Epoxy flooring is a popular choice for both residential and commercial properties due to its durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility. This flooring system combines resin and hardener to form a rigid material that bonds well to concrete floors. While there are many pros of epoxy flooring, it’s also important to weigh up the challenges of epoxy flooring when considering this type of material for your home or workplace. Keep reading as we share the advantages and disadvantages of epoxy flooring for wet room floors and other projects. Our team at Inspired Plumbing will be here to support you with choosing the best flooring option for your next project.
Advantages of Epoxy Flooring
There are benefits of epoxy flooring to consider when you are looking at floors for wet rooms. There are some of top advantages you’ll see when you choose this type of flooring.
A Durable Material
One of the most significant advantages of epoxy flooring is its durability. Epoxy coatings are very resistant to wear and tear, making them ideal for areas with high foot traffic. This is why in homes epoxy flooring is often used in bathrooms or kitchens, and in commercial settings, it can be added where heavy equipment passes by constantly. When applied correctly, epoxy floors can last between 5 to 10 years, sometimes even longer in low-impact settings. That being said, you’ll want to work with a team of professionals who understand challenging tasks such as groutless tile installation to get the full benefit of installing epoxy flooring.
Stain and Chemical Resistant
Epoxy floors are resistant to a wide range of chemicals, such as oils, solvents, and cleaning products. These commonly used products and chemicals damage other floor types, which is why it’s a good idea to find a solution for wet room tiles that won’t result in regular replacement. This makes epoxy flooring ideal for garages, warehouses, factories, and science labs, where exposure to chemicals is frequent. If you do spill something on your epoxy flooring, it can easily be wiped up and cleaned, returning it to its original look quickly.
Customisation Options
Epoxy flooring offers a sleek and modern appearance. This type of flooring comes in a wide range of colours and can even be customised with patterns and designs to suit specific preferences or business needs. This flexibility allows property owners to choose a style that aligns with the décor or branding of their home or workplace, giving a personalised touch to their spaces. On top of that, epoxy is relatively cost-effective, especially when considering its longevity. The installation and material cost is lower than some other options, which is why it’s often compared to wet room tiles for this reason.
Disadvantages of Epoxy Flooring
While there are many reasons to consider using epoxy flooring, it’s important to also review the cons of epoxy flooring. These are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering installing this type of flooring into your home or workplace.
Lengthy Installation Process
The installation process for epoxy flooring is known for being very complicated and time-consuming. It’s typically not something you can do as a DIY project, and you’ll want to work with a team of professionals who can properly prepare the concrete base. Any moisture or dust can stop proper adhesion, resulting in bubbles or uneven areas. After application, epoxy floors require a good amount of setting time, often taking several days to harden fully. During this period, the area cannot be used, which is never ideal in both home and commercial settings. Work with your installation team to ensure you are all on the same page about how long the project will take so that you can plan ahead of time for this work.
Potential Risks of Slips and Falls
Epoxy flooring’s smooth and glossy finish offers a very appealing addition to your home or office. That being said, you need to keep in mind that this material can be quite slippery, especially if your floor gets wet. In bathroom and kitchen settings, you’ll need to keep an eye on the floor, as liquid is regularly making its way onto the ground. To help out with this challenge, anti-slip additives can be included in the epoxy mixture to provide better grip. Be particularly careful with elderly visitors or anyone who is more vulnerable to slips, trips and falls when you have this type of flooring.
Epoxy flooring offers a range of benefits, particularly in terms of durability, chemical resistance, and aesthetic appeal. It is an ideal choice for commercial and residential settings where low maintenance and longevity are of top concern. Make sure you take the time to weigh up the pros and cons of epoxy flooring and don’t hesitate to contact our team for more information about the flooring and bathroom work we can support you with.
