Do-it-yourself (DIY) epoxy floor projects cost around $2–$5 per square foot on average. If you hire a professional, expect to pay between $3–$12 per square foot, including materials and labor. Epoxy ranks among the more budget-friendly flooring options while delivering durable protection and strong visual appeal for concrete surfaces.
Read on to see what cost factors go into professional epoxy flooring installation. We also feature a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on installing epoxy flooring yourself, alongside helpful tips from Mark Powers, an epoxy floor specialist featured in This Old House’s magazine.
Key Takeaways
- DIY epoxy flooring costs $2–$5 per square foot on average, while professional installation ranges from $3–$12 per square foot, including materials and labor.
- A typical two car garage, which runs 360 square feet on average, costs $720–$1,800 for DIY epoxy application, making it an affordable alternative to other flooring options.
- Water-based epoxy is the most budget-friendly option at $30–$50 per gallon, while solid epoxy provides the highest durability at $45–$150 per gallon but it may require professional installation.
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What Affects the Cost of Epoxy Flooring?
The total cost of your epoxy flooring installation depends primarily on the following factors:
- Epoxy type: Different epoxy flooring materials come with different price tags.
- Customizations and additives: Adding dyes, chips, flakes, rocks, or other decorative touches will increase the price.
- Coating and sealing: You may want to apply an upgraded top coat for high-traffic areas, which will cost more.
Type of Epoxy
There are three main types of epoxy flooring: water-based, solvent-based, and solid. Water-based epoxy is the least expensive but also the least durable. Solvent-based epoxy is somewhere in the middle. Solid epoxy has the highest cost and durability. Here’s how these three epoxy types compare.
| Type of Epoxy | Price per Gallon | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Water-based |
$30–$50 |
Easy application, low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), low-cost, and DIY-friendly |
Reapplication required every few years and only minor resistance to scratches and spills |
|
Solvent-based |
$45 |
Resistant to petroleum-based chemicals , suitable for high-moisture areas and extreme temperatures, mid-range pricing, and durable |
High VOCs and flammable during application |
|
Solid |
$45–$150 |
Long-lasting, no VOCs, and most resistant to heat, chemicals, and scratches |
Most expensive option and requires professional installation |
Note: The cost figures in this guide were sourced from HomeAdvisor and Angi, unless otherwise noted.
The coverage you’ll get from a gallon of epoxy depends on the thickness of the pour. Most epoxy floors are at least 10 millimeters (mm) thick, for which a gallon of epoxy will cover about 160 square feet. Depending on the strength and durability you need, epoxy floors can be as thick as 250 mm for residential applications and 375 mm for commercial applications.
Epoxy Customization Costs
The prices above apply to basic epoxy concrete coatings, but there are decorative and specialized options. Decorative flakes of mica or vinyl, quartz aggregate blends, and metallic pigments can be used to create attractive patterns within the epoxy. Stones or pebbles can get sealed in clear epoxy for a unique “river rock” look. Here’s what customizations will add to the cost of epoxy installation.
| Additive | Price Range |
|---|---|
|
Decorative flakes |
$10 per 1-pound bag |
|
Metallic epoxy floor |
$5–$12 per square foot |
|
Rock epoxy |
$100 per gallon |
Coating and Sealing Costs
You can further protect epoxy floors and extend their life span by coating them with sealant or epoxy paint. This is helpful in areas where you anticipate heavy foot traffic, vehicle storage, or chemical spills.
Acrylic resin is one of the least expensive sealants. Polyurethane adds extra heat resistance for areas facing extreme temperatures. One of the highest-performing options is polyurea, which is resistant to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and is thus a great choice for outdoor applications. Expect to add 20% to 30% to the final price for high-grade epoxy coatings.
| Type of Sealant | Price Range |
|---|---|
|
Acrylic and polyacrylic |
$0.85–$1.15 per square foot |
|
Polymer and polyurethane |
$0.95–$1.10 per square foot |
|
Polyurea and polyaspartic |
$150 per gallon |
Additional Epoxy Flooring Costs
The factors above are the primary determinants of price, but here are some additional cost considerations.
