- (951) 526-7979
- LIC. #999156
- (951) 526-7979
- LIC. #999156
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Epoxy floors have many benefits. People choose epoxy flooring for their homes or office when they learn about these benefits. But, a person looking to apply epoxy coating on their floors needs to learn more about epoxy floors than just their benefits. You should be able to decide the thickness of the epoxy coating that you want on your floor. You have to apply a floor coating that is neither too thin nor too thick. When epoxy floor coatings are too thin to handle the adversities faced by the floors, they can get damaged quickly. On the other hand, you don’t need epoxy floors that are unnecessarily thick because it will cost you extra.
In this article, we’ll explain how to decide on the thickness of your epoxy floors. If you are looking for a simpler answer, call us at (951) 526-7979 or fill out our free quote form. We will analyze your needs and tell you clearly how thick your epoxy floors should be. We will also provide cost estimates for a job for free.
The epoxy’s thickness can be as low as 0.01 inches. These are called “thin film” and do not provide very good protection for the surface underneath. But, they are great for decorative purposes. The most common thickness used for a full epoxy flooring system are:
The decision to apply a base coat and top coat can also influence the overall thickness of epoxy flooring.
This depends on many different factors. Generally speaking, thin epoxy coatings are used for floors that see limited foot traffic and do not need an extreme level of protection. Thin coatings are also used on a surface that needs repair but only has minor damages. Industrial/commercial floors need a thicker coating. The main factors you should consider when deciding the thickness of epoxy flooring are:
Floors in different places need a different level of strength & resistance. Residential floors see less foot traffic compared to commercial floors. Industrial floors have to withstand heavy equipment and vehicles. This means that commercial and industrial floors need thicker epoxy floors than residential floors. Places like the pharmaceutical industry and chemical laboratories need a thicker epoxy coating for better chemical resistance so that the surface underneath doesn’t get damaged by dangerous chemicals.
Epoxy coating is also used to repair damaged surfaces. When there are big cracks and divots in the floor, you need a thicker floor coating to make the flooring system durable. Minor cracks and scratches can be fixed using a thinner coating.
If you looking to level your floor with something in the surrounding, it can also influence your decision when choosing the thickness of epoxy floors. On certain floors, when they are too high, it can be harder to shut down doors. You should also consider that when choosing the thickness of the floor.
Thick epoxy coatings provide better resistance to everything when compared to thin epoxy coatings. This makes them extremely durable. Thin epoxy coatings may not as durable but they are still more durable than most other flooring options. When you have a thick coating, the scratches will never penetrate the surface. Such issues may occur when you have a thin coating. Even when you have deep holes in the existing concrete surface, applying the thick epoxy coating will make the flooring system durable even without replacing the existing damaged floors.
Thin epoxy coating has also some benefits. It is not hard to figure out that thin coatings are less expensive than thick epoxy coatings. They are also easier to install and have a shorter installation process. There is also less chance of mistakes when applying thin coatings. So, you can apply thin epoxy coatings by yourself. But, you’ll most probably need the help of professionals to install thick coatings.
Thin epoxy coatings are mostly used low traffic areas that face minimal adversities. This mainly includes residential spaces like living rooms, kitchens, hallways, etc. Most countertops also use thin coatings. They have enough strength to handle adversities and still be very durable in these types of spaces.
Thin coatings can also be used in industrial and commerical spaces when you already have a strong flooring system underneath. In that case, many people use thin epoxy coatings mainly to make the floor attractive and easy to clean. They can also be used in electronic centers that need anti-static coating on their floors.
Thick epoxy coatings are used in areas that need better impact resistance. Warehouses, manufacturing facilities, etc are the best places to apply thick epoxy coatings. They can easily handle heavy vehicles and equipment without causing any damage to the floor. The pharmaceutical industry, food industry, etc also need thicker coatings for better chemical resistance.
Commercial spaces that have high foot traffic like public bathrooms, sports facilities, theatres, etc. also need thicker floor coatings. You can also thicker coating if the existing floor surface is lower than what it should be.
Some people may have the misconception that applying thick epoxy coating involves pouring more materials at once. But, that’s not the case. If you pour too much epoxy at once, it may not cure properly and can also create issues like bubble formation and you’ll not get the desired floor finish. Instead, you have to apply multiple layers of epoxy coating.
