What does it cost to install epoxy garage floors in 2023?
Are you fixing up your garage? Upgrading your plain and hard-to-clean concrete garage floor with an epoxy flooring system can dramatically enhance both its appearance and functionality. Epoxy garage floor systems are highly durable, easy to clean and maintain, and offer excellent resistance to chemical spills.
In this article, Craftsman Concrete Floors will discuss epoxy garage floor cost, including the price variables and benefits of different epoxy systems.
Average Prices for Epoxy Garage Floors
The cost of installing a high-quality epoxy two-car garage floor typically ranges from $4,000 to $5,500. Such epoxy garage floor systems are made of materials that are not easily available to homeowners, including 100% solids epoxy, polyurethane, and polyaspartic coatings.
An epoxy coating is incredibly durable and highly resistant to chemical spills, such as vehicle fluids and household cleaning products. Additionally, they are scratch and mar-resistant, and will not transfer to hot vehicle tires when a car is parked on the garage floor.
To epoxy a garage floor, labor costs can range from $7 to $12 per square foot, depending on the size and complexity of the job. Material costs are typically $2 to $6 per square foot depending on the quality of the materials, and the number of coats required for the job.
There are specialized systems designed for breweries and food manufacturing that may be installed in garages. Pricing for these systems generally exceeds the standard epoxy garage floor systems.
Prices for standard two-car garages in the 380-450 sq. ft. range are listed above. Larger garages have a lower price per square foot, while one-car garages have a higher price per square foot.
Factors That Impact Epoxy Garage Floor Cost
Type of Garage Floor Coating
There are various types of coatings available for garage floors and they differ in terms of quality. The standard epoxy garage floor system includes a base layer of 100% solid epoxy, followed by a full broadcast of plastic flakes, and a top layer of polyurethane or polyaspartic. Among all the options, the 100% solid flake epoxy garage floor system is the preferred choice as it is more durable and long-lasting compared to other systems.
Water-based epoxy garage floors are more economical than 100% solids epoxy floors and can be DIY installed. Big box home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot sell kits that homeowners can install over a weekend. It’s important to note that do-it-yourself installation epoxy garage floor systems do not provide the same level of chemical resistance and durability as professional epoxy flooring systems. In our experience, these DIY epoxy flooring systems tend to last for only a year or two before requiring replacement.
FoR epoxy Floor Options, Visit our Color Charts and Data Sheets Page
Size of The Garage Floor
The size of the project is another significant factor that impacts the cost of epoxy flooring. Generally speaking, larger floor areas result in lower costs per square foot. For instance, a two-car garage with an area of 400 square feet may cost $4,000, while a larger project with an area of 1,000 square feet may cost $6,000. This is because many fixed costs associated with epoxy flooring installation, such as labor and equipment, can be spread over a larger area, reducing the cost per square foot. For larger projects, material costs may even decrease since they can be purchased in bulk.
Customization Options
Epoxy flooring can be customized to suit your aesthetic preferences and functional requirements, with options such as metallic, decorative flakes, and quartz broadcast. While the appearance of the epoxy garage floor is impacted by these options, they also affect performance. For example, flake and quartz broadcasted epoxy floors are considerably more slip-resistant than metallic or solid color epoxy garage floors.
Metallic epoxy, for instance, is priced between $9 and $12 per square foot, making it a more expensive option than standard epoxy floors. The distinctive and attention-grabbing appearance of metallic epoxy floors can justify their cost, making them a valuable investment for some use cases. We typically don’t recommend using metallic pigmented epoxy for garage floors. We’ll discuss why later in this article.
Labor Costs
Labor costs significantly impact overall epoxy flooring installation costs, ranging from $7 to $12 per square foot in Texas. Costs may vary based on location and project complexity.
It is important to remember that attempting a DIY epoxy flooring installation may save you money on labor costs, but it requires a significant amount of effort, expertise, and the proper tools and safety equipment. If you are unsure about your ability to tackle the project yourself, it is best to hire a professional to ensure a successful outcome.
Comparing Epoxy Flooring Prices
Now that we’ve explored the various factors that can affect the cost of epoxy flooring, it’s time to compare the prices of different types of epoxy flooring systems. This section will examine the costs of solid-color epoxy floors, metallic epoxy floors, urethane floors, and cement urethane flooring.
By comparing the costs and benefits of each option, you can make an informed decision about which type of epoxy flooring is best suited for your needs and budget.
