Bulletproof Floors: Comprehensive Guide to Epoxy Mortar Floors
If you’re looking for a durable and versatile flooring solution that can withstand heavy traffic, chemical spills, and even extreme temperatures, you’ll find that epoxy mortar is one of your best options. This post will provide all the information you need about this flooring system.
What Is an Epoxy Mortar?
Epoxy mortar is a durable, long-lasting flooring material applied on top of an eroding surface like a concrete slab. It is a polymer-based bonding mortar containing epoxy resins that is the binder and a specialty blend of aggregates. The epoxy is blended with the aggregates that mesh togeather to add strength and texture to the flooring system.
Epoxy mortars are troweled into a surface, creating a durable and highly resistant floor that can meet the requirements of commercial and industrial facilities. The product can be used for structural repair for filling damaged areas, when the entire floor has an epoxy mortar system the flooring system will outperform virtually any other flooring system.
When Should You Consider Epoxy Mortar Floors?
There are many flooring solutions available in the market. How would you know if an epoxy mortar flooring solution is the right option? When should you consider this flooring material?
Your Facility Has a Damaged Concrete Floor
Over time, concrete floors can become cracked, pitted, or worn down due to constant traffic, heavy machinery, or chemical exposure. Damaged concrete floors can become a safety hazard that causes trips and falls and even vehicle collisions. These accidents can result in injury and even legal liabilities.
Epoxy mortar can be used to repair damaged concrete, providing a smooth and level finish. It effectively fills in cracks and divots, creating a seamless and aesthetically pleasing surface.
Your Business Needs Durable, Lasting Floors
If you’re in the planning stage of your property’s construction and looking for durable and long-lasting floors, epoxy mortar is an ideal choice. The combination of epoxy resin and aggregate creates a tough and impact-resistant surface. It will be strong enough to withstand daily wear and tear in industrial and commercial environments.
Whether it is a manufacturing plant, warehouse, or automotive facility, epoxy mortar floors can handle heavy loads, forklift traffic, and other demanding conditions without deteriorating or showing signs of wear for many years.
The Floor Will Be Exposed to Chemical Spills
Epoxy mortar floors offer excellent chemical resistance, making them suitable for facilities that deal with spills or exposure to harsh chemicals.
The epoxy resin creates a protective barrier that prevents chemicals from seeping into the concrete and causing damage. This feature is valuable in laboratories, food processing plants, and pharmaceutical facilities where spills and chemical exposure are common.
Benefits of an Epoxy Mortar Floor
Durability
Epoxy mortar is favored because of its extreme durability. A properly troweled epoxy mortar applied at 250-millimeter thickness can have compression strength up to 12,000 pounds, which is much higher than standard concrete. This characteristic of epoxy mortar makes the material a great option for facilities that endure a high amount of traffic.
Longevity
Other types of flooring systems need to be replaced after a number of years. Anyone who runs a facility knows that the need for flooring replacement or recoating means workflow disruption, added costs, and general inconvenience.
While epoxy mortar floors will not last forever, they will outlast their competition, including wood, carpet, and tile. With proper installation, epoxy mortar can last up to 20 years, even when used round-the-clock.
Strong Resistance
Epoxy flooring is known for its strong resistance to various elements that can damage conventional flooring options. With the right top-coats It is highly resistant to chemicals, such as acids and solvents, making it an excellent choice for industrial environments. It is also resistant to impact and abrasion, which is essential in high-traffic areas like warehouses, garages, and workshops.
Cost-Effectiveness
Epoxy mortar flooring systems are a cost-effective option, especially if you’re just fixing a damaged concrete floor. The epoxy mortar will be applied directly to the damaged concrete, leaving you with a seamless and durable surface without the cost associated with flooring replacement.
Additionally, this type of floor can last for many years, so you don’t need to fund frequent replacements. This means you can get the most bang for your buck, and your facility can avoid any related disruptions that could lead to profit loss.
Aesthetic Value
Beyond the practical benefits, epoxy mortar floors also offer aesthetic appeal. Epoxy flooring is available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and finishes, allowing customization to match any design preference. This versatility makes epoxy an attractive choice for industrial facilities, and commercial spaces.
Low Maintenance
Since epoxy mortar is resistant to stains and spills, cleaning is a breeze. Regular sweeping and mopping with detergents is usually sufficient to maintain the floor’s cleanliness.
The low-maintenance nature of epoxy floors saves time and effort, making them an ideal choice for busy commercial spaces. Even the most abused flooring will continue looking immaculate with epoxy mortar.
Compliance
By filling cracks and gaps with epoxy mortar, you can prevent trips and falls. You can have flooring that is safe to use and meets compliance requirements. As a facility manager or owner, you’ll be able to avoid headaches and unnecessary expenses.
If you’re still unsure whether epoxy mortar is the right option for your facility needs, you can always call professionals like Kaloutas for some insight.
Epoxy Mortar FAQs
What Is Stronger Than Epoxy Flooring?
How Does Epoxy Mortar Differ From Cement Mortar?
As mentioned previously, epoxy mortar uses epoxy resin blended with aggregates. Cement mortar, on the other hand, is a mix of fine aggregates like sand, cement, or lime and water.
How Is Epoxy Mortar Installed?
Epoxy mortar is quite difficult to work with because of its sticky and fast-curing nature. It is also important to get the right blend of materials. If you want the best return on investment, hire a pro even for the most minor epoxy mortar flooring project. Doing so guarantees that safety and protective measures are followed throughout the installation process.
The epoxy mortar application process usually starts with proper surface preparation, including cleaning, repairing cracks, and removing contaminants. Next, the epoxy mortar mixture is applied and pushed down with power trowels. Once applied, the mixture needs sufficient time to cure and harden. After that, your hired contractor will grind the surface and apply a topcoat.
Where Do I Find an Epoxy Flooring Contractor Near Me?
If you are looking for a flooring contractor to handle epoxy mortar, you can count on Kaloutas. Since 1987, our team has been providing a wide range of services, such as painting and flooring, to industrial and commercial properties across New England.
Kaloutas has certified flooring installers that can handle any flooring project. Whether you need new flooring in your manufacturing plant, car dealership, pharmaceutical plant, etc., the team has got you covered. In the case of epoxy mortar installation, our team has already perfected mixes that can handle even the most abrasive environments.
Contact Kaloutas and let us take care of all your facility’s flooring needs with one point of contact and one agreement.