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Flooring is a crucial part to any interior design project. Anchoring furniture, cabinets, and setting the tone for an entire space or area, the flooring chosen is often an investment in the longevity of the home.

Many homeowners choose between hardwood flooring, carpet, or tile, as these are the most popular floor finishes for the living areas of homes. But what about the ancillary spaces, like the garage?

Concrete flooring is an option, with it also being considered as a polished finished floor for some modern homes too.

But have you heard of Epoxy Flooring? Typically used in commercial settings, you might not have! It is particularly popular for use in Midwestern garages as it’s applied to concrete substrates.

Today I’m going to take you through everything you need to know about epoxy flooring! And share my tips and ideas on where and how you can use it in your home.

 

What is Epoxy Flooring?

 

Epoxy flooring is a type of resin that is laid on top of concrete substrates. It’s used as a protective and decorative layer to this concrete. The epoxy is usually poured, similar to polished concrete floors. The result of this resin protective layer is often a shiny and extremely hard-wearing surface.

 

Epoxy Flooring is usually used to add a protective and decorative layer to concrete substrates. You will find it commonly used in commercial or industrial settings.

 

This garage floor coating uses epoxy technology to provide a hard wearing surface in residential areas like garages!

Advantages of Epoxy Flooring

 

Epoxy flooring is the toughest out there! It creates an impact-resistant floor that is ideal for handling heavy machinery so there’s no need for worrying about cracks, and general wear and tear. This does come with a caveat though, to achieve the best result, the concrete substrate must be prepped properly! (More on that later)

It is also super easy to clean, and it resists oil stains making it ideal for use in both commercial and residential garages. Epoxy flooring can last for many years as there is little to no maintenance required.

 

Where to Use Epoxy Flooring

 

Epoxy flooring is commonly used for commercial or industrial flooring.

You’re likely to see epoxy flooring in large hardware stores or warehouses where the durability of epoxy flooring is needed most.

This type of flooring can also be used in residential projects too! The durable and hard wearing nature of epoxy flooring makes it perfect for use in garages and other ancillary spaces.

 

Not sure if the speckled design is for you? This slate gray self-priming epoxy floor paint provides a solid all-over color.

What Can Be Achieved?

 

With epoxy flooring, there are lots of different options available. From colors, patterns, or stone-like finishes – the sky’s the limit! If you want to create a fun garage floor, you can do this with different colored epoxy resins.

 

How to Prep the Area

 

Preparing the area before applying epoxy flooring is critical to its success. Without a smooth and clean surface, the epoxy may not be as durable as it should be.

The epoxy coating requires a clean and slightly porous surface, so it can adhere fully. You should avoid applying epoxy to sealed or polished concrete, but the concrete should be fully cured. Make sure to patch and repair any large cracks or chips in the concrete, and remove any grease.

It is recommended to check whether the concrete has been sealed (or had epoxy before) prior to installing epoxy flooring. You can easily do this by checking if water soaks or beads on the surface. If the water soaks in, it is suitable for the epoxy to be applied. However if the water beads on the surface, it’s likely to have been sealed previously and may not be suitable for an epoxy coating.

You should always follow the product’s directions and manufacturer’s instructions for installing epoxy flooring. Some products may require a primer and finisher coat.

 

Good preparation is absolutely key to the success of an epoxy coating. It requires a clean and slightly porous surface to adhere properly. Avoid applying epoxy to sealed or polished concrete.

 

Make a statement with this jet black self-priming epoxy floor paint! Ideal for use in garages and areas that need a durable floor.

Alternatives to Epoxy Flooring

 

Not sure epoxy flooring is for you? There are some alternatives!

For residential projects, you should consider concrete paint. This will give your garage floor an all-over color and fresh finish. However you won’t benefit from any extra durability qualities, this is purely decorative.

Some porcelain floors have a similar look to epoxy flooring or concrete floors, however, you should check with each manufacturer as to whether they are suitable for heavy-duty use in garages.

Our favorite alternative to epoxy flooring is interlocking tiles (plastic or rubber are popular materials). WeatherTech in particular has mats that you can put down instead of installing epoxy flooring. They are super tough and will protect your garage flooring from damage.