Are you thinking about updating your floor with a fresh look? You might weigh the options between grabbing a DIY epoxy kit and calling in professionals. Epoxy floors, made from strong resins and agents that mix to form durable plastic material, offer toughness and shine.
They resist harsh chemicals, bear heavy weights well, and come in many colors for beauty points while being easy on upkeep time and costs over the years. Yet before you choose the DIY route or search for “epoxy flooring Orlando,” experts like Kongcrete Coatings do it right—consider what’s best suited for your skill level versus getting professional results you’ll love long term.
DIY Epoxy Kits Explained
When you decide to do your own epoxy floor, the first step is to ensure the ground is ready. First, clean the surface well. Use a strong cleaner and degreaser for this job.
It helps remove oil and dirt, which prevents the epoxy from sticking. As directed, mix some in a big bucket with water. Then, simultaneously, put it on parts of your garage floor, maybe 10 feet by 10 feet in each area.
Scrub hard using a wire brush attached to a pole till you’ve covered every bit. That’s etching–kind of like giving the concrete a slight scrub down so it can hold onto that epoxy better! You use something mild but effective—think citric acid-based products here—mixed into water according to what’s said on its pack.
Scrub again if needed after rinsing once because sometimes, not everything washes off easily. This step ensures there are no sneaky barriers between your freshly cleaned concrete and the new shiny coat waiting. When you’re done cleaning and etching, ensure those floors are bone dry before adding any coating, which could mean waving bye-bye to too-early adhesion dreams otherwise.
Professional Epoxy Installation Benefits
You’re making a smart choice when you choose a professional for epoxy floors. They know exactly how to do the job right, which means no mistakes and a floor that looks great and lasts long.
Plus, they work fast, saving you time. It might seem like it will cost more initially, but think about the money saved on not fixing errors. Professionals help you choose the best type of epoxy floor for your place, from color to style, so it fits just right in your space.
They even teach you easy ways to keep it looking good as new. Epoxy isn’t just tough; it’s also safe because these pros can add special non-slip layers that ensure nobody slips or falls easily if there are spills around. Going with experts gets everything done without delay, which is perfect when there’s no room for slow-downs at home or work.
Lastly, these contractors care about our planet by using friendly tools that don’t harm nature while getting beautiful results on any flooring project!
Evaluating Cost Differences
When you think of putting down epoxy yourself, it seems like a way to save some cash. You don’t pay for work; you just need the materials and maybe gear if you have to get that, too. Yet these things still cost money.
Good quality epoxy mix, primer, and everything else pile up in price. And say you don’t do floors every day; now you might need tools that grind concrete or spread epoxy right—that’s more money out of pocket. Then there’s your time—worth a lot—and effort into doing it all correctly from start to finish, which can take longer than planned without experience.
Plus, making an error could mean buying even more supplies or starting over again. Choosing someone skilled means they handle all this, and their knowledge helps ensure the floor looks great and lasts long, too, without common DIY mistakes that could lead to potentially costly fixes later on.
Common Mistakes in DIY Applications
People often miss key steps when doing it themselves with epoxy kits. First, getting the concrete ready needs care. You must grind it down and deal with cracks immediately using special putty or a mix made for gaps.
Make sure to check how wet your space is before starting, too. The kit will tell you what’s okay. Then there’s sunlight to think about.
Not all epoxy can withstand bright light without going yellow or breaking down sooner than you’d expect. If the sun hits your floor, pick something that fights UV rays well or add a protective layer on top. Putting on enough of this material matters more than individuals realize when they start their project at home.
In places like Orlando, where floors see lots of action, if they’re too thin, they won’t last as long as promised despite epoxy usually being tough stuff. Following these bits closely really makes a difference in results just by sticking close to what those who make the product say and paying attention to both inside and outside conditions.
Choosing Quality Materials for Your Floor
When choosing flooring materials, consider Kong’s Polyaspartic Floors. They work great in Florida’s weather and are tough enough to last long. With a HomeLife Warranty, they offer solid protection for your home.
These floors set quickly, within 2-3 hours, letting you use the space on the same day. Plus, they resist sun damage like yellowing or fading and can handle oil spills or tire marks without trouble. On the other hand, epoxy might not be as reliable if it gets heavy use because it can crack or chip easier than polyaspartic coatings and often takes up to two weeks to dry fully.
Long-Term Durability and Maintenance Considerations
Taking care of your epoxy floor is key to its long life. With the right upkeep, this type of floor lasts between 10 and 20 years or more. It keeps looking good with simple steps and a fresh top coat now and then for shine and a shield.
Epoxy floors better resist heavy use, scratches, impacts, and spills than others. They need little daily care to stay neat—regular cleaning works fine. It’s vital, too, because these floors resist water, which cuts down on mold or mildew in damp spots.
For slippery places, like kitchens or poolsides, choosing an anti-slip finish helps keep everyone safe by providing extra grip underfoot. Maintaining the anti-slip quality over time may require some attention, though, but it’s worth it to avoid slips. Regular non-acidic cleaners are best for washing these types without harming their surface.