Epoxy flooring is well-known for its smooth look, long-lasting feature, and best floor protection. If you want to install epoxy floors in your house or commercial space but do not know the advantages and disadvantages, first get all the necessary information.
If you are an auto shop
owner and need long-lasting flooring, polish your concrete floor by installing
epoxy. Consider a few major disadvantages of epoxy flooring before installing
it. It is difficult to find a perfect flooring solution and is resistant to
chemicals, spills, and stains.
Every type of flooring
has some limitations. Epoxy floors have a few cons but more pros, so they can be
a good choice for your needs. Epoxy flooring is strong because it is applied
over concrete flooring. Let us look at some reasons you should avoid epoxy
flooring.
Major Disadvantages
of Epoxy Flooring
The disadvantages of
installing epoxy flooring in your home and workspace are follows.
Ø Strong toxic fumes
While installing an
epoxy floor, it stinks when wet. Sometimes, its smell is like ammonia. It is
the smell of toxic fumes in it. These fumes can cause a bad reaction to anyone
near it. In case of inhaling these fumes, it can cause inflammation in the
eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
There are many epoxy
floor problems. It can cause breathing problems in people who have asthma. The
strong toxic fumes also result in skin cancer if continuously exposed to them.
Oshwiki has given some recommendations to reduce the exposure to these fumes.
·
Base Resin
ü Average molecular weight less than 700
ü Reactive diluents as low as possible
ü High possible molecular weights and boiling
points
ü None of the following R-phrases: R23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 39, 40, 42, 45, 46, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 68.
·
Curing Agent
ü Components that contain “amine—epoxy adducts”
or polyamine amides as the curing compound
ü High possible molecular weight and boiling
points
ü None of the following R-phrases: R23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 39, 40, 45, 46, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 68.
ü Amine curing compounds that are not alerting.
Ø Epoxy takes a long to
harden completely
After epoxy installation,
several days are required to cure it completely. Usually, the floor is left to
dry in a warm environment and given a long time. You can achieve a durable
result with a slow curing process. A quicker epoxy curing method is used to
achieve the best curing flooring.
Sometimes the curing
process takes a month to dry completely after installation. It results in
problems for the homeowners.
Ø Temporary flooring
solution
You cannot install epoxy
flooring without any subfloor like steel or concrete. You can also install
epoxy over wood floor. Epoxy coating is not a floor, but rather, it is a
temporary flooring solution. When the coat of epoxy breaks, you will have to
install a new coat. High traffic, furniture, or vehicles wear out epoxy floors.
Ø Cracks and Damages on
high impact areas
Be prepared to do the
frequent replacements if you will install an epoxy floor. Epoxy flooring is not
resistant to cracks with high traffic and heavy furniture. You will pay extra
charges to fix and repair the damaged areas.
Ø Very Slippery when Wet
Epoxy flooring becomes
very slippery when wet. This is because it is a non-porous material. So, it
makes a smooth surface and becomes unsafe when the floor is wet, or oil falls
on it.
·
You can pay extra cost to apply some easing measures to
make flooring less slippery.
·
While installing, use silica sand on the final coating to
create resistance.
·
Aluminum oxide can be added to the epoxy material to
achieve grip.
·
Final coat can be textured by adding Shark Grip.
·
Buying control mats
Ø Tedious installation
process
Before installing epoxy
coating, the preparation of the existing floor is very tedious. The concrete
floor must be cleaned from grease or oils before installing epoxy coatings. You
have to follow the installation instructions exactly. For example, epoxy floor
installation requires low humidity levels. If you do it at a high humidity
level, the moisture can damage your floor.
If any moisture is trapped
inside the coating during installation, it will cause damage as it dries. For
example, the trapped moisture can cause deforming, buckling, and swelling on
the surface after drying.
Ø Difficult Removal
Procedure
Removing epoxy from the
concrete floor is a difficult procedure. It requires grinding, and it is a
costly procedure. It would help to protect the underlying concrete from damage;
otherwise, you will install a new floor. Luckily, an epoxy floor installed by a
professional last a lifetime.
Ø Costly Maintenance
Special cleaning acids
and other chemicals are required to maintain the epoxy flooring properly.
During installation, you will need protective gear. You will also need them
when cleaning with chemicals.
