How Strong is Epoxy Flooring?

While many people think of epoxy flooring as a bright, decorative addition to an interior space, these coatings also help to add strength and durability to the original flooring material. Whether installed in a residential or commercial setting, it’s crucial to have a floor that can withstand storage, use, and everyday wear and tear. Before discussing the strength and reliability of epoxy, it’s important to cover what epoxy is and how the material transforms into the shiny surface we all know.

What is Epoxy?

Epoxy is a type of resin often used in a two-part system. One part contains the epoxy itself, and the other includes a hardener. When both parts are mixed, they come together to form an incredibly strong bond that results in solid surfaces around your home or workplace. While epoxy can be applied on top of concrete or other types of flooring, this glossy coat is most commonly used as an overlay on top of a vinyl or linoleum floor. This provides not only a decorative finish but also adds strength and durability to the surface below.

What Protects Epoxy from Damage?

In order to understand how epoxy becomes stronger over time, you need to understand the type of material that actually makes up epoxy. Epoxy is made primarily from tiny glass particles, as well as several types of resin. When the leather-hard type of epoxy is applied and allowed to cure for 24 hours or more, these small particles help to create a protective barrier over any surface below it. This barrier helps to protect the floor and anything that touches it from damage and deterioration.

What Type of Damage Can Epoxy Resist?

Because epoxy is made up of tiny glass particles, this type of flooring can resist several types of damage. The most common danger for hard surface flooring comes in the form of scuffs, scratches, and scrapes. Epoxy is capable of withstanding a certain amount of damage without showing any permanent signs of use. However, things like high heels or even dropped tools can still damage the flooring below if they are left in one spot for an extended period of time. Most homeowners choose epoxy coating over other options thanks to its ability to resist heat, water damage, and other types of impact.

Is Epoxy Flooring Durable?

Some people choose epoxy flooring because they believe it to be highly durable. However, epoxy is only as strong as the surface to which it’s applied. If your garage or storage facility has concrete floors, but you want to add durability with an epoxy overlay, you may need to apply several layers before the coverage is complete. The more layers of epoxy applied, the more coated your surface will be and the more durable it will become.

Epoxy flooring can help protect any type of floor underneath but only so long as it’s properly maintained and cared for. A strong floor finish is only as good as the surface onto which it’s applied. However, suppose you have a concrete or asphalt foundation that you want to protect with an epoxy overlay. In that case, your floor will begin to show signs of added strength and durability after several layers are applied.

How Long Does an Epoxy Floor Last?

The average lifespan of epoxy flooring can be anywhere from 5 to 15 years, based on several different factors, including upkeep and the environment in which it’s used. Epoxy is best suited for commercial or industrial settings because of its ability to resist strong chemicals and other harmful substances that may be used on a daily basis. Residential homes also may use epoxy in a garage or another type of area where chemicals are not used. In most cases, epoxy flooring is expected to last anywhere from 5 to 10 years before it begins to show signs of wear and tear.

If you have an industrial setting with harsh chemical exposure- or just need a floor that can take a beating- then epoxy is the right choice for you. However, if you need a floor that will last longer in your home or another less-harsh environment, then epoxy may not be the best option. As long as it’s adequately maintained and has several layers of coating applied when installed, the average lifespan of an epoxy floor is around 5 to 15 years, regardless of where it is used.

Durability Means Increased Value

Epoxy coating is a durable, protective layer that can help keep the surface below from deteriorating. As long as you have several layers of epoxy applied and allow 24 hours or more to cure between layers, your epoxy floor will begin to show signs of added strength and durability after installation. A proper installation and beautiful finish on your epoxy can help to increase the value wherever it is installed.

If you are ready to help protect your concrete or asphalt floor and add extra durability, look no further than epoxy. For more information, contact our team at Epoxy Flooring Sacramento today.