical, or Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, Healthcare facilities, Weapon and Ammunition production facilities, Data centres, TV and Broadcasting Studios, and more.
In Summary
Epoxy flooring is a versatile and durable solution that can be tailored to suit any space. It offers excellent impact resistance and can be customized to provide an elegant entrance for a restaurant or a tough surface for industrial work. If you need assistance in selecting the right epoxy floor system for your space, our team of experts at Duphill can help you with the right specification and professional installation of your floors.