Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy flooring, also known as epoxy resin flooring, has industrial and home applications. It can be used to protect flooring, or fix flawed flooring, in warehouses, shipping and receiving, or showrooms.

This flooring choice is common in industrial or commercial locations, but is often overlooked or never even considered for home use.

However, the final finish of epoxy is seamless and has a shine to it that really increases the high-end look of the room.

As the industrial style is more often brought into homes and luxury apartments, epoxy flooring starts to gain a specific appeal.

Add to this luxury aesthetic the ease of cleaning and maintaining these floors, and you may want to consider epoxy flooring. Imagine how great an epoxy stone, aggregate, or pebble flooring would be in your entry, laundry, or even kitchen to provide a durable that looks great too.

What In the World is Epoxy Flooring?

If you have a hard concrete surface that you want to protect, then epoxy flooring can be the answer to your prayers.

Not only is it an inexpensive way to mask any flaws, but it also creates a safe and durable surface for your chosen area.

Epoxy itself was first used in aerospace facilities back in the 1950s.

With all of the advantages to this DGEB A/F Epoxy Resin, Polyoxyalkyleneamine, and silica sand blend, the uses have multiplied over into the electronics industry and flooring. 

Because epoxy floor covering works well to resist water and other materials, it is most often seen as industrial/garage epoxy flooring.

Easy to keep clean and tough under pressure, this floor covering is non-flammable, which is a great advantage when working in extreme conditions.

Best Selling Epoxy Flooring

Colored Expoxies 10002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating

  • Flexible
  • 100% Solids
  • Odorless
  • Impact Resistant

Some manufacturers have found ways to incorporate epoxy into wood flooring as well — to ensure that fires are limited should they start.

This has found a lot of takers especially in places which are prone to accidents caused due to fire.

For instance, there has been a spike in the number of restaurants that have opted for epoxy flooring in the last decade or so.

The numbers are set to rise with it gaining more popularity.

Why Choose Epoxy Flooring?

Don’t let the idea of industry scare you off though, decorative epoxy covering is available, with the ability to create aggregate, pebble and resin flooring with the epoxy fillers.

Since it’s such a good adhesive, these mixtures perform quite well in home decorating durable and attractive.

It's arguably the best type of flooring you can use for your garage for those reasons.

 If you are considering renovating your home in the near future, it would be a good idea to check out epoxy flooring as well.

Better still, you can ask your friends or relatives or do some online research to get first hand opinions from those who may have already gone for this durable, modern flooring finish.

When trying to select a flooring from the countless options available out there, it’s smart to start by weighing the pros and cons.

 Every flooring has advantages and disadvantages. 

The right choice for your home, your lifestyle and your room in particular is not going to be the same as for others.

Make your list of wants and needs and compare them with the following pros and cons of epoxy flooring to see if this could be the right choice for you!

Epoxy flooring has the following main advantages:

  • Strong adhesive properties: This means the flooring won't peel up or chip overtime.
  • Chemical and liquid resistance: Chemical spills won't damage the epoxy and this flooring can stand up to a lot of different kinds of messes, making it a fantastic choice for restaurants, gyms, kitchens, and work spaces.
  • Doesn't shrink: once the epoxy has cured, it doesn't flex with changes in temperature or humidity.
  • Durable: The strength of epoxy flooring is one of its greatest attributes. You can drop weights on the flooring or drive a car over it and it will not chip or crack.
  • Non-flammable: Due to the non-flammable nature of epoxy, it has become a great choice for restaurants and kitchens. Some companies have even started mixing epoxy with other flooring materials to attempt to reduce the flammability of the flooring.
  • Easy to use: Chemical and liquid resistance mean you can use anything to keep the floors clean and well maintained. Epoxy flooring is naturally shiny and, so, basic cleaning will keep them looking fabulous.

Disadvantages of using epoxy flooring in your home:

  • The curing process requires that the area be unused for at least twelve hours (or in some cases, even longer) after application.
  • Chemical compounds may cause irritant and/or allergic contact reactions.

How is Epoxy Flooring Installed and Maintained? Can I Install it Myself?

One of the greatest advantages to decorative epoxy flooring is that it is applied as you would apply paint to the floor.

The epoxy is brushed on (after a primer coat, of course) and left to dry.

 The video below shows the entire process of applying a luxury epoxy coating to concrete flooring by a professional.

The initial hardness can be felt at twelve hours after application, and at twenty four hours, you’re able to feel the real strength.

Over the course of the week, the total strength and firmness will be evident. Owing to the above, in most cases, you wouldn’t need an expert to do that for you.

 Most people can do this on their own if they have an understanding of floor painting and the necessary equipment.

However, if done incorrectly, the main appeal of epoxy-it’s seamless shine-can really fail. For this reason, I strongly recommend you hire a contractor who is familiar and experienced with epoxy flooring installation.

Regardless of who does the install, it is strictly advised that the floor is not used before at least 24 hours for best results.

But waiting for this length of time results in the aspect of epoxy most find attractive: for the day of sacrifice, you get a surface that can handle truck traffic and chemical spills.​

And in the industrial arena, these are well worth any initial investment.

