There are many reasons you may decide to install an epoxy floor. Epoxy offers you many options when it comes to color combinations and different looks you can create. It also can handle large amounts of traffic and even can handle having heavy equipment driven over it.
This makes epoxy an ideal flooring choice. While many floor coatings dry, epoxy goes through a curing process. This means it can be up to 72 hours before the new floor coating can handle full traffic and heavy equipment on it. While you may not be able to put your floor to full use for a few days, you can walk on it much sooner.
So, how soon can you walk on epoxy floors?
The General Rule
While you always need to check the manufacturer’s suggestions, most epoxy floors can be walked on after 24 hours and go to full use after 72 hours. Keep in mind, you do want to use it as little as possible for the first 72 hours, so do not open it up to heavy foot traffic too soon.
Why TIming Varies
The 24-hour rule can vary. First, different types of epoxy may have different curing times. This makes reading the instructions and information that comes with the epoxy you purchase very important! Do not skimp when it comes to reading the instructions, as you do not want to mess up your hard work or cost yourself more money by walking on your new floor too soon.
The other reason that the time might vary is if you are curing the epoxy in cooler temperatures. Epoxy takes longer to cure when it is cold. Conversely, it cures faster in warmer temperatures. If you are curing in a colder environment, you want to wait longer than 24 hours before walking on it. If you cure it in higher temperatures, you may be able to walk on it sooner than 24 hours, although waiting 24 hours is always a good rule of thumb.
