Epoxy flooring isn't cheap, but depending on your budget, it won't break the bank, either. The real question is whether an epoxy floor would be a good value-add for your home. Here's a telltale sign: The epoxy flooring industry is on a massive growth trend, worth about $4.74 million in 2021 and expected to be worth over $4 billion by 20281. Why is this happening? Because people are starting to see the benefits of the product, both for the home and for industrial use.
What is epoxy flooring?
Epoxy coating is a durable flooring product that consists of two compounds: epoxy resin and a hardener2. When mixed, these compounds bond together and cure. Prior to hardening, the epoxy coating is like a thick paint. After applying the product, it dries into a hard, durable coating, ideal for floors in residential homes and for many industrial uses, such as commercial kitchens and warehouses.
Epoxy flooring costs
Based on reports of 6,601 epoxy garage floor jobs, the average cost for an epoxy floor is $2,3309. This price includes both materials and potential installation or labor costs of an epoxy floor. The cost for epoxy flooring typically varies from a low of $1,525 to a high of $3,207.
A variety of factors influence what you pay, including:
Square footage
The square footage of your room is the biggest factor regarding how much you'll pay for epoxy flooring. For example, a two-car garage costs about twice as much as a one-car garage—between $1,200 and $6,000 for the two-car garage and between $750 and $3,000 for a one-car garage9.
Professional vs. DIY
Coating your floor with epoxy resin can be a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, and there are DIY epoxy kits made for this purpose11. But it's an extremely difficult DIY job, and the result typically won't be as good because professionals generally use higher-quality materials and have access to better tools needed for this job. The main reason to do the job yourself is to save money, as labor makes up more than half the cost of for an epoxy flooring project. Putting down an epoxy floor yourself could save you between $4 and $7 per square foot9.
Type of epoxy coating
You have three types of epoxy from which to choose:12
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Water-based epoxy. Costs between $30 and $50 per gallon.9 It isn't as durable or chemically resistant as solvent-based types, but there are lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with water-based epoxy.
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Solvent-based epoxy. Costs about $45 per gallon9, provides better durability than water-based epoxy and looks glossier, but it isn't environmentally friendly.
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100% Solid epoxy. Ranges between $45 and $150 per gallon9. The 100% solid epoxy type is just that—100% solid—meaning it contains no other fluids and no VOCs. This is the thickest and longest-lasting type of epoxy flooring.
Most homeowners choose a residential-grade coating for their home, which is less expensive than a commercial-grade coating. But if you plan to park an RV, trailer or dual-axle truck on the epoxy floor, you might want to spring for the commercial-grade coating, which should cost you an extra 20% to 30%.9
How to calculate epoxy flooring costs
Because many factors go into calculating epoxy flooring costs, price differences are likely. It's wise to shop around before buying, with the goal of getting the best product for the lowest price.
Here are the main factors to consider when pricing this job10:
- Square footage. Epoxy is priced by the square foot, so the larger the area you want to coat, the more expensive the project will be. Once you measure your floor and determine how much the epoxy costs per square foot, you'll get your baseline amount.10
- Condition of your concrete. The amount of preparation your concrete needs can also determine how much you'll pay. If your concrete is in good shape and needs only standard cleaning, it should cost you less than if your concrete floor is cracked and torn up. Before applying an epoxy coating, your current surface needs to be as clean and smooth as possible. To get the floor in condition, professionals typically use a grinder that removes dirt, oil and grease. All the dust is then removed, ideally with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) equipment. Then any cracks are patched10.
- Add-ons. If you want to customize the color and look of your floor, it might cost extra. You can typically customize your flooring by using a tinted resin for one all-over color, or you can add color chips or flakes. With flakes, you can choose one color or have a blend of colors. Many decorative color chips help with skid resistance and hide any imperfections in the floor10.
Benefits of epoxy flooring
Epoxy flooring protects a floor from wear and tear, and an epoxy-coated floor doesn't crack as concrete floors often do3. This flooring product creates an inviting atmosphere for a place like a garage, beneficial for homeowners who, in addition to parking cars, use this space as a workshop, gym or storage area.
Here some benefits of epoxy flooring3:
- Heat resistant. An epoxy floor provides insulation, keeping a room more temperate than with a concrete floor.
- Durable. Besides parking your vehicle on an epoxy garage floor, you can also store heavy equipment on it — wherever you install the epoxy floor. And this flooring won't get damaged if you drop objects like tools on it.
- Chemically resistant. The product won't become compromised by chemical corrosion. In other words, epoxy can stand up to things like motor oil, gasoline, bleach, acidic substances and even water better than a concrete floor can4.
- Easy to clean. Simply sweep, hose off or mop the floor.
- Nontoxic. Although there is a low level of toxicity when working with epoxy, the chemicals are no longer reactive after the product has cured5.
- Attractive. Your space will undergo a major facelift when you put down an epoxy surface. Plus, there are a variety of color and flake options to choose from. (Flakes refer to paint flakes that come in different sizes and colors, providing a sort of granite look. Flakes provide customized looks and slip resistance and hide imperfections3.)
Downsides of epoxy flooring
There are a few downsides to consider with this product:
- Toxic (before the product cures). Epoxy resins consist of chemical compounds, and chemicals can be toxic if used improperly. Keep in mind that epoxy resins are considered nontoxic. They've withstood the test of time, as they've been in use since the 1950s. Although the risk of being harmed when applying epoxy is low, there could be problems if you expose yourself to a large amount of epoxy resin through your mouth or skin, or by inhalation6.
- Difficult to install. The epoxy floor installation process is messy and time-consuming. There's also quite a bit of prep work required if you want the best performance. For example, at the very least, you need to thoroughly clean your garage floor to remove all grease stains and solvents. You'll also probably need to grind down the existing concrete using a grinding machine to ensure your epoxy garage floor adheres to the concrete properly and that the result is a smooth surface7.
- Hard to remove. If, for some reason, you're unhappy with your epoxy floor, you'll find it's extremely difficult to remove because the epoxy resins mix in with the concrete. You'd need to use a solvent to strip the material, or a floor sander or grinder to remove it8.
How long do epoxy floors last?
Epoxy floors can last 10 years or even up to 25 years13. To get the most mileage from your epoxy floor, have the product applied correctly, making sure you prepare the surface adequately. Here are some other tips to increase the mileage you'll get from your floor9:
- Don't rush the process. It takes time for epoxy flooring to harden. The minimum amount of time the process takes is two days. If you or your contractor want to complete the job in one day, it might not be done correctly, as it typically takes the primer coat a day to dry.
- Wait before parking your car on it. You can walk on the floor usually two or three days after application, but you should wait about a week before parking your car on it.
- Keep it clean. Regularly clean off any dirt and debris that gets on the floor and remove standing water using a squeegee. These efforts should keep your floor in good condition for years.
How to pay for an epoxy floor
Ready to get started on this DIY project or to find a professional to put down epoxy flooring in your home? You can get help with financing an epoxy floor for your home with your Synchrony HOMETM Credit Card.*
* Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Promotional financing offers available at the time of purchase may vary by location. See store for details.
