Epoxy flooring is a smart choice in commercial and industrial spaces, being widely used in a variety of environments, like hospitals and hotels, due to its strength, chemical resistance, and professional finish. However, it’s important to know that not all epoxy flooring performs the same under certain environmental conditions, especially when it comes to sunlight.
Standard epoxy, whilst incredibly strong in its own right, might degrade when subjected to lots of ultraviolet (UV) light, which can lead to discolouration over time, along with a loss of sheen. Luckily, there are different types of epoxy available, and one particular variant is created with sunlight exposure in mind. UV-resistant epoxy flooring can maintain its valuable appearance and performance in areas that are constantly exposed to UV rays, helping it last longer and look great for many years, making it a more ideal flooring solution for settings where sunlight exposure is common. Let’s take a closer look at what makes UV-resistant epoxy flooring different and which settings are likely to benefit from it over standard resin floors.
How UV Light Can Affect Standard Epoxy Flooring
Extreme UV exposure can cause yellowing in standard, untreated epoxy floors, especially on white floors or other bright colours. It’s a gradual process but can become more and more noticeable over time, slowly harming its appearance, which may become a problem in customer-facing environments. Another issue is fading. Coloured and glossy epoxy coatings, particularly those in vibrant or darker shades, can lose their richness under constant UV exposure. As time passes, colours may become dull, matte, and patchy, leading to an inconsistent floor appearance that may look aged or poorly maintained. This can be especially noticeable in areas where part of the floor receives sunlight whilst other parts remain shaded, creating uneven wear.
There’s also the chance of surface degradation. Epoxy is known for its toughness, but extremely prolonged exposure to UV rays can eventually start to break down the surface layer of the epoxy gradually, making it more brittle or prone to cracking. This typically takes a long time to develop, but it can still accelerate wear and reduce the floor’s lifespan, particularly in high-traffic zones or places where equipment is regularly moved.
UV-Resistant Epoxy Flooring: What Makes It Different?
To be able to withstand exposure to sunlight, a UV-blocking topcoat is sometimes applied over the standard epoxy layer to provide extra protection. However, the epoxy resin itself can also be engineered to contain UV-resistant properties with the help of a few extra components. Here’s a breakdown of the main additives:
UV Absorbers (UVAs)
These compounds, such as benzotriazoles or benzophenones, absorb UV light and convert it into harmless heat, shielding the polymer from direct UV exposure and preventing the chemical bonds from breaking down.
Hindered Amine Light Stabilisers (HALS)
HALS don’t absorb UV light directly. Instead, they neutralise the free radicals that are created when UV exposure does occur. HALS are highly effective for long-term protection because they regenerate during this process, offering ongoing stability.
Inorganic Stabilisers/Pigments
For opaque or coloured coatings, inorganic pigments like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are also sometimes used. These materials reflect UV light and act as pigments simultaneously but are not suitable for clear finishes due to their effect on clarity.
With a specialised topcoat or an altered formula, your flooring can stand a much better chance at maintaining its original appearance for a longer period of time, even when it has to deal with UV rays daily.
Ideal Settings for UV-Resistant Epoxy Flooring
Whilst standard epoxy flooring remains a dependable option for enclosed or industrial areas, UV-resistant flooring is the better choice in several settings where light exposure is hard to avoid. Here are some commercial settings that can greatly benefit from this specialised surface.
Retail Areas
Retail environments often feature floor-to-ceiling windows or glass-fronted shopfronts that allow a lot of natural light to pass through. Whilst this lighting can be crucial in creating an inviting atmosphere, it can also expose the flooring to daily UV radiation. Over time, the front section near the windows may begin to yellow or fade, whilst areas further back may remain unchanged, creating an unsavoury contrast. UV-resistant epoxy flooring helps maintain a consistent appearance across the whole interior, which is essential for brand presentation and visual appeal.
Car Dealerships and Vehicle Showrooms
Showrooms in the automotive industry rely heavily on clean, polished surfaces to showcase vehicles, which means they also typically include large glass walls and ceiling panels that allow daylight to flood in. Standard epoxy may begin to discolour or lose its gloss in these conditions, especially under the constant reflection from vehicles and lighting fixtures, but UV-resistant epoxy can help the floor retain its shine and clarity, maintaining the premium look that customers expect.
Warehouses with Skylights or Open Dock Doors
Many modern warehouses include skylights to reduce artificial lighting costs or keep dock doors open throughout the day for ventilation and logistics. Both of these features allow sunlight to enter the building, often shining directly onto certain parts of the floor for hours at a time. Whilst this may seem minor, consistent exposure over time, even to indirect light, can also result in yellowing or patchy discolouration, making UV-resistant epoxy also useful in these settings for protection and a uniform flooring appearance.
Airports
Airports often feature large, glass-heavy architecture. This, and the sheer size of these buildings, means the floors are almost constantly exposed to UV rays. The expectation for cleanliness and consistency in such high-traffic spaces is high, and any discolouration or fading could affect public perception, which makes UV-resistant epoxy vital for airports.
Car Parks
Some commercial properties, such as car parks, include flooring that extends partially outdoors. Whilst car parks may focus less on appearance, they still require flooring that holds up well, and standard epoxy may not last as long as epoxy that’s UV-resistant. By investing in the latter option, businesses can further reduce the need for maintenance or replacement, saving more money in the long run.
When Standard Epoxy Flooring Is Still Suitable
Whilst UV-resistant epoxy has clear advantages in bright and open environments, standard epoxy still serves a highly valuable purpose in more enclosed areas. For instance, factory floors, industrial production lines, and back-office spaces rarely face the same level of sun exposure. So, in these cases, a standard epoxy finish provides a strong, reliable surface that can handle machinery, spills, and high foot traffic without the need for UV protection. Standard epoxy also works well in places with artificial lighting that lacks the UV range responsible for discolouration. If your facility has limited windows or uses LED or low-UV lighting, then a regular epoxy system will likely perform just as well.
Summary
Not every environment requires UV-resistant epoxy flooring, but for those that do, the difference is clear. Yellowing, fading, and surface wear can undermine the appearance of a facility over time, which affects both perception and value, and UV-resistant epoxy protects against these issues, helping floors stay cleaner, brighter, and more professional for longer. Standard epoxy still has its place in environments where sunlight and strong lighting are minimal, but where exposure is unavoidable, investing in UV protection for your epoxy floors is smart, forward-thinking, and beneficial.
About MCG Epoxy Coatings
Here at MCG, we specialise in the installation of various types of epoxy flooring, including those that are UV-resistant or contain decorative elements like flakes for a unique visual appeal. We have a lot of experience in the field, having applied epoxy resin and polyurethane flooring systems nationwide for over a decade, making us a name you can trust when it comes to top-quality flooring solutions for your business.
One of the many things we pride ourselves on is our exceptional service, which is thorough, practical, and tailored to your needs. We begin with an in-house consultation to determine your exact demands and guide you right through to the installation, which is meticulously carried out through controlled steps to make sure that the whole process is smooth and efficient. From the surface preparation to the application and finishing touches, we’ll work hard to install a floor that’s able to handle constant wear and heavy foot traffic, all whilst looking great for years to come. Browse our website to find out more about our installation services, or contact us to send an enquiry.