How much does epoxy flooring cost?
How much does epoxy flooring cost?
$4 – $10 cost per square foot
$1,600 – $5,800 average total cost for a 2-car garage
Cost of epoxy flooring
Epoxy flooring costs $4 to $10 per square foot installed on average, depending on the type and project size. An epoxy floor costs $1,600 to $5,800 for a 2-car garage. Epoxy resin prices are $1 to $5 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor.
Location | Square feet | Average installed cost |
---|---|---|
Garage | 288 — 864 | $1,200 – $8,600 |
Basement | 300 – 2,000 | $1,200 – $20,000 |
Kitchen | 100 – 200 | $400 – $2,000 |
Patio | 200 – 400 | $800 – $4,000 |
Driveway | 288 – 576 | $1,200 – $5,800 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Epoxy garage floor coating cost
An epoxy garage floor costs $1,200 to $8,600, depending on the garage size and the condition of the concrete before applying the epoxy. Removing oil and repairing damage may cost more and extend the timeline of the project.
Garage size | Square feet | Average installed cost |
---|---|---|
1-car | 288 – 392 | $1,200 – $3,900 |
2-car | 400 – 576 | $1,600 – $5,800 |
3-car | 576 – 864 | $2,300 – $8,600 |
Epoxy basement floor
An epoxy basement floor costs $1,200 to $20,000, depending on your basement size and how much of the floor you'll epoxy. This floor type is naturally waterproof and can help prevent water damage in your basement.
Epoxy kitchen floor
Epoxy kitchen floors cost $400 to $2,000 installed and are not commonly used but are easier to clean than some other common flooring materials. Epoxy countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot or $1,500 to $6,000 with professional installation.
Epoxy patio
An epoxy patio costs $800 to $4,000 installed on average, depending on the size. Many epoxy patios use pebbles for added texture and a more natural appearance. Adding epoxy onto existing pebbles or patios makes them more durable and weatherproof.
Epoxy driveway
Adding an epoxy coating to a driveway costs $1,200 to 5,800, depending on the size of the driveway. This coating will protect against stains and prevent weeds from growing. In comparison, sealing a driveway costs $400 to $800, depending on the sealant type.
Epoxy cost by type
Epoxy costs $40 to $150 per gallon, depending on the type. Each gallon of epoxy resin will cover about 80 to 200 square feet, depending on the thickness of the coating. Most epoxy floors are 10 to 20 millimeters thick.
Epoxy type | Cost per gallon | Details |
---|---|---|
Water-based | $40 – $100 | Easy to apply but less durable |
Solvent | $50 – $100 | Durable but banned in some states |
Solid | $70 – $150 | Hard to apply but has a long lifespan |
Water-based epoxy
Water-based epoxy costs $40 to $100 per gallon for materials alone. This epoxy type is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and easy to apply, even when a floor is damp. However, it's the least durable option and may need recoating after a few years.
Solvent epoxy
Solvent epoxy costs $50 to $100 per gallon and is more durable and dries faster than water-based epoxy. This epoxy type is harder to find because it's banned in some states for being high in VOCs and flammable during application.
Solid epoxy
Solid epoxy costs $70 to $150 per gallon on average. This option is low in VOCs and more durable than other epoxy types, but it's much harder to apply and shouldn't be used on floors with moisture problems. Solid epoxy is commonly used in commercial and industrial settings.
Epoxy vs. epoxy paint
Though they sound similar, epoxy floor coating is not the same as epoxy paint, which is mostly paint with some epoxy mixed into it. Epoxy coating is a mix of resin and hardening agents, which make it a durable floor coating rather than a paint.
Epoxy flooring cost calculator
The following table shows the average cost of epoxy flooring materials and labor.
Factor | Cost per square foot |
---|---|
Materials* | $1 – $5 |
Labor | $3 – $5 |
Total cost | $4 – $10 |
*Including applicators and other supplies
Several factors impact the total price:
Concrete repair – Before applying the epoxy, repair or fill any cracks in the concrete. If the damage is widespread, you may need to resurface your floor before adding an epoxy coating. Concrete floor resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot.
Floor preparation – Most epoxy coating products require acid washing or etching first to give the floor “teeth” for the coating to bond to. You may need to clean or power wash your floor and let it dry before starting. Power washing costs $0.35 to $0.77 per square foot.
Application method – Some contractors use a roller to apply the epoxy, while others use a squeegee, trowel, or sprayer. Ask the installer about application methods since some are more labor-intensive and expensive than others.
