Epoxy flooring pros and cons
Epoxy is hard, washable, chemical resistant and any colour you want, and it covers a tired slab. Against it: it's only as good as the prep, the space is out of use for days while it cures, a gloss coat is slippery when wet, and plain epoxy can yellow in sunlight.
Free, no obligation. One local installer prices it, not five.
What it's good at
- Hard-wearing: takes cars, trolleys and forklifts on the right build.
- Sealed and washable: oil, spills and dust stay on top.
- No joints or grout lines to hold dirt.
- Any colour, flake or metallic look.
- Covers an old, patched slab.
- Bright: a light floor bounces light around a garage or warehouse.
- Good value against tiles on a sound slab: €30 to €120 a m².
What to watch for
- The prep is everything. Damp, oil and old paint make it lift.
- The space is out of use for days during the cure.
- Smooth gloss is slippery when wet, without grit.
- Plain epoxy yellows in sunlight without a UV-stable top coat.
- It feels hard and cool underfoot, like tile.
- A dropped tool can chip it; repairs can show.
- The fumes during laying: most systems are solvent-free now, but air the space.
Is it worth it?
For a garage, workshop, unit, warehouse or a busy commercial floor: usually yes. For a living space: yes if you want the look and it goes over a dry slab. See epoxy vs polished concrete and the resin types.
Your floor, coated
Take a photo of the garage or the room, pick a finish and a colour, and see it before anyone quotes. Free, in under a minute.
- Upload a photo, or answer four quick questions.
- We pass it to one installer that covers your county.
- They ring you with a written price.
Preview of your photo, not a guarantee. Your photo goes to Google's Gemini service to make the picture.
A photo that works
- Daylight, or every light on.
- From the doorway, so most of the floor is in the shot.
- Cars, bikes and boxes can stay where they are.
- Hold the phone at chest height, level, not pointed at your feet.
Questions people ask
Is epoxy flooring worth it?
For garages, workshops and commercial floors, usually yes: it lasts 10 to 20 years on good prep and cleans with a mop.
What are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring?
It needs careful prep, takes days to cure, is slippery wet without grit and can yellow in sunlight without a UV-stable top coat.
Is epoxy good in a house?
In kitchens, basements, utility rooms and open-plan rooms, yes, on a dry slab with a UV-stable top coat.
Does epoxy flooring crack?
The coating follows the slab. If the concrete cracks under it, the crack shows through.
Get a price for your floor
Four taps and your number. It goes to one vetted epoxy flooring installer that covers your county, and they ring you back to look at the floor and give you a written price.
Related guides
- How long it lasts, cure times10 to 20 years, and the cure times day by day.
- Epoxy vs polished concreteA coating on the slab against the slab itself.
- Resin flooring: epoxy, PU, polyasparticEpoxy, polyurethane and polyaspartic side by side.
- Epoxy flooring costOur price guide a m², and a cost check for your floor.
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Jump straight to any specification guide, our interactive calculator, the technical glossary or your county page.
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Get a free quote for your floor
Four taps and your number. One vetted epoxy flooring installer that covers your county rings you with a price. Nothing is agreed until you accept it.