A Guide to Outdoor Epoxy Services: Can I Install Epoxy in Colder Weather?

Looking for outdoor epoxy services? Winter is just around the corner, and many homeowners across Ontario, may be wondering whether it is the right time to start investing in epoxy flooring.

You can coat your outdoor concrete surfaces with epoxy resin during the colder months, but it requires careful planning and preparation.

In this blog post, we will go over the benefits of epoxy coatings, how colder temperatures can affect the installation, and what you should do to ensure an effective layer.

Keep reading until the end, as we will explore the services offered at Canadian Concrete Surfaces. Let’s get started!

Can I Install Epoxy in the Colder Weather?

With temperatures in Wheatley, Ontario, falling below 50.1 °F during the colder months, the harsh weather conditions can cause damage to your outdoor concrete surfaces.

Concrete epoxy coatings are a great flooring solution to protect your concrete for many reasons, including the following:

• Durable floors: Constant wear and tear can cause concrete surfaces to crack or break down. With a layer of epoxy coating, you can protect the surface and save your investment.
• Chemical resistant: Oil and exposure to other toxic liquids can deteriorate your outdoor surfaces. Epoxy floors are a fantastic investment, as they are resistant to harmful chemicals.
• Curb appeal: Epoxy flooring looks great, and it’s easy to clean. It can also add to your home’s curb appeal.
• Cost-effective: To prevent concrete surfaces from breaking down, you must spend money maintaining them. Epoxy flooring is a cost-effective solution, as it doesn’t have high upfront or maintenance costs.

Do Lower Temperatures Affect Epoxy Coatings?

To understand how lower temperatures affect epoxy, you must know what an exothermic reaction is.

In thermochemistry, an exothermic reaction refers to a chemical reaction that causes a release of energy into the surroundings.

As temperatures drop below 55°F, epoxy resin undergoes an exothermic reaction, meaning that the polyepoxides release energy instead of absorbing it.

When that happens, it takes more time for the epoxy floor coating to cure, and the chemical reaction may affect its durability and strength.

Another problem that comes with cold weather is high humidity. This can adversely impact the installation of outdoor epoxy services, causing cracks and bonding problems.

However, by using high-quality polyepoxides and working with an experienced team, you can minimize the problems associated with lower temperatures.

Epoxy projects shouldn’t come to a halt during winter. The key is to check the temperature of the flooring substrate so that you can take the necessary measures to manipulate its temperature to ensure a hard and long-lasting bond.

Raising the Temperature of Substrate to Ensure Effective Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy floors require certain conditions to ensure a proper bond. When temperatures fall below 55°F, it’s crucial to pre-warm the concrete surfaces by using a hot air blower or a heat blanket.

You can also warm up the space around the floor by cranking up the thermostat or using a propane heater.

Before you pour the epoxy resin onto concrete surfaces, make sure the material is around 77°F. This will make it easy to apply the compound on the floor.

How Long Does It Take to Cure Epoxy Floor Coating During Winter?

Outdoor epoxy services can take much longer to cure during winter. Although this may seem inconvenient for homeowners, it’s not really a disadvantage. Since curing can take much more time, you can ensure a thorough installation before the resin cures.

However, it’s essential to adjust your project’s timeline by taking into consideration the extended curing time. It’ll help ensure a durable and long-lasting epoxy coating while completing the flooring project right on schedule.

How to Check the Humidity Before Installing Epoxy Floor Coatings

Before pouring epoxy onto outdoor concrete surfaces, it’s crucial to check the humidity in the area. There are many ways you can do that, but we recommend monitoring the dew point in the region.

As the dew point rises, so does the humidity in the area. There are online maps that can help you determine the right time to start your DIY epoxy coating project.

How Much Does Outdoor Epoxy Services Cost in Ontario, Canada?

Depending on the quality of epoxy and the labor costs, epoxy flooring in Ontario can cost anywhere between $4 and $12 per square foot.

Looking for the Best Outdoor Epoxy Services?

At Canadian Concrete Surfaces, we have an experienced team of professionals with over 25 years of experience providing high-performance floors to customers.

We offer the following epoxy contractor services:

Garage Epoxy:

Garage floors are subject to constant abuse and exposure to oil, other chemicals, and harsh weather. This can ruin the concrete surface.

At Canadian Concrete Surfaces, we offer epoxy coating for your garage floor to make it more resilient, durable, and moisture and chemical-resistant. Best of all, it’s easy to clean and maintain, and we have many different colors and finishes available.

Sidewalk Epoxy:

Sidewalks are one of the most neglected surfaces. Our team of professionals uses high-quality epoxy resin that will bring some life into your sidewalks, improving your property’s curb appeal.

Basement Epoxy:

Damp environments and flooding can negatively affect basement floors. With our expertise in epoxy resin and flooring solutions, we can help create a seamless and attractive floor at a fair price.

Outdoor Epoxy Coatings

Whether you have a concrete floor in your backyard or inside your home, our team of experts can help protect the surfaces in your house with industrial-grade epoxy resin.

At Canadian Concrete Surfaces, we have expertise in working with residential and commercial properties, helping property owners protect their floors.

If you’re looking to coat your concrete patio or garage floor with epoxy or want to know more about flooring materials, call us at 519.564.0902 to book a consultation.