Ironside Epoxy

FAQ

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Epoxy Flooring FAQ

Find answers to common questions about epoxy flooring, polyaspartic coatings, and our installation process in North Carolina.

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Ironside Epoxy FAQ Hub

Find professional, highly detailed answers regarding our advanced Simiron coating systems, concrete preparation standards, care protocols, and warranties.

Pricing & Getting Started

How much does a professional epoxy floor installation cost?

Pricing typically depends on the concrete’s condition, prep requirements, and system thickness. A standard decorative flake or solid color system ranges between $5 to $12 per square foot. Extensive concrete patching, moisture vapor barriers, or customized metallic finishes can increase costs. We provide comprehensive, itemized estimates after assessing your concrete.

Most residential installations take two to three days. Day one focuses on mechanical surface preparation, diamond grinding, and patching cracks. Day two involves applying the basecoat, broadcasting flakes, and scraping. Day three is dedicated to applying the durable polyaspartic topcoat. The floor is ready for foot traffic within 24 hours.

Scheduling is simple and straightforward. You can contact us through our website form, email, or direct phone line. Our estimators will visit your property to measure the space, inspect the concrete density, run a hardness test, and review design options. We typically send a detailed electronic proposal within 24 to 48 hours.

What are the differences between epoxy and polyaspartic coatings?

Epoxy coatings offer superior adhesion and build thickness, making them ideal basecoats. Polyaspartic coatings cure much faster, have exceptional UV stability, and provide incredible scratch and chemical resistance, making them the ultimate topcoat. Simiron systems combine these materials to offer the structural strength of epoxy with the UV-resistant durability of polyaspartics.

Absolutely. Simiron formulations emphasize low VOC levels and minimal odor during application. High-solids epoxy products like Simiron 1150 contain zero VOCs and emit no harsh chemical solvents. This makes them perfectly safe for basements, playrooms, and high-traffic indoor living areas without risking the air quality of your home.

We offer extensive customization. You can choose from solid color industrial finishes, decorative vinyl chip broadcasts in dozens of color blends, or stunning metallic epoxy finishes that replicate natural stone. Additionally, we can adjust the texture of your topcoat using anti-slip additives to ensure safety in wet areas.

Yes, but outdoor concrete requires UV-stable polyaspartic or polyurethane-based systems. Standard epoxies will yellow and chalk under direct sunlight. Simiron’s exterior-grade polyaspartic coatings are engineered to withstand extreme UV exposure, temperature shifts, and heavy vehicle traffic without yellowing, peeling, or losing their brilliant high-gloss finish.

Why is mechanical concrete preparation like diamond grinding necessary?

Mechanical prep is the single most critical step. We use professional diamond grinders with dustless vacuum systems to profile the concrete, creating a porous surface (CSP 2-3) that the epoxy can deeply penetrate and bond with chemically. Acid washing or simple pressure washing cannot achieve this structural profile.

We route out all cracks to remove loose debris, then inject high-strength polyurea or epoxy joint fillers. These repair materials cure much harder than standard concrete. Once cured, we grind the repaired areas completely flush with the surrounding floor, ensuring a seamless, smooth foundation before applying any coatings.

Simiron coatings are versatile, but ideal application temperatures range between 50°F and 85°F. Extreme cold slows down the chemical curing process, while high heat causes the epoxy to cure too rapidly, reducing working time. We closely monitor substrate temperature and humidity levels to select the appropriate curing agents.

No, we do not apply new epoxy over old coatings. Old paint, sealers, or DIY epoxy lack the mechanical bond required for professional-grade systems. We use heavy diamond grinders to completely strip away existing sealers, paints, and glues, exposing the clean, raw concrete substrate to guarantee a lifetime bond.

Newly poured concrete must cure for a minimum of 28 days to allow moisture levels to stabilize and the concrete to reach its full design strength. Coating concrete too early traps excessive moisture, which leads to hydrostatic pressure, osmotic blistering, and premature coating failure.

We test every slab using [CONFIRM: your moisture-testing method]. If moisture levels exceed safe thresholds, we apply Simiron MVB (Moisture Vapor Barrier), a specialized 100% solids epoxy basecoat that blocks up to 25 lbs of hydrostatic pressure. This crucial step prevents water vapor from delaminating your finished floor.

How durable are professional Simiron epoxy floor coatings?

Professional epoxy systems are incredibly durable, boasting exceptional compressive and tensile strength. They easily withstand impact from dropped tools, heavy vehicle traffic, and abrasion. Unlike retail DIY kits, which peel within a year, our professional Simiron floors are engineered to last 15 to 20 years without wearing down.

Yes. Hot tire pickup occurs when hot tires park on cheap, water-based DIY paints, causing the paint to soften and peel away. Simiron’s high-solids epoxies and polyaspartics form a cross-linked chemical bond with the concrete, maintaining structural integrity and color even under extreme tire heat and weight.

Simiron coatings offer outstanding resistance to harsh chemicals, including motor oil, gasoline, brake fluid, antifreeze, and mild acids. Spills will sit on the surface without staining or damaging the resin. Promptly wiping up chemical spills is recommended to maintain the long-term gloss and finish of the topcoat.

High-gloss coatings can become slippery when wet. To prevent slip hazards, we incorporate anti-slip aggregates like aluminum oxide or glass beads directly into the polyaspartic topcoat. This creates a textured surface that dramatically increases traction in wet conditions without compromising the aesthetic beauty of your floor.

What is the recommended cleaning routine for epoxy floors?

Maintenance is extremely low-effort. For daily cleaning, simply sweep or dust mop the surface to remove abrasive dirt and debris. For a deeper clean, mop the floor using a microfiber pad and a bucket of warm water mixed with a small amount of ammonia or a pH-neutral cleaner.

Avoid using citrus-based cleaners, vinegar, or any highly acidic solutions, as they will dull the high-gloss polyaspartic finish over time. You should also avoid abrasive scouring powders, stiff bristle scrub brushes, and soap-based detergents, which leave a cloudy film on the surface that attracts dirt and ruins the floor’s gloss.

Do your residential epoxy installations include a warranty?

Yes, we offer a lifetime warranty against peeling, blistering, and delamination for all residential applications. Because we perform rigorous concrete preparation and utilize premium Simiron materials, we stand firmly behind our work. Commercial installations are backed by custom multi-year commercial warranties tailored to specific site usage.

Yes. We carry comprehensive liability insurance, worker’s compensation, and are fully licensed and bonded to perform concrete preparation and coating services in our service area. This guarantees absolute peace of mind for our residential, commercial, and industrial clients throughout every stage of the installation process.

Do you offer rapid-cure coatings for commercial spaces?

Yes, we specialize in fast-turnaround commercial systems using Simiron polyaspartic coatings. These systems cure rapidly, allowing us to complete prep, patching, basecoat, and topcoat application within a single weekend or overnight shift. This minimizes costly operational downtime and allows immediate return to service.

We take immense pride in our track record of successful installations. You can view high-resolution photos, detailed project case studies, and client reviews on the Our Work page of our website. This portfolio showcases our capabilities across automotive shops, warehouses, medical clinics, and retail storefronts.

For heavy-duty industrial environments, we recommend Simiron’s high-build epoxy mortar systems or chemical-resistant urethane coatings. These systems are specifically engineered to withstand extreme impacts, continuous forklift traffic, thermal shock, and aggressive chemical washing, ensuring your industrial floor remains safe, functional, and durable for decades.

Still Have Questions?

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Get Free Flooring Assessment Call (336) 360-0508