Concrete flooring for commercial properties in Minnesota is a durable and versatile choice. Whether you have a warehouse, retail space, high-rise lobby, or any other commercial space, your floors must withstand high traffic, summer heat, extreme cold, and the salt used to thaw ice patches during the winter.
That’s why your concrete floors need epoxy coatings.
The magic of epoxy for commercial concrete lies in its ability to transform an ordinary concrete floor into a high-performance, long-lasting surface that can handle Minnesota’s most challenging conditions.
ACT Restoration in Andover, Minnesota, provides exceptional epoxy services to businesses throughout the area.
What Is Epoxy for Concrete Floors?
An epoxy coating is a two-part system consisting of an epoxy resin and a hardener.
When these two components are combined, they undergo a chemical reaction called polymerization. This reaction creates a rigid, dense plastic material that is applied as a seamless coating over a prepared concrete floor.
Unlike paint, which just sits on the surface, this chemical bond creates a strong, durable, and protective coating that is bonded directly to the concrete.
How Is Epoxy Applied to Concrete?
The installation of a commercial epoxy floor is a precise, multi-step process that must be followed to ensure the coating’s longevity. It is not a DIY project for commercial spaces.
Step 1: Surface Prep
Surface preparation is the most crucial step. The existing concrete must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt, oil, grease, etc.
The surface must then be ground down until it is smooth enough to accept the epoxy. All cracks, holes, and uneven areas are repaired and patched.
Step 2: Primer Application
A primer coat is applied first to ensure a strong bond between the epoxy and the concrete. It also helps seal the porous concrete.
Step 3: Epoxy Application
The two-part epoxy is mixed and then applied to the primed surface using rollers or squeegees. This layer forms the base of the flooring system.
Step 4: Top Coat & Sealing
Once the base coat has cured, a top coat is applied. This coat provides additional durability, chemical resistance, and the desired finish (glossy, satin, or matte).
This is also when decorative elements, such as colored flakes or quartz granules, are added.
Step 5: Curing Process
The flooring is left to cure, a chemical process that can take 24 to 72 hours. During this time, the epoxy hardens to its final, robust state.
The floor may be ready for foot traffic within a day, but it needs a whole week to achieve its maximum hardness and chemical resistance.
How Long Does an Epoxy Coating Last?
The lifespan of a commercial epoxy floor depends on several factors, including the quality of materials, the expertise of the installation, and the level of traffic it endures.
The average lifespan of a professionally installed epoxy floor can be between 10 to 20 years or more. Several key factors that impact the floor's lifespan include the thickness of the coating, the type of epoxy used, the level of heavy traffic, and the quality of the initial surface preparation.
With proper epoxy floor maintenance, the lifespan can be maximized. Even after many years, a simple “re-coat” can be applied to bring the floor back to life, often extending its lifespan for many more years.
Benefits of Epoxy for Commercial Concrete
Epoxy has many benefits for commercial concrete floors, including:
- Extreme durability for heavy use
- Protection against Minnesota’s climate
- Enhanced safety against slips and falls
- Easy to clean and sanitize
- Brightens the space and reduces lighting costs
- Customizable and aesthetically pleasing
Schedule Epoxy Floor Coating With ACT Restoration in Minnesota
By working in conjunction with a durable concrete floor, epoxy can create an efficient floor for your commercial space. ACT Restoration has decades of experience installing epoxy floors and preparing concrete surfaces for coatings.
We are not just flooring specialists; we’re artists who have created beautiful floors for our customers. Just check out our portfolio of previous work.
Call us today for more information at 763-432-3966 or request a free estimate online!