Epoxy floor coating: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What epoxy floor coating is

Epoxy floor coating grinds and cleans a concrete floor, repairs cracks, then applies primer and epoxy coats, often with color flakes and a clear topcoat. It gives garages, workshops, basements and commercial spaces a tough surface that resists stains, oil and moisture when it is installed on a sound, dry slab.

Signs you need it

  • The concrete dusts, flakes or pits under foot and leaves a powder on shoes and tires
  • Oil, grease and salt have stained the slab and no longer clean out
  • The garage or shop floor has cracks that trap dirt and chip at the edges
  • You want a floor that is easy to wipe down and looks finished in a workshop or showroom
  • The slab is sound, and moisture tests show it is dry enough for a coating to bond

What the pro does

  • Test the slab for moisture, check for cracks and spalling, and look for any old coating that must be removed
  • Grind the concrete with a diamond grinder to open the surface profile, and vacuum the dust thoroughly
  • Fill cracks and chips with epoxy filler or repair mortar, and feather the repairs to the surface
  • Apply the epoxy primer evenly and let it cure to the product's recoat window
  • Broadcast color flakes into the wet base coat if the design calls for them, then roll the base coat
  • Apply the clear topcoat in even coats, and keep the floor closed to foot traffic and vehicles until it is cured

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Floor square footage and the number of zones, including the bays, the walkways and the drains
  • Condition of the slab, including the number of cracks, spalls and the amount of grinding needed
  • The coating system chosen, from a single coat to a multi-coat system with flakes and a topcoat
  • Moisture control, such as a vapor barrier or a moisture-tolerant primer if the slab is damp
  • Ventilation and the fume control needed in the space during the work
  • Access and the time the floor must be closed, plus the cure time needed for vehicles

What a written quote should spell out

  • Square footage and zones covered, with the drains, walls and edges noted
  • Surface prep steps named, including grinding, the profile target and the crack repair
  • Primer, base coat and topcoat products named, with the number of coats and the recoat window
  • Flake or color system included, with the broadcast method and the amount per square foot
  • Ventilation method, the protection plan and the cure time before vehicles can use the floor

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you test the slab for moisture, and what happens if the slab is too wet?
  • What is the surface profile after grinding, and how do you check it?
  • What coating system do you use, and how well does it resist oil, salt and tire wear?
  • How long before I can park a car on it, and how long before heavy equipment can roll on it?
  • What fume control do you use, and when is the space safe to re-enter?
  • Can you show me a floor you coated with a similar slab and use?

Red flags

  • The pro coats a damp slab without a moisture test and says it will be fine
  • The pro does not grind the surface and says the coating will bond to smooth concrete
  • The pro works in a closed space without ventilation or respiratory protection for the crew
  • The pro says the floor can take a car the same day the topcoat goes on

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clean a slab, test it for moisture and apply a sealer or a floor-grade paint to a small, sound area. Epoxy coating involves grinding dust, solvent fumes and chemical reactions during mixing, so the grinding and the full system should go to an experienced crew with proper protection and ventilation.

Licenses and permits

Epoxy floor coating commonly does not need a license, but slab repair, moisture barriers and any structural crack work may need a permit or qualified contracting. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before you start a large commercial floor.

Epoxy floor coating questions

Can epoxy go over a cracked slab?

Small cracks can be filled and bonded. A moving crack or a slab that is failing needs a structural fix first, since the coating will crack along the same line. Ask the pro to show the cracks and to say whether they are structural.

Why does epoxy bubble or peel?

Bubbles and peeling usually come from moisture in the slab, a contaminated surface or a skipped grind. Ask the pro to test for moisture and to show the prep method before coating.

Are epoxy fumes dangerous?

The fumes can irritate the eyes and lungs during application. Ask the pro to ventilate the space, to keep the work area closed off until the fumes clear and to name the protection the crew uses.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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