Choosing a Resin Floor Considering Environmental Variables

Where and How Resin Can Be Applied

One of the great advantages of resins is their versatility: the variety of products and the ability to design a suitable resin cycle for every application scenario make resin the optimal solution, offering operational freedom to the applicator. However, environmental limits must be considered before applying a resin floor, which will determine the final cycle design:

• The substrate on which the new floor is to be applied
• The operational environment
• The microclimate present

As we will see, designing and applying a resin cycle without evaluating these factors can compromise the installation and result in a floor that is not only aesthetically deficient but also structurally unsound.

The Substrate

Virtually all cycles need to be applied on substrates capable of withstanding mechanical stresses: resins do not have their own body (like gres or natural stones) and cannot guarantee the necessary performance without the support on which they are laid.

Checking for a suitable substrate for the application is the first crucial phase of any project involving resin floors. In construction, there are numerous solutions suitable for receiving a resin coating: sand/cement screeds, concrete, tiles, natural stones, metal supports, and many others.

Some characteristics that make them suitable are:

• Stable: surfaces that are “firm” or have very minor elastic movements.
• Coherent: surfaces that are compact, non-crumbling, and resistant to traction and compression.
• Clean: surfaces free of superficial or deep dirt.

The presence of cracks does not pose a problem but requires a treatment to cover the crack and make the surface homogeneous. Resin can be applied to tiles and marbles if the surfaces are intact and well anchored to the substrate. The presence of underfloor heating systems does not hinder the application of the products, as detailed here: https://sivit.it/resine-pavimenti-con-riscaldamento/.

The Environment

Designing any resin cycle involves on-site application of products, making the analysis of the operational scenario fundamental for a successful installation. Properly evaluating the installation times, operational needs, presence of civilians and other operators, and characteristics of the building structures means organizing an efficient and effective intervention, capable of delivering the final result to the customer on time with the required mechanical and aesthetic performance. For this reason, it is advisable to request a specific evaluation from Sivit.

Microclimate and Environmental Conditions

The microclimate comprises the factors (temperature, humidity, and air speed, humidity and temperature of the supports, heat) present during the resin floor installation. These are primary aspects in defining the installation cycle and especially the intervention times:

• Resin products are very sensitive to the temperature and humidity of both the air and the substrate, affecting the chemical/physical characteristics of the installation cycle.
• Temperature affects the curing time of the products: if too low, it can extend the application times (or even prevent solidification); if too high, it drastically reduces the pot life (usable period in mixture) of the resin components, hindering proper application.

Humidity is crucial for the resin's adhesion to the existing floor (relative humidity of the substrate) and for the adhesion between resin layers (ambient humidity). Generally, temperatures between 10°C and 30°C are ideal for most resin systems. However, some resins (e.g., methacrylates) can harden even at temperatures well below zero. For ambient humidity, values between 30% and 80% are tolerated, while the substrate's humidity should not exceed 8% (beyond this limit, a vapor barrier should be installed). Certain bases (e.g., transparent polyurethanes) require much lower values (2%) to prevent product whitening and loss of aesthetic value.

Each site and structure has its own specificities that must be carefully evaluated by the professional. Designing a resin cycle suitable for the application scenario and meeting the client's performance and aesthetic requirements is not particularly complex given the vast array of products available. It is necessary to check all present variables, even during the installation phase: environmental and microclimate changes (presence of new operators on-site, increased humidity in open environments, etc.) often require intervention on the chosen cycle (extending installation times, changing materials).

Request a free quote directly from our sales team: commerciale@sivit.it.