FLOORPIX™- CHANGING THE FLOORING PICTURE

Source:www.stonediamondtool.com Date:2018/9/19 Read:540

by Jeanne Fields, The Concrete Network

In very early times, people placed art on floors. Greco-Roman mosaics and frescoes on floors are classic examples. Now, in the 21st century, there is something entirely new—a patent-pending digital imagery revolution—FloorPix.

The initial project was creatively photographed images of blue jeans strewn randomly on the floor of Mr. B's Jean Store in Kalamazoo. Owner-Architect Gordon Julius brought the idea to Bill Rousos, an owner of Agio Imaging. Immediate experimentation began on small panels, trying different inks, fabrics and epoxies. "We had no idea of the chemical reactions. The component parts needed compatible chemistry. A process evolved —the idea worked!" said Rousos. They printed 8' by 10' blue jean images, which werelapped together and epoxied to the 3,000 sq. ft. floor. A major accomplishment according to Julius was marrying the large patterns so they did not appear tiled together.

About The Process

The Image:

Agio Imaging can print as wide as 16 feet. Using solvent based inks that are permanent, a digital electronic file such as an e-mailed logo is enlarged and printed on perforated vinyl fabric to the design-spec size. Images submitted must have digital quality that allows enlargement. If you need an image supplied, Agio Imaging carries many from which to choose.

Floor Prep:

Begin by preparing the concrete base. When applying toppings, a stable sub-strate is necessary. Concrete needs to be clean and open to create a good bond.

Primer:

When the slab is clean, free of mastics or coatings of any kind, apply the first coat - a clear epoxy primer.

Epoxy: 

The primer coat must cure before applying the next coat, a troweled clear epoxy.

Artwork:

Into that second coat, place the artwork. The perforated vinyl allows the coatings to bond between layers - through the picture. Thus, a good bond forms between the layers of epoxy through mesh to concrete, which also allows gases to escape.

Completion:

After the first two coats with the embedded image have cured, two to three additional coats of epoxy complete the process. There are approximately six to seven applications over the concrete slab.

FloorPix makes no recommendations for epoxies. However, Paul Sonderman, an epoxy manufacturer says, "The most durable and abrasion resistant epoxies are those that have 100 percent solids." The President of Polymerica in Carrolton, GA emphasizes his point: "You buy what you put down and end up with what you buy. If you want durable flooring for a warehouse or even autos, use good epoxy." Contractors should begin as Agio Imaging began: develop small samples in your warehouse. Try different conditions. Learn the timing needed between layers. Learn to place the fabric smoothly.