Metallic Epoxy and Epoxy Terrazzo: Decorative Floor Options

Short answer: metallic epoxy is a solvent-free, hard and glossy epoxy coating whose special pigments create decorative images with a metallic effect on the floor; it is used indoors only. Epoxy terrazzo is a decorative coating made by mixing aggregates such as natural stone, glass, mirror or seashells with a colored epoxy binder and spreading the mix over the floor. At DEMCO, DEMCO EPOX METALİK is used for the metallic look, DEMCO EPOX 2400 TERRAZZO UV++ and DEMCO EPOX 142 UV RESIN for epoxy terrazzo, and DEMCO PUR 3400 TerraElite for polyurethane terrazzo that absorbs deformations in the floor. Where needed, the surface is protected with a clear, UV-resistant topcoat varnish.

The values below are taken from the technical data sheets of DEMCO decorative flooring products.

What is metallic epoxy?

DEMCO EPOX METALİK is a solvent-free, two-component epoxy floor coating for indoor use. Once cured, it gives an abrasion-resistant, hard and glossy surface; it is applied wall to wall, seamless and in one piece, does not dust and is easy to clean.

Property	Value in the data sheet
Type	Solvent-free epoxy, 100% solids; mixing ratio by weight A/B 66/34
Coats and consumption	1–2 coats depending on the surface and the desired look; 0.5–1.0 kg/m² for one coat
Drying (23 °C)	24 hours; full cure in 1 week
Conditions	Substrate at 15–30 °C with moisture below 4%; ambient humidity no more than 80%, ambient temperature strictly above 10 °C
Colors	MC03 SILVER, MC19 GREY, MC24 RED, MC13 GOLD, MC53 PEARL, MC25 BLUE

The product has been tested to EN 1504-2 under CE marking. The data sheet does not give a coat thickness; thickness is defined in the project.

What layers make up a metallic epoxy floor?

Surface preparation: the floor is freed of oil, rust, dust, moisture and loose layers; glossy surfaces are roughened by shot blasting, grinding or scarifying.
Primer: the concrete is primed with DEMCO EPOX 100 PR so that the primer impregnates it.
Colored intermediate coat: where needed, the floor is first colored with a colored intermediate coat.
Metallic coat: the components are mixed at low speed for about 3 minutes; mixing for longer creates air bubbles. The mix is spread in an even thickness by brush or roller, and about 1–2 hours later, while the product can still be worked, the desired effect is created.
Protection: the floor must not be touched or come into contact with water for 24 hours.

If a clear topcoat is wanted, DEMCO PUR 450 UVM/W stands out: according to its data sheet, it is used to create a matte or glossy decorative topcoat on epoxy and polyurethane floor systems. Whether a topcoat is needed is decided in the project.

What is epoxy terrazzo?

Terrazzo is a mosaic-look coating in which stone or similar aggregates are mixed with a binder and spread over the floor. DEMCO EPOX 2400 TERRAZZO UV++ is a solvent-free, colored, modified epoxy binder used with aggregates of different sizes such as natural stone, glass, mirror and seashells. According to its data sheet, it has high physical, chemical and UV resistance, is impermeable to liquids and can be applied to surfaces such as concrete, ceramic tile and metal.

Mixing: components A and B are mixed at low speed for at least 3 minutes; the aggregates are then added and mixed with a mechanical mixer for about 4–5 more minutes.
Values: mixing ratio by weight A/B 72/28; pot life 50–80 minutes at 23 °C; touch dry in 8–10 hours; full cure in 7 days on average.
Consumption: varies with the grain size of the aggregate used.

Another binder for colored stone and terrazzo systems is the solvent-free DEMCO EPOX 142 UV RESIN with high UV resistance; it is mixed with the aggregate, poured onto concrete primed with DEMCO EPOX 100 PR and spread with a trowel or screed.

In practice, once terrazzo has cured it is ground with diamond abrasives to expose the aggregates, and the pores opened during grinding are filled. According to its data sheet, DEMCO EPOX 210 GEL is a UV-resistant, thixotropic filler gel for repairing pores, cracks and voids in terrazzo and other coatings.

Polyurethane terrazzo: DEMCO PUR 3400 TerraElite

DEMCO PUR 3400 TerraElite is a self-leveling, colored, solvent-free polyurethane binder used with natural stone aggregates. Its hard-elastic structure absorbs deformations in the floor, and according to its data sheet it resists UV rays and weather.

The concrete is primed with a suitable DEMCO solvent-free epoxy primer; cracks and holes are repaired with epoxy paste.
The components are mixed for at least 3 minutes, then the pre-weighed aggregate mix is added and mixed for 2–3 more minutes. The general ratio is 1 part binder, 1 part dolomite (0–800 microns) and 4 parts aggregate.
The mix is poured without delay, spread with a trowel or screed and pressed lightly with a steel trowel.
After curing, the floor is ground with diamonds and pads until the aggregates are exposed.

Epoxy terrazzo or polyurethane terrazzo?

