Epoxy coatings for garage floors offer a variety of finish and design options, including:
Decorative colored flakes: $10 per 250-pound bag
Metallic epoxy: $5–$12 per square foot
Rock or stone epoxy: $100 per gallon
Acrylic and poly-acrylic sealants: $0.85–$1.15 per square foot
Polyurethane sealant: $0.95–$1.10 per square foot
Polyurea sealant: $150 per gallon
Factors like the time of day you choose to seal the concrete, temperature, humidity, and airflow will impact drying time. To shorten the drying time, seal concrete in the late afternoon on a day with a temperature between 45 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
While there is a lot to like when it comes to epoxy flooring, there are some disadvantages for you to consider. For one, this flooring gets very slippery when wet, which means that it might not be the best option for homes with young children and older adults. Using an anti-slip coating can help.
Also, the installation period requires a long curing time of several days. Wet epoxy also releases strong smells during this curing period, which requires proper ventilation and safety gear.
You can paint concrete with paint rollers. In fact, using paint rollers is considered one of the easiest ways to evenly apply paint on concrete. A paint roller with a 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick nap—which is basically a fabric paint roller cover—is best for painting concrete. The thicker the nap, the more paint it can hold to fill those pesky concrete cracks and crevices.
Epoxy and polyurethane sealers can last five to 10 years, while acrylic sealers last two to three years or more depending on the use, wear of the surface, and type of sealer you choose. Areas that see heavy traffic or extreme ice and snow may require more frequent sealing. Test your concrete every two years to gauge how it responds to absorbing water or if it fully repels it for longer than 20 seconds.
The Carlin, NV homeowners’ guide to epoxy flooring services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
This guide breaks down the cost of installing epoxy flooring in your garage, basement, or other space. Costs depend on resin type, floor size, and more.
Faced with the shiny dilemma of polished concrete floors vs epoxy, you’ll need the details of cost, aesthetics, and durability to weigh and measure the winner.