Emptying the space – Make sure your garage or space is empty before the project begins. If you don't have enough storage space elsewhere, you may need to pay for a truck rental and a temporary storage unit.
Weather – Epoxy coatings harden faster in warm temperatures and cannot bond properly when wet or exposed to high humidity. Your contractor may need to reschedule if there's inclement weather.
Style – Adding rock pebbles, colored flakes, metallic tint, or custom images to an epoxy floor costs extra.
Resealing – Solid epoxy is durable enough to last 10 to 20 years, but water-based epoxy may need a new coat every 3 to 5 years.
Labor
Epoxy labor prices are $3 to $5 per square foot on average. Solid epoxy typically costs more to apply than water-based. Any extra prep work, cleaning, or repairs will increase the labor cost. Cleaning and removing all items from the area ahead of time may reduce the applicator's fees.
Pros and cons of epoxy flooring
Epoxy floors are a great way to protect your floors from stains, foot traffic, and moisture. The application is difficult, however, and should only be done when the weather is between 60°F to 85°F and less than 85% humidity.
Pros | Cons |
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Epoxy vs. other floor treatments
Epoxy is a popular choice for coating concrete, but there are other options that may be a better fit. Sealing concrete costs $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot for acrylic and $1.25 to $3.00 per square foot for polyurethane.
Acrylic – Acrylic coatings are breathable and won’t bubble or peel around moisture. However, petroleum-based products can break down the acrylic, and the coatings are slippery when wet. Acrylic also needs to be reapplied every 2 to 3 years.
Polyurethane – Polyurethane concrete coatings are stronger than epoxy, dry much faster, and can be applied in most temperatures.
Concrete polishing – Polished concrete flooring costs $3 to $15 per square foot, depending on the design, number of colors, and sheen. Contractors stain, grind, polish, and seal the concrete to create a high-gloss look.
DIY epoxy flooring
DIY epoxy flooring costs $50 to $600 for raw materials, depending on the size of the project, or $200 to $700 for premade kits. Make sure your concrete is clean, dry, and smooth before starting.
Water-based epoxy is relatively easy to work with, but solid epoxy should be handled by professionals to avoid costly mistakes.
Epoxy flooring FAQs
What is epoxy flooring?
Epoxy flooring is a type of resin that coats existing concrete floors. Epoxy systems consist of several layers of resin mixed with a hardening agent. The finished floor is smooth, glossy, and easy to clean.
How long do epoxy floors take to dry?
Epoxy floors take several hours to dry, depending on the type. Regardless of the type used, don’t walk on it for 16 to 24 hours or drive on it for 2 to 7 days.
Water-based epoxy is ready for the second coat in 8 to 10 hours. It can withstand light foot traffic in 16 to 24 hours and heavy traffic in 2 to 7 days.
Solvent epoxy is ready for a second coat in 12 hours and fully cured in 24 hours.
Solid epoxy is ready for a second coat in 24 hours, walk-on dry in 18 hours, and fully cured in 7 days.
How long does an epoxy floor last?
An epoxy floors lasts 3 to 5 years for water-based epoxy or 10 to 20 years for solid epoxy, depending on the foot traffic and exposure to moisture. To maintain epoxy floors, use a simple dust mop regularly to gather up dust or dirt and clean it more thoroughly as needed.
Are epoxy floors slippery?
Epoxy floors are glossy and can become slippery when wet, but they're not as slippery as polished concrete or similar smooth surfaces. Epoxy flooring is naturally skid-resistant when dry.
Getting estimates from epoxy flooring companies
Before hiring a local epoxy flooring company, follow these steps:
Get 3+ estimates from nearby contractors.
Look for licensed contractors with experience installing epoxy floors.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose a company that is insured, bonded, and reputable.
Avoid the lowest quotes, which may indicate low-quality work.
Get a written, detailed estimate before the installation starts.
Follow a payment schedule instead of paying in full before the job is done.
Questions to ask epoxy flooring contractors
Ask the following questions to find the best epoxy flooring installers:
How long have you been installing epoxy flooring?
What type of epoxy coating do you use?
Do you have data sheets about the epoxy you use?
Do you have any certifications?
How will you prepare the existing concrete floor?
What are the VOC levels in the products you use?
How long will the project take?
Wil you test for moisture in the flooring first?
Do you offer a topcoat?
How will you handle any concrete flooring repairs?
What type of warranty do you offer?