What Is the Curing Time for Epoxy Flooring?

It’s simple to see why epoxy flooring is a favorite floor coating option for its beautiful polished look. It is tough and long-lasting and can withstand even the harshest conditions.

You’re likely wondering how long it would take to install epoxy flooring in your home or business, especially if you want to put it in a place with high foot traffic.

The installation itself usually takes a day or two. In most cases, a combination of factors determines this, especially the curing time for epoxy floors. Are you interested in hiring an epoxy concrete contractors but would like to learn more about the epoxy curing time? Learn more below.

Curing Time of Epoxy Floor Coatings?

Epoxy flooring dries in approximately 72 hours or can be longer depending on a few factors. Be mindful that the drying time will vary based on:

• The type of epoxy coating used
• Additives for quicker drying
• The location of the installation, whether it’s outdoor or indoor
• The weather (if outdoors, like a patio or pool area.)

Regardless of these circumstances, you should allow your epoxy floors to completely cure before exposing them to any type of traffic.

You must refrain from walking on the epoxy floor for at least 12 hours. However, you do not have to wait until your epoxy floor is wholly cured before walking on it. For example, if you use 100% solids epoxy, your surface will be ready to walk on in 12 to 16 hours.

The floor will, after that, be ready for light use in 24 to 72 hours. However, it is generally prudent to avoid extensive use of your new flooring for at least 72 hours after installation.

Can Epoxy Concrete Contractors Speed Up the Curing Process?

Can someone (even an epoxy expert…) speed up the curing process of epoxy floors? Epoxy concrete contractors have all the tricks of the trade. Let’s look at some ways to decrease the curing process:

Keeping the Surface to be Epoxied Clean

Before installing epoxy floors, clean the surface well to remove impurities. Impurities include:

• Mold particles
• Oil patches
• Wax droppings
• Grease and grime

Sweep any loose particles away. Clean the surface where your coating will be applied with a suitable solvent.

Mix the Epoxy Properly

Curing time can be reduced by carefully measuring the epoxy elements. The elements are:

• The hardener
• The epoxy resin

The precise mixing ratio of hardener vs. resin, which is usually 1:1, will result in the proper bonding of epoxy floors.

Although increasing the level of hardener may appear to be a brilliant idea, it is not. An increase in the amount of hardener can result in some areas of the epoxy flooring being sticky or failing to cure fully.

Warmer Temperatures

In comparison to colder surroundings, warmer temperatures reduce curing time. The curing time will be shortened by increasing the temperature to the newly laid epoxy floor. If you’re not working in a warmer room, you can add heat using heat lamps or heaters.

Temperatures between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal for curing most epoxy applications. For the first 24 hours, keep the temperature consistent. Temperature fluctuations can generate uneven coloring and indentations in the cured resin.

If you were planing a project for your outdoor pool or patio area, then it is best to wait for summer to get your epoxy flooring installation.

Using Additives

There is a large variety of epoxy curing accelerators available. These additives help with faster epoxy curing at room temperature. In addition, some of these additives increase the surface roughness (anti-slip) and enhance the chemical reaction, hence shortening the epoxy curing time. One benefit of these additives is that they do not change the glass finish of the decorative concrete surface.

When cured, these additives may provide a superb finish to your residential epoxy flooring, but you must exercise extreme caution to keep off the new coatings until they are completely done curing. There is no issues with heavy traffic on the epoxy floor after drying. After everything is fully dry almost nothing can disturb the epoxy flooring look or the finishes integrity.

Does Cold Weather Change the Curing Time?

Cold temperature may impair the installation or application of an epoxy floor. Cold temperatures can have several detrimental effects on epoxy flooring, such as:

Changes Curing Time

Low temperatures slow the curing period of epoxy compounds. This can be advantageous because the product’s operating life is extended, indicating that projects will take longer to finish.

Re-coat timelines may be impacted, causing project completion to be delayed. However, the final cure time is also altered. Under normal circumstances, a floor that may finish in 3 days may take 5-6 days.

Affects the Viscosity of the Epoxy

The product’s viscosity is impacted. Epoxy does not flow well in cold temperatures. So your self-leveling epoxy may not level itself!

Problems With Humidity

High humidity in the air may also influence your floor when operating in cold conditions. In chilly weather, the dew point is closer to the room temperature. This raises relative humidity. As a result, moisture may settle on the freshly laid epoxy. This can cause flushing, diminished gloss, and surface flaws.

A final thought about cold temperatures is probably the most crucial to remember: postponing the start of a project until the weather becomes warmer is frequently the best approach.

A Home’s Foundation Is Its Flooring!

There are numerous reasons for choosing epoxy flooring and having epoxy concrete contractors install it. Epoxy flooring is becoming increasingly popular among both residential and commercial property owners. What is the reason for this?

This is due to the fact that coated epoxy can be used in a variety of applications particularly its exceptional abrasion resistance and it’s smooth, decorative appearance. Your epoxy floor will even withstand high-traffic wear and tear in busy areas. There are no restrictions on the different things that can be accomplished with concrete surfaces.

Are you thinking of an epoxy floor? Contact us. We have 25 years experience in high performance flowing, and our priority is always customer satisfaction!