Can You Epoxy Over Wood Subfloor?

A hardener and a synthetic resin binder make up epoxy flooring, a form of floor covering. Epoxy flooring is resilient to wear and tear, long-lasting, and simple to maintain. If you're wondering whether you can epoxy over the wood subfloor, we did thorough research and found the answers to your question.

You can apply epoxy to a wood floor even though it is most frequently used in garages than in other parts of the house. But typical homeowners can apply epoxy floor coatings on plywood subfloors with ease.

For more details about handling and using epoxy, continue reading this post, as details are explained further down.

Modern apartment interior, Can You Epoxy Over Wood Subfloor?

Can You Epoxy Over Wood Subfloor?

You can apply epoxy to a wood floor. There are two methods for doing this. Installing self-leveling concrete over plywood and then an epoxy system is one method.

The second method entails applying a flexible epoxy coating on the plywood before applying a standard self-leveling epoxy cement.

How To Install Epoxy Wood Over Subfloor

Epoxy resin is a two-part liquid that, when combined, hardens into a gleaming, long-lasting coating. It may be used in various craft projects and is wonderful for covering wood to add a protective, lovely layer.

Apart from the epoxy kit with the resin and hardener, you'll also need some stirring and spreading tools to cover the wood in epoxy. Epoxy is relatively simple and quick to apply, but it does take at least 24 hours to harden.

The following are steps to install epoxy over the subfloor:

Step 1

To achieve a flat, smooth surface, sand the wood. Use sandpaper with a grit between 120 and 220 to smooth out any rough or uneven areas of the wood you intend to treat with epoxy.

Make sure the surface is level and smooth so the epoxy can be applied easily. For the smoothest finish, sand the wood while following the grain.

Step 2

Dust and filth should be removed from the wood. Remove any debris or dust left behind after sanding the wood with a clean microfiber cloth.

If you prefer a damp cloth to remove the dust, wait until the wood is dry before applying the epoxy.

Step 3

To catch epoxy drips, affix painter's tape to the wood's back. Your wood piece should now be lying flat. Flip it over.

The painter's tape should be applied tightly around the perimeter of the wood's back to prevent epoxy leaks.

This stops drips from developing on the wood's underside when you pour. Only the edges on the back of the wood need to be taped.

Step 4

Use cardboard or plastic to shield your surfaces from the epoxy. To complete your craft, pick a flat surface like a work or kitchen table.

Cover the surface with thick, level cardboard or a piece of plastic to prevent the epoxy from ruining your table. Consider using painter's tape to affix the plastic to the table if you're covering it with plastic to keep it from shifting.

Step 5

Put the wood on pedestals so it won't touch the ground. Any two or three flat, even, and tall objects can be used to lift the wood off the table, such as upside-down cups or wooden blocks.

Place the wood so that it is hovering over the surface of the items, with the side that will receive the epoxy coating facing up.

Step 6

Mix the epoxy in a clean, well-ventilated area. Since many varieties of epoxy have a strong odor, mixing and pouring them into an area with lots of fresh air is crucial. 

Divide the hardener and resin into two disposable cups. To ensure that you pour the right amount of each, carefully read the instructions because different varieties of epoxy have varied resin-to-hardener ratios.

Place the hardener in one single-use cup and the resin in another. The majority of businesses sell resin and hardeners.

Because of their indentations, plastic cups are excellent for use because they make it simple to measure the resin and hardener.

Check out this ProMarine epoxy resin on Amazon

Step 7

Pour the resin and hardener into the same disposable cup after they have been accurately measured to start blending them.

To empty each container of resin and hardener, scrape the sides with a plastic or wooden rod. Depending on which is simpler, either pour the resin into the hardener or the hardener into the resin.

Step 8

The two ingredients should be slowly combined for 5 minutes. Stir the resin and hardener together gradually using the wooden or plastic rod.

To avoid creating air bubbles, don't stir too quickly or aggressively. Set a timer for five minutes, then keep stirring. 

