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Epoxy resin floors are well known for being a strong and hard-wearing flooring choice. And they are versatile in terms of creating a striking and attractive look. One option that is becoming ever more popular is metallic epoxy resin flooring. These resin floors can give you a totally unique look that is full of style. At Trusty Tread, we will work with you to create the metallic resin floor that is perfect for your needs and install it to a high standard.
Epoxy resin is a polymer binding resin. This means that it is self-levelling and that it hardens to form a clear and level surface that has a lot of strength. It is 800% stronger than concrete on its own, so epoxy resin flooring is a popular choice in industrial and commercial projects where there will be heavy machinery or lots of vehicle and foot traffic.
The bonding characteristics of an epoxy resin floor, due to the fact that the elements are chemically cross linked, means that it will adhere very strongly to the substrate underneath, so it will typically last for a decade or more (depending on the amount of traffic they will be subjected to).
Most polymer resin systems are an exceptionally hardwearing coating but at the same time, they are incredibly versatile in terms of the finished look. The epoxy coatings can be completely clear or colouring agents can be applied to make them any colour you like. They can also have a high gloss, matt, or satin finish.
More details > What is resin flooring?
Metallic epoxy flooring is one of the decorative floor finishes that can make your floors truly stand out from the crowd by creating a designer epoxy resin floor.
A metallic effect is created by adding metallic pigment flakes to the epoxy resin. Creating a metallic resin floor is as much an art as it is a science. Installing epoxy resin floors is a project that requires a lot of technical knowledge and skill but the metallic pigments can be manipulated to create a wide range of different effects, and this takes creative experience.
The metallic pigments can be manipulated (using chemicals or physical manipulation) in different ways to create different effects, each of which will be unique. Moving the metal pigments in particular ways can cause the flakes to reflect light in different directions and can allow you to make swirls and patterns. You can even have a moon crater effect that will definitely pop.
The metallic pigment can create a mirrored effect or a more subtle satin effect, a marble effect, and more. And these can be in a variety of different colours, so you can have something bold and striking or something more natural-looking. The world really is your oyster when it comes to metallic resin floors.
Whatever your design ideas, at Trusty Tread we can help you to create the perfect metallic resin floor, whether that be for industrial and commercial projects or your home.
Metallic epoxy flooring should always be installed by a professional. Laying epoxy resin flooring is highly technical and some things can go wrong at any stage that could spoil the floor. We have 10 years of experience in laying metallic epoxy floors and we will ensure that your floor is installed to your exact specifications and to a highly professional standard.
If you are interested in how a metallic epoxy resin floor is installed, or you want to get yourself a floor kit and give it a go yourself, let's take a look at an outline of the process.
One of the most important steps of laying epoxy flooring is ensuring that the substrate is prepared properly. Epoxy resin is most commonly installed on a concrete substrate, although it can be laid on top of tiles as long as the grout lines and the tiles are flat and in good condition.
The entire area needs to be cleaned thoroughly. Any dirt or grime on the floor can get trapped in the epoxy resin and interfere with its adhesion or degrade it over time. If there are any fractures, these will need to be filled in to make the substrate completely flat, as will the grout lines if it is a tiled floor.
An epoxy primer needs to be laid first. Because of its self-levelling properties installing the primer is relatively easy. For metallic floors, the primer is usually black in colour. This is because the dark primer contrasts nicely with the metallic pigments to help them stand out and shine even more.
Metallic resin is a three-component system that consists of epoxy resin, a hardening agent, and the metallic pigment. The resin can be clear epoxy resin or it can have solvent-free colour additives, such as resi-tint acrylic pigments, mixed into it. More than one colour can be used with a main colour and a colour accent.
These components need to be mixed to the exact ratio specified by the manufacturer. If the ratio isn't exact, this can interfere with the adhesive properties of the epoxy resin or they can reduce its hardening properties.
The resin layer needs to be poured onto the floor space and then smoothed out to prevent any bubbles from forming. It needs to be at a minimum depth of around 1.5 mm but further layers can be added to increase the depth and, in turn, the coating's strength.
