Painted Flooring & Stamped Concrete

Painted Flooring & Stamped Concrete Group

Introduction

KarZah, Advanced Materials, offers Painted Flooring & Stamped Concrete as one of the modern floor important solutions. When we talk about painted floors, we intend to speak about epoxy floors and polyurethane floors. However, stamp concrete is different in nature and in the method of application.

 

The specifications of the materials that we provide comply with the highest local and international standards. Moreover, our professional installers have the required experience and training to carry out related works to the smallest detail.

 

 

 

 

Painted Flooring – Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy consists of two main chemicals, resin, and hardener. In preparation, we mix the two materials in specific proportions. Then the work is carried out in the method specified by the factory to obtain the optimum specifications. Epoxy is technically classified as a kind of building and finishing material.

 

Epoxy Flooring Types

We categorize epoxy flooring into two main categories:

 

Plain Epoxy Flooring

It comes in a single solid color or transparent. It does not have any graphics, shapes, or paintings. The primary purpose of this type is usually to protect the floor. We commonly use it in warehouses, factories, parking lots, and other applications. When we execute this floor with a thickness of less than 2 mm, they are then called epoxy coating. On the other hand, if the layer is more than 2 mm thick, the work is called an epoxy floor.

 

3D Epoxy Flooring

We print the three-dimensional image that our customer chooses. Then, we paste it to the room floor. Finally, we apply a transparent epoxy layer on the top to protect the image and give a final look. It is good to know that this type of flooring is implemented in bathrooms and in rooms, too.

 

 

Where Epoxy Floor Can Be Applied

  • Factories
  • Warehouses
  • Schools
  • Shopping Malls and Commercial Centers
  • Multi-purpose Halls
  • Supermarkets
  • Parking

 

 

Floor Preparation

In preparation for an epoxy flooring application, we have to do the following steps:

  1. Clean the floor from any dirt or grease residues.
  2. Make sure that the concrete floor is intact and free from cracks. In case of cracks, repair the floor before applying the epoxy layer.
  3. Test the substrate and ascertain it is not damaged or seeps water.
  4. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure that room temperature complies with the recommendations. This step will guarantee the quality of the work.
  5. When mixing components, consider the time needed to complete the application to avoid the early hardening of the materials. The work should finish within the time recommended by the manufacturer. Delay may result in epoxy hardening and floor ruining.
  6. We apply a polymer coat before applying the epoxy. It is crucial to leave the layer for a few hours to dry.
  7. Cover the area with a thin water layer. This step will help spread the epoxy evenly to cover the entire floor.
  8. Pay attention that epoxy does not bond together with smooth surfaces. Therefore, prior surface preparation should take place to ensure that surface is rough enough.

 

 

Steps for Applying 3D Epoxy Flooring

  1. Print the 3D image the customer wants to install as per room dimensions.
  2. We suggest printing the image on a thick board.
  3. Position the 3D mural properly on the floor and align it vertically or horizontally.
  4. Paste the printed image to the floor. Then using special brushes, remove air pockets trapped underneath the image.
  5. After fixing the image, we cut 5 mm off the edges and fill it with transparent epoxy.
  6. We prepare the resin and the hardener in a 3:1 ratio.
  7. Mix the epoxy resin with the hardener for no less than 3 minutes or based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  8. Pour the epoxy mixture on the floor. Measure the coat’s thickness and add more epoxy until we get the desired thickness.
  9. Use an epoxy squeegee to spread the epoxy coating over the entire surface.

 

 

Features of Epoxy Flooring

  • Anti-slip characteristics
  • A bright and shiny look
  • Quick and easy to apply
  • Epoxy can be mixed with paint to treat cracks
  • It resists oil stains. In case of spillage, simple cleaning is sufficient
  • It prevents cracks and crevices in concrete surfaces
  • Epoxy floors are environmentally friendly and do not pose a health risk to people
  • It can be applied to the top of old concrete floors
  • The epoxy floor does not require maintenance. And in the rare case that it does, maintenance is simple.

 

 

 

 

Painted Flooring – Polyurethane Flooring

The polyurethane flooring is not a floor in the literal sense of the word; it is rather a coating that improves flooring features and characteristics. One of its most important uses is with wooden floors. Application with wooden floors enhances stain-resistance and sound insulation properties.

