Even though it is durable, easy to maintain, and is a good floor for waterproofing, Epoxy flooring has its disadvantages. It produces a toxic smell, is Slippery when wet, complex to remove, cold under the feet, and takes longer to dry after installation.
Epoxy flooring is good but like everything else, it has its limitations.
Disadvantages of Epoxy flooring
- Epoxy flooring produces toxic smells
- Epoxy is slippery when wet
- It is Difficult to Remove Epoxy Flooring
- Cracks on High Impact areas
Epoxy Flooring Produces Toxic Smells
The resins of Epoxy are made up of four chemical ingredients: monomeric resin, a hardener, an accelerator, and a plasticizer.
This is why, during the application, Epoxy produces strong fumes that are even irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat. Masks and protective gear should be worn during application because these chemicals affect the respiratory system and the skin.
Asthmatic people should avoid such rooms.
Fully cured epoxy is not a health hazard. When Epoxy dries, however, it poses no harm.
Epoxy is Slippery When Wet
When Epoxy flooring completely dries, it forms a very hard surface that becomes extremely dangerous when water or oil is poured on it.
There are however some measures, which can be undertaken to make Epoxy flooring less slippery. These measures are:
- Shark Grip: It is added to many paints and coatings, for it mixes perfectly with many most oil and latex-based paints.
- Containment Mats: Adding a mat to absorb water/moisture can do the job, however, this is only a temporary solution.
- Silica Sand: It is added to give a slightly rough surface on the Epoxy coating. It comes in different colors, which when added also makes the topcoat more appealing. Silica Sand however has its downside, it forms small cracks in Epoxy that will eventually cause it to break.
- Addition of Aluminum Oxide: It bonds well with epoxy coating, adding a long-lasting and extremely aggressive anti-slip texture without changing its physical properties. Aluminum oxide on the downside, however, due to the coarse texture, makes cleaning harder, and dirt gets held up a lot.
It is Difficult to Remove Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy will live long after installation, but at some point, you will/might need to change the floor finish in your garage or your basement. Without the proper skills and the proper tools removing epoxy flooring might be difficult and expensive.
It Cracks on High Impact areas
Exposure to water or dampness on Epoxy results in bubbling due to debonding from the substrate. When Heavy loads come to contact with the affected areas, the bubbles may crack.
Also, when Epoxy is curing, the substrate may shrink as the water evaporates causing shrinkage.
Other disadvantages of Epoxy flooring are:
- It is very cold under the feet.
- Costly to maintain, especially in areas of high traffic.
- Epoxy discolors if not properly mixed or when exposed to ultraviolet rays.
- It is complex to remove epoxy because when fully cured it forms a brittle, hard surface.
Advantages of Epoxy flooring
- Epoxy flooring is self-leveling, which makes it easy to install.
- It is resistant to most chemicals and solvents, which makes it a durable and strong floor finish.
- The price of Epoxy flooring is relatively cheaper compared to its durable counterparts like Hardwood flooring.
- Epoxy comes in different colors and designs, which makes it a highly decorative floor. Complex, appealing designs can easily be achieved by Epoxy flooring.
- Despite being Expensive to maintain, Epoxy flooring is easy to maintain. Its seamless and waterproof top coat makes it easy to clean.
ALSO READ: How to repair scratched Epoxy flooring.
