When you’ve been in business for over 30 years, you encounter a variety of customer needs and expectations for epoxy floor applications. Blue Ridge Coatings frequently applies resinous epoxy floors in new construction for Southwest Virginia and far beyond. Epoxy in new structures is more common in commercial buildings than residential, but both are very doable!
Unsurprisingly, we regularly take on such tasks given the various long-term benefits epoxy floors offer, especially with experts at the helm. But before reaching that step in the process, some key things must align before it makes sense to lay the epoxy. So today, we’ll discuss what needs to be in place before installing epoxy floors in new construction.
The Basics for Epoxy Floors in New Construction
There are some logical givens regarding the point in the construction process where resinous epoxy flooring should go down.
At Blue Ridge Coatings, we keep in close contact with our clients and do all we can to plan ahead to be sure that the facility is ready to accept epoxy flooring, doing our best to keep snags and speed bumps to a minimum. Part of our coordination checklist is inquiring about the current state of the structure and what has yet to be completed.
What’s The Structure Looking Like?
Before we enter the fold in a new construction build, the major structural elements must be in place. This includes framing, roofing, and walls. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we’ve had our share of roofing leaks and other issues with the structure derailing and elongating the whole application and curing process.
Everyone Needs To Let Off Some Steam, Including Concrete
We approach epoxy floors in new construction with a careful observation of what it’s going over top of. The concrete substrate (the concrete structure that underlies another material, in this case, epoxy) is a significant consideration. Concrete typically takes 28 days to cure fully, which allows ample time for excess moisture to escape. Any trapped moisture can potentially disturb the epoxy going over the top of it. We factor this into our scheduling to ensure we arrive at the right time.
Concrete should also be clean, clear of all debris, and coarse enough to allow for proper adherence. A surface too smooth or too dirty shortens the lifespan of the epoxy and reduces its visual and functional appeal.
It’s Getting Hot In Here
The HVAC system must be operational before we apply epoxy floors to new construction. If the air temperature and humidity can’t be properly regulated, neither can the epoxy’s initial application and curing. Room temperatures that are too cold invite the possibility of bubbles and blisters.
Experts like BRCS can guide the temperature setting to ensure the job goes off without a hitch. Southwest Virginia’s climate may be mild, but everything changes once you’re working on new indoor construction.
Where Are The Wires And Pipes?
The status of the electrical and plumbing is a glaring area of difference between working with
epoxy floors in new construction versus established structures. Complete any cutting or drilling for hookups and drainage before applying epoxy, ensuring the final layer remains intact and undisturbed.
Here To Partner With You For Your New Construction Build
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to plan, there have been times we’ve arrived at a job site and beheld a structure that is far from ready for the floor application phase. We’ve witnessed inadequate structures, tilted buildings, cracks in the floor, and other structural issues.
Through our experience, Blue Ridge Coatings knows what to keep our eyes peeled for. We would love to work with you to inspect the job site and ensure all prerequisites are handled before our crew arrives. We aim to keep all aspects of the project smooth and worry-free for our customers. We accomplish this through proper communication and transparency! One of the most sensible flooring solutions is epoxy floors in new construction. We’d love to hear about your project and vision for it.