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If you are looking for an easy and durable flooring solution, epoxy flooring may be the perfect option for you. Epoxy is a synthetic resin that can be applied to concrete, metal or wood surfaces to create a hard, glossy finish.
It is often used in industrial and commercial areas like factories and warehouses because it’s so resilient. However, many homeowners are now choosing epoxy flooring for their homes and garage floors because of its durability.
In this blog post, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to install epoxy flooring in your home. So let’s dig in!
Steps to Installing an Epoxy Floor Coating
If you are thinking of installing epoxy flooring in your home, there are a few things you need to consider before getting started.
The first step is to decide if you want to do the installation yourself or hire a professional. If you're looking for the best result, hire a team of professionals so the job is done right the first time.
At Policrete, we offer crack-free epoxy flooring installation all across Melbourne. Otherwise, here’s how to install epoxy flooring yourself.
Step 1. Choose the right type of epoxy for your project
Before beginning the project, you’ll want to research what type of epoxy resin is right for your floor. There are three main types of epoxy:
- Solvent-based
- Water-based
- 100% solid epoxy mix
Each type of resin is suitable for different floor types, like metal or concrete and have a number of pros and cons to each. To avoid mistakes with your choice of epoxy, it’s important to consult with a professional so you pick the right one for your floor.
Step 2. Prepare the surface by cleaning and degreasing
Before starting the epoxy pour, you’ll want to ensure your concrete surface is free from damage. This may involve making small repairs, filling cracks and grinding away other floor coatings before you can apply a primer. Cleaning the floor of all debris, dirt, skid marks, grease, oil stains and chemicals before using epoxy is also recommended.
Step 3. Apply a primer, then the epoxy evenly
Depending on how large a surface you need to cover, applying epoxy can be a massive job. You’ll need to start by using an epoxy primer to ensure the concrete surface has a base that allows the epoxy to bond with.
You can then start applying the first coat of epoxy. You can apply epoxy using a squeegee or roller or even a paintbrush. Once mixed, the epoxy coating has a short shelf life (30 - 40 minutes), so the application needs to happen quickly before the resin dries.
Step 4. Apply a second coat or topcoat
You should wait for about 24 hours before applying a second coat of epoxy resin. If you notice any cracks or debris caught in the first coat, this is the time you’ll need to lightly sand those down before applying the topcoat.
4 Things to Consider Before Installing Epoxy on Concrete Flooring
- Your current floor
Before you can start your project, you need to consider what’s currently on the floor area you’re wanting to put an epoxy coating on. If you have paint, vinyl or stains on your concrete floor, you’ll need to start with stripping, prepping and grinding your floor to ensure it’s ready for epoxy.
- Concrete condition
It’s also important to assess the condition of your concrete floor. When applying epoxy, the resin goes through a curing process which includes temperature changes that could effect the concrete. So, before you can begin, you need to assess your concrete for height differences, cracks, divots and moisture to ensure it will be safe to use epoxy on your concrete floor.
- Floor size and purpose
There are a few checklist questions you need to consider to determine how much and what type of epoxy you’ll need for your concrete floor.
- What kind of vehicle or foot traffic will be on your concrete floor?
- Is it possible that any strong chemicals might spill on the floor?
- Is there a requirement for the floor to be non-slip?
- Will there be any line markings necessary?
- Is there any direct sunlight on the floor?
- Will the floor come into contact with water frequently?
The answers to all of these questions will impact the type of epoxy you use and how much you require.
- Budget and timeframe
Before starting any project, it’s essential to estimate your budget and timeline. You can start to plan your budget by finding an epoxy flooring cost guide online and gathering a few quotes from local contractors.
As for the timeframe, you’ll want to have the epoxy flooring installation completed during a time that the floor isn’t being used as epoxy can take up to a week to fully cure.
Epoxy Flooring Aftercare
After installing a new resin floor, there are a few aftercare tips you need to follow.
Once the resin has been laid, it needs to fully cure, which can take up to 2 weeks. During this time, it is important not to drive or park any cars in this area for at least 72 hours.
Your epoxy surface may be dry up to 12 - 24 hours after installation, but to be safe, it’s ready for use after a full week.
How to Maintain Epoxy Concrete Flooring
One of the biggest benefits of resin flooring is that maintenance is pretty simple. Here are some quick tips to ensure your new epoxy floor stays in excellent condition.
- Sweep or vacuum your resin floor regularly to remove dirt and debris.
- Mop your floor with a damp mop or cloth when cleaning.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals, cleaners or scrubbers as this can damage the finish.
- Avoid dragging furniture or heavy objects across the epoxy floor, as this can scratch or damage the finish.
Policrete are Melbourne’s leading concrete floor experts. We specialise in epoxy concrete flooring and are passionate about creating a flooring solution that leaves you satisfied. Whether you require epoxy flooring for a large industrial warehouse or your backyard shed, we have an industry-leading team ready to complete your project on-time and within budget.
