Control & expansion joints in resinous flooring

Apart from moisture problems, joint issues are a common problem with polymeric flooring. One of the most significant issues in resinous epoxy polymeric flooring is joint failure, which can manifest in various forms such as bread loafing, cracking, debonding, and hairline cracks. Many contractors and installers opt for a monolithic or seamless floor system, choosing not to honor control and sometimes expansion joints.

However, I prefer a floor with saw cuts that is essentially seamless over one with joint failures. It's crucial to honor all joints when applying an epoxy trowel clad system. We achieve nearly perfect results when we honor or cut all the control/expansion joints. Neglecting this step typically leads to problems, either early on or later. Urethane cement applications also require honoring all joints to prevent the floor from cracking or separating. Unfortunately, many installers overlook the proper joint treatment when installing polymer flooring. As I've mentioned before, polymer flooring relies less on the products and more on the application or installation. I appreciate that one manufacturer (SH) consistently has their crews cut joints. Experience shows that saw cutting and honoring joints significantly reduces the likelihood of joint-related issues.

The attached pictures demonstrate the consequences for polymer floors when joints are not properly cut and honored. It's a common experience to encounter joint failures. Our team has found some success using fiberglass with flexible epoxy before applying flake flooring systems. We did not re-honor the joints, yet we still saw success, possibly because the flakes added some flexibility. I am optimistic that as architects and manufacturers emphasize the importance of saw cutting and re-honoring joints, it will become a standard practice. This could potentially increase the demand for resinous flooring in commercial, architectural, and industrial markets.

Best regards,

Carl Boman

913-579-737

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