How to epoxy resin flooring
More recently, epoxy resin was used mainly in industry for bonding various surfaces. However, gradually she found her retail buyer and began to gain more and more popularity in various fields.
It is used to cover window sills, create original countertops and decorative elements, is used to seal seams and securely connect different materials. One of the most beloved properties of epoxy Resin floor London finishers has been its strength and durability, sufficient to make the material possible to create a floor covering. Moreover, the technology of its application is so simple that even a non-professional can make a self-leveling floor.
What is epoxy resin?
In fact, epoxy is not a resin at all. This is a synthetic two-component adhesive that can reliably bond any porous surface. The composition most often resembles ordinary tree resin or liquid honey. That’s where the name came from. However, now you can pick up epoxy in colors from white to dark orange, as well as tint it in any color. There are also absolutely transparent compositions without yellowness.
To cure, the epoxy resin is mixed with a hardener. Moreover, depending on the type of composition and its quantity, it is possible to obtain both a durable hard coating and a material resembling rubber. Such variability made it possible at one time to use epoxy resin in a variety of fields – from aircraft and rocket science to radio engineering.
In the domestic sphere, such brands of epoxy as Leonardo, ED-20, ED-18, Ecovanna and EPS 2106 have gained the greatest popularity.
Consumption of epoxy to create a self-leveling floor
It is important to understand that the amount of resin needed to fill the floor will depend on the quality of the surface to be treated and the final result that you would like to receive. So, if you just need to pour a concrete surface so that it stops dusting, only 100 g of the composition per 1 m2 will be enough. If we are talking about a durable reinforced or decorative coating, the consumption can increase to 3-3.5 kg per m2.
Using epoxy resin to create a self-leveling floor
Epoxy resin allows you to create an absolutely smooth and very durable floor covering that can last for many years. There are two main filling methods.
Creation of a thin layer self-leveling floor
This option is the creation of a thin film about 1 mm thick on a horizontal surface. In this case, the composition is applied to the floor simply with a roller, like paint. It can be matte or glossy, colored or transparent. By the way, walls are often treated in this way.
Rather, it is a protective coating that protects the surface from water and dirt, and prevents the concrete from dusting. However, a thin layer is worn out quite quickly, especially in places with high traffic.
Pouring a thick-layer self-leveling floor
If a more durable coating is required, the epoxy resin is already poured in a layer of 3-10 mm. Due to the thickness, not only dye can be added to such a floor, but also a variety of fillers: quartz chips, pebbles, metal shavings, etc. It is this floor that is best poured in rooms with high traffic. It is decorative and wear resistant.
Unlike the first option, it will be difficult to pour a thick-layer floor. You will need additional tools and accuracy.
The procedure for manufacturing a self-leveling floor
- The first thing to do at the preparation stage is to arm yourself with a calculator and calculate the exact amount of the composition. Buying epoxy in bulk is quite expensive.
- To calculate, determine the surface area and multiply it by the thickness of the desired layer. If there are two layers, calculate the required number for each of them separately (usually in this case the first layer is poured with a thickness of about 5 mm). Then translate the resulting number into liters, and only then go to the store.
Surface preparation - It is best to pour the floor on a concrete base. The tree absorbs the composition too well, which means that more material will be required.
- Remove the old coating and paint from the floor, close up all the cracks and irregularities. To keep the resin well, it is also desirable to process the area with a grinder or sandpaper. It is very important that the surface does not have differences in height.
- After finishing the preparation, thoroughly vacuum the room so that there is as little dust as possible in the air and on the floor. Then you need to carry out a wet cleaning and degrease the surface. To do this, it is washed with soapy water and left to dry for a day.
By the way, if the concrete floor is poured recently, it is better not to do self-leveling floors. Such a foundation needs at least a month so that the high humidity of the fresh concrete coating does not spoil the result. - Before applying the composition, the surface is primed with a special primer. It is applied in one or two layers, leaving each for 12 hours to dry.
Mixing Resin - Resin and hardener are usually sold together, so there is no need to puzzle over which compound and in what proportion to add.
- The proportions can be 10:1, 10:4 or 10:6. The indicated ratio will have to be observed exactly, since the properties of the future Dry Lining surface depend on the amount of hardener. If it is too little, the coating will be sticky and soft, but if it is too much, it will be brittle and easy to prick.