Ø Cold Flooring
Epoxy without a heating
system is cold as compared to hardwood floors. It feels like floors made of
tiles. You can fix this issue by installing an underfloor heating system on your
floor.
Ø Epoxy Dis-coloring
The improper mixing of
epoxy makes the coating of the floor look off. There may be color differences
due to different batches while using multiple kits during installation.
Exposure to ultraviolet rays also fades epoxy flooring. In case one batch is
exposed to the sun and not the other, it will result in color variations.
Epoxy
Flooring Benefits
·
Epoxy floors withstand different chemicals like solvents
and acids.
·
These floors can be decorated to look attractive. Many
different colors and designs are available, and you can create an epoxy floor
wood look or concrete look. You can also use flakes to sprinkle the floor.
·
There is a minimal work break because of the fast
application.
·
Epoxy floors are smooth and watertight and thus easy to
clean. These are very easy to maintain.
·
Underfloor heating can be easily installed in epoxy
flooring. It is very sustainable. You can save your space and energy by
combining it with underfloor heating. It blends into the space because it has
no seams.
·
Epoxy floors are robust. They are best for heavy and
mechanical use like workshops, warehouses, and industries.
What is
Epoxy Flooring?
If the layer of the
epoxy is at least two millimeters thick, it is known as epoxy flooring, while
if the layer of the epoxy is less than two millimeters, it is called epoxy
coating.
Types of
Epoxy Flooring
·
Self-leveling epoxy
This
epoxy is used over old and damaged concrete.
·
Epoxy Mortar
It is
applied to the floor, which is damaged by chemicals and heavy use.
·
Quartz-filled Epoxy
Quartz-filled
epoxy is used to get a slip-resistant surface by using decorative spaces.
·
Anti-static Epoxy
In case
flammable materials are in use and static electricity is dominant, anti-static
epoxy is used.
·
Epoxy flakes and chips
Epoxy
flakes and chips are used to achieve an elegant and decorative look by creating
unique patterns in the floors.
·
Commercial-and industrial-grade Epoxy
Commercial
and industrial grade epoxies are made to protect the drive areas and garages.
Cost of
Epoxy Flooring
·
Epoxy products for existing concrete floor $2,156
·
Per-square-foot epoxy flooring $3 - $12
·
Epoxy coating materials $2 - $5
·
Labor to do the job per square foot $1 - $7
·
Water-based epoxy is more expensive than solid epoxy. So,
choose solid-based epoxy.
·
250-square foot single garage flooring $750 - $3,000
·
In case its double garage floor $1,200 - $6,000
·
Epoxy kitchen floor or epoxy basement floor cost per foot
without decorative chips $3 - $12
·
Using a DIY route for this $2 - $5
·
DIY kits without sealant, cleaner, degreaser, tools $50 -
$600
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is the
disadvantage of epoxy flooring?
The major disadvantage
of epoxy flooring is that it is temporary. It needs to be replaced.
How long do
epoxy floors last?
In case of heavy
traffic, epoxy floors last 2 to 3 years. Normally, they last much longer.
Are epoxy
floors a good idea?
Epoxy floors are a good
idea. They withstand heavy traffic and furniture because they are five times
thicker than normal paint. Epoxy flooring is strong, sturdy, waterproof, and
resistant to chemicals and breakage.
Do epoxy
floors scratch easily?
Epoxy floors do not
scratch easily because they have a hard resin coating. A Scratch may appear if
something sharp scratches the surface.
Is epoxy
flooring cheaper than tile?
Epoxy flooring is more inexpensive
than tile. However, the price depends on the finishes and qualities.
Which is
better, epoxy or tiles?
An epoxy is a good
option for a garage due to its shiny and smooth surface. However, tiles give
your surface a beautiful, durable, stylish, and modern appearance.
Can you
remove epoxy flooring?
Epoxy flooring can be
removed using tools like a putty knife, chisel, or hammer. A plastic scraper is
better to use because it does not damage the surface.
Our Verdict
The disadvantages of
epoxy flooring will give you information that you make the right decision. The cons
do not make the floor ugly or useless, but you should know them due to their
adverse effects on your health.
You can make any unique
style and design with epoxy floors. It is a major benefit of epoxy floors.
Before deciding to install epoxy flooring, you should consult a professional to
examine your floor. Professionals will estimate the tolerance of humidity of
the floor, so the chances of chipping will be minimized.
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