Have you felt underwhelmed by traditional flooring options and their inability to make something truly artistic? We hear from numerous clients that materials such as wood, concrete, and carpet just didn’t make the cut for the ambitious creative endeavor they had planned.
Fortunately, we’re here to introduce you to the excitement of epoxy flooring. Epoxy flooring is a resin-based flooring material that is not only incredibly strong and durable, but is also one of the most creatively versatile types of flooring, allowing for the creation of absolutely stunning artistic designs of practically any color. Your imagination is the only limitation. Curious to learn more? Read on for our guide on how to create your own artistic designs with epoxy flooring.
Before diving into its creative capabilities, let’s first go over what makes it so practical in the first place. Epoxy flooring is extremely long-lasting and highly durable - in fact, we cover all of our installations with a lifetime warranty to prove just how confident we are in its robust capabilities. It is waterproof (non-porous) and it has excellent abrasion and chemical resistance. To top it off, epoxy flooring is great at handling heavy traffic, high impact, and significant weight. Whatever you have planned, epoxy flooring is the perfect solution for longevity.
Epoxy floors can be installed practically anywhere, regardless if it is a residential or commercial project. From newly renovated Man Caves and backyard patios to high-profile salons and industrial warehouses, epoxy flooring can transform a space with integrity and impressive aesthetic quality.
The only thing that poses a threat to epoxy is highly acidic materials. So unless you work in an environment that is frequently exposed to acid, epoxy floors will work great for whatever you have in mind.
The biggest advantage of epoxy flooring is its high versatility. It can be applied in a variety of different types including Self-Leveling Epoxy, Self Dispersing Epoxy, Mortar Epoxy, Graveled Epoxy, Terrazzo Epoxy, Antistatic Epoxy, Vapor Barrier Epoxy, Quartz-filled Epoxy, and Flaked Epoxy. Each of these types has various practical and functional properties that can be utilized for different applications, but epoxy also has a set of different style variations that can make a big impact aesthetically.
Our metallic epoxy coating gives a brilliant finish to any existing concrete surface. Metallic epoxy is a 100% solid epoxy coating engineered with metallic additives to produce a dynamic color-changing effect. Customers seeking an exceptional finish for their floor will be captivated by the way metallic epoxy can dramatically transform any surface.
Flake flooring is an excellent coating option for Northern Colorado customers who want to improve traction on their garage floor. To create this one-of-a-kind finish, vinyl flakes are applied to a specially prepared tinted polyaspartic base coat; the floor is then sealed with clear, high-solid polyaspartic for a beautiful gloss finish. The resulting floor has all of the benefits of an epoxy floor with the additional slip-resistant benefit.
Concrete seal will protect the concrete from moisture and strengthen it to ensure the longevity of the finish. With a beautiful design beneath the seal, you can make a near-invincible artistic work on your floor.
Ready to try creative artistic designs with epoxy on your own? While we recommend working with a professional epoxy flooring specialist, here are the steps you need to take:
Along with the appropriate amount of epoxy resin and hardener, you will also need coloring dye, rollers to evenly apply the epoxy resin, squeegees to spread and level the mixture, mixing paddles to mix the resin and hardener, measuring tools to ensure correct proportions of resin and hardener, paint brushes for detailed work, artistic touches, and hard-to-reach areas, and protective gear (such as gloves, goggles, and masks).
This is the creative ideation phase, so have fun with it! Consider which type of epoxy to use (metallic, concrete seal, vinyl flake, or other) along with which colors you would like to use. When working with Epoxy Colorado, choose from over 200 colors and design options for a unique finish to any room of your home.
The time has come to prepare your base floor to which the epoxy will be applied. Be sure to thoroughly clean and degrease the entire floor surface including removing any loose debris, dust, or dirt and use a degreaser or detergent to clean any oil, grease, or stains. Also, be sure to rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water to remove all cleaning solutions and allow the floor to dry completely before applying any epoxy.
This is also an opportunity to repair any cracks or imperfections in the underlying surface. You can use a crack filler, smooth out filled areas, and sand the floor accordingly. Sanding the floor will create a rough surface that allows the epoxy to adhere properly.
After the floor has been thoroughly and properly cleaned (and sanded) apply a primer to enhance the adhesion of the epoxy to the floor.
Next, you’ll need to mix the epoxy resin and hardener agents. Always refer to the instructions on the packaging of the epoxy resin and hardener in order to ensure the proper mixing ratio, and mix them accordingly in a mixing container. Be sure to mix the two materials thoroughly for the recommended duration, and try to avoid creating bubbles by stirring with slow, deliberate motions.
Now for the fun part! Once the resin and hardener have been mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, feel free to add any dye or pigment of your choice. Of course, this step is completely optional, and as before, be sure to always follow the directions on the packaging. By adding pigment or dye, you can create a vibrant and unique look for your epoxy floor design.
Apply the mixture of resin, hardener, and dye evenly across the surface of the floor using a roller or brush.
Before the base coat has completely dried, use techniques such as marbling, swirling, or stenciling, to apply the desired design to the floor. You can utilize brushes, sponges, or rollers as tools to make the perfect design, but be sure to let the finished product dry completely before using the floor.
If you wish to create a secondary, protective layer, you can apply a top coat on top of the first. Pour the mixture onto the floor and spread it evenly using a roller or squeegee, and create your artistic design as detailed in the previous step if necessary.
Compared to any other type of flooring, epoxy flooring is the best for creating artistic designs and beautiful aesthetics. Between metallic, vinyl flake, and concrete sealant, the opportunities are truly endless and are limited only by your own imagination. If you’re interested in transforming your home or business with a gorgeous epoxy floor (but want to rely on professional experience rather than take the project on yourself), don’t hesitate and contact the experts at Epoxy Colorado today!
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