Epoxy coating is one of the easiest materials on a wooden floor surface. The durability and convenience are two reasons people prefer applying epoxy coatings for their wooden floors. As for convenience, epoxy is one of the most flexible coatings for wooden floor surfaces.
There are many types of epoxy floor coatings that we can consider as flexible. Here, we’ll guide you to all about flexible epoxy for wood floors and the types of epoxy for wood floors that you can consider using in coating your wooden floors’ surfaces.
We will also review the benefits and drawbacks of using epoxy on wood flooring. As you read this article, you will find plenty of other topics about flexible epoxy for wood floors that you can apply.
What types of epoxy floor coating are available?
These coatings are the most popular types of epoxy floor coatings. You can consider some of these epoxy coats:
- Self-leveling: We usually see self-leveling coats in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and other rooms with rough surfaces. It’s because self-leveling coats can smooth the surfaces.
- Anti-static: True to its name, this floor coat is for resisting electro-static-related problems. So, we often see these epoxy floor coatings in any facility with huge uses of electronic devices, like healthcare facilities or facilities for manufacturing electronic devices.
- Mortar: The strength and durability that mortar coatings have made them suitable for various work environments with heavy loads, like many mechanical rooms and garages.
- Vapor barrier: True to its name, this floor coating protects surfaces from vapor and moisture, reducing the risks of infestations. Since we see this coating in most environments, we would say that vapor barrier coats are the closest ones to the definition of flexible epoxy for wood floors.
At the same time, flexible epoxy for wood floors has different sets of criteria. These epoxy coatings can either combine the four most popular coats or have flexible step-by-step application instructions.
What are things you should know about self-leveling epoxy coats?
Self-leveling epoxy coats are some of the most popular coats for wooden and plywood floors. The glossy looks these coatings give are the main reasons why these epoxy coatings have become so hyped among people these days.
The popularity of self-leveling epoxy coats doesn’t stop there. After all, many self-leveling coats are resistant to UV, which means they are great for outdoor room uses, and not just for interior uses.
These flexible characteristics and applications are why most people refer to self-leveling epoxy coats as flexible epoxy for wood floors.
However, it doesn’t mean that these epoxy coats will always be the ultimate flexibility solutions for our wood or plywood floors.
Some of the most common reasons to hate these coatings include that we can’t recycle or reuse them. Hence, these things make them inflexible.
Things to consider before using epoxy on wood flooring
Over wood flooring, epoxy works wonderfully. But there are a few good reasons to hire a professional to install.
Installing epoxy floors yourself may appear simple, but several factors influence whether the epoxy flooring looks well when finished or even sticks in the first place.
Bubbling, blistering, and poor bonding can all occur, and the explanation for this is scientific.
Temperature, humidity, ingredients, time, materials, tools, or the person conducting the work are all off-kilter and send the entire epoxy installation project off-kilter.
How do we maximize the flexible epoxy coats (so they will be the best for wood floors)?
Here are some ways to get the most out of your epoxy coats. When you do these steps according to their orders, you will be able to create the best epoxy for wood floors:
Step 1: Now that you’ve recognized the different types of epoxy coats (see the topic above), it’s time to choose the types that best suit your wooden floors. Don’t forget to choose the proper brands for each epoxy type.
Step 2: Make sure the plywood subfloors are done. By the way, we don’t only refer to the thoroughly-clean conditions when we say “done.” We also mean no screws or nails around the subfloors. Applying crack fillers, you should also fill the gaps or cracks around the subfloors (if any).
Step 3: Don’t skip the primer application steps! The primers are there to give the looks of the best epoxy for wood floors. Mix flexible primers first before applying them to the wooden floors. After that, use the waterborne epoxy primers.
Pros and cons of epoxy on wood floors
When it comes to epoxy wood floors, there are pros and downsides, just like any other finishing. Here are the pros and cons of applying epoxy on wood floors:
Pros:
- Durability is the middle name of epoxy on wood floors. They can last for as long as 7-20 years, which makes many industries prefer these coatings on their floor surfaces.
- Resistant to many things. Epoxy on wood floor surfaces is already UV-resistant. Then, again, their additional resistance powers depend on the epoxy types. Some types are resistant to vapor, and others are resistant to gas, oil, and industrial chemicals.
- The customizable options are wide enough to explore. The extremely glossy finishes on every surface often look so stunning.
- A coat of epoxy paint can give a professional and bright appearance, especially if the finish is smooth.
- Furthermore, it is quite simple to maintain because there is no need to polish it; frequent sweeping would be enough.
Cons:
- Be prepared for contact noises when you walk on the surface. The floors can also be so slippery when they’re wet.
- You have to deal directly with the cracks the moment you recognize them since epoxy is not the best material to fill in the cracks.
- Preparing a surface for epoxy paint is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
- Because epoxy paint takes a long time to dry, the area you are painting may be inaccessible for a few days.
- Because of the high volume of fumes produced by wet epoxy, epoxy paint has a strong odor.
- Because it is a labor-intensive project, applying epoxy can be extremely costly. One of the most difficult aspects of using this material is removing it to restore the floor.
- Without underfloor heating, an epoxy floor, like tiled floors, feels fairly cold.
Reasons to use epoxy to cover wood
An epoxy coating is very beneficial to wood. Of course, wood can be stained. The stain permeates the wood, making it water-resistant.
You seal the wood with epoxy coating (sealing). This thoroughly waterproofs the wood, making it more resistant to weather impacts.
Water-resistant wood floors
Sealed wood is not only highly protected, but it also has other advantages. Assume you want to enjoy the final rays of sunlight on a gorgeous late summer day, but everything is damp from the rain. With a cloth, you can quickly dry your outdoor wood floor. After all, water has gotten on the epoxy covering. The coating’s water resistance is comparable to that of plastic.
Protect your wood floors from moisture
The wood retains its look after being sealed. Because the wood does not come into contact with water, it does not change color.
Typically, the attractive color of light wood does not remain long in the garden and eventually turns dark gray.
Because of the epoxy, no mold can grow on the wood, and the color of the wood remains consistent.
Conserve the wood floor.
The waterproof coating protects the wood not only from water but also from sun deterioration. Purchase a UV-resistant epoxy finish.
In this manner, you can be certain that your garden furniture will be able to weather the harshest summers, especially when the furniture is always baking in the sun.