Flooring is the center of attraction of any interior and the type of floor choice should be dependent on the level of activities carried out. Over the years, Epoxy floor paints have surfaced for both Commercial and industrial facilities, and how long it lasts is determined by using the right flooring paint. in this article we will explore how long epoxy floor paint last on substrates it is applied.
Epoxy floor paints are generally used to protect underlying concrete floors from wear as well as prevent the corrosion of steel reinforcement. Commercial and industrial facility engineers have been choosing to specify epoxy flooring systems in their facilities for decades. They are known for their durability, array of design options, cleanability, and chemical resistance.
The key to long-lasting floors is to buy the correct floor for your space and ensure that it is properly used and cleaned. Know what to ask your flooring company and be certain they have a solution to meet all your requirements. This will help you to be certain you have the proper formulation to perform and last so that your operations aren’t interrupted by a failed flooring system. An epoxy flooring system can be the answer to all your flooring needs if you get the right floor, the first time.
Epoxy is known for its longevity, but just what does this mean? How long can you expect an epoxy floor to last in your commercial or industrial space?
Table of content
Introduction
What is Epoxy Floor Paint?
What is Epoxy Flooring?
How Long will Epoxy Floors Last?
How to Extend the Life of Your Epoxy Floors
Benefits of Epoxy Floor Paint
Factors that influence how long an epoxy coating lasts
Why you should use an Epoxy Floor Paint
Types of Epoxy Flooring and Where To Apply Them
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
What is Epoxy Floor Paint?
Epoxy floor coating is a protective coating that is applied on top of existing cement or concrete substrates. It is a multi-component solution that requires proper and careful measurement and mixing of all parts. Coating the floors with epoxy helps protect the floor from mechanical abrasion. They are most common in facilities such as warehouses, logistic centers, dry process manufacturing plants, and facilities with forklift traffic.
A primary aspect of epoxy coating is that it is chemically distinct from regular floor paints. Resinous flooring consists of a two-part epoxy system – a combination of polymer resins and hardeners, much like epoxy glue. When properly mixed, the epoxy resin and hardener react to one another resulting in a chemical bond with each compound and with the floor itself. The chemical bond creates a stiff plastic material that is durable, resistant to degradation, and bonds exceptionally well to its substrate.
What is Epoxy Flooring?
The most straightforward definition of epoxy flooring suggests a flooring surface that comprises multiple layers of epoxy that is applied to a floor with a depth of at least two millimeters. Confusion typically arises when comparing an Epoxy floor and Epoxy floor coating. The difference between the two lies in the depth of the Epoxy – as stated, Epoxy floors are classified as an epoxy coating of at least two millimeters thick. Any Epoxy floor less than two millimeters thick is commonly referred to as an Epoxy floor coating.
Epoxy floors are made of resins and hardeners that by chemical reaction form together to create a strong, rigid material that bonds well to most surfaces and can be used in many markets, across various industries. Not only are epoxy floors extremely durable and long-lasting, they are also attractive, with a wide range of color and design options for both commercial and industrial environments. With benefits like chemical resistance, wear resistance, simple maintenance, and easy-to-clean qualities, an epoxy floor is likely to last you a long time.
How Long will Epoxy Floor Last?
Practically, everything can last for many years if cared for and respected properly. The good thing about epoxy floor is that, unlike other floor coverings, the floor is not easily worn or damaged, even though it requires a little maintenance over time.
Typically, epoxy floor paints lasts 10 to 20 years in heavy traffic. Commercial properties—like garages, restaurants, or factory spaces with lots of daily foot traffic can expect this experience. However, with proper care and maintenance, your epoxy flooring may last much longer.
For residential spaces that use epoxy flooring—like patios or garages—homeowners can expect to keep their epoxy flooring looking great for even longer. Typically, residential epoxy flooring can last up to 10 years with proper care.
How to Extend the Life of Your Epoxy Floor
Want to extend the life of your epoxy flooring beyond its expiration date? Here, we’ve tracked down advice from our past customers on how to treat your epoxy floors to last.
Complete regular maintenance tasks
Once you have an epoxy floor installed, the length of its lifespan is truly up to you. To maintain its initial quality, you should plan to sweep the floor daily to remove any grit, dust, and dirt. Clean it with a mild scrubber once per week to maintain shine.
