« Cast Stone Flooring | Main | Faux Stone Flooring »
Epoxy Stone Flooring
Epoxy stone flooring is a good option for covering a damaged floor, for replacing an existing floor, and as a new floor. An epoxy stone floor can take on a wide range of looks, letting you create just the right look for your situation.
For many, the use of epoxy stone flooring is a means for hiding flooring flaws but it can also be simple because of the beauty it offers. Epoxy is also known as epoxy resin flooring. The product is installed by covering the existing floor with it. This allows for the ability to completely hide the underlying floor.
There are many advantages to using this product include its durability, the ease of installation and care as well as the water resistance that it has. The only disadvantages of using it is that for some it can cause eye irritants.
The Installation Process
When you choose to use an epoxy stone floor, you will be amazed at how it is laid. That is because it starts out as a liquid. The area is fully cleaned and then a coat of primer is added to the floor. Once dry, the epoxy can be applied. Now, there are several products that can be purchased here to help create the stone look. One of the common ways of doing this is through the purchase of an epoxy that has the ability to create a pebble finish. Other options include aggregate and resin floorings. The epoxy can be mixed with many other elements to create the look that you are after.
Once the flooring material is applied, it will take twelve hours to set. During that time the area can not be used at all. In 24 hours, you can truly begin to see the strength of the product. But, it will take a full week to gain its complete strength. You can use the area again after 12 hours worth of curing though.
The Advantages And Disadvantages
There are numerous advantages of epoxy stone floor. First, as you can see, the application of it is quite simple. Also, the care of it is just as simple. In fact, there are fewer restrictions on the products and methods that you use with epoxy than any other type of stone flooring. On top of that, it also allows for one of the strongest flooring solutions. It is commonly used in industrial settings where chemicals, fires and other accidents can happen because it will withstand the damage. And, it will also provide for fire resistance.
Water does not penetrate is so there is little chance of staining. In the first products to come out and to be used in the 1950s, a yellowish, amber staining happened through the course of time. This was due in part to the fact that this early product was not UV protected. Today's products are and you should insure that the product you purchase is.
Epoxy stone flooring has that longer installation process and it does at time bother individuals because of the chemicals used, but all in all it has many more advantages to other stone flooring types.
Commonly used in industrial settings for its strength and benefits, it will look amazing in any home’s foyer, garage, or kitchen area. And, with the versatility of the elements that can be included in it, you can benefit from epoxy stone flooring endlessly.
Comments
Thanks Flooring Lady, but no luck. No Pittsburgh dealer is willing to come this far south and no local dealers. One contractor that I talked to said that this finish is not a good idea for western PA weather. Will need to find a different solution. The porch is 6' by 28', with two cracks. Really do not want to use outdoor carpeting.I guess I have several months of nice weather to look around before I make a decision.
Deborah at May 10, 2008 08:38 PM
Hello Deborah, There are other epoxy approaches too -- like just a plain finish.
You might want to wander over to http://www.neogard.com/ and look around there - looks like to me that they should be able to help you. This might just take some researching, asking questions and learning on your end so that maybe you can do it yourself. You can call Neogard too and talk to somebody there -- I'm confident that you can find a solution -- even for weather in western PA.
The Flooring Lady at May 11, 2008 01:23 PM
can this product be used outdoors over a concrete swimming pool apron? right now, as i had foolishly painted the concrete, it is flaking off in large pieces and looks terrible.
GAIL CHARPENTIER at May 12, 2008 06:07 AM
Hi Gail, I think it would probably be a larger project than just covering over what's already there. It would adhere best if you were strip the old paint, then sealing the concrete with a sealer recommended for outdoor use and then trying the epoxy finish, and sealing that too with something that would be recommended by the manufacturer of the epoxy finish that you choose.
The Flooring Lady at May 12, 2008 12:50 PM
We cant find anyone that carries the epoxy Stone flooring. Where I can I get this at?
Stacy Noe at July 15, 2008 10:34 AM
Hi Stacy, I don't know where you are, so I really can't help. I would suggest using a search engine (Google is my favorite!) and doing a search - you'll probably come up with some manufacturers and they often have a link to find distributors that will hopefully be close to you.
You could also try searching and inputing the city & state for where you are or what is close to you.
The Flooring Lady at July 15, 2008 08:52 PM
Looking for something to cover a deck (concrete and tile) has some crackes it and water leaks into garage. Will epoxy stone keep water from leaking through it?
Rick at July 19, 2008 06:56 PM
Hi Rick,
I'd love to help you, but I don't think I understand the whole situation. How is the deck situated compared to the garage. Just confused..... does the water leak through the deck and into the garage? Is the deck above the garage? Is the deck situated alongside the garage and maybe their on a slope?
The Flooring Lady at July 19, 2008 11:42 PM
I'm very interested in having epoxy stone flooring in my basement, but the samples I've seen are very rough -- lots of little pebbles with just enough epoxy to hold them together. I was looking for a thicker coating over top of the pebbles, creating a smoother finish. Do you know of a product like that?
Laurie at September 8, 2008 08:56 AM
Hi Laurie, NeoGard seems to have some products that fit your needs. I'm sure there's others out there as well. It sounds like you would like something in their NeoQuartz line or maybe even their NeoMarble.
The Flooring Lady at September 8, 2008 10:32 PM
