Epoxy flooring glossary of terms & specifications
15 technical terms, diamond grinding profiles and resin specifications explained in plain English.
Free, no obligation. One local installer prices it, not five.
Key epoxy flooring terms explained
100%-Solids Epoxy Coating
Solvent-free two-part epoxy resin system that cures solely by chemical cross-linking between Part A resin and Part B hardener without evaporation loss, building 300–500 microns in two roller coats.
Aliphatic Polyurethane Topcoat
UV-stable clear or pigmented polyurethane sealer applied over epoxy floors in south-facing kitchens, showrooms, and outdoor thresholds so sunlight cannot yellow or chalk the surface.
Amine Blush
Waxy, slightly greasy surface film formed when uncured epoxy hardener reacts with cold damp air and carbon dioxide during curing; must be washed and abraded before applying a second coat.
Broadcast PVA Flake System
Multi-layer garage and showroom floor where decorative vinyl chips are scattered into a wet epoxy base coat, scraped flat once cured, and locked under a clear UV-stable polyaspartic or PU topcoat.
Captive Diamond Grinding
Dry mechanical concrete preparation using walk-behind planetary diamond grinders coupled to H-class HEPA extractors to strip weak laitance and open the slab to CSP 2–3.
Concrete Surface Profile (CSP)
International Concrete Repair Institute roughness scale from CSP 1 (nearly flat) to CSP 9 (heavy scarifying); roll-on epoxy floor paint requires CSP 2 and self-levelling resin requires CSP 3.
Cove Skirting Fillet
Radiused trowel-formed resin mortar upstand turned 100–150 mm up the wall junction in commercial kitchens and food plants so wash-down water cannot sit in a sharp corner.
Dew Point Margin
Rule requiring the concrete slab temperature to stay at least 3 °C above room dew point during epoxy painting and initial cure so invisible condensation cannot cause blooming or peeling.
Hot-Tyre Pick-Up
Delamination failure where warm car tyres soften weak single-pack garage floor paint and pull it off the concrete as the rubber cools and shrinks.
Moisture Vapour Barrier Primer
Two-coat surface-tolerant damp-proof epoxy primer rated to hold back rising slab moisture up to 92–97% RH on older Irish floors without a working damp-proof membrane.
Pendulum Test Value (PTV)
Standardised wet and dry skid-resistance score measured with a swinging rubber slider; a wet PTV of 36 or higher meets Irish HSA low-slip workplace guidance.
Polyaspartic Fast-Cure Coating
Aliphatic polyurea-ester resin system that cures inside 2–4 hours per coat even down to 0 °C, allowing full 4-layer flake garage floors to be completed in one day.
Polyurethane Screed (PU Mortar)
Heavy-duty 6–9 mm trowel-laid resin mortar formulated for commercial kitchens and food factories to withstand 120 °C steam cleaning and thermal shock.
Pot Life (Working Window)
Elapsed time (typically 20–35 minutes at 15 °C) after mixing Part A and Part B before the exothermic reaction heats the bucket and makes the epoxy too thick to roll.
Self-Levelling Epoxy System
Poured 2–3 mm liquid epoxy floor spread with a notched squeegee and de-aired with a spiked roller to produce a glass-flat seamless finish across living areas and showrooms.
Get a price for your floor
Four taps and your number. It goes to one epoxy flooring installer that covers your county, and they ring you back to look at the floor and give you a written price.
Epoxy flooring & epoxy floor paint guides & price breakdowns
Straight answers to what people ask most: itemised costs, specifications, planning or grants, and what to check before you book.
More guides & resources: Epoxy vs polished concrete · Epoxy flooring over underfloor heating · All guides & calculator hub · Technical & trade glossary · Frequently asked questions · All areas covered · About this site
Questions people ask
How much does epoxy flooring cost in Ireland?
€30 to €120 a m² for most jobs. A roller coat in one colour is €30 to €50 a m²; a full system with diamond-ground prep is €50 to €120 a m²; flake and metallic floors are €60 to €100 a m². See our price guide.
Can epoxy go on any concrete floor?
On sound, dry concrete, yes. It won't hold on a slab that's damp, dusty, oily or painted unless that's dealt with first, which is why the grinding and the moisture test matter more than the resin. A new slab needs time to dry out before it's coated.
How long before I can use the floor?
At 20°C, about a day before you can walk on it, about 4 days for light use and about 7 days to a full cure. In a cold garage it's slower. See cure times.
Epoxy flooring & epoxy floor paint across all 26 counties
Requests from all 26 counties go to one local specialist who covers your county — from Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Waterford and Donegal. Pick your county below for local prices, specifications and advice. Compare all areas covered →
Get a free quote for your floor
Four taps and your number. One epoxy flooring installer that covers your county rings you with a price. Nothing is agreed until you accept it.