3 Different Types Of Epoxy For Your Warehouse Floor
Epoxy is a great surface for your warehouse floor because it looks professional and is easy to take care of, even in a busy warehouse. When it comes to epoxy flooring, there are actually various types of epoxy you can lay over your cement floor.
Epoxy Type #1: Waterborne Epoxy Paint
The first type of epoxy you can apply to your floors is waterborne epoxy paint. Waterborne epoxy paint is not paint in the traditional sense but is labeled as paint because it is the easiest to apply to your floor. The make-up of this type of epoxy gives you more time to apply the epoxy before it is hardened, hence why it is called epoxy paint.
Waterborne epoxy paint is more forgiving than other types of epoxy and, thus, is easier to apply if you want to coat your warehouse floor on your own. It is also less expensive than other types of epoxy.
However, waterborne epoxy paint doesn't tend to hold up as well as other types of epoxy. It can easily get damaged by other chemicals and may not be the best choice for your warehouse.
Epoxy Type #2: High Solids Epoxy
The next type of epoxy you can use in your warehouse is high solids epoxy. High solids epoxies are considered a commercial-grade product and are specifically designed for use in things such as warehouses and industrial buildings.
High solids epoxy comes in a variety of different solid levels, with 100% being the thickest type of epoxy. High solids epoxy coatings are thicker than waterborne epoxy paint and, thus, are not as easily damaged by chemical-based spills.
The thicker coating allows high solids epoxy to handle more wear and tear, such as pallet forks driving over the surface of the floor each day without sustaining damage.
High solid epoxy can be clear, or you can purchase it in various colors if you want your floor to be a color or tint.
With high solids epoxy, it is best to hire a professional to apply it, as the material is thick and has to be applied quickly and correctly.
Epoxy Type #3: Clear Epoxy
Clear epoxy should not be used as the base of your flooring or as the only layer you put down. Clear epoxy, in an industrial setting, is best used as a clear coat on the top of a layer of high solids epoxy or on top of multiple layers of waterborne epoxy paint.
Clear epoxy helps increase the thickness of the epoxy coating and, thus, also helps increase the durability of the coating as well.
For a warehouse, the best epoxy to use for long-term stability is high solids epoxy with a clear epoxy coat on top. If you are looking to save money, multiple coats of waterborne epoxy paint followed by a clear epoxy coating is your best choice for a warehouse.
For more information, contact a local epoxy flooring company like Peak Coatings.