While this finish is strong and durable, it is not infallible. Epoxy can be scratched and may yellow over time, especially in an area exposed to a lot of sunlight.

The seamless look makes it more difficult to make small repairs and damage is not easy to hide.

Now, For Some Technical Specifications

And here are some technical facts about epoxy finish: the bond strength (ASTM C-882) is 2110 p.s.i., which is much stronger than any other floor covering. Its flexural strength, or ability to move without breaking, (ASTM C-580-68) is 6,075 seven days after application.

The compressive strength (ASTM D-695) is 9,910 p.s.i. — extraordinarily high, and though it shouldn’t be a shock, the hardness, Shore D, is 65 in the 24 hours after application and goes up to 75 in the 7 days after applying.

Best Selling Epoxy Flooring

Colored Expoxies 10002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating

  • Flexible
  • 100% Solids
  • Odorless
  • Impact Resistant

Even if you don’t know what all these numbers mean, you should be able to understand that epoxy is well worth the time that you can’t walk on it.

 Most traffic needs to be curtailed for at least twelve hours after application.

The longer you wait the better. Scheduling the epoxy flooring for a holiday or a Sunday is definitely the better choice owing to the low traffic or footfall.

Where Would You Put Epoxy Flooring?

  • High ended gym
  • Industrial style, modern looking basement
  • Professional garage/ workspace

I shy away from recommending epoxy flooring in kitchens or other main areas of the home.

 Because the curing process takes place in the location where the epoxy is applied (as opposed to any kind of prefabricated flooring which is cured in a strictly controlled environment), there are many factors which are difficult to control and can have a negative effect on the final flooring.

Temperatures, humidity levels and even insects can impact the final product.

For this reason, limiting the locations for this flooring to areas that are easier to control is the best way to ensure you’ll be pleased with the final result.

I am also not convinced that outdoor applications are the best place for epoxy, as any flaws will be easier to see in the sunlight and yellowing will happen more quickly.

 I really see epoxy flooring as the right choice if you are more than just a hobbyist. If your gym is where you spend a lot of your time, if it’s a part of your life, a room you care about, and somewhere you want to be not just functional but truly a conversation piece, epoxy flooring is the right choice.

Similarly, if your basement or garage is your sanctuary and you want to elevate the beauty so that the room feels like a high end luxury showroom, epoxy flooring is going to be a smart decision for you.

If you have an area that needs to stay tough, like a garage, driveway, or carport, seamless epoxy flooring is one great way to go. It is also finding increased application in gyms and other places that witness regular physical activity.


For durability, attractiveness, and ease of application, decorative epoxy flooring is a very interesting option.

85 thoughts on “Epoxy Flooring”

  1. I have a pebble pool deck. I want to change it to a paver or tile type surface. Is it possible to lay the pavers or tile over the top of the pebbles without removing them from the entire pool deck since removing them will be a massive job?

    Reply
  2. I believe you can, if the substrate that will hold the pavers or tiles will stick to the epoxy. And if it will, then be sure to put a thick enough material down to give you a smooth surface for the tiles or pavers to adhere to.

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  3. Cracking flooring: 3 year warrenty. yes, that is exactly my thinking, not stuck to the floor. It is a brand new “never used” concrete floor. The frustrating part is the contractor not even coming over to see – just want to send his guys. I suppose, I should insist on getting him to come. it does not feel loose, but just that sound. floor looks and feels good.

    Reply
  4. I agree with your thought you should insist the contractor visit personally. The concrete may not have been clean — either from dirt/dust, moisture or chemicals — before the epoxy floor was installed.
    After you’ve been using the floor awhile, let us know how you like it. I’ve thought of doing that to my garage floor.

    Reply
  5. If the tiles are in good shape I don’t see why you couldn’t. Be sure to properly prepare your floor. If the tiles are breaking and crumbling you won’t really be able to cover that.
    If the epoxy isn’t low VOC be sure to keep the house aired out, especially during the application and curing time so you don’t create air quality problems in your home.

    Reply
  6. I put aggregate throughout my home but the bathroom is now one big hard water mess. Is there a good way to clean this and then possibly have a better sealer applied? Also, are there any home shampoo machines that can actually tackle the cleaning?

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  7. Hmmmm……have you tried cleaning it with a vinegar/water solution? Vinegar will tackle lime, which is what hard water leaves behind when it evaporates. For cleaning floors, I usually use a 1:10 ratio (one part vinegar to 10 parts water). You may need to go stronger than that though. Give it a try and let me know how it does for you.
    Be sure to check with the manufacturer to see which sealers are recommended.

    Reply
  8. Since water seems to be Debbie’s problem, maybe she should use distilled water, or store-bought water for her floor cleaning. That’s what I had to do with my hard-water issues before I bought magnets to put on my incoming water line — the hard-water stains are hardly an issue any more.

    Reply
  9. Our kitchen has ugly tiles placed over hardwood that is rough and used. We were wondering whether it might be feasible to put epoxy over the rough hardwood floors (which is rather distressed) to create a smooth even layer once we’ve removed the tiles. In other words, would the epoxy bind well to a distressed hardwood floor (which we would of course sand and clean beforehand)? Thank you for your advice.