Floor Repairs
To apply an epoxy coating, your concrete slab needs to be in good shape and free of chips and cracks. Patching chips and small cracks is fairly easy, and you may be able to save money by doing it yourself. This will usually cost between $25 and $250, depending on the extent of the damage. Resurfacing the floor typically costs $3–$5 per square foot.
Large cracks are often signs of a severe foundation problem. When a home’s foundation is uneven or sinking, it can put stress on even the thickest of concrete slabs until they crack. It’s important to have large cracks evaluated as soon as possible to protect your investment in your home. Foundation repair can cost anywhere from $2,150–$7,730 or more, but it could be vital to your home’s structural integrity.
Site Preparation
Preparing the area for epoxy application requires clearing the floor. This may be a simple DIY task, or it may require movers or storage rental facilities. Concrete often needs to be etched, acid-washed, or power-washed to bond with the epoxy. If you hire an epoxy flooring contractor, preparation is often included in installation costs. If you need to purchase it separately, site preparation typically costs $50–$100.
Pro Tip
- The concrete surface where you plan on adding epoxy must be at least 60 days old or unsealed for the epoxy to properly adhere, says Powers. An easy way to tell if your concrete flooring is sealed is by spraying water on it, as sealed concrete will cause water to bead.
Size of the Room or Garage
The more square footage you need to cover, the higher the total cost. Here’s how much a DIY epoxy garage floor would cost based on standard garage sizes.
| Garage Size | Square Footage | DIY Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
1-car garage |
240 |
$480–$1,200 |
|
2-car garage |
360 |
$720–$1,800 |
|
3-car garage |
560 |
$1,120–$2,800 |
Pros and Cons of Epoxy Floor Coating
Some homeowners opt to coat their basement or garage floors with vinyl, plastic, or rubber rather than epoxy, while others choose to paint or polish the concrete. Here’s a list of the benefits and drawbacks of going with epoxy.
Benefits of Epoxy Floor Coating
- Durability: Although water-based epoxy may need reapplication every 1–3 years, solvent-based and solid epoxy floors can last up to 20 years. Epoxy resists peeling, chipping, and cracking, particularly if it’s sealed with polyurethane. Epoxy is highly resistant to water, stains, and spills. It also protects concrete from extreme temperatures, which is good for a pool deck or garage floor.
- Low cost: Epoxy is a cost-effective material compared to other flooring systems. It requires no underlayment or other subflooring and can get applied directly onto concrete. Homeowners can apply some epoxy types as a DIY home improvement project to save on labor costs.
- Customizability: You can add nearly any color pigment to epoxy, as well as metallics, flakes, and other decorations. Some epoxy styles mimic natural stone. It’s also possible to recreate the look of waves, lake bottoms, or cliff edges. Few other inexpensive flooring options give you this much customizability.
- Easy maintenance: Epoxy flooring requires regular sweeping and occasional wet mopping. For stuck-on debris, use a basic cleaner with ammonia instead of an acidic or oil-based cleaner.
Cons of Epoxy Floor CoatingChallenging To Install
- Challenging to install: Professional installation is best for more durable and decorative types of epoxy. The process is typically quick if the concrete floor base is in good shape. If the room’s humidity is not below a certain level when epoxy is applied, it may not cure correctly and can then peel. Some epoxy types give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during application, which are dangerous to people and the environment, but will dissipate once the epoxy has cured.
- Slippery: When dry, an epoxy floor isn’t any more slippery than wood. However, it can become dangerously slippery if soap or oil-based products get spilled. You can include an anti-slip additive in the epoxy for an extra price or put down floor mats.
- Discoloration: With exposure to sunlight and humidity over time, epoxy can take on a yellowish color. You can prevent this with a UV-resistant topcoat, which will add to the total price.
Pro Tip
- You can reduce installation time and effort by renting a floor maintainer, which is a machine that scrubs flooring, when preparing your concrete surface.
DIY vs. Professional Epoxy Flooring
Some types of epoxy flooring are DIY friendly, while others require professional installation.
