Epoxy Kits are widely used by the do it yourself home owner. While inexpensive and easy to apply, they do lack performance characteristics of high performance epoxy coatings installed by professionals.
Epoxy floor paints are thin coatings.Thickness of epoxy systems is measured in mils which are 1/1000th inch thick. Most DIY epoxy concrete floor coating kits dry to 1.5 – 3.0 mils.
Compare to a most entry level professional grade coatings which apply at 10-20 mils with some thicknesses at 60 mils or more.
Epoxy coatings come in many forms and combinations of coatings depending on the use.
For example, an aircraft carrier decking is coated with a coating which will endure the heat from engines in a fighter jet plus the salt air and harsh conditions of the sea.
In the epoxy family are also urethanes and polyureas.
Urethanes are great coatings with tremendous hardness that will endure uV rays without discolorization.
Metallic epoxy flooring, another type of concrete flooring, has experienced tremendous demand due to being an outstanding alternative to self leveling concrete and overlays. They can look like acid stain concrete or a marble looking finish.
Self Leveling Concrete coatings have evolved with new systems in recent years. They can be applied at ¼ - 3/8th inch thick. They can exceed ½ inch thickness if needed.
Some of the new self leveling concrete systems are excellent for applications of decorative dyes and can be polished and honed to a beautiful durable floor.
Many self leveling concrete coatings are used as underlayments for tile, hardwood and carpet. The self leveling systems and be applied at a measured thickness to accommodate floor vents, stairs and transitions to other rooms.
Self leving systems are also an integral part of a moisture vapor flooring system for new concrete.
Concrete takes a few years to work moisture out of a new slab. For new construction, especially in medical facilities and hospitals where bacteria poses a risk, a moisture vapor system is the solution.
Mositure vapor concrete floor coatings start with shotblasting to prep the surface. The next step is application of a penetrating epoxy that anchors in the pores of the concrete.
Once the epoxy cures, it is permanenetly anchored into the concrete. Then a primer is applied followed by ¼ - 3/8th inch thick self leveling concrete. Finally a seal coat is applied. Now carpet, tile or hardwood can be installed. From Boston Concrete Floor Coatings Smaller boutique manufacturers have also emerged with specialized floor coating systems.
