.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
Auston Smith
Jul 1, 2022
If you're contemplating putting down epoxy flooring in your home or business, you may be wondering how long the entire process will take. If you're going to put it in a high-use location like a garage, this might be especially crucial. The installation process, on the whole, takes one to two days. This will usually be determined by how much preparation the old flooring needs before the new one can be installed. After the flooring is in place, you just have to wait. But, how long does epoxy need to fully cure?
What is the cure time for epoxy flooring?
Epoxy flooring cure time varies depending on your project. The type of epoxy application you choose is just one of a number of factors that influence how long it will take to dry. The solid content of the materials you're using will also impact return-to-use time. After about 3 days, you can resume full heavy use of your floor space.
The average time to achieve full chemical cure for epoxies is 7 days. The curing times are longer with poly-aspartic, especially for 100% solids products. Most poly-aspartic can be walked after 6 hours and returned to normal service after 24 hours.
When can I walk on my new epoxy floor?
The answer to this question is not easy. It depends on the type of floor you have, how much time you have, and what kind of epoxy you are using.
The first step in deciding when to walk on your new epoxy floor is to determine what type of epoxy you are using. There are a few different types of epoxy that all have different set times for when it can be walked on.
The most common types of epoxy floors are:
Polyurethane (PU) - can be walked on within 24 hours after application
Polyester resin (PES) - can be walked on within 48 hours after application
Acrylic (AC) - can be walked on within 7 days after application
You don't have to wait until your epoxy floor has fully cured to use it. After about 25 hours, epoxy is considered safe to walk on, while poly-aspartic takes around 6 hours. However, it's still a good idea to wait the full 3 days before putting your new floor under any heavy use or machinery.
Impact of epoxy product on how long you can stay off your epoxy floor
The curing time of the epoxy resin plays a crucial role in determining how long you should stay off your epoxy floor. Some epoxy materials are moisture-cured and will require an environment with a high humidity to dry faster. This is why you should read the label and product description carefully before buying and use it according to the instructions provided.
How to speed up epoxy cure time
Epoxy curing depends on the following factors
Humidity,
Temperature,
Ventilation,
If you need to speed up the drying process, creating optimal humidity and temperature conditions indoors. This can help the epoxy cure quicker and if it needs air to dry faster, opening all your garage windows should suffice. This is one way to ensure that you do not keep off your epoxy flooring for too long.
There are many low-odor epoxy flooring options, one of which is a fast-drying epoxy. However, it may require heavy manpower to maintain and keep the costs in check so you should factor that into your decision.
Drying the epoxy floor properly may be easy enough, but if you’re not careful, it can result in issues with the floor. It can become vulnerable to heavyweights and you’ll have to repaint your floors again.
It’s not that it's the wrong question, but the answer might surprise you. Before jumping to this question, think about whether you need or want a dry epoxy floor.
Will winter temperatures impact epoxy curing time?
Yes, weather conditions (wet vs. dry) can determine how long a project can take to cure. A wet weather condition will decrease the time it takes for epoxy curing, but it may also lead to some of the adhesion fumes dissipating too soon and possibly causing incomplete installation. It's because of the quality that epoxies change at various temperatures.
Typically, they're made to be applied at a wide range of temperatures to avoid waste and give users something they can rely on. Before installing your parking garage, it is important to use an infrared thermometer. Once the slab is up to the proper temperature, installation can commence. When you're curing a floor, it's important to keep the heat on throughout the process. Otherwise, your floor might not dry properly and could cause problems with its overall stability.
In order to avoid this, you should try waiting until humidity levels are less than 85% before having your installation completed. The epoxy will also dry faster when it is given the chance to do so.
Depending on the type of floor you have, humidity can make a difference in its curing time and strength.
It is important that the installer has taken the size of your floor, flooring type, and other factors into account so they can provide you with a recommendation.
Are You Ready To Install Epoxy Flooring?
Epoxy flooring has a long list of benefits. Epoxy flooring is an excellent choice for your home or company since it offers superior abrasion resistance, as well as a beautiful finish. Your epoxy floor will also endure heavy usage and strain.
Jacksonville Epoxy Flooring can help you get the flooring you desire, whether it's for your garage or a restaurant. We can have your epoxy flooring installed in as little as one day. Every time, our staff delivers a top-tier installation! Contact us today!