Reapply coating, if necessary
When your epoxy floor receives lots of daily traffic, you might have to create a plan to reapply the coating in a few years. This is typically the case for commercial properties with heavy vehicles or foot traffic. To maintain your current look and feel, reapply as necessary.
Benefits of Epoxy Floor Paint
Epoxy floors are long-lasting, but can also make an appealing visual statement. Epoxy comes in wide varieties of color and design options, and has endless benefits, including the following:
- Seamless and non-porous which means there’s no place for dirt and bacteria to hide
- Resistant to aggressive chemicals like acids, alkalis, and solvents that can destroy other surfaces
- Slip, impact, heat, and fire-resistant for a safer workplace
- Durability even in high-traffic areas, reducing wear from transport vehicles
- Made from safe and non-toxic building materials for an environmentally friendly option
- Fast and easy to install and incredibly cost-efficient, with very little follow-up maintenance
- Decorative options including colors, textures, and even logos, sealed with a slip-resistant and chemical-resistant glossy top coat, they are slip and abrasion-resistant floors. It is suitable for an industrial workplace because of its safe and directional floor markings to create a workflow, point out hazards, or keep up with industry regulations like in the case of this high-performance manufacturing facility.
Why you should use an Epoxy Floor Paint
One of the reasons so many of our customers choose an epoxy floor is that it is so long-lasting. Once poured and set, epoxy becomes part of the structure of your building; it adheres to the concrete.
Durable, Eco-Friendly Floors
The longevity of an epoxy floor system will vary based on thickness, use, and maintenance. Typically epoxy floors last between 10 and 20 years; much longer than a painted concrete floor, which will chip and wear quickly in high-traffic areas. Epoxies do fade and chalk out over time (they are not UV Stable) which is why we typically apply a urethane topcoat or a polyaspartic topcoat for added durability and color stability. If an epoxy topcoat is in place, we can sand and recoat with urethane or polyaspartic as a “refresher” to bring it back to life.
This makes epoxy an incredibly environmentally-friendly option. Many epoxy options have low VOCs and unlike vinyl composite tile does not fill landfills.
Wear-Resistant Floors Even in High-Traffic Settings
So many factors affect the lifespan of your epoxy floor. One of the biggest factors is the level of daily traffic and wear and tear your floor sees. Heavy-duty traffic means that scratches and scuffs can happen over time. What kind of things can have an impact on the longevity of your epoxy floor?
- Foot traffic
- Use of heavy carts
- Mechanical traffic
- Vehicular traffic
Chemical Resistant Flooring
Other kinds of flooring will break down after repeated exposure to chemicals, which can destroy your floor and cost you a significant amount of money for repair and replacement over time. If you are concerned about chemical exposure, you should choose chemical-resistant epoxy flooring, even against spills, splashes, and droplets of corrosive elements.
Long-Lasting, Environmentally-Friendly Floors
One of the main benefits of seamless, epoxy flooring is that when installed, it becomes a part of the structure of your building by adhering to the concrete. Epoxy floors typically last 10 to 20 years and can last even longer with the proper maintenance and touch-ups. When it finally comes time to replace your floor, there will be no need for removal, and no need to throw away your old flooring. If you are an environmentally conscious organization, it is important to note that epoxy flooring is a sustainable solution that won’t end up in a landfill.
Wear-Resistant Floors for High-Traffic Environment
There are many factors that affect the lifespan of an epoxy floor, daily traffic being one of them. With heavy traffic, scuff and scratch marks can occur. Depending on the environment in which you are installing your floor, foot, cart, vehicular, and mechanical traffic can create serious wear. Wear-resistant epoxy floors are specially formulated to stand up to these harsh conditions and help your floor to last longer.
Epoxy Floors that Stand Up to Chemicals
Chemical exposure will also factor in when it comes to the life of your epoxy flooring system. Chemical attacks will break the floor down quickly and this destruction can cost significant time and money if your epoxy floor is not formulated to resist chemicals that are used within the space. To extend the functional life of your floor, make sure your floors are chemical-resistant to protect against spills and splashes of corrosive elements. A first-rate flooring manufacturer will test the chemicals used within your facility prior to the installation of a floor.
