If you're staring at a cracked, dusty garage ground and wondering exactly how to save this, high build epoxy is likely the answer you're searching for. It's one of those items that sounds the bit technical at first, but as soon as you understand what it actually does intended for a slab associated with concrete, it's hard to go back to standard floor paints. Most people just want a ground that looks good and doesn't peel up the very first time a sizzling tire parks on it, and that's exactly where these thicker coatings glow.
The major reason people go toward this stuff will be the sheer "heft" from the finish. Whenever we discuss "build, " we're really talking about thickness. While a standard big-box store floor paint might go on like a thin coat of water, a high-quality epoxy creates a structural layer that sits on top of the concrete, ranking up out those irritating little divots plus scratches that make the floor look old and tired.
What actually causes it to be "high build"?
You might become wondering the actual distinction is between cheap stuff and the professional-grade high build epoxy kits. It usually comes down in order to the solids content. See, cheaper coatings in many cases are water-based or even solvent-based. When a person roll them on to the floor, an enormous chunk of that will liquid simply evaporates in to the air because it dries. You might start along with a decent layer, yet with the next morning, they have shrunk down to a slim film.
High build versions are typically 100% solids . This means that will if you apply a layer that is 10 mils solid (that's an unit of measurement with regard to thickness, not millimeters), it stays ten mils thick after it cures. Nothing at all evaporates. It's a chemical reaction in between a resin and a hardener that will turns the water into a solid, plastic-like shield. Since it doesn't shrink, it's much better from completing the "character" (read: ugly breaks and pits) associated with your concrete.
Why you'll possibly love the results
Let's be honest: most tangible floors are fairly ugly. They're porous, they stain the second you drop a wrench or leak some oil, and they're constantly kicking up dust. If you lay down a thick coat associated with high build epoxy, you're basically putting a waterproof, oil-proof, and impact-resistant armor within the room.
One associated with the biggest perks is how it handles light. Because the coating is definitely so thick plus smooth, it has a high-gloss finish off that reflects lighting a lot better than bare cement. If you're functioning in a shop or even a garage, it'll actually make the particular whole room sense brighter since the light isn't getting "soaked up" by greyish floor. Plus, it just looks expert. There's a reason sophisticated showrooms and airplane hangars utilize this stuff—it looks like a sheet of shaded glass once it's done right.
Durability that really lasts
In case you've ever used a cheap DIY flooring kit, you might have experienced "hot tire pick-up. " That's the soul-crushing moment when you pull your car into the garage area, and the warmth out of your tires literally peels the paint quickly the floor. It's frustrating, plus it's nearly impossible to patch invisibly.
With high build epoxy , that's rarely an issue. The particular bond it types with the cement is incredibly strong, provided you do the prep work. Because it's a thicker material, it can handle the pounds of heavy toolboxes, floor jacks, plus vehicles without cracking or delaminating. It's tough enough to take a conquering but flexible good enough to not chip the second something hits the floor.
The catch: Prep work will be everything
I'll be the first to tell a person that applying this particular stuff isn't precisely a walk in the park. You can't just sweep the floor plus start rolling. In case you do that will, your expensive epoxy will peel away in sheets within a month. High build epoxy needs a "profile" to stay with. Think of this like velcro; the particular concrete needs to be slightly rough so the epoxy can grab onto it.
Most pros recommend either acid etching or even, better yet, using a floor grinder. You would like the concrete in order to feel roughly like 80-grit sandpaper. It also needs to be bone-dry. If there's moisture coming up via the slab, it'll create bubbles within your beautiful new flooring. It's a bit of a process, but if a person skip the prepare, you're basically tossing your hard earned money down the drain.
How the application process goes
Once the particular floor is prepped and cleaned, the particular actual application is usually pretty satisfying, though it's a little bit of a competition against the time clock. Since this is a two-part system, the "pot life" starts the second you mix the particular hardener into the resin. You have about 20 in order to 30 minutes to obtain it onto the ground before it begins to get tacky and difficult to work along with.
- Combining: You've got to be precise here. It's not like mixing paint where "close enough" works. You need to the actual ratios exactly plus mix it thoroughly with a drill mixer.
- Cutting within: Begin with the edges using a brush.
- The primary Pour: Most people pour the epoxy away in ribbons plus then work with a squeegee to spread it evenly.
- Back-rolling: Following the squeegee, you go over it with a lint-free roller to stage everything out and pop any small air bubbles.
If you're sensation fancy, this is definitely the stage where you toss in those decorative color flakes. They don't simply look cool; additionally they provide a little bit of grip therefore the floor isn't like an ice rink when it gets wet.
Is it worth the extra price?
There's simply no making your way around it—high build epoxy is more expensive than the stuff you find within the bottom shelf from the hardware store. You're paying for more "stuff" (the solids) and less "filler" (the water or even solvents). However, when you look at it over a five or ten-year span, it's usually the less expensive option.
Think about this this way: if you utilize a cheap $70 kit, you'll most likely have to redo this in two yrs when it starts flaking. By the time you buy the kit again, spend the weekend scratching off the older stuff, and re-apply it, you've invested more time and money than if you'd just eliminated with all the high build stuff from the start. It's a classic case of "do it once, still do it. "
Where you should use it
While all of us mostly talk regarding garages, these things is flexible. I've seen people use high build epoxy in basements to create a waterproof play area for kids, or in washing rooms where leakages really are a constant worry. It's also a staple in commercial kitchens and dog kennels because it's so easy in order to sanitize. Since the particular surface is non-porous, bacteria and odors don't have anywhere to hide. You may just mop this down with some soapy water and it's good as brand-new.
A few items to watch away for
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, though. There are a few "gotchas" along with high build epoxy. First, as I actually mentioned, it's slippery when wet. In the event that you don't include some sort of anti-skid additive (like fine sand or lightweight aluminum oxide), you'll need to be really careful when walking on it with wet shoes.
Second, epoxy doesn't like the sun. Most epoxies will "chalk" or turn a bit yellow in case they're subjected to direct UV rays for long periods. If you're coating the patio or perhaps a front yard, you'll wish to look at a polyaspartic or an UV-resistant topcoat instead. However for indoor spaces like garages and stores, it's usually totally fine.
Final thoughts
At the end of the particular day, high build epoxy will be the gold standard for anybody who wants a "forever" floor. It's thick, it's challenging, and it also completely transforms the appearance of a room. Sure, the particular prep work is usually a bit associated with a workout, plus you have in order to move fast as soon as the mixing starts, but the outcome is a floor that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. If you're exhausted of looking at tainted, dusty concrete, it's definitely the way to go.