How Do I Know Which Type of Epoxy Flooring Is Best For My Floor?
This is a question many customers ask us along with why is your epoxy better and what does it cost. The following information will answer those questions and help you make the right purchase for your particular floor application. There are different types of flooring you can use in addition to an epoxy coating such as Interlocking Tiles or Rubber Garage Floor Mats. There’s a good discussion here Epoxy vs Tile vs Mats about the pros and cons of each of these different products you can use.
But if you’ve set your heart on a super high gloss epoxy floor coating then stay on this page and we’ll tell you everything you need to know. From being one of the largest epoxy installers in the Tri State area we’ve learned over the years exactly what works and what doesn’t. There’s so many choices today it can be down right confusing and frustrating not to mention easy to make a mistake. The problem is that a lot of the products you’ll see don’t live up to their marketing in real life. They’ll state they are heavy duty, commercial or industrial grade floor coatings and will last a lifetime when they’re no such thing nor capable of any such thing. Know the facts before you buy! If you think you can get a floor that looks like the beautiful red floor above by just going down to your local store or ordering some epoxy online without knowing what you’re buying, you couldn’t be more wrong!
The best way to avoid buying the wrong epoxy flooring is to know the basic facts and learn what causes epoxy coatings to fail or look like they failed. Reading and learning to understand the specifications of each epoxy you’re considering is an important factor. The specifications don’t lie and they tell you exactly what the coating is or isn’t capable of. It’s actually very simple once you know what to look for
Advice for beginners in Epoxy Flooring
Hardly a week goes by and I get an email that goes something like this: “Hello I really want to get involved in epoxy flooring, please help me”. My typical response is to point these people to a few free articles and videos that are available online and they can serve as a great starting point.
However I do also notice that many of these aspiring professionals suffer from shiny object syndrome and somehow expect to magically learn the craft of resin flooring overnight. It is easy to be allured by the glossy pictures of epoxy floors that we see in brochures and think that this is such a glamorous industry.
There is no such thing as becoming an overnight flooring expert. I have been involved in resin flooring for over 10 years and I am still learning new things on every single project. If you want to enter this industry, you better be in for the long haul.
Seek out experienced flooring contractors and ask to work with them. Flooring contractors are ALWAYS complaining to me about finding suitable staff. (I get calls from all over Europe asking me if I can send them people) I don’t want to hear another apprentice complaining to me that they can’t find work. Start hustling cause you are simply not trying hard enough to find work.
If you want to become the boss, you need to deal with the dust and sweat first. It never ceases to surprise me when these “entrepreneur types” want to start a flooring company but they have never been involved in the messy side of construction. Spend some time on sites. Learn to deal with the heat, the cold, the dust, the failures, the holiday weekends away from your loved ones, and then start your own company. You will not learn epoxy flooring by sitting in air conditioned offices.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR APPLYING EPOXY COATINGS
The first and foremost thing you need to do is to plan your work. You have to think about the entire procedure before you begin. You need to make sure that your substrate is all set. Only start mixing your epoxy resin once you have read the instructions thoroughly and have all the tools you need on hand and in front of you.
If you are using the mix for the first time, then make sure to do a few sample mixes to get know the curing time (only if you have excess product or a small sample kit). Also, it will help you to know about the physical properties, changes in the pot-life and the kick-off process. Once you product is mixed thoroughly you can apply to your substrate.
On high-gloss surfaces, you are required to sand the entire surface with at least 150 grit pad to ensure the substrate portfolio is ready. Most epoxies are low VOC or no VOC therefore the substrate needs to be well prepped for maximum adhesion. Also, it is important to keep in mind that your surface must be clean before you use the epoxy resin mix. You don’t want any dust bunnies in your final product!
You must use a fresh brush and clean it by using the sticky side of the tape prior to mixing the epoxy. This will help in removing any loose fibers from the brush and it will also require a little clean-up before your epoxy begins to cure. You must use a bristle brush or nap roller to get great results. However, if sanding is necessary, then a chip brush will also work nice.
Do not keep your epoxy in extremely cold or dry places. Heat expedites the curing process and cold wether can hinder epoxy adhesion. Ensure that the temperature or the room and floor is not too high or else the epoxy will be might not bond properly.
Tips & Tricks
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Covering Your Floor & The Basics Of Garage Floor Epoxy
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HOW TO CHOOSE AN EPOXY FLOORING CONTRACTOR GUIDE
Our Epoxy Flooring Contractor Guide is essential when you’re looking to hire the best contractor for your epoxy floor coating project. An important investment as such requires up-front research. The growing trend of decorative floor coatings has given rise to the number of flooring contractors that perform this intricate service. However, many new companies do not have the education and experience that comes from longevity in the business. After 30 years in the concrete flooring industry, Creative Maintenance Solutions has a consistent, proven record of success. We want to pass our knowledge on to you to help you make an informed selection. Let us walk you through our “How to Choose Right Epoxy Flooring Contractor Guide.”
Before we delve into our checklist, we want you to understand the characteristics of a reputable epoxy flooring contractor. Trustworthy concrete flooring professionals walk you through the entire process. They explain the difference in materials, including the chemical makeup and reaction, quality, and cost of each option. They describe the detailed application process from surface preparation to curing time. Efficient epoxy experts educate you about after-care and long-term concrete flooring maintenance.
Whether you are considering a sole-proprietor or an entire firm, your contractor must have insurance. A general liability policy protects you and them, covering property damage, accidents, disasters, and bodily injury. Inquire about additional coverage such as installation and equipment policies. Request proof of insurance. Once you have this, if you still have questions or concerns, reach out to the insurance company or agent. Solicit information regarding claim limits, policy expiration, and how to file a claim
To confirm licensing, ask the prospective contractor for their license number. Visit your states’ Department of Safety and Professional Services website or contact them by phone to verify the licensure. You can also contact your local consumer protection agency for confirmation. Please do not assume that because a number is provided to you, it is current or valid. While a license may have been issued in the past, they are not always renewed and expire. Be sure to confirm the license is a contractor’s license. You do not want to find out after an issue that the license is for another trade, like plumbing or electrical.
The internet and reality do-it-yourself shows make flooring projects look less complicated than they are. When you’re investing in new flooring, it is best to hire a qualified professional. Epoxy floor coatings involve a complex combination of chemicals, environmental factors, and problems that occur. It is an exact science. The more knowledge acquired by flooring installers, the smoother your project will go. Time spent on a project, troubleshooting, and quality of service by a competent contractor surpasses that of inexperienced workers.