Pros and Cons of Metallic Epoxy Floors
Introduction
When creating a new place or renovating, one comes across many more flooring alternatives than ever before. Many are just utilitarian, but metallic epoxy concrete floor coatings are one of the greatest solutions to consider if one wants useful flooring with a lot of elegance.
Metallic epoxy concrete floors are special multi-layered epoxy floors that incorporate the use of metallic additives mixed with clear epoxy coating to give it an exotic effect. The floor appears to have glitter-like particles that create a striking impression. Additionally, this flooring reflects light, which adds to its intriguing appearance.
Metallic epoxy floor coating has many benefits, making it a growing choice among the masses. That being said, it does come along with its fair share of cons as well. Let us now talk about the pros and cons of metallic epoxy floor coatings.
Pros of Metallic Epoxy Floors
Listed below are the advantages that metallic epoxy coatings provide:
Durability
Epoxy flooring is distinguished for its strength and lasts longer than many other floors. The only substance that can compete with it is concrete, but it needs to be properly sealed and maintained. Anyhow, a floor covering made of epoxy needs concrete below it. Concrete becomes incredibly resilient because of the epoxy floor coating. Later the metallic powder is made to move through the epoxy as it cures, creating a lava-like flow and a beautiful design.
Resistance
Metallic epoxy concrete floors are exceptionally resistant to a variety of substances, including oil, gasoline, bleach, transmission fluid, and cleaners. Due to their high resistance, they are often employed in commercial spaces like automobile showrooms. Epoxy floor coating is not only resistant to chemical spills and cleansers, but it is also heat and water-resistant. Most chemical spills hardly budge them, and the coating is unaffected. Additionally, these floorings are resistant to bacteria and germs and quite simple to sanitise. Owing to this, epoxy floor coatings are also great for hospitals and clinics.
Appearance
Metallic epoxy concrete floors are luminous and refined in comparison to other flooring options. Because of the constant movement of the metallic pigments, even the floors with the same color will not look exactly identical. This makes every floor truly unique, and they are alluring to use only by virtue of their beauty.
Easy to Clean
The flat and smooth surface of the metallic epoxy concrete floor is incredibly simple to clean and maintain. Cleaning up a mess on this flooring is simple because the dust and dirt do not cling to it, which makes them incredibly easy to clean and maintain.
Variety
Metallic epoxy floors come in a range of hues that offer an impeccable, smooth, and beautiful sheen. Additionally, the flooring can be organized in conventional or unique patterns and designs. It is a cost-effective solution to modify basic concrete and enhance the ambiance of a house or workplace because of the variety of options.
Cons of Metallic Epoxy Floorings
Here are some disadvantages that metallic epoxy floors hold:
Temporary
The fact that epoxy floorings generally last for 2-3 years in areas of heavy traffic makes it one of the main drawbacks of employing them on your floors. Even though it is strong and resilient, it will ultimately need to be replaced. Like other flooring options, epoxy floors are subject to daily wear and tear, more so in commercial spaces. A fresh epoxy layer will need to be applied to maintain the current aesthetic. This is unavoidable, particularly if large machinery operates on the floor.
Cracks can form, and chipping is a relatively frequent problem. Chips may begin as a little inconvenience, but they may eventually cause a sizable portion of the coat to come off the floor. When rolled across the damaged area, wheeled carts and toolbox wheels may get trapped on the floor, further aggravating the problem.
Preparation
It takes time to make the current flooring suitable for epoxy floor coating. Additionally, a lot of work is put into it. Before the epoxy coating, the concrete floor must be thoroughly cleaned and free of all grease, oil, and solvents. Additionally, cracks, if any, need to be filled.
Application
Despite the fact that floor preparation is a lengthy process, it is important to choose a professional epoxy installer and not opt to do it yourself. The application is relatively faster, but it may require several days for the floor to cure completely. Before applying the second layer of epoxy, the first coat must totally cure. If speed is of the essence, another option is to use a penetrating concrete sealer. Time and money can be saved, but the visual appeal of an epoxy-coated floor will be lost.
Slippery
This only applies to oil-covered epoxy since that substance might be exceedingly slippery. However, they may also get quite slippery when wet, which poses a risk. They are not a wise solution for regions vulnerable to spills or standing water. If one can texture their floor, they can reduce this danger, at least in part.
Expensive
Epoxy flooring is among the more expensive floor coatings, and metallic epoxy is a specialty blend. Expect to pay a higher metallic epoxy cost per square foot to avail of that eye-catching exotic floor. However, in the long run, it will outlast other solutions.
Conclusion
Even though metallic epoxy concrete floors have both pros and cons, they are a popular floor alternative when it comes to installing commercial or residential flooring. When deciding to install a metallic epoxy floor, it is important to choose a qualified professional who can analyze the floor and install the flooring seamlessly. To reduce the risk of delamination, a specialist can also assess the floor’s tolerance to moisture.
Duphill Technical Solutions has been providing flooring solutions in Dubai for several years. They have a team of professionals to analyze your floor and offer a perfect floor coating for your residential or commercial property. Hiring them will be a perfect return on your investment. Call them today for more details!
