What Are the Pros and Cons of Epoxy Flooring?

There are countless pros and cons of epoxy flooring to consider. In fact, this material is becoming extremely popular among discerning customers, mainly for its durability and easy cleanup.

Here is a breakdown from EMC Concrete Coatings Inc to help you decide whether to install epoxy floors in your home or go for another type of flooring.

The Pros of Epoxy Floors

Epoxy presents a cost-effective and durable option for almost any surface. Below, our professionals list some of its most notable benefits for patios, pool decks, workshops, garages, and even commercial areas.

Low Maintenance

Why is there so much less maintenance required when you install epoxy flooring?

Property owners won’t have to worry about cracks or chips in the surface
The hard plastic epoxy coatings are more durable than other concrete floor options
The smooth surface is much easier to maintain and clean
The surface is durable
Epoxy easily resists stains, spills, and other damage

If you want to save time and spend less money repairing your floor in the long run, epoxy is an excellent option.

Attractive and Customizable

Epoxy flooring is available in various colors and finishes. Would you like the floor to resemble the look of other flooring materials, such as wood or stone? Epoxy can achieve this with greater flexibility in how you customize the look of the floor.

Choose from glossy or matte finishes for added interest
Incorporate features like stripes or other designs

Professionals like EMC Concrete Coatings Inc can even create epoxy flake patterns that replicate the look of hardwood or tile floors.

Weatherproof

The local climate will also come into consideration for those who want to try an epoxy product on residential or commercial floors. An epoxy floor coating is highly resistant to wear and tear. It can also withstand repeated exposure to moisture for long periods without showing signs of damage.

Are there areas of your home or business property open to the elements? Epoxy does well outside and in high-traffic areas like the garage. It also keeps basements, kitchens, and hallways looking like new after years of heavy foot traffic and constant use.

Long-Lasting

Another attractive feature of epoxy flooring is its proven durability. It can last for years without signs of damage or deterioration. The protective coating also prevents chipping and cracking, so the floor will be smooth and look great for years to come.

The CONS of Epoxy as a Flooring Material

Of course, making informed decisions needs a look at both the pros and cons of epoxy flooring to see the big picture.

Potential Risks

Any floor covering has the potential to be a health hazard with incorrect installation or poor maintenance practices. For example, the chemicals and solvents used to manufacture epoxy flooring may be harmful if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the skin. Some types of epoxy contain formaldehyde, a potentially carcinogenic substance with unsafe exposure.

To avoid these health risks, our professional team recommends the following:

Only use products that have undergone rigorous testing
Check for products that are certified as non-toxic

At EMC Concrete Coatings Inc, we ensure all our products are of the highest quality and correctly installed for safe, long-term use.

Longer Curing

Installing an epoxy floor needs enough time to cure. It might be inconvenient if you need to move furniture or appliances into the room, but it is a crucial part of the application process. It is better to allow the substance enough time to harden than to risk damage or health concerns by jumping ahead with specific tasks during the installation process.

Smooth Surface

It is sometimes difficult to maintain traction on an epoxy flooring option when it is wet or covered in dirt or grease. Don’t worry; avoiding this problem is easy with regular vacuuming and an occasional mop to remove dirt and debris from the surface. We also recommend wiping up spills immediately to prevent the area from becoming slippery.

Call Us To See Why The Benefits of Epoxy Outweigh the Risks

At EMC Concrete Coatings Inc, our team specializes in the epoxy flake system. We also offer the following service benefits to our residential and commercial customers in San Antonio and the surrounding areas:

Over ten years of experience
Specialists in rapid cure epoxies, vapor barriers, and UV-stable polyaspartic topcoats
24 months warranty against peeling, bubbling, lifting, or general defect

If you’re still weighing the pros and cons of epoxy flooring, call EMC Concrete Coatings Inc at (210) 430-4181 today to learn more.

What are the benefits of coating my garage or patio floor?

