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Epoxy flooring is a great way to upgrade plain concrete floors and give them a modern look. It usually costs between $3 and $12 per square foot, which is more cost-effective than replacing the entire floor. If you want durable and attractive floors, epoxy garage floors could be a good choice for you. This guide will explain the costs of installing epoxy floors in more detail.
Solid epoxy is the most durable and costly flooring, ideal for those with a flexible budget. It resists oil, grease, water, chips, and scuffs and is eco-friendly with no VOCs. Best for high-traffic areas, requires professional installation and isn’t suitable for moisture-prone floors. Its long lifespan and low maintenance make it a worthwhile investment. However, its installation complexity and expense may not be suitable for all projects.
Solvent-based epoxy is a solid mid-tier option, providing a glossy finish with more durability than water-based varieties and costing less than solid epoxy. It dries quickly and is easy to install in different temperatures and humidity levels. However, it contains high VOCs, is flammable during application, and is banned in some states due to its VOC content.
Water-based epoxy is an affordable, easy-to-install option made of water, epoxy, and a hardener. It becomes tough and shiny as the water evaporates, and it can be applied without waiting for the concrete to dry. Eco-friendly with low VOCs, it’s a budget-friendly choice. However, it may develop rust spots, wear out faster, and require more frequent recoating, making it less suitable for large businesses or industrial settings.
When you’ve settled on epoxy flooring for your home, you’ll have to pick between solvent-based, water-based, and pure solid epoxy floors. Pure solid epoxy is the toughest, but it’s typically the priciest option.
Water-based epoxy is thinner, simpler to handle, and not as durable as the other choices, making it often the most wallet-friendly. Solvent-based epoxy sits between these two in terms of strength, being stronger than water-based epoxy but not as sturdy as solid epoxy.
The final cost will depend on the type of epoxy you choose, but typically, homeowners pay between $0.50 and $3 per square foot.
When installing epoxy floors, you or your contractor can use different application methods. The best method depends on the type of epoxy you choose. For instance, a water-based solvent is easy to apply and shouldn’t greatly impact your labor expenses.
If you opt for solid epoxy paint, be prepared to invest more time and money into the installation process, as it can be intricate. Typically, installing solid epoxy entails hiring a professional because it demands special tools and expertise.
Adding decorative elements to your epoxy flooring, like metallic accents in metallic epoxy flooring, decorative flakes, or multiple colors, will likely increase the cost. On average, these enhancements add $5 to $12 per square foot because they involve custom installation.
If you’re not doing your own epoxy floors to save cash, you’ll have to pay for labor, which can be a big chunk of the total cost. Sometimes, labor costs can make up to 65% of what you pay.
Labor expenses can differ depending on where you are, but typically, epoxy flooring pros charge around $4 to $7 for each square foot. If they go by the hour instead, expect to shell out somewhere between $50 to $150 hourly.
On top of labor charges, there might be a fixed fee to handle extra expenses like travel, equipment, and special materials for the epoxy floor. These costs can vary depending on the company. Also, many contractors provide a warranty.
Setting up an epoxy floor system calls for special gear like spiked rollers, wet-dry vacuums, power washers, squeegees, and sprayers. You can usually get these in an epoxy floor kit. Plus, don’t forget to gear up with protective equipment and special shoes to make sure the installation goes smoothly.
If you decide to tackle this home improvement job yourself, you’ll have to purchase this equipment unless you already own it. But if you opt for a contractor to revamp your floors, they’ll probably include the equipment cost in the overall estimate they give you.
The size of your project plays a big role in how much it’ll cost you. Bigger rooms need more materials, time, and work, so they usually come with a higher price tag compared to smaller areas. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring someone, larger jobs typically mean more expenses because you’ll need more materials.
Let’s break it down with some examples:
Certainly, sometimes the costs can even out. For example, picking a cheaper epoxy for a big project might end up costing you about the same as using a pricier epoxy for a smaller space.
Before putting in an epoxy floor, you’ve gotta get the flooring ready. If you skip this step, the epoxy might not stick right, and you’ll end up with a not-so-great finish. So, make sure you do all the prep work to guarantee a smooth, strong, and good-looking result.
Getting the floor ready depends on what kind of floor you’ve got. Some need more prep than others. Usually, you might need to power wash, use acid to etch the surface or sandblast it. If you’re doing acid etching yourself, it could cost around 20 bucks. And if you hire someone to sandblast, it’s typically between 1 to 5 bucks per square foot.
When you get a contractor to do the flooring for you, they usually roll the prep costs into the total price. So, you won’t get a separate bill for the prep work; it’s all part of the package.
Besides the basic costs of epoxy floors, there are a few other things that can bump up the price. These might not apply to every job, but it’s good to know about them anyway.
Concrete is tough, but over time it can wear down, especially after a bunch of years. Sometimes, it gets messed up because it wasn’t put in right in the first place. Either way, you gotta fix any chips or cracks in the concrete before you put on the epoxy coating.
Fixing small cracks and chips in concrete usually costs between 6 to 14 bucks per square foot when you hire a pro. But if your concrete is falling apart or has big cracks, it could mean your foundation is in trouble.
You’ll have to get an inspector to check out the damage and determine what to do next. Depending on the damage extent, fixing a foundation can usually set you back between $2,200 and $7,800.
In certain cases, you might need to put a new layer on top of the concrete before you install the flooring. This can fix different problems, and it’s way simpler than ripping out the old concrete and starting from scratch.
On average, resurfacing concrete can be anywhere from $3 to $25 per square foot. The cost varies a lot depending on the specifics of each project.
Once the installation is done, some homeowners might want to put on a sealant or paint on top to make it tougher or blend it with the rest of the area. For this extra job, most homeowners usually pay between $40 and $150 per hour for labor. Or, if the contractor calculates by the square footage, it usually ranges between $1.50 and $5 per square foot.
For some setups, a basic sealant might do the job, but for others, it might not be tough enough. That’s where traffic coatings come in handy. They’re super strong and perfect for places that get lots of people or vehicles moving around, like homes with big families, workplaces, or bustling garages.
Traffic coatings usually cost about 20% to 30% more than regular sealers.
If you opt for a professional, you can cut down on the overall expense with these suggestions.
When you’re hiring a flooring contractor, remember these things:
Epoxy flooring adds a protective layer to concrete, making it great and budget-friendly for places like half-done garage flooring and basement flooring. Putting in epoxy can be a weekend DIY job, especially if you’re using water-based epoxy.
Some people might need super strong epoxy, or they might just want to let the experts handle it. We suggest getting quotes from at least three flooring contractors before you decide for sure.