Basement Epoxy Flooring
The Ultimate Guide
If you are looking to floor your basement, chances are that you have heard about or have seen the basement epoxy flooring system. With so many different flooring options on the market, what makes epoxy stand out from the other options? Well today, we are going to be helping you figure out why epoxies have been one of the most popular basement coating options in the last few decades. Down below, you will find the ultimate guide to epoxy flooring! So let’s get started.
What Is Epoxy Flooring?
Epoxies are a resinous flooring system that has many variations but the 2 main types of epoxy are the solvent-based and the solid epoxy base. Because it is recommended that you use a professional contractor to install a basement epoxy coating, you will most likely be dealing with a solid epoxy system. These epoxies consist of 2 main components, a resin, and a hardener, unlike a solvent-based system that uses resins, hardeners, and a filler, most commonly water. The solid composition epoxy offers a stronger surface, faster cure time and higher resistances. Depending on what you will be using your basement for, your contractor may recommend higher or lower thickness, which will impact durability for areas like a home gym to areas like bedrooms.
Basement Epoxy- The Benefits
When it comes to the benefits of a basement epoxy, you won’t be shorthanded. Epoxies are most commonly known for their durability and resistance to scratches, abrasions & impacts and that will translate into your basement. This will mean that you can store more in your basement with high tensile strength, not worry about dropping weight in your workout area or your children and pets scratching up your floor! But, One of the benefits that homeowners with basement epoxy love the most is the fact that epoxies are extremely customizable. There are variations of epoxy like metallic epoxy and epoxy flakes that can increase the design opportunity of the flooring system. For example, metallic epoxy can be used to create finishes that mimic the appearance of clouds, waves, and lava! Want to see a few of the benefits of using basement epoxy? You can find them down below:
- Resistance To Water Damage
- Simplistic Maintenance
- 3-7$ A Sq Ft.
- Resist Harsh Stains
- Can Last 25-30 Years
Maintaining Basement Epoxy
One of the top features of epoxy flooring systems is the simplistic and almost carefree maintenance they offer. In terms of long term maintenance, the topcoat will be the only thing that will need to be reapplied and that can last over 10 years in most settings. In terms of regular maintenance, you will find that epoxy is easier to maintain than traditional flooring as all you will need to properly clean your epoxy is a soft bristle broom or a dust mop to remove the debris from the epoxy’s surface. After the epoxy has been swept, all that you will need to do is mop the system with a PH neutral cleaner and just like that, your epoxy is ready to last! Down below, you will find a few tips to maintain your epoxy:
- Do not use dry, abrasive cleaners
- Never use acidic cleaners
- Wipe minors spills with paper towels or rags
- Use TSP to remove tough stains
How Long Will Epoxy Take To Install?
When you plan on having an epoxy coating installed in your basement, we strongly recommend the use of a professional contractor as the process won’t only go faster, but you can plan on your epoxy to last longer when installed professionally over DIY kits. Where factors like the condition of your concrete slab, size of the basement, amount of masking and the implementation of any custom work like logos or design can slow down the installation process of your epoxy flooring, the standard contractor will be able to install your epoxy in as little as 2 days with the basement available to walk on in as little as 12 hours with full cure times at 72 hours.
That is our guide to basement epoxy flooring and we hope you have found it useful! If you are currently planning on having a basement epoxy installed, we wish you the best of luck on your home improvement!