Professional epoxy vs. a DIY kit
Store-bought epoxy kits are thin, and they're usually applied after just washing or etching the floor. That's why so many DIY floors peel where the tires sit (hot tire pickup). Professionally installed epoxy systems are much thicker, go down over a ground and repaired slab, and are usually sealed with a tougher topcoat.
Where epoxy makes sense
- Garages where you want a solid color or a high-gloss look
- Workshops and hobby spaces that see dropped tools and chemicals
- Basement floors, home gyms, and storage rooms
- Metallic or decorative finishes for a showroom-style garage
Cure time and topcoats
Epoxy usually takes longer to cure than polyaspartic coatings, and it cures more slowly in cold weather. Many epoxies can yellow with sun exposure, so installers often finish epoxy floors with a UV-stable topcoat. Ask how long the system needs before foot traffic and before vehicles.
Questions to ask
- What thickness or how many coats does your system include?
- What topcoat goes over the epoxy?
- What's the minimum temperature for this product?
- How do you handle moisture in the slab?