A protective clear coating is often applied on top of the resin layer. Depending on where the epoxy flooring is being laid, this topcoat can have different properties. For example, in industrial and commercial projects, an anti-slip topcoat is often applied for health and safety reasons. If the floor is going to be exposed to sunlight regularly, a UV-protective clear coating can help to prevent yellowing. And a surface strengthener can be added to further protect the floor coating from damage if it will have very heavy use.
Metallic resin floors are well-loved by interior designers because they can easily create a luxury floor finish with a high gloss finish, matt finish, or satin finish. The colour choices and combinations are truly endless and the patterning that a skilled installer can create with a metallic resin system can be entirely unique.
Better still, the resin creates a flawless finish unlike tiles and it is even stronger than chemically treated concrete floors. So it works both as a decorative floor coating and as a floor protector.
And resin flooring really does have excellent protective properties. Its strong adhesion and bonding characteristics mean that it won't lift or peel away from the substrate. It also has strong chemical resistance, heat resistance, scratch resistance, and it is water-resistant. This makes it ideal both for commercial floors and residential floors.
More details > Are resin floors durable?
More details > Do epoxy resin floors scratch?
Epoxy resin is hygienic, making it ideal for kitchens and other food preparation areas. It can be heavily sanitised without getting damaged and because it has a flawless finish unlike tiles (for example), bacteria can't get into any cracks.
From an environmental point of view, epoxy resin is a good flooring choice. It is made of biodegradable components and it doesn't contribute to atmospheric and industrial pollution because once it is catalysed, it is completely inert.
Resin flooring is often used in areas where a floor protector is important, such as industrial and commercial settings, but it is becoming more popular in residential settings because its properties and floor finish are remarkable.
Resin flooring is remarkably easy to maintain. Keeping it dust-free can be achieved simply by using a vacuum cleaner and dirt can be removed by mopping. If you need to remove stubborn grease stains a powerful and effective cleaner can be used without needing to worry about it damaging the floor, its high gloss finish or its desired colour effect.
If the resin flooring is going to be applied to external surfaces, a UV-resistant topcoat needs to be applied to prevent yellowing but otherwise, maintenance is still relatively simple.
More details > How to clean resin floors
There is a growing trend for crystal epoxy art pieces and the effects that the metal colour and patterning can make create some quite beautiful pictures.
The resin is painted onto a canvas, wall, or wood and then metal pigments, conventional dyes, and crystals are added before a clear topcoat. Crystal epoxy art can be beautiful and create truly unique patterns and textures. Some of the pieces can be made to look like geodes or metal surfaces with swirling patterns.
If you want a crystal epoxy look for your space, you can achieve that and more with a metallic resin floor. Epoxy resin can give you a matt, satin, or high gloss finish with a unique and eye-catching 3D metallic pattern of your choice, and in any colour that you want. It creates a flawless sheet that is self-smoothing to create a stunning and sophisticated look. It is solvent-free and environmentally friendly and it is so strong that it can take a heavy vehicle or foot traffic, and even heavy machinery. And it is hygienic enough to be used in food, dairy, and beverage production areas.
Whatever space you have, at Trusty Tread, we will work with you from the very start of the project to find the perfect metallic resin design and we will install it to the highest of professional standards. Get in touch with us today for a quote and we can get started on creating your metallic resin flooring together.
Yes, metallic resin flooring can be highly customised according to personal preference. You can choose from a wide range of colours, patterns, and finishes to achieve the desired aesthetic for your space.
Metallic resin flooring is low maintenance, requiring just routine cleaning with a damp mop and mild detergent. For heavy stains or scratches, a professional clean or spot repair may be necessary.
Absolutely, metallic resin flooring is an excellent choice for residential properties due to its unique aesthetics, durability, and ease of maintenance. It's particularly popular in modern and contemporary styled homes.
The colour of metallic resin flooring is incredibly durable and resistant to fading. However, like any flooring material, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may cause slight discolouration over a substantial period of time. Regular maintenance can help keep its vibrancy intact.
