Epoxy resin, also known as liquid porcelain, is in fashion and is a material that many people are choosing as a floor covering. However, there are people who confuse epoxy coating with epoxy paint.
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When we analyze types of flooring during any project, epoxy paint seems to be a more attractive option (due to its low cost and easy application) than an epoxy coating (which is more expensive and requires professional installation).
With similar labeling and almost identical names, people may think that they both have the same functionality.
It is very common in industrial environments | Source: spanish.alibaba.comHowever, it is essential to know how to distinguish them. In this article, we will tell you what an epoxy coating is, its advantages and the main thing: what is the difference between paint and epoxy coating.
What is an epoxy resin coating?
Epoxy coatings when mixed with other chemicals, hardens and creates a smooth surface without any roughness and completely level.
It can be applied on existing floors and its only used on floors, unlike epoxy paint, which can be used on walls. Here we provide you with an article about epoxy flooring.
The coating is transparent, in its natural state, unless the resin is dyed to obtain the desired colour.
The coating is transparent and therefore gives it that shine | Source: Proyectos.habitissimo.esThe result of applying an epoxy coating is that we obtain a resistant and very hard floor, with spectacular mechanical resistance.
It resists to chemicals and abrasion, making it perfect in parking lots, warehouses, hospitals, laboratories and offices.
Its application and thickness are determined depending on the amount of solid content, that is, it is either 100% solid or 50% epoxy.
A 100% epoxy resin coating is difficult to work with because its application time is limited. Those with less solids have lower viscosity and are easier to apply.
What happens when an epoxy resin coating is used?
The epoxy coating creates a coverage over the floor, increasing its volume by about 5mm. Its application requires previously leveling the surface.
Epoxy flooring | Source: pavex.esYou have to consider that by applying the coating were not only painting it, but also creating a new floor.
Drying time is longer. You have to wait at least 2 days to step on it and up to 7 before putting furniture on it.
Advantages of an epoxy coating
These are some of the benefits of applying an epoxy coating:
This inherent property eliminates unevenness in the existing flooring and its imperfections.
When compared to other polyurethane coatings, epoxy resin is more durable and resistant indoors, which makes its price-quality ratio better.
It offers a longer lasting glossy finish.
Shine is one of its benefits | Source: epodex.comIt offers great physical and thermal resistance, achieving a durable and resistant flooring.
It is widely used in food industries as it is a good waterproofing agent.
Epoxy coated finishes are a great alternative if you are looking for an aesthetic flooring, with glossy and matte finishes. Quartz can be added to change its colour and adapt it to the customers requirements.
Its a great protection against corrosion, rust, vehicle traffic, etc.
The coating is perfect for floors that require resistance and anti-slip properties, such as hangars, warehouses, commercial premises, parking lots, etc.
Many garages are epoxy coated | Source: mkisb.esWhen to use an epoxy coating? And when an epoxy paint?
For individuals who are going to carry out a simple DIY project, epoxy paints offer good resistance and durability. However, paints have a much lower performance than epoxy coatings.
Epoxy paints, being easy to apply, are an attractive alternative, since, even if you dont have a very advanced knowledge on the matter, you can achieve reasonably good and immediate results. Epoxy paints serve as a short-term solution in light traffic areas.
How an epoxy coating is applied | Source: trcpaint.comIf installed properly, epoxy coatings offer durable and strong surfaces. Its common to see it in institutional, commercial or industrial areas, where the wear of the floor is greater (operational activities, frequent cleaning, heavy vehicle traffic, etc.). These are conditions that epoxy paint could never withstand.
These kinds of installations need quality epoxy coatings installed by professionals, if we want to provide concrete optimal durability and protection.
Difference between epoxy resin coatings and epoxy paints
The main difference between epoxy coatings and epoxy paints is in the thickness of the material and its composition.
Although both are made of epoxy, the paint is thinner than the coating.
The maximum thickness of the paint, even if 3 coats are applied, is less than 0.3 mm. Its a smooth finish, but it will not be able to cover the imperfections of the existing flooring nor will it be able to level it.
However, an epoxy coating is applied in different layers and reaches a thickness of 5 mm. Likewise, it corrects the defects of the floor and levels it, giving it a completely smooth finish.
Another detail that differentiates the two products are their prices, an epoxy coating is much more expensive than an epoxy paint. Epoxy coating is 4 or 5 times more expensive than paint.
Although they may appear similar in appearance, their composition and uses are not | Source: glueadhesivo.comHowever, where we think that the main confusion occurs is in its popular name.
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Many consumers or private users use the term paint when doing DIY tasks, ignoring that it may be a coating. For this reason, manufacturers choose to qualify all products as paints.
This has generated a lot of confusion, because what is sold as epoxy paint can be both coating and epoxy paint. This has led many people to mistakenly buy one or the other product.
Conclusions
The first thing we hope has become clear after reading this article is that epoxy coating IS NOT THE SAME as epoxy paint. It is an important detail to better understand the material we have talked about.
We also want you to know that it is a product that must be applied by a professional team, since it is not like epoxy paint, which can be applied by most. Epoxy resin is dangerous and according to different characteristics, we can find problems with epoxy resin.
In addition, they have very different uses, so it is important that you inform yourself well before buying one or the other.
AND REMEMBER! Many manufacturers sell epoxy coating as paint, but it is not.
With an epoxy coating we provide floors with a greater durability, resistance and shine. Its use is mainly focused on industrial environments, because they can take better advantage of its benefits.
