Is an Epoxy Basement Floor Good for the Home?
If you want to transform your basement into a usable space in your home, then it is likely that you will have to make some changes. One element that you will need to consider is the flooring of the basement. Which type of flooring you choose may depend on how you intend to use the space. One option for a basement is epoxy flooring. The following is an overview of the pros and cons of this type of flooring, and whether epoxy flooring is a good choice for the basement of your home.
What Is Epoxy Flooring?
It is important to understand what epoxy flooring is before deciding whether it is the best option for the basement in your home. According to Performance Industrial, the term epoxy actually refers to a group of materials rather than to one specific substance. These materials include plastic, resin, paint, and adhesives that are combined with resins and hardeners in what is called an epoxy system. When the different materials are combined with hardeners and resin, they for a surface that is rigid, strong, and durable. This makes it a popular type of flooring for many different situations, including industrial settings with heavy traffic. Although it is popular for industrial settings, it has become increasingly popular as an option for domestic garages and basements.
Types of Epoxy Flooring
Although there are many different types of epoxy flooring, some of the most popular options include the following:
- Self-leveling epoxy- This is applied over existing floors that have suffered some damage, such as cracked concrete. This low-maintenance option is available in a variety of colors and has aesthetic appeal. It is also slip-resistant and resistant to, heat, chemicals, and abrasions.
- Epoxy mortar floors-The strongest epoxy systems available, this type of flooring is best-suited to areas that will suffer a lot of wear and tear. They are ideal for places where heavy equipment or chemicals are used as these floors are impact and chemical-resistant.
- ESD -resistant floors- Also known as anti-static epoxy floors, these floors reduce the risk of static hazards, so they are great if you plan to use your basement as some form of a workshop.
- Quartz-filled epoxy floors- These floors contain colored quartz grain which adds a decorative element to a floor that also offers high performance.
- Epoxy flake floors- Like quartz-filled epoxy floors, this type of epoxy floor has additional aesthetic appeal as it has colored flakes or chips added to it. There is a vast array of colors, textures, and styles from which you can choose.
The Pros of Epoxy Flooring
Like all flooring types, there are both pros and cons to epoxy flooring. Floorguard says that the following are some of the pros of epoxy flooring:
- Water, fire, and shock-resistant- Epoxy flooring is resistant to fire, water, and chocks. This means it is a great flooring option if your basement is being used for storage, as a workshop, as a craft room, or for many other purposes.
- Long-lasting- Once you have laid an epoxy floor, you will not need to replace or repair it for a long time. It is durable enough to withstand even high traffic and heavy wear and tear.
- Smart-looking- There are many varieties available, so you can opt for something that is simply practical, or you can choose something that is also aesthetically pleasing.
- Easy maintenance- This flooring is easy to clean, simply by sweeping and mopping. The durable and smooth surface means that you will not need to vacuum or scrub the floor.
- Inexpensive product- The epoxy flooring itself is a relatively inexpensive flooring option. It can become more expensive if the floor is laid for you by a professional. However, you should also factor in the lack of future costs. Some types of flooring need repairing regularly or replacing within a few years as the result of wear and tear. This is not the case with epoxy flooring, so you can potentially save costs in the future.
The Cons of Epoxy Flooring
Although there are many advantages to choosing epoxy flooring, there are also some disadvantages. According to Blue and Green Tomorrow, some of these include:
- Time-consuming to fit- The biggest problem with choosing epoxy flooring for your basement is that it is time-consuming to lay if you do it yourself. This is predominantly because of the amount of preparation needed for the surface that the epoxy coating is covering. It is also tricky for someone who has no experience with this type of project. Therefore, it is best to hire professionals to complete this job.
- Potentially expensive- Although the product itself is relatively inexpensive, laying the floor can become an expensive job when you factor in the costs of hiring professionals.
- Difficult to remove- If at any point in the future you decide to replace the epoxy flooring with a different flooring type, you may find it very difficult to remove. Removing it can become a long and expensive process. The worst-case scenario is that you end up giving in trying to remove the epoxy flooring and cover it directly instead. This can then lead to extra costs.
The Final Verdict – Is Epoxy Flooring a Good Option for Basements?
Overall, the benefits of choosing epoxy flooring for your basement far outweigh any potential cons. It is a particularly great option if you plan to use your basement for any activities that involve using power tools, heavy equipment, or chemicals. This is because it is a durable surface that is shock, water, and fire-resistant. While this type of flooring was originally intended for industrial use, it is now considered an excellent option for a variety of domestic purposes, including garages and basements. It can even look fantastic, offering visual appeal, as there are so many styles, colors, and textures from which you can choose. Therefore, it is a good option for people who want to combine aesthetics with practicality.