How long does epoxy flooring last?

Epoxy is a popular choice for many reasons—it’s quick curing, durability, water and chemical resistance, and customizability. Plus, it can be laid over your existing floor, eliminating the extra time and expense of ripping up an existing substrate. 

At Painters USA, we have many customers who choose epoxy and are extremely satisfied with their professional, long-lasting floors. 

Epoxy Flooring Lifespan in Commercial Settings 

Epoxy is made up of resin and a hardener that bond together to create a hard plastic and can be poured over concrete, wood, or other types of flooring. Epoxy can last 10 to more than 20 years, as long as it’s properly maintained. The multitude of benefits with epoxy makes it a highly sought-after flooring type for many commercial businesses in different industries. At Painters USA, we go above and beyond to ensure that you’re satisfied and get the most longevity out of your floor. 

Factors That Influence How Long Epoxy Floors Last 

While epoxy on it’s own has a long life, there are factors that determine just how long. Here are some of them:

Traffic

Traffic is one of the main things that influences how much stress is put on an epoxy floor. Places with high foot or heavy machinery traffic wear out faster. An additional topcoat can help.

Type of Industry

Epoxy floors last longer in certain industries and need replacing sooner in others. For instance, floors in a chemical plant are more likely to have spills. While epoxy is resistant to most chemicals, over time they do wear on the floor. 

Sunlight Exposure

Despite how strong epoxy is, it’s susceptible to the sun. UV exposure over time fades the floor, eventually degrades the coating into a chalk-like dust, and eventually decreases the lifespan. Epoxy is best suited for flooring areas with no to little UV exposure.

Under Flooring

Even though epoxy can cover most any existing floor, the under flooring still matters. If the original floor was strong, the epoxy floor will only add to its strength and longevity. Commercial concrete floors have a minimum PSI of 3000; under 2500 it is not recommended. During a consultation, Painters USA flooring experts ask questions about the original flooring to discuss how to make your new epoxy floor as long lasting and durable as possible.

Maintenance

If you maintain your epoxy floor properly and provide touch-ups when needed, it will last for years. Here a a few tips to keep your epoxy floor looking beautiful and young:

• Cleaners—Never use rough pads or brushes when cleaning. These create abrasions, eventually wearing away sealers or topcoats over the epoxy, such as antimicrobial coatings. A soft mop will do. 
• Cleaning frequency—Clean your industrial floors regularly. Debris buildup scratches the floor like sandpaper.
• Repairs—If your floor acquires damage, fix it right away. Small cracks can worsen if not dealt with. 

Skill of Installer

A big variable that determines how long epoxy floors will last is the skill of the epoxy floor installer. The floor must be prepped correctly in order for the epoxy to bond to the underflooring. All our Painters USA floor installers are skilled in epoxy. We honor all our warranties because we prep all surfaces according to our product manufacturer’s specifications.

Layer Thickness

The thicker the epoxy layer, the longer your floor will last. A thickness of 50 microns or more is recommended for industrial floors. We ensure that your epoxy floor is the right thickness when installing it. 

Topcoat Quality

Epoxy floors also will last longer if they have a good quality topcoat. Often, other flooring substances are added to create these tough scratch-resistant layers. Urethane is a popular option for a topcoat that helps prevent abrasions. 

Signs That Your Epoxy Floor Needs Replacing 

Epoxy is an industrial flooring that’s built to last. However, you want to be aware of when it is time to replace them.

When scuffs and abrasions start to appear, it’s time to fix your floor. The amazing thing about epoxy is there is no need to tear up the whole floor and redo it. Epoxy can be recoated or retextured to keep it from wearing down. It’s also possible to pour epoxy only on the damaged areas, further saving time and money. Our Painters USA experts will help you figure out exactly what needs to be done to keep your epoxy floor looking new. 

Long-Lasting Epoxy

Epoxy is a great flooring choice for many commercial industries. It’s strong, easy to clean, and can last 20 or more years, if properly maintained. Keeping the floor clean and providing timely repairs are important in order to expand your floor’s lifespan. Epoxy flooring saves money, can be customized to meet your needs in durability, sanitation, and even aesthetics.

Painters USA has years of experience installing beautiful epoxy floors. We’re here to help you save money and get a professional floor that can last for decades. Request an estimate for your project today!