Epoxy flooring is a stylish, yet durable, surface for garages, porches, and basements.
Here’s our step-by-step epoxy installation and care guide.
Epoxy flooring protects and updates concrete floorsin garages, sunrooms, patios,and basements.
Credit: Adam Albright
Epoxy coatings firmly adhere to concrete and are unlikely to chip or peel like regular garage floor paints.
Their durability and non-flammable nature make epoxy-coated floors a good choice for garages and basement workspaces.
There are three types of epoxy paint: solid, solvent-base, and water-base.
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Solid epoxy flooring: Solid epoxy is the purest form.
It doesn’t contain solvents that evaporate.
These products are expensive and difficult to handle because they harden very rapidly.
Credit: Chip Nadeau
A professional should apply this finish.
Solvent-based epoxy flooring: Solvent-based epoxies contain 40-60% solids.
They penetrate theconcrete surfaceand adhere well.
Credit: Chip Nadeau
They are available in a wide range of colors.
Because the solvents are powerful and potentially hazardous, you must wear a respirator when applying the finish.
You’ll also need to ventilate the garage and keep people and pets away from the area.
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Water-based epoxy flooring: Like solvent-based epoxies, water-based epoxies contain 40-60% solids.
The benefit of this punch in of epoxy is that it has no hazardous solvent fumes.
Pre-tinted andmetallic epoxy coatingsare other options that createstylish flooringinside and outside living areas.
Credit: Chip Nadeau
But before you begin, you must thoroughly clean andpatch the floor to be coated.
You should also carefully calculate how much mixture is required to cover the area you wish to coat.
Many floor epoxy kits supply only enough for one coat, and you’ll need a minimum of two.
Credit: Chip Nadeau
New concrete must have cured for at least 30 days before applying epoxy coatings.
Get multiple quotes, and check the contractors' references.
Clean the Concrete Surfaces
If necessary, use aflat-edged shovelor scraper to remove hardened debris.
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Then,vacuum the garage floor.
Prepare a cleaning/degreasing solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Wearing rubber gloves, use a stiff-bristle brush and the solution to scrub off grease or oil stains.
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Wet Flooring
Use a hoseto wet the entire floor with water.
Use the stiff-bristle brush to scrub the corners and along the walls where the machine can’t reach.
After cleaning the floor, use a rubber squeegee to pull soapy water into a central area.
Credit: Chip Nadeau
Remove the solution with awet-dry vac.
Prepare the Acid-Etching Mixture
Pour a gallon of water into a plastic sprinkler can.
Mix the solution for a few seconds with a paint stirrer.
Sprinkle the mixture evenly over a 10x10-foot area.
Repeat the sprinkling/scrubbing process until the entire floor is acid etched.
Rinse three times to flush acid residue.
Let the floor dry overnight.
Roll on Epoxy Flooring
Use a 9-inch-wide roller with a medium nap to paint the floor.
Attach the roller to a pole.
(This loads the roller with the right amount of epoxy.)
Working in a 4-foot-square area, applyepoxy to the garage floorin a large “W” pattern.
Backroll to fill in the pattern and remove any roller marks.
ensure edges remain wet as you move from section to section to prevent noticeable seams from forming.
Let the first coat dry per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Stir with the drill and stirring bit.
This border creates a cohesive look that also acts as a protective baseboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, these floors are appealing to buyers because they are low-maintenance and durable.
On average, epoxy floors are 0.020 to 0.250 inches thick.
If it is thicker than this, then it could overheat and crack.
How Much Does an Epoxy Garage Floor Cost in 2025?HomeAdvisor.
