Epoxy flooring has been utilized in commercial settings for some time, but it is now becoming increasingly popular in Australian homes. The epoxy may help improve the look, feel, and appearance of a floor wherever there’s a concrete surface, whether it’s in a garage, an outside gathering place, or even inside the house.
Why Choose Epoxy Floor Coating?
Epoxy flooring is quickly becoming one of Australia’s most popular floor coverings, and for good reason.
Epoxy resin, often referred to as 2-pack epoxy since it comprises of two parts, is a kind of composite material made up of a resin and a hardener. A chemical reaction takes place after the epoxy has solidified, resulting in it becoming extremely durable and making it into a non-porous coating. Epoxy is also used for adhesives because it sticks well to the floor and does not easily damage.
Epoxy is an excellent barrier and protection for a concrete floor. What’s more, it can be applied to both new and old concrete if the surface has been properly prepared. Diamond grinding the top of the concrete is quite typical when revamping outdated concrete. Depending on the desired result, epoxy flooring experts may add anything (such as colourants) to alter the appearance of a room entirely.
Limitless Epoxy Flooring
The effects of epoxy flooring are limited only by your creativity and the talents of those who install it. Epoxy flooring can:
- Make everything in the room have the same hue.
- Colour flakes are a great technique to add brightness and life to your design.
- Imitate designs that have a pebbly appearance.
- Use more costly materials such as marble to imitate them.
- Take on a gleaming sheen and appear
- To appear to be tiled, the floor could be stamped.
- You may also pick between a matte or highly polished sheen.
Epoxy Garage Floor Cost
In general, epoxy flooring costs about $30-$35 per square meter for two coats over a prepared concrete surface. The cost can reach as high as $80-$100 per square metre when you add diamond grinding to concrete prior to applying a decorative finish.
The price of your epoxy flooring may be determined by a variety of factors, including:
- What condition is the existing concrete in?
- What sort of style and finish are you searching for?
- What is the surface area of the room?
According to most professionals, the cost of epoxy installation is based on the size of the space, but there may be other concerns that need to be addressed. The actual price may be greater if significant preparation is required. In most cases, you’ll receive a better rate for a larger surface because of the set-up and preparation time needed. You’ll have to pay for a diamond grind to polish the surface as well as two applications of epoxy in most garage repairs. Epoxy garage floor prices start at $80 per sq/m for a single-vehicle garage or $50 per square metre for a double vehicle garage.
Epoxy Floor Coating Cost Estimate
When getting estimates for epoxy flooring, be as thorough as possible about the condition of your floors and what you want to achieve. Do any cracks need to be fixed? Is there any staining on the surface? Garage floors are frequently in a poor state, but you’ll need to work on this for an amazing finish. You’ll allow your floor expert to include preparation time into their first quote by providing all of these details.
The prices and costs in this post are approximate and could only be used as a starting point. They may also vary depending on the market.
What is Epoxy Floor Coating?
Epoxy is a combination of resin and hardener. A chemical reaction takes place after the two components are mixed together, resulting in it becoming extremely durable and creating a non-porous coating. Epoxy resists wear over time by sticking well to the floor and not easily damaging or scratching off. Once dry, it’s also an excellent barrier against oil stains and liquids in the garage.
Epoxy garage flooring is a type of protective, decorative surface that makes concrete floors look much more appealing. It requires expertise and specific equipment to complete this task successfully, as epoxy coatings can cost several thousand dollars for larger areas if not applied properly. Epoxy flooring has been available since the 1960s as an industrial coating. It’s still used today as a preferred covering material in several different types of places, from commercial aeroplane hangars to marine flooring. However, it hasn’t been until recently that epoxy coatings have become popular for residential applications.
Is Epoxy Flooring Good for Homes?
Epoxy flooring can be an excellent choice for your living space, but make sure you take the time to compare the various pros and cons. Consider these advantages before making your final decision: There are many different styles and colours available. It’s safe to use in wet or dry garages because there’s no dust or off-gassing. People with allergies appreciate this benefit, which is one of the top reasons people love using it at home. It seals concrete against liquid spills that cause damage over time, a leading reason homeowners select this option for their garage floors.
A number of potential disadvantages exist as well. It may not adhere properly if the surface isn’t prepared correctly, so this needs to be completed by a professional. It can be slippery when wet or if it’s not applied properly, even with a textured finish. This may be a safety hazard. It’s more expensive than most flooring options and costs significantly more if the concrete needs to be ground down first. It takes time to apply an epoxy coating.
Epoxy Garage Floors
Epoxy floors aren’t recommended for garages that aren’t used regularly because there’s no UV protection against sunlight. In other words, fading may occur over time due to the lack of UVA rays from natural light. When using epoxy in your home, make sure you have adequate ventilation provided for both vapours and potential spills. There are different types of epoxy coatings available. The cheapest form is called an aliphatic urethane, which isn’t as durable as the others. Semi-transparent options generally last longer than opaque finishes, but they can fade or yellow over time.