DIY Epoxy Flooring
For the DIYer, epoxy costs as little as $2–$5 per square foot for the materials. Typically, DIY epoxy floor kits include epoxy, a mixing paddle, a paintbrush or roller, a top coat, and sometimes decorative flakes. You need to supply your own protective clothing, including goggles, a mask, a mixing pail, a power drill, stir sticks, a squeegee, and cleaning supplies. You must prepare the concrete yourself, including cleaning and making repairs, and you may need to rent a power washer for the acid wash.
Pro Tip
- Powers suggests applying epoxy when ambient temperatures are between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures ensure your flooring isn’t too damp or hot to work on, which can cause the epoxy to bubble and peel.
Note that installing epoxy flooring is a time-consuming process, with much of it being prep work and allowing the epoxy to cure. Below, we outline the steps needed to install epoxy flooring on your garage floor, taken from a past issue of the This Old House magazine.
Source: This Old House Magazine
Professional Epoxy Flooring
Profession installation typically includes concrete preparation and epoxy application, sealing, and cleaning. Pros can handle various coating types, including harder-to-install solid epoxy. They use industrial equipment for quick, mess-free application. They can also spot problems and perform necessary repairs. The downside is that epoxy flooring labor costs add about $1–$7 per square foot to the price.
How To Hire a Pro
When hiring a flooring contractor, keep the following considerations in mind:
- Some states require flooring contractors to have a specialized license. If this is applicable in your state, ensure the company’s license is up to date.
- Regardless of licensure, check that contractors are bonded and insured.
- Look for contractors who have experience with epoxy flooring.
- Ask about epoxy and sealant types based on how durable you need the floor to be.
- Ask for references from previous customers.
- Look at the company’s Better Business Bureau page and review sites such as Yelp and Trustpilot.
How To Save on Epoxy Flooring
If you decide to hire a pro, you can save on the total cost with the following tips.
- Get multiple estimates, and see if you can negotiate prices.
- If you’re already remodeling your garage or basement, ask if the price of epoxy flooring can be bundled into the price of installing the concrete at a discount.
- Hire contractors in the off-season when they’re less busy. Off-season is typically late fall and winter.
- Do as much of the site preparation yourself as possible, including moving everything out of the room or garage.
Is Epoxy Flooring Worth It?
Epoxy flooring coats and waterproofs concrete, making it an excellent, low-cost choice for spaces such as partially finished garages and basements. Installing epoxy can be a DIY weekend project, especially if you’re installing water-based epoxy.
Some homeowners need high-performance epoxy, or they may prefer to leave the job to the professionals. We recommend getting estimates from at least three flooring contractors before you make a final decision.
FAQs About Epoxy Flooring
How long do epoxy floors last?
Water-based epoxy floors last one to three years when exposed to heavy foot traffic. Solid and solvent-based epoxies can last up to two decades.
How do you maintain an epoxy garage floor?
You maintain an epoxy garage floor by dry sweeping or vacuuming. To clean heavily soiled floors, use a diluted ammonia-based cleaner and a mop.
How much does it cost to epoxy a garage floor?
It costs $2–$5 per square foot to epoxy a garage floor yourself. If you hire a professional for the job, the additional labor costs bring the total to $3–$12 per square foot.
Can I epoxy my floor myself?
Yes, you can epoxy your floor yourself. Epoxy flooring can be a DIY project for most homeowners. However, it depends on the epoxy type. It’s easiest to DIY water-based epoxy on concrete floors that are in good condition. You may need to acid-wash the floor first.
What is the difference between epoxy flooring and polyurethane?
Polyurethane is more flexible and resistant to scratches than epoxy, which feels harder to walk on. Polyurethane typically costs more and can be applied on top of epoxy for a more durable floor.
How We Determined Epoxy Flooring Pricing
To provide current and accurate pricing for epoxy flooring installation, we gathered cost data from reports published by Angi and HomeAdvisor. Our research provides a comprehensive overview of both national and local pricing. We analyzed pricing data across several U.S. states to better understand regional price differences. This allows our cost averages to reflect diverse homeowner needs across both urban and rural markets.
Prices shared in this guide represent the average cost of epoxy flooring based on our research at the time of publication. Actual costs may vary depending on factors such as location, service provider, home size, material quality, and project scope.
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