Property	DEMCO EPOX 2400 TERRAZZO UV++	DEMCO PUR 3400 TerraElite
Type	Epoxy with high chemical and physical resistance	Hard-elastic polyurethane; Shore D > 60
Substrate	Concrete, ceramic tile, metal	Primed concrete; adhesion to concrete ≥ 1.5 N/mm²
Pot life (23 °C)	50–80 minutes	30–60 minutes
Temperature and ambient humidity	15–30 °C; below 80%	10–30 °C; below 65%
Return to service	Touch dry in 8–10 hours; full cure in 7 days on average	Foot traffic after 48 hours; full cure in 7 days (23 °C)

With both products, substrate moisture must be below 4%; for measuring it, see the concrete moisture guide. The data sheets give no thickness for terrazzo; thickness and the aggregate recipe are defined in the project with our technical team.

UV and yellowing: which topcoat?

In practice, standard epoxy coatings yellow over time in sunlight. The data sheet of DEMCO EPOX METALİK states that the product is not suitable for open areas or outdoor use. The data sheets of the terrazzo binders state UV resistance; to protect the surface and give it a matte or glossy look, the following clear topcoats are used:

Product	Type and finish	Consumption	Note in the data sheet
DEMCO EPOX 140 UV	Solvent-free, UV-resistant epoxy varnish	0.400–0.500 kg/m² in one coat	Applied 24 hours after the decorative coating
DEMCO PUR 420 UV/S	Solvent-based, UV-resistant, clear polyurethane	0.100–0.150 kg/m²	Over terrazzo or other coatings
DEMCO PUR 425 UVM/S	Solvent-based polyurethane; matte	100–150 g/m²	Non-yellowing; especially for terrazzo systems
DEMCO PUR 450 UVM/W	Water-based, aliphatic polyurethane; matte or glossy	0.100–0.150 kg/m²; ≈ 30 µm per coat	Low VOC; open to traffic after 18 hours at 23 °C

With DEMCO PUR 420 UV/S and PUR 425 UVM/S, ambient humidity must be below 65%.

Where is it used?

Area	DEMCO product whose data sheet lists this area
Shopping malls, stores, showrooms, restaurants	DEMCO EPOX METALİK · DEMCO PUR 3400 TerraElite
Offices, laboratories, food and pharmaceutical plants	DEMCO EPOX METALİK
Metro stations, airports, museums, hotels, schools, sports complexes	DEMCO EPOX 2400 TERRAZZO UV++ · DEMCO PUR 3400 TerraElite
Walkways, bike paths, indoors and outdoors	Stone carpet with DEMCO PUR 442 UV BİNDER 2K

For store, school, hospital and hotel floors that call for a granite look, DEMCO EPOX GRANITE 2800 SL is used: a self-leveling epoxy applied at 2.0–2.5 kg/m², for horizontal floors only.

Care and cleaning

First days: with DEMCO EPOX METALİK, EPOX 2400 TERRAZZO UV++ and PUR 3400 TerraElite, the surface must not be touched or come into contact with water for the first 24 hours. In practice, the floor is not exposed to heavy loads or chemical cleaning until full cure, about 1 week, is complete.
Daily cleaning: according to the data sheets, these floors are easy to maintain and give a hygienic surface. In practice, glossy resin floors are cleaned with a neutral cleaning agent and a soft pad; mats at entrances reduce the sand carried in, which scratches the surface.
Stains: in tests based on EN 12720, DEMCO PUR 450 UVM/W scored 5/5 (best resistance) against coffee, tea, red wine, cola and 48% ethanol.
Renewal: DEMCO PUR 420 UV/S and PUR 425 UVM/S can also be applied over previously applied terrazzo or other coatings, so a worn topcoat can be renewed.

Frequently asked questions

Can metallic epoxy be used outdoors?

No. The data sheet of DEMCO EPOX METALİK states that the product is not suitable for open areas or outdoor use. For outdoor areas, DEMCO PUR 3400 TerraElite, which resists UV rays and weather, or DEMCO PUR 442 UV BİNDER 2K for stone carpet can be considered; the system is defined with our technical team.

How much metallic epoxy is needed per m²?

0.5–1.0 kg/m² is enough for one coat; 1–2 coats are applied depending on the surface and the desired look. Underneath come a DEMCO EPOX 100 PR primer and, where needed, a colored intermediate coat.

How thick is epoxy terrazzo applied?

The data sheets of the DEMCO terrazzo binders do not give a fixed thickness; consumption varies with the grain size of the aggregate. Thickness is defined in the project according to the chosen aggregate.

Does epoxy terrazzo yellow over time?

The data sheet of DEMCO EPOX 2400 TERRAZZO UV++ states high UV resistance. Where extra protection is wanted, it can be topcoated with the matte DEMCO PUR 425 UVM/S, which its data sheet describes as non-yellowing, or with the aliphatic DEMCO PUR 450 UVM/W.

When can a decorative floor be used?

DEMCO EPOX METALİK dries in 24 hours at 23 °C, DEMCO EPOX 2400 TERRAZZO UV++ is touch dry in 8–10 hours, and DEMCO PUR 3400 TerraElite is open to foot traffic after 48 hours. All three reach full cure in about 1 week.

Describe the size of your area, whether it is indoors or outdoors, the existing floor and the look you want (metallic color, type of aggregate, matte or glossy topcoat) in the quote form, and our technical team will recommend a suitable system and quantity. For all products, see the decorative solutions page, and for a general comparison, the Epoxy or polyurethane? guide.

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