Epoxy forms a sturdy, durable finish that is highly water-resistant. It offers maximum protection to plywood floors that are usually prone to scratches, dents, and water damage.
How can you know which epoxy brand is the most reliable when there are so many brands available today?
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best epoxy for plywood floors. We‘ll also discuss the factors one should consider before settling on a specific brand.
Related article
How to Polish Epoxy
How to finish plywood walls
Factors To Consider When Choosing Epoxy
Viscosity
The viscosity of epoxy will determine how easy it will be for you to apply it. It will also determine how well epoxy adheres to plywood.
While epoxy with a high viscosity has a strong adhesive bond, it is more difficult to apply. In addition, it doesn’t flow easily into small and intricate areas.
On the other hand, epoxy with a low viscosity is easy to apply. However, it doesn’t have a strong adhesive bond compared to high-viscosity epoxy.
Both high and low-viscosity epoxies are well-suited for different projects. For instance, since high-viscosity epoxy has a strong adhesive bond, it is ideal for bonding plywood. On the other hand, low-viscosity epoxy is better suited for repair projects as it can easily be used to fill small cracks and gaps.
Curing Time
The curing time of epoxy is very critical because it determines how much time you take on a project. Fast-setting epoxy is always ideal for projects that have tight deadlines. But if you have plenty of time at hand, a slow-curing epoxy will serve you well.
The curing time of epoxy also affects the strength of its final finish. Slow-curing epoxy tends to give a stronger finish than fast-setting epoxy.
Toxicity
Some epoxy resin contains chemicals that can result in a myriad of health problems including skin irritation, asthma, and damage to the central nervous system.
The best epoxy for plywood floors is one that doesn’t contain toxic ingredient that could put your health or that of your loved ones at risk.
Water Resistance
The water resistance of an epoxy determines how durable it will be. An epoxy with low water resistance will degrade easily when exposed to moisture.
The best epoxy for plywood floors should have high water-resistance. The brands listed below display this feature and are therefore very effective at protecting plywood from moisture damage.
Coverage
It is imperative to determine the coverage of epoxy to ensure you are getting a reasonable value for your money.
The product’s coverage will help you determine how much epoxy you’ll need and how much the entire project will cost you.
Self-Leveling Properties
The best epoxy for plywood floors has excellent self-levelling properties. This feature allows the epoxy to flow easily without requiring manual smoothing.
Self-levelling epoxy is easy-to-use and hence saves you a lot of time, especially if you are working on a large project. It also yields a more professional final look since it cures to a clean, smooth finish.
The Best Epoxy For Plywood Floors- Our Top Picks
DR CRAFTY Clear Epoxy Resin- Best Overall
Dr. CRAFTY epoxy resin is a highly durable epoxy that cures to form a glass-like finish. Its coating has excellent resistance to scratches and cracks. The epoxy is resistant to UV rays, it doesn’t yellow or crack when it comes into contact with sunlight. This feature makes it an ideal epoxy option for outdoor projects.
DR CRAFTY is one of the safest epoxy resins on the market today. The epoxy has a BPA-free formula and therefore contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
This product is really easy to work with. It is a low-viscosity epoxy with remarkable self-leveling properties. If you apply the epoxy correctly, it will cure to a smooth finish with no bubbles.
Additionally, this epoxy has a simple mix ratio. All you need to do is mix one part hardener with one part resin.
East Coast Resin Epoxy-Runners Up
East Coast resin epoxy is a professional-grade epoxy that can be used on a wide range of projects including wood finishing and sealing vehicle surfaces. It cures to form a clear, flawless coating. The coating is highly resistant to moisture, UV rays, and scratches.
Surfaces coated with East Coast resin are 100 % safe for food. The epoxy is odorless, so you can work with it without wearing a mask.
It is an easy-to-use epoxy with a straightforward mix ratio of 1:1. Additionally, it has self-leveling properties that make pouring easy.
Its downside is its 30-35 minute pot life. For large projects like floor finishing, this is a very short timeframe.
EPE EasyPour Epoxy-Best Budget
EPE EasyPour Epoxy is a two-part epoxy resin that’s compatible with a variety of materials, including plywood, glass, metal, and porcelain. EPE EasyPour Epoxy yields a crystal-clear finish that does not yellow over time. It allows your plywood floors to maintain their natural beauty.
EPE EasyPour is a slow-setting epoxy that cures within 72 hours. After this time elapses, the epoxy cures to form a tough, durable surface that’s resistant to wear, moisture, and chemicals.
This epoxy has self-leveling properties and is bubble-resistant. These two features enable it to form a smooth and even finish.
Additionally, EPE EasyPour is non-toxic and has a mild odor.
Summary: The Best Epoxy for Plywood Floors
Choosing the right epoxy resin for your project may seem like an uphill task since there are tons of brands out there. But that shouldn’t be the case.
You can easily find the right one by comparing the viscosity, curing time, coverage, toxicity, and water resistance of various brands.
Some of the best epoxy for plywood floors include; DR CRAFTY clear epoxy resin, East Coast resin epoxy and EPE EasyPour Epoxy.
Recommended Reading
