The uses of epoxy are as wide and various as an understanding of its chemical properties. It is often used in the commercial and industrial sectors, but an often overlooked area of growth is the residential sector. Although it isn’t often considered by homeowners, epoxy flooring — not just in the garage — can be a great option to suggest to prospective clients.

Why Epoxy?

Homeowners are looking for flooring solutions that are both protective and aesthetically pleasing. There are several options available for them to choose from and epoxy probably isn’t one that comes up with a basic ‘flooring options’ search on Google. But don’t let that deter you from suggesting it as a viable option. In the best of circumstances, epoxy is able to compete and tends to come out on top.

1. Durability. Consider this: the homeowner moves in, needs something on a budget, and decides to go with an economically savvy method, such as carpet flooring. This is very understandable; it’s soft, stylish, and not a bank-breaker. But, what happens when the homeowner starts to notice that wear-and-tear effect coming into play?

You see, one of the biggest selling points behind epoxy that the customer should consider is its extreme durability. The only material that is known to properly beat the durability of epoxy is that of concrete, and in most cases concrete and epoxy tend to go hand in hand.

One of the main reasons as to why epoxy is so durable is because of its extreme resistance to just about anything you can think of. Epoxy protects the underlying concrete from various problems, such as chemicals, moisture, grease, stains, and even fire hazards. This protection is buffed by its long-term lifespan and can protect the floors of a customer’s home for decades to come. While this is a reason as to why epoxy is so attractive to the industrial and commercial sectors, it can also be seen as an advantage to being used in the residential sector as well.

2. Attractiveness. Sometimes, the way something appears can make all the difference. This applies to many things, flooring included. When making a decision about something as long-term as flooring, a very important consideration is appearance. Customers aren’t going to go for flooring in their home that only makes them grimace. This only adds to the benefits behind why epoxy is great for any home: it can be durable and attractive. Epoxy can come in a variety of colors and styles, such as terrazzo, chip, and colored aggregate. While each is distinct and offer different benefits and drawbacks, they all offer a bright sheen and high gloss finish that’s very appealing in appearance.

While the customer may think that this kind of aesthetic would be expensive, the average cost of epoxy fairs very well in comparison to other flooring options. In addition to this, installation costs are very reasonable, allowing the customer to customize in order to suit his or her style.

3. Utilization. There are a few different areas in the home where epoxy is able to truly shine. One of the first places that many people will refer to is the garage. Tools, heavy equipment and machinery, oils, and other dripping fluids all tend to be hazards that require flooring capable of withstanding and enduring their effects and impacts. Epoxy is able to withstand such factors through its extreme protective and resistant properties. Epoxy also increases safety by strengthening visibility within the garage. As a result of its slick sheen and glossy texture, epoxy reflects light within the garage, increasing the brightness by up to 300 percent. Do not be misled that the shiny surface equals a slippery surface. Epoxy flooring contains abrasion- and chemical-resistant properties that make it slip resistant and, therefore, much safer.

These factors mean that epoxy can also have advantages in other parts of any residential property. Bathrooms, pools, basements, and even saunas can benefit from epoxy’s durability and longevity. Although, it’s important to keep your customer’s expectations in check. Epoxies need to be covered in another material, such as a urethane, to resist ultraviolet (UV) degradation. They also may require time to cure, which could mean a longer schedule than some other flooring options, but generally the potential drawbacks outweigh the benefits of choosing an epoxy floor.

Epoxy: A Choice

At the end of the day the choice is the customer’s. There are pluses and minuses to every flooring option, but an epoxy flooring should at least be a part of that discussion. Will he or she go for something simple and soft, such as carpeting, or will the customer look into and consider the benefits behind epoxy flooring? It’s kind to the budget, protective over decades to come, and can be fashionable. Epoxy is surely an option for them to consider, but it might be up to you to get the information out there.

About the Author:

Mark Bekker has been a flooring specialist in South Africa for over 22 years, focusing on industrial flooring installations and helping his customers find the best flooring solutions. For more information, contact: Floormaster, www.floormaster.co.za