Welcome to our guide on the subject of epoxy resin over laminate flooring! In this article, we will touch on the basics surrounding epoxy resin use, as well as the pros and cons of pouring epoxy over laminate floors.
We’ll discuss some options for people who are looking to add an epoxy coating to existing tile or concrete. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a look at some great alternatives to covering your floors in epoxy resin.
In the first section of this guide, we’ll explore what exactly epoxy is and the types available for DIY applications.
Next, we’ll go over how applying an epoxy-based coating works and answer common questions about using this coating material. Then, it’s time for a discussion about whether you should use it on your laminate flooring!
Can you put epoxy resin over laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring, or laminate wood flooring as it is often called, is a type of man-made flooring product. It is made up of several layers of fibreboard, paper, and wood. The top layer of the laminate flooring is coated with a plastic coating.
Epoxy resin can be applied to laminate flooring, but due to its nature as a plastic resin coating, it may not bond perfectly with the existing plastic coating on the top layer of the laminate wood flooring.
The epoxy resin will bond better if you apply it over the top layer of laminate wood floor finish. Laminated wood floors are usually finished with multiple layers of urethane finish which will give an excellent bonding surface for epoxy resins.
Table of Contents
- Can you put epoxy resin over laminate flooring?
- Is there a coating you can put on laminate flooring?
- How do you apply epoxy to laminate flooring?
- Can epoxy resin be used on vinyl flooring?
- Can you epoxy over flooring?
- Does laminate flooring have polyurethane?
- How do you clear coat a laminate floor?
- How do you change the color of laminate flooring?
Is there a coating you can put on laminate flooring?
If you’re looking to put a coating on your laminate flooring, the best type of coating to put on laminate flooring is a clear coat.
A clear coat will protect the floor from damage, as well as give it a shiny, fresh finish. The clear coat will also make the floor more resistant to scratches and seal the floor, making it easier to clean. With that said, epoxy resin is not one of these types of clear coats.
Epoxy resin is typically used with concrete floors, which have a much higher weight capacity than laminate floors.
How do you apply epoxy to laminate flooring?
We have laminate flooring in our apartment, and I found myself wanting to apply a new layer. What’s up with that? I was worried about ruining my hardwood floor by covering it with something else so delicate.
But then I did some research and learned that we, meaning you and me, should be able to move laminate around on your floor without causing any damage to the actual material underneath.
Why would you want to do this? You could put an epoxy finish on the floor that covers all the imperfections left by years of use, allowing you to treat it as if it were carpet or other types of flooring. For example:
- You can transform your favorite section of laminate into a playroom for kids or pets by applying epoxy over top of it
- You can cover sections of old laminate flooring so they’re ready for when their time is up; removing just enough of the underlying material so you have time to replace them before replacing the whole thing
- You can easily patch small holes or cracks in your laminated stuff
Can epoxy resin be used on vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is a resilient, scratch-resistant, and waterproof flooring material. It can be used in kitchens or bathrooms and is available in a variety of designs.
How to prepare vinyl flooring for epoxy resin:
- Thoroughly clean the surface with our cleaning product Epoxy Resin Cleaner or acetone. If necessary, repeat this process several times until all stains are removed and the surface is completely free of grease and oil.
- Level the surface with an appropriate filler and sand it thoroughly, then vacuum away all dust.
- Seal the surface, if necessary – depending on how porous your vinyl flooring is you may have to apply a layer of sealant before you apply your epoxy resin layer.
Our epoxy resin Hard-Cast 1:1 is suitable for use on vinyl floors as well as linoleum floors (if they are not protected against staining), ceramic tiles (if they are unglazed), cork floors, bamboo floors, and laminate floors (as long as they have been fully sealed).
Can you epoxy over flooring?
Laminate itself is not the problem. Instead, it’s a question of the materials used to create laminate and how these materials react to epoxy. When you apply epoxy resin directly onto laminate, it will begin to cure as normal.
However, if your laminate is not properly sealed first, then there’s a chance that the resin will run into that unsealed area and ruin your project.
There are several ways in which you can seal your laminate surface before applying epoxy resin on top of it. You can use an alkyd or phenolic based paint-on sealer, a two-part epoxy primer, or a two-part polyurethane finish coat.
All three options give you an excellent base for applying epoxy on top of them; however, they are quite different from one another when it comes to application method and cost effectiveness.
Does laminate flooring have polyurethane?
When you look at your laminate flooring, what do you see? A wood-like surface on top of a fiberboard and wood chip base. You’ve got that right. Your laminate floor is composed of several layers including, most importantly:
- A hardwood face layer or photo with a melamine finish
- Inner core layers made from high-density fiberboard
- Bottom backing layers made from melamine resin and cellulose materials
The face layer itself is usually very thin, but the overall piece is quite durable thanks to its layers. The melamine finish (which is the same stuff used to manufacture countertops) acts as a sealant that prevents moisture damage and protects against scratches.
How do you clear coat a laminate floor?
To clear coat a laminate floor you have to do two things: paint it and seal it. Just painting the floor will cause the paint to peel off in no time because the laminate is slick. You can achieve this by applying a sanding sealer or an epoxy topcoat.
The type of finish you use depends on your application method and personal preference.
If you’re using the epoxy, brush or roll the primer on your laminate in long, smooth strokes for even coverage. The primer must be completely dry before continuing with this process; never do more than one coat at a time!
Once the primer is completely dry (about 24 hours), apply two coats of polyurethane finish with a foam roller or brush. Apply each coat liberally to ensure proper coverage – don’t forget that laminate surfaces are very porous so there’s no need for additional layers!
How do you change the color of laminate flooring?
You have three options when it comes to changing the color of your laminate flooring. You can paint, stain, or dye it. As you probably already know, paint can be used to change the color of just about any surface.
When applying paint over laminate flooring, there are several important points you need to keep in mind. These include:
- A few coats of primer are usually needed before painting laminate floors.
- It’s best to apply a siliconized acrylic latex caulk when painting along walls where baseboards were removed prior to painting. This will help prevent moisture from damaging the walls and allow for easier removal if needed at some point in the future.
After priming your laminate floors with a quality primer such as KILZ 2® Water-Based Primer or B-I-N® Shellac-Based Primer Sealer
Conclusion
By this point, you should have an idea of whether or not you can put epoxy on laminate flooring. It’s technically possible, but it’s not highly recommended.
The better option is to use a protective coating that is made just for laminate floors. This will help to keep your floor safe from scratches, dents, and other damage as well as help to extend the life of your floors.
If you decide that you want to apply epoxy resin over your laminate flooring, make sure that you do so carefully and with the right preparation.
Be aware of the potential risks involved and take the necessary steps to avoid them. You must also be aware of the fact that applying epoxy resin over laminate flooring may void any warranty on your flooring so it is best if you check with the manufacturer before doing so.
