Epoxy Flooring Vs. Vinyl Flooring
Epoxy Flooring Vs. Vinyl Flooring: What Is The Difference?
Installing inappropriate floor solutions can result in long-term repercussions. With the many available flooring options, it’s hard to decide the flooring products that are safe and durable. If you are confused about whether you should choose between vinyl or epoxy flooring, the best option would be epoxy.
Epoxy flooring is a top-rated choice because it offers a seamless and durable finish. Additionally, it’s a low-maintenance flooring, which is budget-friendly. Epoxy flooring has its origin in the curing phenomenon; this process occurs when resin comes into contact with various materials such as chemical additives, air, and heat. A catalyst is added, speeding up the chemical reaction rate; these reactions make the floors rigid and durable.
Epoxy flooring is commonly used in commercial spaces such as garages, heavy industries, airport hangers, offices, salons, hospitals, residential places, and hotels. Not only is epoxy used on floors, it also offers strength to various establishments and accessories such as fireplaces, closets, headboards, mirror frames, tabletops, backsplashes, countertops, etc. Epoxy flooring provides a glossy texture that makes the overall interiors beautiful, making it ideal for residential properties.
Vinyl flooring is made using continuous flexible, and widespread sheets. In some instances, it is confused with the linoleum flooring. Vinyl floors are preferred because they are durable and budget-friendly. These floors are readily available and can be customized to fit different interiors.
Differences between Vinyl Floors & Epoxy Floors
- Installation
You should install vinyl floora at particular temperatures; failure to do so might degrade the warranty from the manufacturer and cause poor results. Additionally, the prices may shoot up if appropriate environmental conditions aren’t available. It can also result in juggling, delay, and excessive schedule in the installation time frame. Epoxy flooring withstands wide temperature ranges from extremely high to low ones, allowing flexible installations and savings.
- Hygiene& Sanitation
Vinyl flooring has a considerable disadvantage because of the heat-welded seams. Often, these seams tend to crack and curl if exposed to disinfectants, liquid cleaners, heavy traffic, and high temperatures. There’s a probability of bacterial and microbial proliferation resulting from violence on floor surfaces. The gaps between the sheets and concrete slabs might result in the formation of tiny moisture pouches. In most instances during renovation, molds grow underneath the sheets. Epoxy floors offer a stable base once they’re poured on concrete slabs. These floors are resistant to all liquids and spills. Additionally, the floors don’t absorb moisture which facilitates germs and bacteria procreation. It’s almost impossible to see fissures, holes, or cracks in epoxy floors since they are sturdy; this prevents the growth of germs.
- Environmental Amiability
If you want to install a fresh sheet layer in vinyl flooring, you must first remove the existing ones. If new sheets are being spread, they must be cut-sized for them to fit appropriately in the specific space. A good amount of waste is produced during installation, and it’s disposed of via landfills when the need arises. Vinyl floors include various materials such as formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride, and phthalates which produce damaging fumes for some months after installation. On the other hand, new resin coatings are poured over the existing ones; this reduces outgassing and waste generation during curing. A good thing about epoxy flooring is that they don’t contain damaging substances such as phthalates and formaldehyde.
- Bonding& Adhesion
Vinyl flooring mostly depends on water-based adhesives and heat-welded seams. Also, there are frequent problems of moisture vapor on the concrete surfaces. The adhesives make the floor to deteriorate, along with other issues such as bubbling and separation. Epoxy flooring reacts with the concrete surfaces preventing separated or cracked seams. Exceptional imperviousness and chemical quality offer extra protection against alkaline moisture absorption.
- Maintenance
Disinfectants and cleaning liquids damage vinyl floors. Initially, these floors may appear to be low-maintenance. However, if they’re installed in places with heavy traffic, they get cracks that need to be repaired. You must use labor-intensive methods such as waxing to repair and restore the original look. Vinyl flooring has little durability to gouge resistance, puncture, and chemical reaction. On the other hand, epoxy flooring has high resistance to chemical substances and is very durable; it can withstand tear and wear even in places with high traffic.
- Durability
Epoxy floors can withstand harsh stressors such as bacteria, chemicals, water, and heat. They have longer lifespans than vinyl floors; they provide a greater value for money since they’re durable. Epoxy floorings protect concrete substrates from stains, grease, moisture, and cracks with proper additives and engineering. Vinyl floors can tear and rip easily; it’s a disadvantage especially if they contact water. It can cause bacteria, mildew, and mold. Sunlight makes vinyl floors, overlays, and mats fade. Vinyl floors may remain intact for some time, though seepage may take place because of the seams.
- Maintenance
Maintaining floors adds to their durability. Sanitizing and cleaning epoxy floorings is easy; they have smooth surfaces that protect them against stains and spills. These floors can last for several decades without cracking or peeling. Various cleaning products easily damage vinyl floors; this makes them to have a dull appearance. If you expose vinyl floors to frequent or heavy traffic, keeping up with the tracked-in dirt can be difficult. You need to polish and strip the floor, which may be time-consuming and tedious.
- Safety
Epoxy floors are manufactured to be highly resistant to impact and resistance. With their no/low VOC options, these floors reduce dangers in workplaces; these accidents may result in losses in lawsuits and damages. Additionally, these floors are environmentally friendly since they don’t result in excess wastage. Vinyl floors are subjected to outgassing processes that release harmful chemicals, which may result in health complications. They are non-biodegradable floors that create ecological waste.
- Cost-Effectiveness
Epoxy floorings are energy efficient, and they reduce overhead costs. They are reflective floors that add light to the areas they’ve been installed in. Additionally, these floors lower electric prices since they reduce the amount of light used regularly. Vinyl floors can’t be refinished and must be replaced if damaged; this can affect your business since you may be forced to close it down during repair.
Final Say
Installing inappropriate floors may have severe repercussions in the long run. Always choose a floor that will guarantee safety and durability. For commercial purposes, it’s advisable to choose epoxy flooring because of its durability.