Professional How To: Metallic Epoxy Flooring

If you have been searching the internet about epoxy flooring, chances are that you fumbled upon metallic epoxy floor coatings. We know just how attractive these coatings can be and when it comes to making them from scratch, it may take more than just your average DIY knowledge. So today, we are going to be going over the basics of crafting your very own metallic epoxy flooring system! So get your trowels and mixing buckets ready, its time to learn how to make your very own metallic epoxy flooring system straight from the pros!

Before you pick up and tools, it is crucial to find the right materials to get the job done. While the off the shelf options at your local hardware store may look like an attractive option due to they’re easy to use and affordable, you get what you pay for! We recommend looking online to find your material so you can check reviews and see what you need before you start an application. When looking for the right material, make sure you get something that can work with your budget as there are tools that you may need to buy or rent to prepare for and applicate the material with.

It is crucial to know that metallic epoxies can only be used in interior settings with minimal exposure to UV rays. Now it is time to get your concrete ready for application. This is the step that has many homeowners call the pros as it can be very strenuous and expensive to do. First, you will need to clean the concrete slab. This can be done with a high output pressure washer with at least 3500 PSI and stains will need to be dealt with so your epoxy perfectly adheres to the concrete. There are powders that can be applied or chemical agents that can make stains disappear in the blink of an eye.

Now its time to open the pores of the slab and there are 2 options to do this, both of which require expensive tools that need to be bought or rented from your local hardware store. Option one is the use of a diamond wheel grinder to shave small amounts of concrete off to expose the concretes pores. The other option is to use a shot blaster but many homeowners opt-out of this option because of the huge mess this option brings. Now it is time to talk about applicating your material.

Most of the metallic epoxies that you can find on the market require a 2 step application process so make sure you check with the materials you are using before you start the application. Today, we are going to be talking about the general application of metallic epoxy to get you on the right path. In terms of the tools you are going to need, make sure you have trowels, a squeegee or roller, and concrete edgers on hand to make the process as smooth as possible. You want to make sure that the material you lay down is as level as possible to ensure a smooth finish. Also, make sure that you know the limits of your epoxy as most have a “set time” and after this time the epoxy will be unusable after a certain amount of time, most of which set within an hour. When it comes to the metallic pigmentation, check with the material you check with your materials, some are mixed in during the mixing process and others will need to be sprinkled into the coating as it is installed.

Now that you know the general outline of the installation process of metallic epoxy, it is time to choose what path you want to take. We know that this task is daunting and that is why so many other homeowners choose to spend the extra money to use a professional contractor. In the end, whatever path you decide to take, DIY or hire a professional, we wish you the best of luck on all of your home improvement projects to come!