    Reply
  10. most cleaning compounds will not adversly affect epoxy floors if they when used properly and the you rinse the floor thoroughly afterwards. Some cleaners contain chemicals which may can damage low quality epoxy floors, like water-based epoxy floors, especially if cleaners are left on them for a longer time. It’s a good idea to do a small cleaning test in an inconspicuous area before the use of any cleaning product.
    Using soft bristle scrub brushes, (either hand types or mechanical types) with a product specifically made for cleaning epoxy flooring will be the best.
    After the surface has been scrubbed properly, you then remove remove the emulsion of the cleaning solution and soil that resulted. To do this, you simply rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water and wet-vac it, or use a squeegee to remove if there are floor drains. It is recomended to do a second rinsing with clean water to minimize the possibility of leaving any residue.

    Reply
  11. I have a sunroom that used to have indoor/outdoor carpeting. I removed the carpet to find a black foamy underlayment and adhesive. I have used a 4 inch scrapper and adhesive remover to take 99% of the materials away, however there are many very little “stuborn” spots of adhesive that remain due to the floor being unlevel. Can I apply the epoxy over this?

    Reply
  12. It may or may not cause problems, it’s one of things where you don’t know until after you do it. I’ll bet you can dissolve it with a bit of acetone (you know, nail polish remover!). Not exactly the environmentally friendly thing to do and the stuff stinks to high heaven. I presume you’ll be cleaning the floor well too before you apply the epoxy, right?

    Reply
  13. Love this site! Two questions: Thinking about this in kitchen – if I did it myself should I look like an astronaut when I apply it, if I do it myself? And should I (due to allergies) stay somewhere else for a day?
    Secondly, could I apply this to my front porch? I had a smooth particle board surface put down two yrs ago. What do you think?

    Reply
  14. Hi Carole,
    Chances are you won’t need to look like an astronaut when using an epoxy coating. Eye protection is a must, wear old clothing and clean it off of your skin as soon as possible if any gets on you – remember, this stuff hardens. Gloves wouldn’t be a bad idea. Ok, I guess you need to be as covered as much as possible, but not quite as much as an astronaut! ;~)
    Depending on how sensitive you might be to the product you might be better off having somebody else do it and stay away until it’s fully dried.
    Unfortunately, there won’t be any way to tell if you are sensitive to the chemicals in it until after you’re around it. Many products are low VOC. The “Part B” is what can irritate skin.
    Epoxy coatings best on concrete, I don’t know how well it would work (if at all) on particle board. I do know that it can be used on wood floors, but I don’t have specific data to compare concrete vs. wood.
    I hope that helps you, if you have any more questions, feel free to drop back by.

    Reply
  15. I would like to replace the flooring in our motor home with the epoxy/pebble flooring. Any thoughts on this? Should we put down a thin wood base before applying the epoxy/pebbles? Or should the sub floor in the RV be OK for bonding?

    Reply
  16. Do you know what brand you intend to use? A new ‘sub floor’ would be best as the old one probably has grime on it that would interfere with the adhesion of the epoxy. Without knowing what brand you’re thinking of using, I can’t tell you for 100% sure. It’d be close, but not 100%. ;~)
    Most of the time, this product is used on concrete flooring, so it’d be best to check with the epoxy manufacturer to make sure it’ll work for your project.

    Reply
  17. Hello to everyone. I am an installer of epoxy and other polymer floors and liners and thought I might ad some advice here.
    Most epoxies can be applied over wood subfloors – I have installed many residential jobs over wood subfloors. Having said that, I recommend using a solid wood subfloor and be sure to screw both the old subfloor and then the new one to ensure as little movement as possible.
    Make sure that any surface whether concrete or wood is profiled (light sanding for wood and etching for concrete (diamond grinding is best for concrete) then cleaned properly to make sure there is zero dust or lose particles. Epoxy is very strong and will last a long time ONLY if the proper prep work is done. A primer can also be used – it is a little thinner and soaks in to the surface to seal – this gives a good solid base to apply your coverings to.
    You can get some very unique designs with epoxies as there are many additives and colors you can use.
    There are many different epoxies out there and you should seek a 100% solids product so that you do not have to worry about flames and your brain cells! But I would still advise a Organic Vapour mask. Nitrile gloves are best protect as epoxy will eat through latex and vinyl gloves.
    100% epoxies are 2 part mixtures and harden quicker than solvent or water based. Keeping your epoxy in the mix can with speed up hardening so it is best to pour a bead on the floor or if you have to use a paint tray but try to use a couple of them so the material volume is less.
    One helpful tip is to use a rubber squegee to move your material quickly then back roll with your LINT free paint roller to remove lines and puddles. You will get a smoother surface in the end.
    Tape walls and other areas where you do not want coatings as it gets messy.
    clean up while wet with xylene or toulene sometimes laquer thinners work. Once dried, you will have to grind/sand of any materials.
    I hope that helps someone but if you have any specific question feel free to ask.
    Steve – [email protected]

    Reply

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