There are a multitude of benefits to coating your concrete surface. Our prep phase will eliminate high spots or surface deficiencies through diamond grinding or shotblasting. In addition, our trained technicians will fill in any cracks, holes, or spalls on your concrete surface prior to any coating being placed. This ensures a smooth and uniform appearance throughout your slab. Concrete is very porous and can make stain removal difficult. With a high-performance coating installed, you will be able to remove otherwise tough stains with a spray of your water hose. And lastly, our floors look amazing! The garage is often overlooked when it comes to renovation/upgrades, but a professionally installed resinous coating will add $$$ to the value of your home.

How long does a typical installation take?

In most cases, our highly trained technicians can wrap up your residential project in as little as 2 days. We do offer a state of the art 1 day system, where you can walk on your new floor the next day, but we do not recommend these rapid cure systems during the summer months. Commercial projects and larger residential projects (1K sq. feet or more) can certainly take more time to complete. As always, our sales team will visit your site to take accurate measurements and offer a realistic timeframe.

Do you offer free on-site quotes?

Yes, we do. EMC Concrete Coatings always prefers to visit you at your project site to take
measurements and go over your coatings/color options. Our quotes are valid for 90 days and there is never any pressure. We are not here to make you feel uncomfortable or pressured. Our process is smooth and easy for everyone involved.

Can you give me a “ball-park” price over the phone?

Yes. However, this is not the way we prefer to quote jobs. Each project is unique and a
“standard 2 car garage” is going to be different for every homebuilder in town. Square footage’s, linear walls, garage aprons, and condition of the slab all play a very important role in providing you with an accurate quote. This simply cannot be done in a matter of seconds via a phone call or messenger.

How much does it cost to install a decorative coating on my garage floor?

A typical 2 car garage coatings installation in the greater San Antonio area will cost between $2’400 and $3’000. Our pricing is based on square footages and other aspects of the project, including the linear footage of any stem walls, aprons, or repair work.

Oversized or multi-car garages, patios, or other areas will result in higher priced estimates.

Do you use epoxy or polyurea for garage coatings?

We use all the above. Resinous coatings do not come in a one size fits all application. The
details and specs of each project will help our trained technicians determine what coating is best for your project. Typically, we use polyurea coatings for our garages and patio installations. However, shop floors and other commercia/residential spaces will call for epoxies, urethanes, or water-based materials. Rest assured, no matter which products we use, they are from reputable coatings manufacturers and TDS sheets are always available to our customers upon
request.

Is this service affordable?

We are not the lowest priced team in town. We are also, certainly not the most expensive outfit on the block. Our pricing is determined by the costs of materials, inflation, demand, labor, and level of service. When choosing EMC Concrete Coatings, you have done yourself a great favor by hiring the best in the business. EMC does run specials throughout the calendar year for discounted floors and we always honor first responders, military, and front-line workers discounts.

Our team is always mindful of our customer’s budget. We are a locally owned and operated
small business, and we know the value of our hard-earned dollars and how much they mean to each one of us. We strive to provide our customers with the best possible pricing throughout the year. EMC honors our warranties, we show up on time, every time, and will go above and beyond to ensure you are 100% satisfied at the end of each project. If we miss the mark, we will rectify it. Simple as that.

Does my new floor come with a warranty?

Yes! We offer an excellent written warranty with all our floor coatings installations. Depending on which option you choose (stain, seal, epoxy/flake, solid color, or polish) the length of time will vary from 5 years to a limited lifetime homeowners’ warranty. We HONOR our warranties.

Who am I hiring if I choose EMC Concrete Coatings?

The best crew in town. From our brand-new trucks, wrapped-trailers, uniformed employees, and state of the art equipment – we are the best. Our technicians are certified and experienced installers. EMC is bonded, commercially insured, and experienced. Multiple professional references are available for commercial projects at any given time and our online reviews speak for themselves when it comes to our residential portfolio. You have made the right choice by calling the team at EMC Concrete Coatings. Most importantly, the owner of the company, Eric Calderon is personally involved in every project that comes through our door. Generally, Eric and his sales team will be the person you meet with at your project walk thru. You will then see Eric and his crew upon the day of installation. We never sub out our projects, our employees are in-house guys and Eric is there each step of the way to ensure maximum customer satisfaction!

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