Epoxy flooring is a stylish , yet durable , surface for garage , porch , and basements . Here ’s our dance step - by - footfall epoxy instalment and care pathfinder .
epoxy glue flooring protects and update concrete floorsin garages , sunrooms , patios , and basements . Rolled on in multiple layers , the coatings create a unseamed reaching of epoxy floor that withstands grease , scuffing , chemicals , and moisture . Epoxy coatings firmly adhere to concrete and are unlikely to chip or peel like even garage floor paints .
Their durability and non - flammable nature make epoxy - coated floor a beneficial choice for garage and basement workspaces . They ’re unattackable enough to withstand droppedpower tools , carry the weight of rolling and parked cars , and stand up to spill of all kind . In fact , when epoxy glue installation is done right , this flooring can endure for as long as 20 years .
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How to Choose the Right Epoxy Flooring
epoxy glue story paints are tough , rosin - found paint that get in two parts , which you mix before software . There are three types of epoxy paint : unanimous , dissolving agent - base , and water - base .
square epoxy glue flooring : Solid epoxy resin is the pure form . It does n’t contain dissolver that evaporate . These products are expensive and difficult to handle because they season very rapidly . A professional should apply this finish .
solution - based epoxy flooring : Solvent - based epoxies hold 40 - 60 % solid . They penetrate theconcrete surfaceand adhere well . They are useable in a wide range of colors . Because the dissolving agent are powerful and potentially hazardous , you must endure a respirator when applying the finish . You ’ll also need to give vent the service department and keep people and pet away from the country .
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Water - free-base epoxy glue flooring : Like solvent - found epoxies , piddle - based epoxy check 40 - 60 % solids . The benefit of this case of epoxy resin is that it has no hazardous resolution smoke . These epoxy glue finishes are betray at most home centers and hardware memory board and are becoming increasingly popular option to result - base finishes .
Pre - tinted andmetallic epoxy coatingsare other options that createstylish flooringinside and outside living country . Some epoxy resin flooring system bring home the bacon colored bit , which are scattered as the 2d stratum of coating is apply , creating speckled blueprint .
Tips for Applying Epoxy Floor Coatings
enforce epoxy resin storey coatings is almost as simple asrolling paint on a wallorporch flooring . But before you begin , you must thoroughly pick andpatch the flooring to be coated . You should also carefully calculate how much mixture is call for to cover the expanse you care to cake . Many floor epoxy kits furnish only enough for one pelage , and you ’ll need a lower limit of two . Measure the straight footage of the surface area to be coated , and compare that with the coverage supplied by your favored storey epoxy kit .
Time is of the essence once the epoxy resin rouge and the hardener portion are mixed — the epoxy mixture is only workable for about 2 hours . regard this fourth dimension frame to determine how you ’ll paint yourself out of a garage , terrace , or way .
Potential Drawbacks
Although the benefits are many , epoxy resin coatings require a adept business deal of control surface cleaning and preparation upfront and multiple applications with curing metre of at least 12 hours for each pelage . For optimal set , concrete surfaces should be ivory dry and at least 55 ° farad , and melodic phrase temperature should be between 60 - 90 ° F . Plan on at least a day of homework time ( more if you have to fill hollow and piece cracks in the concrete ) and at least two days of paint time to complete a garage floor .
Epoxy knock down finishes are of course shiny , which constitute them loose to clean but slick when loaded ( anti - skid additives can be add to give surfaces more grip ) . Some concrete surfaces , such as ace that tolerate from dampness or are already seal , are unsuited for epoxy glue storey coatings . young concrete must have bring around for at least 30 days before applying epoxy coatings .
If you want to hire out the work , data from HomeAdvisor testify that having a professional lie down an epoxy glue floor will cost you between $ 3 to $ 12 per solid foot , with an average two - railcar garage base costing anywhere from $ 1,200 to $ 6,000 to nail . Before take a contractile organ , enquire how they project to prep the floor , what type of epoxy glue they ’ll apply , and how many coating they ’ll apply . It ’s recommended that professional apply three layers of 100 % epoxy glue with low or no fickle constituent compound ( VOCs ) . Get multiple quotes , and check the contractors ' references .
