From appearance to durability and sustainability, resin flooring solutions have got lots of benefits that have made them win the hearts of many.
And if you’re planning on embarking on a seamless resin floor project, this article will show you all you need to know to make an informed decision.
What are Resin Floors?
Basically, resin flooring is a mixture of synthetic resin and a hardener to form a hardened and durable but plastic-like surface.
A coat of the resin flooring solution is then applied as a liquid to a substrate–mostly concrete. Both the resin and the underlying layer then chemically bond to create the thick, decorative finish capable of impact resistance.
If you then desire a thicker and more durable flooring with more performance characteristics like chemical resistance, you’ll need to add more layers of the resin flooring coating. And in some cases, other components such as aggregates, pigments, decorative flakes.
This will not only make your resin floor more attractive but harder than concrete flooring. This makes it better than polished concrete flooring.
However, you’ll mostly require this more durable finish when your resin floors will be used in high-traffic, industrial, or commercial environments like pharmacies, logistics areas, and public areas.
Types of Resin Flooring
The three main resin floor types are listed below;
1. Epoxy flooring resin
Epoxy resin is the most popular resin flooring type in restaurants, industrial and healthcare facilities.
Epoxy flooring system is made up of epoxy resin (epichlorohydrin) and polyamine hardener. Epoxy resin flooring is particularly durable and provides great protection to the underlying flooring material.
Decorative flakes and aggregates can be added to your terrazzo epoxy floor to make it more beautiful, colorful, and increase the opportunity for a wide range of design options.
You can also request yours to have features such as self-smoothing and anti-slip; all these to suit your operational and branding needs.
Unlike other seamless resins, epoxy flooring type has a slower cure rate and may require more than one seal coating to make it non-porous.
2. Polyurethane resin flooring
Polyurethane resin flooring is much thicker than the other resin floor types. They’ve got an average faster curing rate than epoxy resin flooring systems.
And polyurethane floors have also got higher resistance to extreme heat (without cracking) and are more tolerant to chemical spills. They also tend to last longer than other resin floors.
The only drawback here is that they’re quite expensive. However, polyurethane resin floors are best suited for food-grade flooring like kitchens, bakeries, and workshops where ovens are used a lot.
3. Cementitious urethane flooring
Cementitious urethane flooring system is made by mixing Portland cement with modified urethane, water, and aggregates.
This mixture results in the formation of a surface that is impervious to liquids and chemicals. And these flooring systems can withstand temperatures of -200°C and +115°C without crazing or cracking.
Isn’t that awesome?
Sometimes both polyurethane and cementitious urethane floor coatings are installed over epoxy floors to make the latter harder and more resistant to chemicals and abrasion.
4. Methyl methacrylate systems
MMA and PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) resin floorings are named after the methyl methacrylate catalyst in their formulation.
These synthetic materials are a mixture of fine sand and resin. And they’re usually applied in layers.
They cure within two hours; meaning they have the shortest curing time of all resin floors. So they’re perfect for interiors that need to be completed in a short time. MMA resin floors can also be installed at extremely low temperatures.
They’re also very resistant to chemical substances and heavy equipment. So they can be installed on concrete, steel, tile flooring, and other resin materials.
Advantages of Resin Floors
Resin flooring has so many advantages and therefore, is an excellent alternative to many other flooring types for a number of reasons. They include;
1. Durability
This is the number one reason people prefer to install resin floorings in industrial space.
With hardeners added to the resin floors fixture, this flooring option is ‘built’ to carry so much weight and withstand a lot of pressure from;
- vehicular and foot traffic.
- heavy loads and tools.
- and still, be resistant to general abrasion.
These make the flooring materials stronger than concrete floor, survive wear and tear, and last long. They can last you for years without you having to repair or change them.
The resilient nature of resin floorings also makes them offer protection to the substrate (concrete floor) lying under them. And need I say that they can also withstand high temperatures like that of fire?
This is one of the major reasons they’re a preferred choice in production sites that use heavy machinery.
2. Variety of Design Options
Another important feature of the resin floor is its beauty and the ambiance it brings to the surfaces it is applied upon. So with seamless resin floors, you’re getting a flooring material that’s durable and beautiful–a fantastic combo.
But that’s not all: it’s fully customizable. You could get creative and choose whatever color suits your personality and will be right for your interiors.
There’s also a wide range of aggregates that can be added to your resin floors to create stunning finishes that will catch the attention of anyone that sets eyes on it. Some of the aggregates you can add to your resin floor coating include;
- Granite
- Sparkling crystals
- Glass
- Stone
And the resin flooring can even be made to look like concrete, granite, or quartz stone.
3. Offers Chemical Resistance
Resin floors are not only resistant to heavyweight, they’re resistant to the effects of chemicals.
Be it chemicals from automobiles, spills, or harsh cleaners, a resin floor will show no sign of damage done to it when they come in contact with its surface. This feature also ensures it doesn’t have cracks.
And the interesting thing is that whether it is used in domestic buildings or industrial or commercial flooring, it can continue to resist these harmful chemicals for years.
Concrete, on the other hand, is weakened by chemicals. This is another reason why people choose resin flooring options to most other flooring types.
4. Sustainability and Ease of Cleaning
The seamless resin floors are easy to clean and maintain. They also play a role in sustainability in that you don’t need special or harsh cleaning products and equipment (that can harm the environment) to maintain your flooring and keep it shining and glossy.
Their non-porous surface makes it difficult for water or any liquid to seep through. And it also prevents bacteria and other harmful microbes from hiding and growing in crevices as there’s none.
All you’ve got to do is adhere to a simple cleaning routine and always wipe off stains and spills immediately you see them.
Is a Resin Floor Expensive?
One common question most people looking to upgrade their floors ask is: How much does resin flooring cost?
There’s no direct answer to this question as there are various resin flooring solutions. However, the cost of resin flooring is dependent on a couple of factors.
- The size of the area: The price of installing a resin flooring solution in a large flooring area will be more expensive than that for a smaller area. However, the cost per square meter for the larger area will be lower.
- The substrate: Your substrate may be damaged and need to be fixed before installing the flooring solution. This will also drive the cost up.
- The quality of the resin: Some flooring solutions are more durable than others. Some also have features (like the speed of cure, resistance to sunlight, heat, and chemicals) that are better than others. These will also impact the cost of the resin flooring.
That said, the cost of epoxy flooring in the United States was around $3 and $12 in 2019 according to HomeAdvisor. And around $1,407 to $2,942.
How Long Do Resin Floors Last?
When installed in a high-traffic space or commercial property, an epoxy resin floor will last around 2 to 3 years. But when used in a residential property, you can expect it to last up to 10 years and more.
Keep in mind that the other resin flooring are more durable than epoxy.
