How Long Does Epoxy Flooring Last?

Commercial and industrial facility engineers have been choosing to specify epoxy flooring systems in their facilities for decades. They’re known for their durability, array of design options, cleanability and chemical resistance.

Epoxy is known for its longevity, but just what does this mean? How long can you expect an epoxy floor to last in your commercial or industrial space?

About Epoxy Flooring

So what is an epoxy flooring system? Epoxy flooring is made from two main components: resin and hardener. When these two substances are combined, they set off a chemical reaction that forms a rigid plastic material; epoxy.

Epoxy is incredibly strong and resistant to wear, and also forms a strong bond with most surfaces. It’s installed in multiple layers, usually applied to a concrete substrate floor. Epoxy flooring systems require a primer and then can vary —from thin mil “coatings” to mortar resurfacers up to 3/8” nominal thickness.

Epoxy floors are long-lasting, but can also make an appealing visual statement. Epoxy comes in wide varieties of color and design options, and has countless benefits, including the following:

Seamless and non-porous which means there’s no place for dirt and bacteria to hide
Resistant to aggressive chemicals like acids, alkalis, and solvents that can destroy other surfaces
Slip-, impact-, heat-, and fire-resistant for a safer workplace
Durability even in high-traffic areas, reducing wear from transport vehicles
Made from safe and non-toxic building materials for an environmentally-friendly option
Fast and easy to install and incredibly cost-efficient, with very little follow-up maintenance
Decorative options including colors, textures, and even logos, sealed with a slip-resistant and chemical-resistant glossy top coat, like this custom-blend, slip- and abrasion-resistant floor in Indianapolis.
Safety and directional floor markings to create a workflow, point out hazards, or keep up with industry regulations like in the case of this high-performance manufacturing facility

Durable, Eco-Friendly Floors

One of the reasons so many of our customers choose an epoxy floor is that it is so long-lasting. Once poured and set, epoxy becomes part of the structure of your building; it adheres to the concrete.

The longevity of an epoxy floor system will vary based on thickness, use and maintenance. Typically, epoxy floors last between 10 and 20 years; much longer than a painted concrete floor, which will chip and wear quickly in high-traffic areas. Epoxies do fade and chalk out over time (they are not UV Stable) which is why we typically apply a urethane topcoat or a polyaspartic topcoat for added durability and color stability. If an epoxy topcoat is in place, we can sand and recoat with a urethane or polyaspartic as a “refresher” to bring it back to life.

This makes epoxy an incredibly environmentally-friendly option. Many epoxy options have low VOC’s and unlike vinyl composite tile —does not fill landfills.

Wear-Resistant Floors Even in High-Traffic Settings

So much factors into the lifespan of your epoxy floor. One of the biggest factors is the level of daily traffic and wear and tear your floor sees. Heavy-duty traffic means that scratches and scuffs can happen over time. What kinds of things can have an impact on the longevity of your epoxy floor?

Foot traffic
Use of heavy carts
Mechanical traffic
Vehicular traffic

Chemical Resistant Flooring

Other kinds of flooring will break down after repeated exposure to chemicals, which can destroy your floor and cost you a significant amount of money for repair and replacement over time. If you are concerned about chemical exposure, you should choose chemical-resistant epoxy flooring, even against spills, splashes, and droplets of corrosive elements.

The Care and Cleaning of Epoxy Floors

To keep your epoxy floor looking great as long as possible, you’ll need to follow the proper care.

What does this involve?

Epoxy floors shouldn’t be cleaned with rough or abrasive brushes or pads, which will wear away at coatings and sealers. However, the cleaner you keep your floors, the longer they will last, as dirt and other particles can abrade the surface.

Continuous, heavy wear can do damage to your epoxy floors—even with high-performance epoxy floors. If your floor starts to show wear, you can report the issue to keep the damage from spreading. Occasional recoating and retexturing will keep your floor safe and attractive.

Get the Right Epoxy Floor System

What’s the secret to ensuring you get a long-lasting epoxy floor for your facility? It boils down to three concepts:

Choose the right epoxy floor for your space
Ensure that your epoxy floor is used properly
Clean your epoxy floor regularly

At Surface Solutions, Inc., we know epoxy floor systems. We can guide you through the process of choosing the right kind of epoxy floor that’s made to last you for years to come, and our team of experts will carefully install your flooring for longevity and durability.

An epoxy floor can be the perfect answer to your flooring needs and will look great and keep your team safe for quite some time, but that’s only if you choose the right epoxy floor and the right installer. Our team at Surface Solutions, Inc., is here to ensure that happens.

Want to learn more about what we can do for you? Request more information today!