BUT BEWARE! BEFORE DECIDING ON EPOXY RESIN, LOOK INTO CONCRETE POLISH SOLUTIONS, WHICH OFFERS EVEN MORE ADVANTAGES THAN EPOXY RESIN AND IS MORE ECONOMICAL.
Lets hope you never mistake epoxy coating for epoxy paint again! | Source: fixer.esIf you want to improve your garage floors performance, durability, and chemical resistance, epoxy coatings should be at the top of your list of products to use. With the right epoxy coating system, you can strengthen your garage floor, add chemical resistance, and keep your floor attractive after years of heavy wear.
Unfortunately, when it comes time to pick out the right epoxy coating for your garage floor, the choices may be overwhelming. In this article, well explain how epoxy coatings work, and how to pick out the best coating for your garage floor.
Simply put, an epoxy coating is an epoxy resin combined with a polyamine hardener. The two have to be mixed together prior to being applied. Once theyre mixed, you have only a certain amount of time to apply the coating.
Although youll pour or roll an epoxy coating on your substrate, its a mistake to confuse it with paint. When they harden, epoxy coatings chemically bond with the floor and form a thick, protective layer. In addition to melding with the base layer, the coating creates a durable surface that shrugs off scratches, oils, traffic wear, and hot-tire pickup. Alternatively, paint provides only a minor layer of surface protection.
Unfortunately, avoiding epoxy paints can require extra awareness on your part. In some cases, a product may be labeled as epoxy coating and actually be epoxy paint. However, epoxy paints hold neither the durability nor the look of an epoxy coating.
Wondering how to tell the difference between epoxy paint and epoxy coatings?=
Typically, garage floor paint is an acrylic latex product. Some manufacturers do offer paint that is blended with epoxy resin, but it tends to be called one-part epoxy paint. Although these products allow for better adhesion and durability than simple paint, they still dont feature the qualities of a true epoxy coating.
Remember, epoxy coatings use a two-part system that changes the physical properties of your flooring and strengthens your floors surface.
Epoxy coatings create a hard, strong, chemical-resistant, and durable surface. They can withstand heavy abrasion, grease, oil, and the impact of vehicles themselves. Still, not all epoxy floor coatings are created equally. Here are some qualities to look for in an epoxy floor coating:
Your epoxy coatings percentage of solids is what determines the durability and performance of the floor coating. Most epoxy paints that are available in your average building supply store have a low percentage of solids.
Ultimately, the higher the percentage of solids an epoxy coating has, the more epoxy the product will retain throughout the curing process. For instance, in a 100 percent solids epoxy, 100 percent of the epoxy product remains on the floor after its applied and dried.
Essentially, the higher the percentage of solids your epoxy coating has, the thicker your final layer will be, and the more protection your flooring will have.
Dry film thickness (DFT) is the final thickness of your protective coating. Basically, the greater the solids content, the greater the DFT. DFT is an area where most DIY epoxy paint kits from your typical home improvement store fall short.
To begin with, many epoxy paint kits dont use an authentic epoxy resin. Too often, they use latex-based formulas that contain low amounts of solids. So even if its less expensive and easier to apply, your protective coat will be much thinner. That means it will be more susceptible to wear, and youll likely need to reapply it in a few years.
Wondering how professional epoxy coating kits compare?
Professional epoxy coating kits use true epoxy coatings. Because theyre often several times thicker than DIY store kits, they protect your flooring longer. They also tend to be more durable and last as much as four times as long as paints in many cases.
Even though it may have a higher up-front cost, because a quality epoxy coating doesnt need to be replaced every few years, it tends to save buyers money in the long run.
As you well know, tires can reach high temperatures. Unfortunately, if your garage floor features a cheap coating, hot tires can strip the flooring. However, quality epoxies will fully protect your flooring from this hot-tire pickup. They repel heat and chemicals, which keeps your floors coating intact and attractive.
Once you understand the basics of epoxy floor coatings, its time to pick the right type of coating for your project. Each coating type has distinct qualities, and your final choice will depend on how you want your garage floor to look, feel, and perform. Heres a brief overview of epoxy coating types:
Metallic epoxy coatings combine the strength of industrial coatings with stunning visual effects. Because they include metallic particles, these coatings add a quality of depth and shine to a floors surface.
Because they can be used to lay out a variety of colors and styles, these coatings are popular in commercial spaces and high-end garages.
If youre worried about chemical or heat wear, novolac epoxy coatings are worth a second look. Novolac coatings harden into a durable thermoplastic material. When its combined with a high-quality curing agent, novolac epoxy resin gains two stellar qualities:
Novolac epoxy coatings are a popular choice in solvent storage facilities, plants, and flooring that needs to remain durable amid heavy traffic or chemical exposure.
In many instances, users apply self-leveling epoxy to cracked, damaged, or worn concrete surfaces. It has the ability to revitalize the look of flooring while adding durability. Because it comes in a variety of color and gloss options, its a popular option in both commercial and residential spaces, including commercial garages, residential garages, and showrooms.
Often used in designer spaces and areas set aside to impress onlookers, quartz epoxy flooring includes quartz grains. In addition to having excellent anti-slip properties, its able to hold up to spills and heavy traffic. Quartz epoxy flooring is popular in lobbies, showrooms, and other areas that need to combine high aesthetic appeal with durability.
Interested in adding epoxy coatings to your garage floor? We have the resources to help. Watch our garage floor installation video to learn how to add a professional-grade epoxy coating system to your garage floor.
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