Debunking the myths wrapped around epoxy and its uses will help you save lots of time, costs, and other resources. Residential and commercial floorings love the St Louis Epoxy Floors for their durability, aesthetic and seamless surfaces.
Those who already used epoxy flooring know their undeniable advantages. Here are some of its noteworthy benefits:
- Easy to clean
- Low-cost maintenance
- Anti-stain
- Chemical-resistant
- Durable
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Customization
Given these awesome benefits, some still have not tried epoxy. That is due to many confusions about it that surfaced. However, behind these general opinions on epoxy are some facts that need straightening out. Also, most of these are based on hunches when epoxy is compared to floor paints. And this list will now begin with that and other common epoxy misconceptions.
Debunking Epoxy Misconceptions
Myth 1 – Epoxy Is A Paint
Epoxy is different from epoxy-paint. They are two different products, to begin with. Epoxy coating is a pure solid floor coating, while epoxy-paint is a water-based, liquid acrylic. It is not enamel either. Epoxy-paint is latex paint-based.
Epoxy is resin, a solid material. While epoxy-paint is still a type of paint but only a small drop of epoxy is in it. The amount of epoxy in the paint only served as an enhancer. Using epoxy paint on your garage floors or commercial floors does not offer waterproof floors as epoxy does so well.
Now, to end this myth, the epoxy applied on the concrete floor surface will cure immediately. You will walk on it after a few hours. Give it 6-12 hours, and you will see the floor coating completely dried. Epoxy-paint will not cure fast. It will still take days before it will completely dry. This type of paint enhanced with epoxy will cost cheaper than the actual epoxy floor coating.
Myth 2 – Epoxy Needs Reapplication Every Year
No! Get that straighten out. Epoxy does not need reapplication that often. It might be that you have mistaken it for an epoxy-paint. Remember myth number one?
You could have reasoned that some users applied epoxy over epoxy. While it is true, the epoxy coating only needs resealing when damages appear. But, these scenarios rarely happen. Or most of the time, users need a design upgrade.
The average period you need before you reseal with epoxy and epoxy flooring is 5 to 10 years. Also, consider the type of traffic where you used the floor coating. Heavy traffic areas will need the floor coatings reapplied every after 3 to 5 years.
Myth 3 – Epoxy Results In Slippery Surfaces Because It Is Shiny
Do not mistake the bright, shiny floors as slippery. This myth is the reason why many choose this floor coating. The surface is polished and clear. A professional contractor applies epoxy to make the floors even, seamless, and free from unleveled spots.
These outcomes are the reason why industrial facilities prefer it to any other concrete resurfacing. The shiny surface is the result of resin. It is a form of a synthetic compound that hardens once it adheres to another solid surface.
While it looks glassy, it is not slippery. The truth is epoxy creates anti-slip surfaces. The smooth surface has more traction than any type of floor coating. To picture this traction, imagine basketball players. Do you ever wonder why their shoes do not slip over the shiny gym floors? Most of these types of facilities actually use epoxy.
Myth 4 – DIY Epoxy
This common misconception needs to be extinct as soon as possible. There are plenty of myths that resurface with each product due to many DIY users. DIY epoxy often leads to more chaos and cost, making the process expensive.
Epoxy mix requires accuracy and precision. Only a professional installer can get the right proportions of the hardeners and resin.
Also, take note that epoxy cures so fast. If an inexperienced or a first-time epoxy user pours the material without prior knowledge, it will only result in a messy application.
To break this myth, rely on expert flooring contractors. You might think you can cut costs when you do-it-yourself, only to pay more fees for a recoat because of a DIY epoxy; destroy-it-yourself, that is.
