Successful Winter Epoxy Installation
Contributed by Clayton Allison
When it comes to epoxy installation, cold weather can make everything more difficult because the temperature changes the working properties of epoxy coatings significantly. This means it can be harder to squeegee, trowel, or roll out the epoxy and the coating will not flow and self-level well. It can also take longer to install in colder temperatures. However, applying epoxy is something that can happen year-round if the right precautions are taken.
Store and Transport Epoxy Properly
During transportation or storage, the epoxy may be exposed to low temperatures which can cause the material to crystallize. It is important to store and transport your epoxy at 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Crystallized epoxy should not be used. It is important to ensure that your resin and hardener are used in the proper mix ratio, which depends on the product—a good reason to carefully read the instructions before use. Crystallization can throw off the mix ratio for your kit, and seriously compromise the epoxy’s ability to cure properly. The best practice for someone completing a DIY installation is to mix the full kit of epoxy, and not attempt to break it down into smaller volumes.
Warm the Epoxy Before Use
If applied while cold, the epoxy will not reach a complete cure or achieve its designed physical properties—leading it to fail prematurely. To ensure the chemical reaction is off to a good start and promote optimal curing, warm the resin and hardener with heat lamps or keep them in a heated environment before use. If the epoxy is cold, this may cause the viscosity to increase, meaning that the epoxy will flow very thickly and be difficult to spread. It is much more difficult to measure and mix resin and hardener in cold weather, which can lead to incomplete mixing and a greater risk of coating failure.
Check the Floor Temperature Before Coating
When it comes to applying an epoxy floor coating during cold weather, the most important temperature is the temperature of the floor rather than the temperature of the air within your home. When you apply epoxy to the floor, the temperature of the epoxy will immediately take on the temperature of the floor. The floor will typically be colder than the room temperature or thermostat. It is worth investing in an infrared thermometer to check the exact temperature before you begin.
It is common to find that the floor along the perimeter of a room is colder than the rest of the floor. In winter, this is especially true near doors, air vents, or bays leading to the outdoors. You can use electric heaters to adjust the floor to a consistent temperature. The ideal temperature is around 70 degrees. The area must be kept heated during the epoxy’s full cure time. This can be up to 7 Days after coating, depending on the product used. If the floor and environment temperature are lower, the epoxy cure time will be longer. Keep in mind that most epoxies, unless specifically formulated for cold-weather use, will never fully cure at temperatures below 50° F.
Cold, thick epoxy and a cold floor also cause application issues, such as an uneven appearance and air bubbles in the finished product. When applied to a warmer surface, the epoxy will thin out, flow much smoother, and penetrate better, which will result in a stronger bond. It can take days for a cold concrete floor to come up to temperature. Stay away from kerosene heaters as they can dispense contaminants in the air that will end up on your floor. Never use unvented open-flame heat sources, such as catalytic heaters. The exhaust gases for these types of heaters can contaminate the surface, increase moisture, and the CO2 levels caused by the exhaust will affect the epoxy’s cure and lead to coating failure.
Check the Epoxy Specifications
Except for products specifically formulated and labeled with the ability to cure at low temperatures, epoxy coatings are typically best suited for application at temperatures above 50°F. However, the ideal application temperature depends on the product. To learn the minimum recommended application temperature for the product being applied, you should refer to the epoxy coating instructions or contact the manufacturer. The product specifications of the epoxy will give you some guidance in terms of how you should apply the epoxy floor coating during cold weather. If you are installing a multi-coat epoxy system, check the temperature requirements of each different product that you are using.
If you have questions or concerns about the installation of epoxy floors in colder temperatures, contact Alaska Resin Supply at (907) 671-9900 or come visit us at 201 E. Swanson Ave, Suite 1 in Wasilla.