Cleaning an epoxy floor is an extensive job in any warehouse or larger space, making it a job best left to a professional who can get it done quickly and effectively. However, there are several bits of maintenance you should perform by yourself in between professional cleanings. For example, you can remove grit from the floor with a broom, dust mop and/or shop vacuum.  Make sure you wipe away chemical spills like automotive fluids before they become permanent spots on the floor. 

The best epoxy garage floor coating is a premium multi-layer epoxy system. When you hire a professional, you can choose more durable options like 100% solids epoxy floor coating, which is great for repelling stains and abrasion. Choose a clear epoxy or polyurethane top coat to protect this layer.

Epoxy flooring has several advantages. The biggest benefit is its durability. Epoxy floors are highly durable and tend to outlast standard flooring systems. A few other pros include: 

• It’s also easy to maintain due to its glossy finish and seamless nature.
• It can be highly customized. You can choose different colors, designs, effects and even inserts like coins, flakes and other details.
• It's  affordable — far more so than hardwood and other types of flooring. This value continues to pay off over time.
• It can be slip-resistant with additional additives.

There are many different options for epoxy floor coatings, including:

• Water-based epoxy coating
• 100% solids epoxy 
• Polyurethane topcoat
• Metallic epoxy
• Mortar epoxy coatings
• Self-leveling epoxy coating
• Self-dispersing epoxy coating
• Flake epoxy flooring
• Mortar epoxy coating
• Graveled epoxy coating
• Terrazzo epoxy coating
• And more

Talk to an epoxy flooring specialist in your area to see what your options are, and get advice on the best type to use on your floors.

Epoxy itself is made of polymer resins and hardening agents like glues, which (when mixed) cure to form a strong and durable chemical bond. Epoxy floors are excellent choices for warehouses, workshops, garages and other high-traffic, high-use areas where spill resistance is important. Epoxy floors are famously resilient, shiny and easy to keep clean.

Epoxy floor coatings typically range from 0.011 inches (11 mils) to 0.375 inches (375 mils). Thin coating systems have wide variability in their performance and are generally best for low-traffic areas, with the exception being high-performance topcoats that can handle heavier traffic in low-impact situations. Oftentimes, thicker coatings mean your project might be more expensive but will last longer. Talk to epoxy flooring professionals near you to discuss the pros and cons of thick and thin coatings.

The lifespan of epoxy flooring depends heavily on where it’s located, how much traffic it sees, the company or contractor you hire and how well you stay on top of maintenance. Some experts say epoxy floors can last for seven, 10, 20 or even 30 years. Still, you will likely need to re-coat your concrete floors every couple of years. This is the case even in areas like commercial workspaces, professional garages, restaurants, factories, and other areas with plenty of foot traffic. For homes and other residential applications with lighter traffic, epoxy flooring is capable of lasting far longer. 

Epoxy floor coating and installation is a highly specialized job that is best left to professionals and specialists. Plenty of companies and contractors offer epoxy floor cleaning, repair, coating and installation services for garages, warehouses, commercial workshops and even residential spaces. Find an epoxy flooring specialist near you who can assess the state of the subsurface to identify problems before they arise.

On average, installing floor epoxy in your garage costs between $1,870 and $2,700. This price will depend on the size of your floor, as well as the current condition of the concrete. If the pro has to repair cracked concrete or clean significant stains, the cost will likely be higher. If you’d like to add color, decorative chips or features for anti-skid properties, you will likely pay more. 

Here are the best epoxy flooring professionals near you — contact several pros to get free cost estimates so you can start planning your project.

Also read, “How much does an epoxy garage floor cost?”

For large repairs (peeling, flaking, blistering, discoloring, etc.), it’s best to go with a professional — these repairs may require extra considerations only a professional can deliver. But for minor damage, you may choose to take the job on by yourself. Try patching up chips and cracks using a formulated epoxy repair compound.