Epoxy floor coatings are commonly used to provide a superior coating for concrete flooring in all types of commercial situations.  Epoxy coatings can definitely be applied over worn concrete floors and can also be used in new construction to avoid the wear and damage that uncoated concrete can have.

The reason that epoxy is used is simple - when it is professionally installed by Philadelphia Epoxy Flooring, it will provide a high-performance surface that will last for years and withstand the wear and tear of commercial use.

Commercial processes usually involve heavy traffic and – in many cases - heavily loaded containers or equipment being moved around a location. The same condition exists in retail locations or commercial office buildings. Owners and operators depend on epoxy floors to maintain clean and safe conditions for workers, equipment, and inventory, while also providing professional appearances for the prospective and existing customer who come into their facilities.

The floor in the area to be coated needs to be clean and properly surfaced by diamond grinding or shot blasting which provides a clean and somewhat porous surface so the coating can properly adhere to the existing substrate. Epoxy may not bond to sealed, polished or newly poured concrete if the surface is not properly prepared.

It is important to make sure that all major cracks and chips in the concrete surface are filled and level and to remove any grease, paint, or oil. This can be done in a number of ways. After the surface has been prepared, it’s important that any patches or filled cracks are done neatly so that there are not bumps or low spots in the repaired areas and that the fill is even with the base floor so the coating can be successfully applied over the newly patched areas.

Philadelphia Epoxy Flooring performs a thorough inspection to determine if the concrete is in the proper condition for the application to be successful. The inspection includes:

• If the concrete is damaged, with major holes, gouges or missing pieces, the floor may not be a good candidate for refinishing. In such cases it is possible that various self-leveling fill/patching materials can be used as part of the preparation.
• Vapor transmission – the possibility of this is always an area of concern with coating applications. If the rate of vapor transmission is too high, it may be possible to handle the issue with an epoxy concrete vapor control primer prior to installation. However, if floor has a high vapor transmission rate or if the slab itself is wet, it is possible that it will NOT be able to be successfully coated.  Wet concrete typically does NOT provide the correct adhesion/bond and may cause delamination or total failure if a coating is attempted.
• Checking temperature conditions is important. The temperature/humidity must meet the coating product manufacturer's recommendations.  The temperature must be right before the application can proceed.  High temperatures can cause coatings to ‘out -gas” or bubble along with premature curing  while humidity can cause blushing.  Low temperatures may cause insufficient leveling, which is also a problem

The final step in Philadelphia Epoxy Flooring’s preparation is to thoroughly vacuum all the dust and debris from a newly poured slab so the coating will have a clean and profiled surface for proper adhesion.

Epoxy floor coatings produce superior results to those of other types of refinishes.

Highly Successful Solution for a Broad Range of Commercial Applications – the flooring of virtually any type of commercial company can benefit from the application of Epoxy coatings to floors in its working areas.  Every type of location from lobbies to waiting rooms, from restaurants to retail spaces and beyond can have an improved appearance, functionality, and enhancement in all day-to-day work.

Because surfaces refinished with epoxy are so improved, the attractive and enduring and look of the flooring will make any commercial space more useful for a longer time.  Additionally, any type of business area, whether it is strictly a workspace or one that is used by guests and customers, will look better and function better with the addition of epoxy coatings.

Short time frame for installation and use - In commercial operations, time is usually of the essence.  Any interruptions of activity can be extremely costly. Epoxy coating installations take only three days from start to finish, even allowing for complete curing.  Any interruption is minimal and, due to the long life of the coating, will not be repeated for many years.

Keeps out bacteria - Unlike other types of floor covering – like wood or tiles – installation will not leave cracks between flooring that can become the home of mold, mildew or even insect infestation.  The lack of nooks and crannies leaves no room for bacteria to fester and create nasty and possibly toxic odors and vapors. Resinous coatings are non-porous.

Ease of Maintenance

Epoxy/Resinous Coatings provide a long-lasting, durable surface that is able to survive heavy and continuous traffic.  Plus, epoxy coatings are very easy to clean and can handle virtually every type of cleaning equipment or cleaning aid with no trouble as it requires little or no major maintenance. Stripping and waxing are no longer necessary.

This is a solid coating that resists oil stains and water marks with ease.  It comes out looking bright and clean after it has been properly scrubbed or mopped.  It has a seamless surface that doesn’t harbor insects, mold or mildew that will last for many years.

Because it is impervious to most substances, it provides a chemically resistant surface ideal any liquids or products sold or used within the space.  There are even coatings designed to withstand battery acid for areas such as forklift battery changing areas.

Appearance 

In terms of looks, the coatings we use offer more benefits than other traditional coatings applied over concrete. It can be applied in different colors and/or patterns to create an attractive appearance or identify special areas

Standard installations provide a shiny high-gloss surface that can significantly increase interior brightness, provide enhanced safety through slip prevention, for all the areas treated.

Colored flakes and other decorative broadcast/mixed material can be added tailored to provide interesting and exciting visual effects.  Multiple variations can be developed and then created easily during installations.

Philadelphia Epoxy Flooring can provide complete information on possibilities for any space after an on-site inspection.  We focus on educating our customers so they can get the best results from an application.  We don’t expect them to become experts, but there some very important facts they need to know in order to make the economic decision on flooring options.