How long will epoxy floor coating last?
Average epoxy lifespans for industrial settings
Epoxy flooring systems are hard, abrasion-resistant, and have high-impact strength. Due to the excellent properties of an epoxy flooring system, some technicians refer to epoxy as “a coating for life”. Unfortunately, this is a bit of false advertising.
In residential cases, some epoxy floor coatings have been known to last for 30 years, but industrial and commercial settings are generally subject to much higher rates of vehicular and foot traffic, as well as spills, accidents, or other issues that can wear epoxy down faster.
For these reasons, most industrial epoxy applications last between 5 to 10 years, though occasionally they last longer.
Factors That Influence The Longevity Of Epoxy Floors
Because epoxy covering is such a diverse flooring solution for homeowners, businesses, and industrial operations, it’s difficult to pinpoint precisely when your flooring will need to be replaced.
The following three factors greatly influence the longevity of epoxy floors.
- The installation of your epoxy floor
Going the DIY route may seem like a cost-saving choice, but in reality, you’ll end up paying a whole lot more for your epoxy floors.
Achieving a strong, beautiful, resilient floor depends on how the material is applied. Epoxy specialists like the team at Tough Floors understand how the various chemicals involved react and know how to achieve flawless results that meet strict Australian standards.
- How much foot traffic your epoxy floors endure
A car that drives 100 km daily will burn out a lot fast than one that’s used exclusively for the weekly grocery shop – the same logic can be applied to epoxy flooring.
In the home, epoxy flooring is not likely to endure much foot traffic. It’s just you and your family, visitors a few times a week, and maybe a furry friend or two. Commercial floors will be put under a bit more stress, particularly if heavy equipment is dragged over the floor regularly.
Be sure to let your trusted epoxy flooring contractors know how much traffic you expect your floor to receive. That way, they can ensure they deliver a flooring solution that stands up to wear and tear for as long as possible.
- How well you maintain your epoxy floor
Caring for your epoxy floor will extend its lifespan considerably. How often you’ll need to clean your floor will again depend on how it’s used and how much traffic it endures. Typically, we suggest a quick daily sweep and deeper clean every week or two. If your floor looks dirty – clean it. It really is that simple.
Routine Maintence
One of the biggest factors in how long that your epoxy coating is going to last is the current condition of your concrete slab. If your concrete is on the verge of structural damage with heavy cracking, gouges, and peeling surfaces, there is a more than likely chance that your concrete slab will fall long before epoxy flooring. This is why routine maintenance and repairs should be completed on your concrete slab before thinking about using an epoxy floor coating.
Location Is key
Another major deciding factor in how long your concrete flooring is going to last is the type of area that it is going to be placed in. For example, a professionally installed epoxy flooring system can last up to 30 years in a residential and light traffic area, but the flooring system may only last up to 15-20 years when placed in heavy-duty commercial and industrial facilities due to heavy traffic simply wearing the floor down rapidly.
Keep It Clean
Where epoxy flooring can appear to block all damage from accidents, spills and other forms of abuse, heavy abuse of your epoxy flooring can lead to the floor coating rapidly becoming worn down. This is why it is completely crucial to pick up any and all chemicals or any moisture exposed to the epoxy flooring ASAP. It is also recommended to try and limit items that are dropped on the epoxy if possible. Heavy objects especially can bring a quick end to your epoxy if dropped high enough.
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.
How often and how well is the floor maintained?
Just like any other product, the better maintained it is, the longer it will last. If your flooring is consistently and properly cleaned, it will not show its age as soon as one that is neglected.
While we’ve talked about the proper maintenance of epoxy floors in a previous post, here are a few simple tips:
- Try to do a daily sweep to remove particles and dirt from the surface.
- Perform a thorough clean, including scrubbing with an auto scrubber, at least once a week.
- Recoat the flooring every few years to retain its shine.
- Proper maintenance of the flooring will ensure it lasts and looks great as long as possible.
Epoxy floors are designed to be a long lasting flooring solution for a vast variety of industries. With proper installation and maintenance, you can count on getting years out of your epoxy flooring. However, if your installed floor is showing some wear and tear too soon, Liquid Floors will be able to help you get it back to its original luster.
What It Takes to Make an Epoxy Floor Coating Last Longer
As you’d expect, there are low-end and high-end products available for epoxy concrete floor coatings. Better materials reward you with better longevity, appearance, non-slip performance, and everything else you want. However, it’s not just about spending more money. It’s also about applying an epoxy floor coating correctly.
The key factors include:
- Preparation: The floor needs to be cleaned and, in some cases, sanded or ground. Existing cracks and chips should be repaired before attempting to adhere the epoxy.
- Adhesion: We use our own formula designed for climate and conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region. We even test the humidity levels and customize our formula for each application as needed. Proper coating process leads to a stronger bond with the concrete.
- Multiple layers: For a strong bond and membrane-like final result, you need multiple layers, including a topcoat to protect the epoxy from scuffs and scratches.
- Usage: A home garage faces a different environment than an outdoor patio, and a commercial kitchen or auto shop has yet different factors to consider. Custom epoxy floor coating applications beat off-the-shelf kits every time.