Epoxy vs polished concrete
Epoxy is a resin coating on top of the slab, at €30 to €120 a m². Polished concrete is the slab itself, ground and polished, usually €90 to €150 a m². Epoxy covers a poor slab and seals out oil; polished concrete has nothing on top to wear through.
Free, no obligation. One local installer prices it, not five.
The two side by side
| Compared | Epoxy | Polished concrete |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A resin coating, rolled or poured on | The slab, ground, densified and polished |
| Typical price | €30 to €120 a m² | €90 to €150 a m² |
| Looks | Any colour, flake, metallic, gloss | The concrete itself, cream to exposed stone |
| A poor or patched slab | Covered | Shows every patch |
| Oil and chemicals | Sealed out | Can stain under spilt oil |
| Wear | The top coat wears and is renewed | Nothing on top to peel |
| Usual place | Garages, workshops, units, food floors | Homes, shops, offices |
Which suits you
- A garage or workshop with oil and hot tyres: epoxy.
- An old slab with patches, paint and cracks: epoxy covers it; polishing shows it.
- A new build with a slab poured to be polished: polished concrete, the slab is there anyway.
- A colour, flake or metallic look: epoxy.
For the polished option in detail, our sister guide is polishedconcreteflooring.ie.
Living with each
Epoxy: sweep and mop; when the top coat wears on the busy routes, it's sanded and recoated. Polished concrete: sweep and mop, and a buff and reseal every one to three years.
Your floor, coated
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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 cheaper than polished concrete?
Usually: €30 to €120 a m² against €90 to €150 a m². A heavy-duty or metallic epoxy overlaps with polished concrete.
Which lasts longer?
Polished concrete has nothing to wear through. Epoxy lasts 10 to 20 years and its top coat can be renewed.
Can you put epoxy on polished concrete?
A polished, densified slab is too smooth to bond to. It's ground back first.
Which is better for a garage?
Epoxy. It seals the slab against oil and is easier to keep clean.
Get a price for your floor
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