Cleaning Epoxy Floors
For a long-lasting epoxy floor, follow the recommended cleaning procedures. Using rough brushes or pads will abrade the surface and remove the coatings/sealers. The cleaner you keep your floors, the longer they will last because dirt, sand, and other particles will not be worn over the surface (in essence, like sandpaper). Despite the durability of epoxy floors, it is still possible for continuous use on the surface to cause damage. If your epoxy floor begins to show damage due to abuse, it is important to repair the issue so that the damage does not spread. A reputable flooring company will provide you with a warranty. Recoating and retexturing as needed will keep the floor in good condition and prevent the base system from being worn down.
The Care and Cleaning of Epoxy Floors
To keep your epoxy floor looking great as long as possible, you’ll need to follow the proper care.
What does this involve?
Epoxy floors should not be cleaned with rough or abrasive brushes or pads, which will wear away at coatings and sealers. However, the cleaner you keep your floors, the longer they will last, as dirt and other particles can abrade the surface.
Continuous, heavy wear can do damage to your epoxy floors—even with high-performance epoxy floors. If your floor starts to show wear, you can report the issue to keep the damage from spreading. Occasional recoating and retexturing will keep your floor safe and attractive.
Get the Right Epoxy Floor System
What’s the secret to ensuring you get a long-lasting epoxy floor for your facility? It boils down to three concepts:
- Choose the right epoxy floor for your space
- Ensure that your epoxy floor is used properly
- Clean your epoxy floor regularly
At Epoxy Oilserv Nigeria Limited, we know epoxy floor systems. We can guide you through the process of choosing the right kind of epoxy floor that’s made to last you for years to come, and our team of experts will carefully install your flooring for longevity and durability.
An epoxy floor can be the perfect answer to your flooring needs and will look great and keep your team safe for quite some time, but that is only if you choose the right epoxy floor and the right installer. Our team at Epoxy Oilserv Nigeria Limited is here to ensure that happens.
Types of Epoxy Flooring and Where To Apply Them:
Self-Leveling Epoxy Floors: Self-leveling epoxy is utilized to apply over new, old, cracked, or damaged concrete floors to create a smooth, durable, and leveled texture on the surface of the floor. Self-leveling epoxy floors not only provide a shiny, seamless look but it comes in many different colors that appeal to commercial, industrial, and residential spaces.
Where To Use Self-Leveling Epoxy Floors: Manufacturing buildings, warehouses, showrooms, commercial garages, kitchens, athletic facilities, and more.
Epoxy Mortar Floors: This flooring option classifies as the most stringent epoxy floor system available for use. This epoxy floor is made up of 100% solid epoxies and graded or quartz sand. Mortar systems are ideal for spaces that require a floor that is highly chemically-resistant and can withstand a great deal of impact. This epoxy floor can be used to repair cracks before applying another type of epoxy floor.
Where To Use Epoxy Mortar Floors: Mechanical spaces, warehouses, commercial kitchens, restaurants, garages, manufacturing plants.
Quartz-Filled Epoxy Floors: Quartz epoxy flooring is a combination of a high-performance epoxy polymer resin and stained quartz grains. This epoxy should be utilized for decorative spaces that require sanitary and slip-resistant properties.
Where to Use Quartz-Filled Epoxy Floors: locker rooms, restrooms, schools, cafeterias, lobbies, offices, showrooms, and more.
Anti-Static Epoxy Floors (Electro-static charge (ESD) Resistant Floors: ESD can be hazardous to many work environments. To reduce any static hazards in your spaces, anti-static epoxy floors can be applied. This epoxy floor typically holds a conductive compound that accumulates static electricity that dissipates any potential discharge. An anti-static solution is a highly recommended epoxy floor for spaces that contain flammable materials.
Where to Use Anti-Static Epoxy Floors: Electronic, chemical, or pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, healthcare facilities, or any spaces that use flammable gases or liquids that bring a risk of combustible dust buildup.
Epoxy Flake Floors: This type of epoxy floor contains colored flake materials that are inserted in the epoxy to create a vibrant, multi-hued look. The flakes not only offer a seamless look but also provide each surface with subtle grooves to reduce any slips and falls. Epoxy flake floors come in an infinite variety of sizes, colors, styles, and textures that is customizable for any space.
