Installing Epoxy Floors During Winter Months

The majority of flooring contractors know it is best practice to let resinous flooring materials acclimate to the environment before using them on your surfaces. While this is applicable year round, it is especially important to pay attention to this rule during the winter months. Epoxy flooring systems are the most vulnerable to cold temperatures, so as temperatures drop across the Tri-State area, here are a few tips to consider when installing Epoxy floors.

Tip #1: During transport or storing, the epoxy may be exposed to low temperatures which can cause the material to crystallize. If this happens don't worry, it can easily be addressed and corrected. We recommend simply heating the material until it liquefies and mix it well prior to installation.

Tip #2: Acclimate to the area. It is common to find that the floor along the perimeter of a room can be colder than the rest of the floor. During the winter months, this is common by doors or bays leading outdoors. Epoxies rely on an exothermic reaction (heat) to promote the curing process. You can use electric heaters to acclimate the areas of the floors to a consistent temperature.

Tip #3: Using slightly thicker resin in lower temperatures. The higher viscosity can impact how quickly the sand broadcast will settle. When broadcasting sand don’t broadcast too quickly. Allow the sand the chance to settle into the liquids. If you don’t you may end up displacing resin, leaving puddles, or finding you have uneven texture when the excess sand is swept off.

Following these quick tips will help minimize cure times and keep the installation process of your seamless floor nice and smooth. We encourage you to reach out to our Alpine Specialty Flooring Division with any additional questions. Our team is just a click away.