Quoted from ReadyPO:
I have been planning an addition to my basement am I am considering doing an epoxy floor similar to ramegoom (picture below) in the addition. I was wondering if ramegoom or anyone else would share any information they could regarding it including installation cost/time, professionally done or DYI, Is the floor cold, insulated under the slab, or in floor heat? Also, the durability of the floor, what kind of protection under the game feet (sliders, felt, etc) and if it has been scratched, is that permanent or can it be buffed out?
ramegoom, your gameroom is awesome, btw [quoted image]
Thanks for the kudos. I used a material called "polyaspartic" which is similar to epoxy but more rugged, and almost odorless. It's 2-part material, and the color (or in my case, aluminum flakes and powder) is added to the mix and either rolled or trowled on. You start with a black binder, and add the top coat. If you trowel it on, you can get the 3-D effect (and spritz on Acetone while it's still wet to give the effect) but if you roll it on, it simply colors the floor. You can use any color you want. Look it up, it's more expensive than carpet, but can take a lot of abuse. And, if you drop the wine glass on it, just mop it up. Scratches can be touched up with car touchup paint. I have put various nylon or felt glides on all my machines so they can be slid around without damaging the floor. I have some very heavy machines in the room, and all are placed on carpeted furniture glides to make things easy to move around. The room has evolved several times over the years, and the floor still looks brand new. You can use floor wax on it for the occasional shine, but I really don't do that. Just a mop and bucket after every party and looks good as new. You do tend to pick up a few scratches, but the trowled-on effect makes them invisible. A smooth rolled on finish might make scratches more obvious.
I have a heating system in the room, but very rarely use it. Here in Colorado, Radon gas is prevalent, so I have a vacuum pump that removes it from under the floor - the standard parting lines are open and aid in removal of any gas. Always tests clean and it actually helps heat the floor since it's always pulling air outside. My house is a ranch, 2900 sq. ft upstairs and 2900 sq. ft. in the game room so any heat or cooling upstairs works its way downstairs quickly.
All background lighting and very machine in my game room is fitted with LEDs, so the power consumption is very small and inexpensive. It also keeps the radiated heat down. I have had parties with around 60 guests and it is still comfortable once it's in gear.
I have added more stuff, so I guess I should post some recent pictures. Gadgets in the room are constantly evolving.