Epoxy Flooring Installation Step-by-Step

Before we even get started, you should know that epoxy flooring isn’t a DIY-friendly project. There are DIY epoxy flooring kits you can buy from the Big Box stores, but they’re not the same as professional epoxy flooring. DIY kits are typically much thinner and don’t last nearly as long.

When it comes to professional-grade epoxy flooring, you should always hire a professional for the best results. Even a simple mistake when installing this floor can result in starting the project over from scratch. Nearly finishing a floor and needing to start over due to an error can actually cause you to spend more money than if you’d simply hired a pro from the start!

The process starts with your epoxy flooring contractor cleaning your existing concrete and inspecting it for damage. If any damage is discovered, such as cracks or chipping, they’ll repair it before continuing to the next step.

Repairing cracks is accomplished by using an injectable epoxy filler to prevent the cracks from spreading or worsening. Chipped areas will be fixed with a standard concrete patch to prevent them from worsening. Minor damage, such as pits, dents, or unlevel spots don’t need repairs as they’ll be addressed in the next step.

Preparing the concrete’s surface is an essential step that will determine how well the epoxy adheres to the concrete and how long it will last. If done incorrectly, your epoxy floor may not stick to the concrete or may need replacing as early as a year or so, which is why you should leave it to the professionals.

Surface prep is performed by using a floor grinder fitted with a coarse diamond grinding wheel. The concrete is ground down to remove any minor blemishes, ensure the surface is level, and open the floor up to ensure proper adhesion. Once the grinding is complete, your contractor will move on to the next step.

This step is where the actual epoxy resin comes in. The epoxy will be mixed with a hardener and applied to the concrete in several coats until the desired thickness is achieved, accounting for the clear epoxy topcoat.

If you want a pattern on your floor, it will be created during this step. Each layer is mixed and applied as the previous layer is dried. Once all the colored layers of epoxy are in place, a clear epoxy topcoat is used to finish the floor.

If you chose metallic epoxy flooring, the metallic pigments that give the floor its trademark shimmering appearance would also be mixed in during this step. If you selected a decorative flake epoxy floor, the acrylic chips would be applied over the epoxy’s final layer before the clear topcoat.

This final step doesn’t require anything more than waiting. Your new epoxy floor needs to cure before it’s safe to use without damaging it. As the epoxy cures, it’ll harden and achieve the durability that it’s known for.

After 24 hours, the epoxy floor will be 90% cured and safe for foot traffic. After 72 hours, the epoxy floor is 100% cured and ready for full use, including vehicle traffic. Once the floor is fully cured, sit back, relax, and enjoy your brand new epoxy floor!