As a homeowner, there’s nothing more exciting than remodeling your home! You can choose new cabinets for the kitchen, remove walls to open spaces, and add new flooring. Though you might want beautiful flooring, you also need one that is safe. One type of flooring that is becoming increasingly popular for these reasons is epoxy flooring.
It is not just safe for walking and going about your daily routine, but also for breathing around on a regular basis and for your family and guests. Epoxy flooring is a great option for anyone looking for something that is both stylish and durable.
Epoxy is a material that is not only great for withstanding water spills and harsh weather conditions, but also has amazing traction. This makes it a safe flooring option for both you and your home. Epoxy is a non-toxic, anti-slip flooring material that comes in a variety of colors and styles to suit your needs.
The cost of materials and installation for epoxy flooring varies depending on the size, design, layout, and type of epoxy. However, the total lifecycle costs are often more advantageous for epoxy floors. This is because they require low maintenance and tend to be more durable and last longer.
Composition of Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring solutions are made up of two parts – epoxy resins and hardeners. These substances work together to create the epoxy flooring and coating systems. Epoxy resins are made up of prepolymers and polymers. You might also hear them called polyepoxides, which refers to the epoxide groups that are uncured.
The hardener is a crucial part of the epoxy flooring equation – it’s what chemically reacts with the epoxy resins to solidify the flooring material. There are different types of hardeners available on the market, each made from slightly different chemicals.
Amidoamine and anhydride hardeners are two popular options, as they both do a great job of solidifying the epoxy flooring. Polyamide-based hardeners are also an option to consider, although they are not as commonly used as the other two types.
The curing process for epoxy flooring starts when the temperature in the room reaches between 72° and 85° Fahrenheit. This is because the epoxy needs a warm environment to cure properly.
The chemical reaction between the resins and hardener creates a solid surface that can withstand extreme temperatures. Once it has been cured, epoxy can withstand temperatures as low as 0° Fahrenheit and as high as 140° Fahrenheit. By themselves, these chemicals are non-toxic.
However when working with epoxy solutions, there are a few risks to keep in mind. If you come into contact with the epoxy resin or hardener through your skin, or if you breathe in the vapors or dust, it can be harmful. It’s also important to be careful if you accidentally swallow any of the epoxy solution.
For your safety, it’s always best to take proper precautions when working with or around uncured epoxy solutions. This means making sure your hands, wrists, arms, legs, and mouth are all covered.
When the epoxy is in the curing stage, it’s best to cover your mouth or wear a face mask to protect yourself from the vapors and dust. If your skin does come into contact with uncured epoxy, wash it off immediately with soap and water.
Is Epoxy Flooring Safe?
You might be wondering if epoxy floors are safe for your home. The answer is a resounding yes! Epoxy flooring systems are a great option for your home because they are non-toxic and safe for your family. Epoxy resins are non-toxic before they go through the curing process, but you still wouldn’t want to swim in them or eat them.
If they come into contact with your skin, make sure to wash them off as soon as possible. There is a chance you could have an allergic reaction to uncured epoxy resins, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Breathing in epoxy fumes can cause respiratory problems like nose and throat irritation, and lung inflammation.
If you’re exposed to a lot of epoxy fumes before and during the curing process, you could become sensitized to them and get asthma. To avoid health problems, it’s best not to breathe in epoxy dust that builds up during the curing process. The particles in epoxy dust can get trapped in your body’s mucus and cause serious health problems.
It usually takes an epoxy flooring system between 24 and 72 hours to cure and officially become solid. Once it has solidified, clean it thoroughly to remove the dust and other particles that you may not be able to see. The first cleaning is the most important, so make sure to take your time with it.
After the curing process is complete, your epoxy flooring system will no longer be considered toxic. Make sure to air out the space well before taking a deep breath and looking at your new flooring with satisfaction.
Key Takeaway
The total lifecycle costs of epoxy floors are usually advantageous because they require low maintenance and are durable. For the best results, it’s best to hire a professional epoxy flooring contractor rather than install the flooring yourself.