Solid-Color Epoxy Floors
Solid-color epoxy flooring uses one or more layers of epoxy without a slip additive, such as a plastic flake or quartz sand broadcast. While we do not recommend these systems for garage floors, due to the fact that they’re slippery when wet and can show wear easily, they are popular for a wide range of applications such as manufacturing and storage facilities.
The cost for a two-coat solid epoxy floor is approximately $2 per square foot for materials and an additional $2-4 per square foot for installation labor.
While solid epoxy flooring may not offer the same level of aesthetic customization as more expensive options like metallic epoxy, they provide an excellent balance of performance and affordability for certain use cases. This makes them an attractive choice for those looking for a durable and cost-effective flooring solution. Again, keep in mind that we do not recommend this installation for residential garages, due to the fact that they can be slippery when wet.
Metallic Epoxy Floors
Metallic epoxy floors offer an eye-catching appearance that differentiates them from standard epoxy flooring options. These floors are created by incorporating metallic pigments into the epoxy coating, resulting in a stunning, shimmering finish that can be customized to suit your specific design preferences. The cost of metallic epoxy floors ranges from $9 to $12 per square foot, making them a more expensive option than standard epoxy floors.
While metallic epoxy floors come with a higher price tag, the added aesthetic appeal and customization options can make them well worth the investment for those looking to create a unique flooring solution. In addition to their striking appearance, metallic epoxy floors boast the same durability and resistance to wear and damage as standard epoxy floors.
Urethane Floors
Polyurethane garage floors are a popular substitute for epoxy floors because they are not UV-reactive, which means they do not yellow from exposure to sunlight. Urethane systems can be installed on outdoor surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, and pool decks. These systems frequently incorporate pebbles or river rocks into the polyurethane to give it a textured appearance.
Urethane systems can be very expensive, ranging from $8 per square foot up to $20 per square foot.
While urethane floors may come with a higher price tag, their high performance on exterior surfaces can make them an attractive option for some uses.
Urethane Cement
Urethane cement is a flooring solution that is commonly used in breweries and manufacturing facilities. This type of flooring combines epoxy and cement to create a surface that is more durable than either material when used alone. It offers a high level of durability and can withstand heavy usage, making it ideal for industrial settings. Urethane cement flooring offers exceptional resistance to mechanical abrasion, harsh chemicals, thermal shock, and impact damage, making it an excellent choice for garages that receive extremely heavy use.
One downside of cement urethane floors is that they’re very expensive. An average garage installation will exceed $20 per square foot.
Other Epoxy Garage Floor Costs
Concrete Repairs
For an epoxy coating to be effective and durable, all damage to the concrete slab must be repaired prior to the epoxy flooring installation. Cracking and spalling damage will be repaired with specialized fast-cure epoxy. The installation company should assess necessary repairs before starting the concrete floor project. In rare cases, significant concrete slab deterioration can render an epoxy coating project unfeasible. At Craftsman Concrete, we charge a flat rate for slab repairs, usually ranging from $250 to $750 per project.
Moisture Testing
Moisture testing is a critical step in the epoxy flooring installation process, as epoxy cannot be applied if moisture is present in the concrete slab. This testing is necessary to ensure that the concrete is sufficiently dry to accept the epoxy, as excess moisture can cause the epoxy not to adhere correctly, leading to cracking and peeling.
The cost of moisture testing can range from $200 to $500. While this may seem significant, it’s important to consider the potential long-term costs associated with applying epoxy to a damp concrete floor. Moisture testing is an essential investment that can help prevent future issues and ensure a successful epoxy flooring installation.
Garage Floor Finishes to Avoid
Metallic Epoxy
Metallic epoxy floors have a distinct look that may attract many homeowners, but it’s important to note that they might not be the best choice for residential garages. Firstly, their surface is incredibly smooth which makes them hazardous when wet. Additionally, their smooth surface attracts dust and dirt, making it challenging to keep them clean. Lastly, because of their hand-applied random pattern, they cannot be repaired if scratched. Once significantly damaged, the only solution is to grind them off and start over.
Solid Color Epoxy Floors
Solid-color epoxy floors share many of the same drawbacks as metallic epoxy garage floors. Their smooth surface can make them slippery when wet and prone to showing dust. However, if you’re working with a limited budget, solid-color epoxy garage floors may be the most cost-effective option. They are the least expensive among all garage floor coatings
