Everything You Need to Know About Epoxy Paint

There are few floor paints on the market as hardcore, durable, and—dare we say?—sleek as epoxy. If you are looking for the perfect flooring solution for your home or simply trying to figure out what epoxy paint is exactly, then here is everything you need to know. Learn how to use this paint for concrete or other floors.

What Is Epoxy Paint?

Epoxy paint is typically made of a mix of latex acrylic with a small amount of epoxy. The acrylic portion of the paint gives it versatile color options, including metallics. The epoxy adds durability, making it popular for floors. The combination of acrylic and epoxy creates a paint that stands up to heavy use and resists common stains. It’s made in varying ratios of the carrying agent to epoxy, with paints that have a higher epoxy content being more durable. 

Epoxy paint originally started as an industrial material, but it has made its way into private residences as people look for attractive but durable paint options. It’s used in everything from garages and workshops, to bathrooms and saunas.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Epoxy Paint?

Epoxy paint is a versatile product that can be used in many different places, but you should familiarize yourself with its benefits and drawbacks before embarking on a project. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons.

The Pros of Epoxy Paint 

Epoxy paint is easy to apply, but it can be a lengthy process if you need to apply several layers. At the very least, you will need to apply two coats to ensure even coverage. Depending on the color depth you want, you may have to do three or four coats with at least 24 hours between coats for each layer to dry. 

The most important part of application is prepping the surface. Epoxy paint does not need a primer, but it needs to be free from dirt, grime, and oil to ensure the paint adheres correctly. To remove any grease, oil, or debris, you will need to use water, degreaser, and an electric floor scrubber (or be ready to scrub by hand for a while). Scrub until the floor is clean, rinse, and let it dry. You will also need to repair any cracks or other damage before applying the paint.  

Apply epoxy paint with a roller, as you would other paints. Epoxy paint offers an excellent protective coating because it resists chemicals, oils, moisture, and heat. It is also easy to clean, so maintenance consists of sweeping or occasionally rinsing if needed. If a greasy substance gets on the floor, you can use a gentle cleanser, but avoid harsh chemical cleansers or those with abrasives. You want to maintain the epoxy paint’s smooth surface so that most dirt and dust easily sweeps away. 

Epoxy paint can also resist scratches and scuffs; the higher the epoxy content, the more resistant to this kind of damage the paint will be. Epoxy paints come in varying ratios of carrier agent to epoxy. A higher amount of carrying agent means the paint applies easier, but once the paint dries, there is less epoxy on the surface. Consequently, it is less resilient. A lower amount of carrier agent may make application more difficult, but it leaves behind a more durable surface. 

Solvent-based epoxy paints usually have a lower amount of carrier to epoxy ratio, making them more durable. Water-based epoxy paints are easier to apply because they have more carrier agent. Floors with light to medium traffic can typically get by with a water-based epoxy paint. Places like garages where there is heavy traffic and potentially greasy spills may need a solvent-based epoxy paint for increased durability.

The Cons of Epoxy Paint

No material is without its weaknesses. When applying epoxy paint to a concrete floor, the concrete must be clean and free of grease, oil, and other debris. It could take several scrubbings with water and a degreaser to get the floor ready for epoxy paint application. Concrete floors also need to be around 55 degrees and free of condensation to allow the epoxy paint to properly adhere. If you live in a humid climate or the concrete temperature varies too much, you could have application problems.

Epoxy paint has to completely dry between coats. Depending on the climate and weather, you may need to wait a day or two between coats. Follow the manufacturer’s drying time recommendations, the recommended number of coats (usually two or three), and whether or not you need a clear top coat. It varies by epoxy paint type and brand. 

Epoxy paint is highly durable, but it is not untouchable. It can show wear and tear over time, becoming thin in high-wear areas. And if you ever decide to remove epoxy paint, you could have quite a battle on your hands. Removing it is difficult, potentially requiring a solvent or floor sander applied with patience. Consequently, only apply epoxy paint if you are sure it is what you want. 

