Epoxy flooring can work great in a residential setting as well

If you’re on the market for new flooring for your home, you’ve likely found yourself overwhelmed with choices. Between hardwood floors, tiles, and composite materials, you just can’t make up your mind as the cost-benefit analysis has you running in circles.

We’d like to recommend another option that is often overlooked in the residential setting: Epoxy flooring. Though widely used in commercial settings where durability is everything, epoxy flooring can also be a great choice for homeowners, especially in garages, kitchens, and bathrooms.  However, just like with all other flooring choices, epoxy flooring has its own advantages and disadvantages. In the interest of helping you make an informed decision, let’s take a look at the pros and cons for epoxy flooring.

PRO: It looks great

This is often the deciding factor for many homeowners. Epoxy flooring looks stunning. It’s remarkably smooth and even and has an incredible luster to it that makes rooms look neat and professional. It’s also extremely customizable, which means that you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a style that matches your home’s aesthetic. It’s also very easy to keep clean which means that it’s a shine that lasts.

CON: It can get slippery

Epoxy is a non-porous material that does not absorb any water. This means that it has the potential to be extremely slippery when wet.  While it’s not usually too much for adults to handle, young children and elderly individuals might find themselves at risk of injury. This is a factor that you should definitely consider before committing to an epoxy floor. Admixtures can texturize the surface, mitigating this negative unless the mirror-smooth finish is what you’re looking for..

PRO: It’s budget friendly

If you’re looking to redo your floors and you’re on a tight budget, epoxy flooring might just be the right choice for you. Epoxy costs a good deal less than other types of flooring per square foot, so it’s definitely an economical option. A great looking floor at a great price is certainly worth considering.

CON: It takes forever

We won’t mince words here: epoxy flooring is a bit of a time commitment. Even before installation, epoxy flooring takes a great deal of preparation. The existing flooring must be grinded down and completely free of dust, oil, and grime of any kind. Humidity must be closely monitored as well because a high-humidity environment can prevent the epoxy from settling properly. And man, is this stuff stinky when it’s first laid down. Even low-VOC epoxy has a distinct scent to it that most people find offensive. This odor will of course dissipate with time, but it is pretty unpleasant at first. Once the installation is complete, the epoxy will take up to a week to fully cure, which can present an inconvenience to homeowners.

PRO: It’s super durable

Epoxy flooring is especially popular in commercial settings because the stuff can really take a beating. Epoxy is an incredibly durable material, which makes it perfect for places like a garage or home gym where great stress is likely to be placed on the flooring. If you install epoxy flooring, you won’t really have to worry about it for a good amount of time.

CON: It’s hard to remove

We suppose this is a good thing. If you opt for epoxy flooring you’re gonna be stuck with it for a while. Removal requires the entire surface to be grinded down and thoroughly cleaned. Extra attention must be paid to not damage the flooring materials underneath. Removing an epoxy floor is an arduous task that will require a professional crew and may take just as long to remove as it did to install it in the first place.

The trade-off

Epoxy flooring is an attractive and durable material to use as flooring. Many people love it for its low maintenance beauty and budget friendliness, but might be turned off by how long the process takes. Overall, we feel like the finished product is more than enough to justify the time commitment, but in the end, that’s for you to decide. Please give us a call if you think this might be the right choice for you!