10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)

When numerous individuals believe of epoxy, they probably feel of ultra-cool custom made tables and counters manufactured from dwell edge wooden and coloured epoxy. That is a testomony to the flexibility of epoxy due to the fact it is probably most usually used as a ground complete or coating—just about every concrete floor will have an epoxy coating of some type. Underneath you will find 10 of the most frequent epoxy flooring coatings out there.

The 10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring

1. Water-Based Epoxy

10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)

Common Uses: Residential basements

The advantage of a h2o-based mostly epoxy is that it has virtually no solvents in it. As a end result, its unstable organic and natural compound (VOC) material is extremely reduced. This reduced VOC is ideal in household circumstances and a fantastic remedy in some professional configurations. Yet another benefit of drinking water-dependent epoxy is that it can be applied to lately poured concrete that is even now curing. While this sort of epoxy has appear a lengthy way in its engineering, it is not as durable or chemically resistant as a solvent-based epoxy.


2. Solvent-Based Epoxy

10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)

Common Uses: Garages or parking structures

A solvent-dependent epoxy is one of the main go-to’s for epoxy flooring in a lot of industrial and industrial options. If the objective is a extremely sturdy and shiny end without having any other particular concerns like antistatic, then a solvent-based epoxy is excellent. A massive cause that this sort of complete is great in a garage or parking framework is since of its resistance to hurt from oil and gas items.


3. Solids Epoxy

10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)

Common Uses: Heavy commercial and industrial use

Unlike water or solvent-based mostly epoxies, solids epoxy consists of no drinking water or VOCs. Primarily a solids epoxy will be a two-element epoxy that is composed of a resin and a hardener. When merged, these two ingredients produce a chemical response. As this reaction requires area, the epoxy cures rather of drying. This implies it receives more challenging above time. A solids epoxy is exceptionally tough and resistant to substances and other severe compounds. Even in a greatly employed region, a high-good quality solids epoxy will final for years when applied to a correctly ready concrete flooring.


4. Antistatic Epoxy

10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Florian Olivo, Unsplash
Common Uses: Electronic and telecommunications industries

In addition to supplying a seamless surface area that is resistant to chemical spills, an antistatic epoxy even now has attractive houses as it can nonetheless be coloured like other epoxies. What sets this epoxy aside from other individuals is that it generally has a particular compound in it that draws in static electrical power and makes it possible for it to dissipate. This is why this type of epoxy coating is typical in options the place static electrical power discharging can be harmful or even harmful.


5. Self-Leveling Epoxy

10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)

Common Uses: Commercial and industrial settings—especially on uneven floors

Most epoxies are rolled on with higher-good quality rollers. Typically talking, an epoxy floor will be seamless. But if it is applied by an inexperienced individual or with low-quality tools, seams or inconsistencies can present. A self-leveling epoxy is in fact developed to pour, so there is no chance for seams. This is specially beneficial if there are uneven areas on the ground in which pouring the epoxy will make up for the unevenness.


6. Gravel Epoxy

10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Roberto Ourgant, Unsplash
Common Uses: Decorative floors or patios

Typically, you will discover a gravel epoxy flooring as an out of doors patio flooring or driveway. Despite the fact that, with some ambition, it could be done as a basement ground as effectively. Usually, a h2o-based or self-leveling epoxy will be utilised for the epoxy or “binder” for the gravel. Whatever gravel is picked is distribute out flat in excess of the region to be epoxied. Then the epoxy is poured in excess of it. Dependent on the distinct application or purpose, enough epoxy can be utilized to create a flat area that submerges the gravel, or just adequate can be poured to bind and coat the gravel.


7. Mortar Epoxy

10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Hongying Pan, Unsplash
Common Uses: Heavy use and floor repair

Mortar epoxy is generally utilised in tile operate thanks to the potential to incorporate hues to it and how quick it sets to entire toughness. It’s really pricey, so it’s not usually utilized to do large floor areas unless of course the complete maximum sturdiness is required. Because of how sturdy it is, mortar epoxy is also generally utilised to fix cracks in a concrete floor just before applying a last epoxy complete this sort of as attractive flaked epoxy, for illustration.


8. Self-Dispersing Epoxy

Common Uses: Warehouse or potentially wet floors

Usually, epoxy has a shiny or glossy sheen when dried, so a single would assume it is slippery. While some epoxy finishes can be slippery when moist, self-dispersing is typically used as a non-slip epoxy complete. The purpose for this is the quartz sand that is combined into the epoxy. Not only does the sand give it non-slip traits, but it also adds to the mechanical sturdiness. So it would stand up to heavy machinery use in a warehouse, for example.


9. Vapor Barrier Epoxy

Common Uses: High moisture floors

Moisture can seep up by way of concrete floors even soon after many many years of curing if the concrete is poured into a higher-dampness region. This humidity can probably damage what ever sealant was employed or furniture on the ground as it seeps by means of. A vapor barrier epoxy is useful in these situations. Just before applying the closing epoxy, the vapor barrier epoxy is poured to prevent dampness from coming by way of.


10. Flaked Epoxy

10 Different Types of Epoxy Flooring (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Joni Hanebutt, Shutterstock
Common Uses: Locker rooms or arenas

A flaked epoxy typically consists of a very clear epoxy poured more than a geared up concrete flooring. While the epoxy is nonetheless damp, coloured flakes are set in it. This does two items. 1st, it provides an utterly custom-coloured style and seem due to the fact the flake customizations are just about unlimited. 2nd, it produces very small grooves and dents in the epoxy finish that help in producing it non-slip with no introducing sand.


Is Epoxy Flooring a DIY Task?

There are a lot of Diy epoxy kits on the market. So if you require to refinish your basement or your driveway, there is no need to phone a specialist. Nonetheless, it is important to comply with the directions carefully, specially relating to preparing. Not only does the end of epoxy rely heavily on appropriate preparing, but if you have not got your ducks in a row when you blend the epoxy, it could commence to dry or treatment prior to you have it carried out. Then you get an uneven finish, and it won’t even cure correctly in some instances.

Connected Read: What Is the Greatest Wood for Epoxy Tables?

Conclusion

So, whether you are undertaking it your self or calling in an specialist, now you know what options are obtainable. Keep in head that some of these epoxy finishes are not relevant for the typical man or woman. That getting mentioned, if you have the budget, it may be really worth examining out an ultra-durable complete like mortar epoxy for your basement—you’ll very likely never ever have to refinish it as prolonged you possess the home.


Showcased Picture Credit score: Doralin Samuel Tunas, Shutterstock

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