 

Polyurethane Flooring Applications

The polyurethane flooring, or more accurately, coating, has multiple uses. Some of its applications are school floors, parking lots, hospitals, as well as restaurants and cafes.

 

 

Features of Polyurethane Flooring

  • Just like epoxy floors, polyurethane floors are well resistant to slips. This feature helps protect people from the risk of injury due to slipping
  • Used as a soundproofing material as it reduces sound and noise transmission from one place to another
  • It protects from the sun’s UV rays
  • Elegant appearance, therefore it can be used in decorative designs
  • Polyurethane floors have elastic properties, which makes them safer for people in case of falls
  • It is an electrical insulator
  • Polyurethane floors can bear heavy loads such as cars and trailers
  • Corrosion-resistant
  • Easy to clean.

 

 

Difference between Epoxy Flooring and Polyurethane Flooring

Below we mention the main differences between epoxy flooring and polyurethane flooring, which are as follows:

  1. Price and cost differentiation, polyurethane floors are more expensive than epoxy floors.
  2. The shelf life of polyurethane floors is twice that of the epoxy floors. Polyurethane floors have a life span of about ten years, while the life of epoxy floors is only five years.
  3. Epoxy floors withstand temperatures up to 65 °C, while polyurethane floors withstand up to 120 ° C.
  4. The resistance of bacteria to polyurethane floors is much higher than that of epoxy floors. So experts advise food factories to use polyurethane floors.
  5. Polyurethane floors are distinguished from epoxy floors in that they have elasticity, unlike epoxy flooring.

 

 

 

 

Stamped Concrete Flooring

This flooring is known by more names, such as stamp concrete flooring and colored concrete flooring. In this method, we use cement to create shapes and patterns that resemble bricks, stone, tiles, wood, and geometric shapes.

In stamp concrete floors, we mix concrete with water, sand, gravel, and sometimes with coloring agents. It is one of the methods used to decorate exterior floors of palaces, villas, and parks. We can use it to decorate patios and car parking, too. It is a beautiful and affordable substitute for expensive natural stone paving.

 

Places Where We Use Stamped Concrete

  1. Walkways, sidewalks, streets, and internal parking areas
  2. Yards, driveways for castles and villas, and similar places
  3. Patios, hospital gardens, schools, malls, and entertainment centers
  4. Parks and green areas

 

 

Types of Stamped Concrete

We categorize stamp concrete into two types:

Stamp Type
        • We prepare the stamps according to the design desired graphics or shapes. The stamps are made of metal or plastic and fasten to a plate with a handle.
        • Pour the concrete onto the ground and then wait until it holds together well, but before it dries.
        • Stamp the concrete with the required pattern, whether it is stone, brick, geometric shapes, or other designs.
        • We can also use a metallic cylinder with the patterns carved on it. We roll the cylinder over the concrete before it dries so that the patterns are engraved on its surface.

 

Mold Type
        • Prepare molds of EPDM, Rubber, or Silicon.
        • Mix the concrete and other components according to design specifications.
        • We pour the mixture into the mold. After it holds up well, we remove the mold and start to prepare another piece.

 

 

Stamped Concrete Application Steps

  1. Inspect, empty, and clean the work area. Afterward, we lay a steel reinforcement network, and then pour the concrete and level it.
  2. Before the stamped concrete dries, we sprinkle the coloring agent, which comes in powder form, on the ground.
  3. We pick the design mold and start stamping the concrete.
  4. We should leave the floor for about three days to dry, and then we wash the floor.
  5. Finally, we wax the concrete. The wax coat gives the floor a pleasant look and protects the surface from scratches, grit, and scuffs.

 

 

Features of Stamped Concrete

  • Hard and resists weather conditions
  • We can use them over the old concrete floor
  • Big selection of molds and shapes
  • Stamp concrete has an endless array of patterns and colors
  • Quick and easy to layout and stamp
  • Inexpensive maintenance
  • High resistance to friction
  • Stamp concrete is less costly when compared to tiles, ceramic, porcelain, and marble used in flooring.