Epoxy Resin Flooring – A Strong Foundation

Epoxy Resin Flooring - a Clear Choice

There are a great many options for building and decorating a home. One of the many choices one needs to make is what type of flooring to use in which rooms in the house - and why. Many of these choices will depend upon the traffic patterns and use of the room, as well as the desired aesthetics of the flooring. A great choice for durable, great-looking high-traffic floors in kitchens, sunrooms or entries for instance is epoxy resin flooring.

Resin-based flooring may be applied as a clear-coating, blended into a variety of colors or shades, or be mixed with decorative elements; and provides a self-smoothing finish for a sleek contemporary look. Often used in industrial and commercial environments (think that smooth floor look you may have seen in showrooms or department stores), epoxy resin has found popularity in residential use in recent years. The composite gives homeowners a seamless, easy-to-clean and durable surface (a flooring antidote to kids and pets) – and bonds well with subflooring.

Application of epoxy resin for flooring requires thorough surface preparation to ensure proper adhesion and long-term successful lifespan of the surface. Akis Apostolopoulos, a specialist in the floor coatings industry and blogger/owner of the site www.learncoatings.com recommends “several levels of surface preparation according to their mechanical intensity. Some methods (like sanding) are light and barely scratch the surface. Other methods (like scarifying can) be deep and intense.”

DIY Epoxy Resin Flooring Application

DIY homeowners looking to integrate epoxy resin flooring into their homes, can rest assured that while this project is labor-intensive; with patience, good direction and the right tools, it can be accomplished. (And of course, there’s always the professional installation route.) The San Francisco Chronicle’s online site SFgate.com outlines the process in ‘How to Apply Epoxy Resins to Floors,' which includes detailed instructions and a complete tools list. Ambient room temperature should be noted for best results, and protective eyewear and clothing should be worn.

The final pouring/coating of an epoxy-resin based flooring surface takes place in ‘one-fell-swoop’; and as such must be done expediently, and without interruption. It is the nature of this process that creates the beautiful, seamless finish and high-gloss sheen of this type of flooring. The mirror-like shine of the well-executed procedure is a notable aesthetic for this clean and contemporary look – and will make an impression (and last) for years to come. Custom floors, and other decor effects, make a house into a home.