How to Create a Stunning Interior with Epoxy Floor Coating

Are you considering redoing a floor? Consider epoxy flooring! Keep reading to see if it’s the right choice for you! Today, we have a guest post by the experts at Orange County Decorative Concrete Services who can tell you everything you need to know about choosing this flooring!

One of the most cost-effective ways to install a stunning interior flooring is choosing epoxy coating. This type of flooring comes with a variety of colors, patterns, and designs to choose from. It can also be customized based on your desired flooring finish. To achieve your dream epoxy flooring, you can DIY an epoxy floor with a kit – or you can have to hire a professional epoxy contractor from a trusted company such as Epoxy Flooring Orange County. Epoxy flooring can be installed in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces such as garages, basements, kitchen, living areas, factories, warehouses, stadiums, retail stores, and restaurants.

What is Epoxy Flooring?

Epoxy flooring provides durable, long-lasting, and appealing finishes for an affordable price point. This type of flooring material is a mixture of resin and a hardener, once properly mixed; it is evenly applied on the surface until it fully cures. Applying an epoxy coating to your concrete surface adds strength to your floors enabling property owners to maximize the area’s function for a long period of time.                                                    

If you are planning to install epoxy coating in some areas of your home or business spaces. Here are some important factors you need to know when it comes to creating stunning interior floors using an epoxy coating. 

Epoxy Flooring Designs

1. Metallic 

Metallic design flooring finishes are usually installed in the garage, basement, kitchen, and living room areas. It provides a sophisticated look that compliments the existing design of your home or business interiors. There is a wide variety of color options to choose from and can perfectly mimic marble-like appearance. A professional contractor applies a specialized technique to achieve quality metallic flooring finishes.  

2. Glitter

Want a flooring design that shimmers? Then a glittery epoxy flooring design is a great option for you. Metallic flakes are added to the epoxy coating and will then evenly applied on the surface for it to cure. Metallic flakes are available in various colors and sizes. Larger glitter chips provide more reflection than the smaller ones.    

3. Terrazzo

Terrazzo design has been up since the 1500s. It was created by the Venetians. This type of design can now be achieved by mixing an epoxy coating, and different colored terrazzo chips will then be applied on the surface evenly till it completely cures. Like other design options, terrazzo chips are available in a variety of color options you can choose from.         

4. Flakes  

Flakes epoxy flooring finish is a popular design that is often installed in basements and garages. It provides a seamless and multicolored flooring finishes that would last for many years. Flakes design can also be customized based on your desired epoxy flooring finishes.                                               

5. Logos

Through the use of an epoxy coating, you can have your favorite logo installed on your flooring. If installing a logo is what you aim for, make sure to have it discussed with your contractor and request for the specific logo design epoxy flooring. It is also possible for this to be a DIY project, but you have to make sure you are knowledgeable in using the material because it will be hard to revert any mistakes.  

6. Patterns

Any patterns you have in mind can also be applied using epoxy coating in your preferred combinations of colors. A professional contractor usually does creative epoxy patterns because it requires precise and accurate finishes. Most pattern epoxy designs are seen in commercial and industrial spaces. But can also be a design option for residential spaces.    

7. 3D Artworks

Any favorite artworks you have and wanted to incorporate on your flooring? Epoxy coating is used to protect those beautiful art pieces and enhance their color, especially in 3d museums or graphic murals. This option can also be applied in residential and commercial spaces for a more personalized look.  

Benefits of Choosing Epoxy Flooring 

Choosing epoxy flooring comes with a number of benefits you can enjoy for many years to come, and that includes the following: 

• Provides seamless and glossy finish that helps brightens your property’s interior spaces
• Withstands heavy impact and consistent foot traffic
• Provides a durable flooring finish 
• It takes 1-2 days to install 
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Ideal for residential, commercial and industrial properties  
• Resistant to water and stain
• Provides a long-lasting flooring finish 
• Offers a wide variety of colors, patterns and design options 
• Resistant to oil spills
• Provides a slip-resistant flooring when an additional coating is applied     
• Can be applied to existing or new concrete slab
• The material is non-toxic

Epoxy Flooring Installations

Epoxy floors are seen as being used in the interiors of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. For home spaces, epoxy flooring is mostly installed in garages and basements on which the surface is exposed to impact and other elements that can damage the floors. Some of the areas where the epoxy coating can be applied include:    

• Walkways
• Lobbies
• Living areas
• Kitchen areas

Recreational rooms

• Retail stores
• Restaurants 
• Hotels
• Automotive Service Areas
• Workshops
• Food Processing Facilities
• Gymnasiums 

Epoxy Coating Installation Steps and Preparations

Before applying an epoxy coating, there are installation steps and preparations to follow to ensure that the material would adhere well. Some of the techniques in preparing the surface for installation include:   

Chemical Etching 

Chemical etching is the process of using chemicals such as muriatic acid, phosphoric acid, or sulfamic acid in order to create holes on the concrete for the material to adhere well. These chemical needs to be diluted before applying on the surface. This also requires a careful application to avoid accidents from happening.     

Sand Blasting

Sandblasting helps in propelling bits of debris from the surface, such as sand, walnut shells, copper slags, and steel grits. Propelling these fine debris on the surface helps in properly preparing the surface for installation.  

Shot Blasting 

This type of equipment is handled by a professional concrete contractor. They make use of shot blasting to remove sealers on the concrete slab effectively.    

Diamond Grinding 

This can be used on surfaces that have a left out coating to prepare the concrete for installation. Among the other techniques, this method is highly recommended.   

Steps for Installing Epoxy Coatings

The steps for installing epoxy coatings are the following. This gives you an idea as to how the entire process is done: 

1. Prepare the concrete slab by applying the techniques mentioned above. 
2. Clean the surface thoroughly by vacuuming or sweeping the area. 
3. Prime the flooring for the material to adhere well.   
4. Make sure that the area has proper ventilation during the installation process. 
5. Fill in or repair any surface damages, including holes and cracks, using the proper material. 
6. Making use of an electrical mixture combines the epoxy coating before installing the material. 
7. Apply the first layer of epoxy coating using a roller and let it dry 
8. Evenly apply the final coating and let it cure for 24 hours.    

Epoxy Flooring: A Great Choice for Your Home

Special thanks to Orange County Decorative Concrete Services for this informative post! If you’d like to check out more, head over to their site for additional ideas! And if you’re local to the OC area in California, go check them out!

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