Finally, epoxy paint can yellow over time, though it is less likely with epoxy paint than epoxy resin. You may not notice any discoloration with darker colors, too.

Epoxy Paint vs. Epoxy Coating vs. Regular Paint

The terms “epoxy paint” and “epoxy coating” are often used interchangeably, but there are some important differences between these two. Epoxy paint is basically acrylic paint with epoxy in it. It comes with varying amounts of epoxy; a higher percentage of epoxy (lower amount of carrier) increases the paint’s durability. 

An epoxy coating (or epoxy floor coatings, as they are sometimes called) consists of an epoxy resin and polyamine hardener that you mix together. An epoxy coating may also include several layers during application, such as primer, body coat, broadcast layer, and top coat. You may also have to use an acid to add texture to the concrete before application. 

Epoxy paint is definitely more DIY friendly than epoxy coatings. In general, unless you have got a good deal of experience, leave epoxy coatings to the pros. 

Unlike epoxy paint, once applied, an epoxy coating has to cure rather than dry. An epoxy coating resists chemicals and stains similarly to epoxy paint. However, epoxy coatings tend to resist abrasion and hold up better in high traffic areas than epoxy paint. They are also available in epoxy stone flooring, too. Check out your local epoxy flooring options and consult a pro before starting this kind of project. 

Regular paint does not contain epoxy, which is the big difference between it and epoxy paint or coatings. This makes it less durable and resistant to use as a floor surface covering. Regular paint is a good option for walls and areas where you may paint again in the near future. You can also opt for a floor paint that does not contain epoxy. It might not be quite as durable as an epoxy paint, but it will still hold up better than standard non-floor paint.

Benefits of Using Epoxy Paint on Floors

Epoxy paint can be made in a wide array of hues and unique mixes, including metallics, that spice up a garage, workshop, or a floor in a bathroom or sauna. It is less common in indoor living spaces, but it has seen an increase in popularity in places like kitchens. You get the color versatility of standard paint but with added durability and an easy-to-clean surface. 

Additionally, epoxy paint is not hard to use, and most beginners can successfully apply it without professional assistance. You will need some patience to wait for each coat to dry, but other than that, you can use a roller and be done with it.  

This type of paint makes a great addition to floors that could get exposed to a wide range of materials, like garages and workshops. It is a good choice for rooms where you could potentially store or spill chemicals or oils. It can take fluctuating temperatures, too, making it usable in uninsulated garages, though the temperatures will need to be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) for application.   

Polished concrete offers many of the same benefits as epoxy paint. Polished concrete requires more experience with concrete work, while epoxy paint is easy to apply, though the prep work is more intensive. However, epoxy offers chemical, grease, and oil resistance that polished concrete does not.

How Much Does an Epoxy Paint Job Cost?

Epoxy flooring costs can vary dramatically, from $75 to $600 if you decide to DIY, up to between $1,350 and $3,300 if you hire a professional painter. Epoxy paint itself costs $0.30 to $1.50 per square foot. The cost to install epoxy terrazzo flooring is substantially higher, due to the increased time involved in adding embellishments, ranging from $25 to $90 per square foot.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Apply Epoxy Paint on Floors

If you are willing to learn a new home renovation skill and can follow directions closely, you will be able to do an epoxy paint job yourself, even if you are new to using epoxy-based paints. Most important to the epoxy application is the prep work—you will need to properly seal any cracks or holes in the subfloor before you start.

Use suitable protective gear and wear special cleats if you are doing an expansive area and need to walk on the wet epoxy as you work. Additionally, epoxy needs a pristine substrate to bond properly and will require considerable time for the product to dry fully before you use the floor.

An epoxy job is a multi-day project, so if you simply do not have the time or interest in doing it yourself, you can hire a local floor painter to prepare your space and pour the epoxy paint over concrete.