What is Epoxy?

Epoxy is a thermosetting epoxide polymer, which means that when the adhesive cures, it can’t return to its original form. When it reacts with other chemicals, it hardens or cures it, creating a very durable adhesive that make it so useful in sealing and protecting surfaces. This durability makes it ideal for commercial and residential flooring applications.

Benefits of Epoxy Coating

• Fast Installation – if the floor is prior to the epoxy coating is in good shape, the installation is relatively quick. Correct preparation by professionals from TTM Finishes will ensure a fast, easy and quality installation

• Easy Maintenance – all that is needed is a simple cleaning from time to time and a simple reseal every five years. Just doing this, your epoxy floors should stay in great shapes for decades.

• Durable – despite the abuse it takes from high traffic situations such as in most commercial settings, it has the potential to last a lifetime with proper care. Since the epoxy hardens into a protective shell, it will look good longer than many other types of flooring.

• Creative and Beautiful Designs – beyond its use in the commercial/industrial market, residences are able to benefit from beautiful designs to create an aesthetically pleasing floor.

• Safer/Anti-Slip – additional anti-slip coatings that can be added to make the floors less slippery for areas requiring added safety

• Fewer Particulates – since the floor will be smoother, it won’t hold onto dust and other particulates. The benefit is that sweeping and cleaning epoxy floors will be easier than traditional floors.

• Affordable – since epoxy is so long lasting and easy to care for, it cuts down on future maintenance costs.

Types of Epoxy

When looking into getting epoxy for your own flooring or covering needs, it is important to know the basic types of epoxy that are available.

• Water-Based Epoxy – used mostly for residential applications and the most economical. It will stand up to normal traffic a person would have through a garage, walkway, or finished basement with concrete flooring. At TTM Finishes, we can recommend the best solution for your specific flooring project and install it professionally.

• 100% Solid-Based Epoxy – used mostly for commercial applications because of its durability and resistance to harsh conditions. Most industrial locations and warehouses have floors that require it to be able to withstand the traffic of heavy machinery, forklifts, vehicles, etc.

• Solvent-Based Epoxy – Although not a 100% solid, it is very practical and useful for many different types of industrial use. They generally contain 40% to 60% solids, and you do have to take precautions just as you would with solid-based. Because of its excellent bonding properties, it is an ideal primer for industrial or commercial grade applications. We often use this method in our own commercial epoxy systems.

Preparation for the Coating Proper preparation of the flooring is the most important step when one is getting ready to apply epoxy. If you do not set up the floor properly, the result is that you’re going to have poor adhesion, which causes the coating to peel and flake prematurely. You need to make sure that you clean the entire surface thoroughly, and this can be a labour intensive task. Remove the dirt, dust, and other particles on the floor and do your best to remove stains. It is important that you clean the entirety of the floor, including the corners and along the edges.

At TTM Finishes, we use a large diamond surface grinder to prepare the floors for maximum adhesion. We always ensure that the surface is ready for proper installation. This involves looking for cracks and/or holes that will need to be repaired before applying the epoxy.

Why Should You Hire a Professional?

If you are thinking of applying an epoxy coating in your home, you should consider having professionals come and take care of the epoxy flooring process for you. You will find quite a few benefits when you are working with the pros.

At TTM Finishes, we have specialized techniques of using solvent based, as well as 100 percent solids in the same application to create an industrial grade system that is second to none. In addition, we will take care of the floor cleaning and preparation for you. We clean the floors with high quality tools and cleaners to ensure they are ready for adhesion. This ensures that the job is done right the first time, and it will save you money and quite a few headaches. We are specialists and have done hundreds of epoxy installs in the Greater Toronto Area for many years. You will be able to rest easy knowing that your floors are safe in the hands of the pros!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Call us at 905-850-0335 or email us at info@ttmfinishes.com

Website: www.ttmfinishes.com

Thank you for your interest in TTM Finishes. We look forward to serving you in the near future!