Credit: Chip Nadeau
How to Maintain Epoxy Floors
To maintain and protect your epoxy floor , vacuum or sweep up debris , immediately wipe away spills with a soft fabric , and deep - blank soiled floor by mop with a mixture of ½ cupful ammonia to a Imperial gallon of weewee . Lift rust stains by softly scratch with a kitchen scrubbing pad and hot water ; never utilise an scratchy cleanser , dose , or chemicals on epoxy - coat floors . The easiest way to clean epoxy glue floor is to hose them down and dry out them with a squeegee on a pole .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Apply Epoxy Flooring
If you prefer to tackle it yourself , read the epoxy resin floor maker ’s instructions before you start , and use these step - by - footstep direction as your guide .
Clean the Concrete Surfaces
If necessary , usance aflat - border shovelor scraper to remove harden dust . Then , hoover the service department floor . Prepare a cleaning / degreasing solvent according to the maker ’s instructions . Wearing rubber baseball mitt , employ a stiff - bristle brush and the resolution to call off off grease or oil stain .
Wet Flooring
employ a hoseto wet the entire trading floor with piss . Working in 5 - fundament - square sections , use a big businessman scrubber with a encounter attachment and the degreaser to cleanse the whole floor . habituate the stiff - bristle brush to cancel the corners and along the wall where the auto ca n’t extend to .
After cleaning the level , expend a synthetic rubber squeegee to pull soapy water into a central country . Remove the solution with awet - dry vac . Check with your county ’s environmental office to see if you’re able to dispose of the root by flushing it down the toilet .
Prepare the Acid-Etching Mixture
Pour a gallon of water into a pliant sprinkler can . Wearing a vaporisation gasmask , rain buckets 12 ounces of 32 % muriatic superman into 15 cup of water ( for minuscule or larger sum , employ 1 part acid to 10 part water ) in the sprinkler can . Mix the solution for a few moment with a key scaremonger . besprinkle the mixing evenly over a 10x10 - metrical unit area .
Scrub and Etch
Power - scrubthe 10x10 - foot field for 10 minute , or apply a long - handled acid skirmish ( to carry through on equipment rental ) . duplicate the sprinkling / scouring process until the entire level is acid etched . Rinse three time to flush acidulous residue . Let the story dry overnight .
Mix Epoxy Coating
Apply Along the Perimeter
go applying the epoxy glue flooring around the circumference of the garage . Using duct mag tape , tape the area directly beneath thegarage room access . Brush a 4 - inch strip of epoxy against the tape and along the service department walls .
Roll on Epoxy Flooring
employ a 9 - inch - broad roller with a medium nap to paint the floor . Attach the roller to a rod . Then , dip the hair curler into the bucketful of epoxy glue so only the bottom half of the roller is covered . ( This load the roller with the right-hand amount of epoxy . ) Working in a 4 - foot - square area , applyepoxy to the garage floorin a large " W " pattern . Backroll to fill in the practice and get rid of any roller marks .
ensure edge continue wet as you move from section to incision to prevent noticeable seams from forming . Let the first coat wry per the manufacturer ’s direction .
Apply a Second Coat
If you do n’t want a glossy floor ( as they ’re slippery when fuddled ) , add a non - skid floor coating into the epoxy for the 2nd coating . Stir with the practice session and stirring number . repetition Step 7 . If you want to contribute color flakes , scatter them thinly while the domain is still stiff — add more geek until you produce your desire radiation pattern .
Finish Your Epoxy Flooring
Mask off and paint the bottom 4 inches of thegarage or basementwall with the epoxy mix used on the floor . This mete create a cohesive tone that also acts as a protective mopboard .
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes , these floor are appealing to purchaser because they are downhearted - alimony and durable . According to HomeAdvisor , set up epoxy floors in the garage can add up to$8 per square footto the resale value of your menage .
It depends on the area of the habitation where the flooring is being installed and how much foundation dealings the surface area take in . On average , epoxy floors are 0.020 to 0.250 column inch fatheaded . If it is thicker than this , then it could overheat and crack .
Yes . Since these floor are durable and easy to clean , they work well for garages , basement , bathrooms , chamber , and kitchens . However , keep in brain , this material can crack when it ’s place in an field with large temperature fluctuation .
Credit: Chip Nadeau
How Much Does an Epoxy Garage Floor Cost in 2025?HomeAdvisor .
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Credit: Chip Nadeau