Step 9

Starting in the middle, start to pour the epoxy over the wood. Once the epoxy has been thoroughly mixed, carefully pour it over the wood.

If it's not completely even, don't panic; this is only the first layer. Pour enough so that it covers the entire piece of wood in a thin layer, starting in the middle. 

Step 10

As soon as the epoxy is mixed, pour it onto the wood because it won't take long for it to begin to set. As long as the epoxy completely covers the wood during the initial layer, it doesn't matter how you pour it on.

Pull the epoxy toward the edges of the wood using a foam brush. Put the foam brush in the epoxy pool and start moving it back and forth to pull the epoxy over the edges.

Make sure the entire piece of wood is coated with an epoxy layer that is as even as possible. Using the foam brush, remove any extra epoxy from the sidewalls.

Will Garage Floor Epoxy Stick To Wood?

Will Garage Floor Epoxy Stick To Wood - The worker applies gray epoxy resin to the new floor

In theory, epoxy floor coverings can be applied to any surface. Whether the epoxy will adhere is the main concern.

Certain wood floors can be candidates for epoxy coatings, but first, they must be rough sanded. Additionally, the boards would have to be solidly set without gaps, loose panels, or buckling.

Epoxy coatings have the potential to conceal damage and add a fresh surface layer to wood floors that are severely damaged, discolored, or otherwise aged.

Any type of stain or seal that may have been applied to the wood must be fully removed. Even if the wood flooring is ancient and hasn't been refinished in years, it needs to be sanded to make a rough, exposed surface for the epoxy to bond.

How Thick Can You Pour Epoxy Floor?

How Thick Can You Pour Epoxy Floor-  Two component epoxy adhesive

With a deep pour epoxy, you can achieve a thickness of up to 2 inches. Depending on your job, you can purchase the depth you require.

If you're prepared to get a deep pour epoxy, the ideal thickness is slightly above 2 inches so that you can utilize it more easily.

Does Epoxy Resin Make Wood Water Proof?

Does Epoxy Resin Make Wood Water Proof - Live edge wooden table with epoxy resin

Epoxy is a fantastic coating that will provide incredible waterproofing for wood. Additionally, since epoxy is comparable to thermoset polymers, the wood will be sufficiently protected from chemicals.

This is true because epoxy resins are resistant to chemicals, which increases the furniture's high level of durability. Epoxy has become the industry standard for wood finishing and has currently shown to be the greatest way to protect your wood.

Give your wood surfaces epoxy to ensure they are completely watertight and the ideal finish for durability and low maintenance costs.

Should I Use Epoxy Or Polyurethane?

Should I Use Epoxy Or Polyurethane - Worker applying a yellow epoxy resin bucket on floor.

For surfaces that need to be hard and durable, polyurethane is a superior option. For other surfaces needing flexibility, an epoxy solution is a preferable option. However, there are some uses where both epoxy and polyurethane are appropriate.

In these situations, it's crucial to consider resin's characteristics and select the one that best fits the application. They consist of:

Simple Application

Since polyurethane is a heavier compound, applying it in thin layers can be challenging. Since epoxy is a thinner compound, applying it in thin layers is simpler.

Epoxy is, therefore, more suited for applications where accuracy is crucial. It is also less prone to bubbles than polyurethane, which can happen when applied in thin layers.

Epoxy is weaker than polyurethane. It is a superior option for uses that call for great strength. Although epoxy is less robust than polyurethane, it is still enough for many uses.

Temperature Stability

Epoxy is less thermally stable than polyurethane. As a result, it is a better option for uses that call for high temperatures. Epoxy is not a good material choice for situations requiring high temperatures since it has less thermal resilience than polyurethane.

To Wrap Up

Epoxy is a good finish for beautifying surfaces. To maximize the impact of epoxy, you must understand and use it where it fits properly. You can apply epoxy over the wood subfloor, but you should consider the area of the house where it would be applied.

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