Where To Use Epoxy Flake Floors: Locker rooms, sports venues, showrooms, clinics, commercial kitchens, and more.
Epoxy flooring is a versatile chemical solution that is practical, long-lasting, highly resistant to impact, and customizable for any space. Whether you need an elegant entrance to a restaurant or need an unyielding surface to withstand industrial work – there is an epoxy floor system right for your space.
Factors that influence how long an epoxy coating lasts
There are many factors that influence an epoxy coating’s lifespan:
- The Strength of the Concrete Flooring Itself: The initial layer of concrete is the base of your floor, and is the first factor that will determine the lifespan of your epoxy floor coating. Usually, concrete floors in industrial or commercial establishments have a minimum strength of 3000 PSI. A concrete floor with a strength of 2500 PSI or less is not recommended. If needed, densifiers can be added to help with this issue.
- Surface Preparation: One of the main prerequisites of a well-performing epoxy flooring is going to be how thoroughly the surface was prepared before application. The surface should be free from dust, oil, or other liquids, and should have no damage. (Here are the elements a proper surface preparation process entails.)
- The Thickness of the Epoxy: An epoxy coating can range from 400 to 1,000 microns on industrial floors (that is, between 0.4 mm and 1 mm). The thinner your epoxy coating is, the sooner it is likely to wear down and need replacement. In some industrial settings, the thickness of epoxy system can sometimes exceed 1,000 microns.
- Quality of the Topcoat: Often a floor coating contractor will recommend the epoxy have a urethane topcoat applied to resist abrasion and scratches. A thickness of 50 microns or more is recommended in industrial floors.
- The extent of Traffic: High levels of pedestrian traffic can wear down even a well-installed epoxy coating. Forklifts and other wheeled vehicles will take its toll as well. If your facility will be subject to heavy traffic, consider an additional topcoat.
- Exposure to UV Light: Epoxy floor coating has very poor UV resistance. The binder will chalk, turning powdery when exposed regularly to sunlight. This is why epoxy coatings are not typically recommended for exterior applications.
When will your existing epoxy floor coating need to be replaced?
Indications that your epoxy floor coating is wearing down include localized breakdowns of the coating or miniature cracking appearing in certain areas of the surface. If you notice either of these issues or any other signs that your flooring is beginning to deteriorate, you’ll need to call in a floor coating professional to take a look.
Have more questions about whether epoxy floor coatings are right for your facility? Check out these relevant epoxy blog articles, or visit our epoxy information hub.
Frequently asked Questions
Epoxy coatings carry certain types of pigments that expand quickly when exposed to heat. This expansion immediately forms a protective barrier that remains till the fire goes off naturally or until the firefighting team arrives
After the epoxy fully cures, you must be careful when it comes to exposing your items to high temperatures. Usually, items with epoxy coating can only withstand 135 Fahrenheit. Anything more than that can damage the epoxy coating
We use anti-slip compounds in all of our coatings. However, you should always use caution when a floor surface is wet or contaminated
You can give your new floors a light cleaning with a broom, dust mop, or even a leaf blower. For a deeper clean, you’ll want to mop your floors with a simple mix of ammonia and water. It is best to avoid any soap mixtures as these can leave a film which can cause your floors to become dangerously slippery.
No. Polyaspartic urethane is non-porous and highly resistant to chemicals and staining.
Epoxy Oilserv Nigeria Limited: We Install Epoxy Flooring Throughout Nigeria
When it is time to install an epoxy coating on your floors, don’t opt for do-it-yourself. Instead, hire a professional epoxy installer to ensure quality products are being used. Professional installers are trained to create and apply the perfect Epoxy floor paint for your residential or commercial property. And, you’re sure to receive an excellent return on your investment
We offer the best Epoxy floor paints in Nigeria. Specializing in floor coatings for garages, basements, and commercial spaces, Epoxy Oilserv Nigeria Limited values each and every customer and provides excellent service no matter the project.
We offer epoxy installation services and our team works fast to deliver results—your floor will be ready in time. Contact us today to learn more or request a FREE Quotation.