There are three types of epoxy flooring: an aliphatic urethane, a polyaspartic and a polyurethane. It’s important to understand their differences before making your final decision about how to apply it at home. Aliphatic urethanes are the least expensive option designed for garages that aren’t regularly used. This coating comprises two layers, one with urethane and the other with hardener, hence the name “aliphatic.” It can be easily roller-applied and doesn’t need to be sanded. Polyaspartic flooring is a water-based, two-part formula that’s designed specifically for DIY projects at home.
Epoxy Floor Options
It has an extremely quick dry time compared to other coatings and you can apply it in temperatures as low as 7°C. Polyurethanes are the most expensive option but also offer the longest warranties (up to 25 years). They’re often used for more commercial applications such as warehouses or garages, but they’ll cost significantly more than an epoxy coating applied on your garage floors by a professional company.
Epoxy flooring options If you want to get professional results with your project, it’s best to hire a reputable epoxy company to complete the work. This option may ensure that both your floor and garage remain safe for you and your family to use for years to come, as there’s no such thing as a DIY epoxy flooring project.
Which is Better Epoxy or Tiles?
Epoxy is extremely versatile, but it’s also very expensive. Generally, you’ll get the best results if your garage floor has a rather large surface area or if you have two vehicles to store there. The cost of epoxy installation may increase when your space is greater than 20 square metres because gouging and grinding may be necessary to remove any and all imperfections and bring the paint up to its optimal appearance.
The price of epoxy flooring may seem steep, but it can outlast tiles, asphalt and other types of coatings. Epoxy has some benefits over tiles as well:
- You won’t see any grout lines because no grouting takes place with epoxies as it does with tiles.
- It cannot crack or become shadowed from oil stains the way tiles can.
- Your epoxy coating could last over 10 years with diligent upkeep and maintenance, so you won’t have to do much to maintain a good-looking garage floor for an extended period of time.
Putting in epoxy floor paint is quite simple because there’s no mess involved in applying it. That makes this option a huge choice for designated areas such as garages, workshops and basements that take a lot of wear and tear. You’ll be able to clean spills quickly with water without worrying about damage because epoxies are strong, durable substances. With some creativity and proper resources, epoxy might also provide you with all types of ideas on how best to upgrade or change your property using this paint.
Are Epoxy Floors Worth it?
Epoxy coatings are a favourite among many people who want to add a brand-new look or functional purpose to their garage floor. It’s very easy to apply and manage, but the cost of epoxy flooring may be prohibitive for some homeowners. One important thing to note in this process is that you may have a well-prepped surface in order for your paint to adhere properly. Epoxy garage floor costs are higher when you have a larger space to cover, which is why most people choose this option for smaller areas.
You need a professional company with years of experience when it comes to applying different types of epoxies in garages. The barriers between the ground and the coating could be sealed off completely so that your garage doesn’t get damaged by water or dampness that could affect its quality over time. If you’re interested in getting an estimate on how much it may cost to paint your floor, you could make an appointment with a professional company.
Epoxy coatings are one of the most popular types of flooring substances because they offer permanence and longevity. The only major downside is that the material is extremely expensive over time, so it’s important to budget properly if you intend on using this type of coating in your garage or another area. Epoxy flooring costs between $30 and $35 per square meter for two coats over a prepared concrete surface. When you include diamond grinding to prepare the concrete followed by a decorative finish, the price can go up to $80 to $100 per square metre.
Epoxy Flooring Cost Australia
Epoxy floor coating in Australia is most often purchased as a package that includes both the preparation of the surface and the epoxy coating. The final cost varies based on the condition of your floor, the size of your project, and what type of material you want to utilize. Professionals generally prefer to use two-pack materials because they are typically more adhered, thicker films with a longer lifetime.
The two most significant categories of labour are floor preparation and product application.
Epoxy Floor Coating Floor Prep
Diamond grinding is the most common floor preparation technique. This method allows you to remove concrete laitance and minor scratches from your concrete flooring. It also opens up concrete pores, allowing for thicker floor coverings to soak into the floor for a stronger bond. New concrete floors may also be lightly ground in order to achieve the same result. If you do not perform wall prep, there’s a high possibility that your new hardwood may delaminate within a few months of installation. Allow roughly $22 per square meter for the prep.
The next question is whether there is much dust? Yes, but when done carelessly, silica dust (crystalline silica) can cause irreversible lung diseases. Usually, professionals are educated to work on floors without putting themselves or family members at risk of harmful silica dust. Professionals utilize equipment that is designed to remove asbestos particles from the air.
Epoxy Floor Coating Application
Allow $30 per square meter for two coats of roll-on epoxy if you want to seal your double car garage floor with a solid grey colour. This rate is reduced for more acres. The next question is whether there is much smell. Professionals use solvent-free, water-based epoxies in all of their repairs. They make sure that you are not affected by other types of epoxy. If you prefer to change the colour of your epoxy coating, allow $35 per square metre for two coats.
Usually, professionals provide tinted epoxies in 15 different colours, including clear and marbleized silicon carbide. The final step is applying a high-grade industrial decorative topcoat over the epoxy at no extra cost. This topping adds an attractive element to your home’s garage flooring while also providing up to 10 additional years of protection that you want when it comes to concrete overlay material.
