Epoxy basement flooring is a long-term, durable solution for many homeowners. It’s important to understand the costs involved with this type of project and what factors can influence the price. This guide provides useful information on epoxy basement floor costs, DIY vs. professional application, and options for securing the best deal on your project
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Understanding epoxy floors in basements
Epoxy flooring is a type of coating made from epoxy resin and hardener that can be applied to concrete basement floors. It provides an attractive, strong, and long-lasting finish for residential. The cost of this type of project largely depends on the size of your basement, the complexity of the job, and other factors discussed below.
But before we get into specific factors that affect cost, let’s discuss a common question: what is the difference between epoxy paint and an epoxy coating?
Comparing epoxy paint to epoxy coating
Epoxy paint is a single-layer material applied to concrete surfaces that dries to a hard finish. It’s usually used for decorative purposes and provides a protective layer against water and mildew, but it won’t stand up to heavy, long-term use as it is prone to chipping.
Epoxy coating is a more durable solution, often consisting of two or three layers of material combined with a protective topcoat. This type of flooring is designed to withstand heavier use, and it also provides superior protection against water and mildew.
Overall, this article is going to discuss the costs of epoxy coating for your basement since epoxy paint is a quite a bit easier to understand.
Key factors affecting basement epoxy flooring costs
Altogether, we believe there are 8 main factors to keep in mind when trying to determine the cost of your basement epoxy floor.
1. Choosing who installs the epoxy
This part of the process will significantly affect the overall cost of your project. You should expect to pay around $2-3 more per square foot if you have a professional come out to install your epoxy floor.
Assuming you have a medium-sized house at just under 2000 square feet, you likely have a basement around 800 square feet, meaning you’ll be paying nearly $2000 just in labor costs alone. Doing it yourself removes this cost entirely – and we’ve even got a guide to teach you how to do it yourself.
2. Addressing floor repairs
This cost is highly variable based on who you talk to and if you even need to do this, but if you have cracks in the concrete, it’s crucial to seal them before installation. Otherwise, you literally have an unstable foundation.
This will cost you around $1 per linear foot, or $.5 per square foot.
3. Pre-cleaning
This is an extremely simple thing to do, so just do it yourself. Buy a concrete cleaner to clean up any remaining dust off the floor to make sure the epoxy will adhere perfectly once it’s installed. On your own, this may cost you $10 for an entire bottle of cleaner.
4. Using an acid etcher
If you install your epoxy floor yourself, you’ll need to scarf up somewhere between $100 and $150 for a basement of the same size we mentioned above. Acid etching is crucial in the epoxy installation process – if you ignore this step, odds are your floor will deteriorate quickly, and it may not even adhere for half as long as you’d expect it to. So make sure to do this step.
Other potential costs
There are a few other costs that aren’t necessarily required, but are likely a good idea to ensure longevity and aesthetic appeal.
5. Extra epoxy coats
You may need to apply extra epoxy coats if you want an extra durable floor, or if you want it to be perfectly smooth. This will obviously take a bit more time and money, but it is well worth it for the long haul.
6. Additional aesthetic additions, like flakes
Flakes are quite popular in epoxy floors, and most kits tend to include them pre-mixed into the resin. But, in the event that you got a kit that has no flakes, and you want them, they are decently expensive at around $150 for a basement floor of the size we mentioned.
Keep in mind, too, that it’ll be quite irritating to properly mix and place your own flakes since they are not mixed already, adding on additional time and hassle. This means getting a kit with flakes already in it is probably a good move.
7. Repairing broken or sunken concrete before installation
Last but not least, before you install your epoxy floor, you must make sure that there are not any parts of the floor that are sunk in or cracked. If there are, and you try to install your epoxy, it is almost guaranteed that it will be extremely uneven.
Find some self-leveling concrete in the event that the floor has sunk in, and if there are cracks, well, that should be factored in above at #2. This’ll cost you somewhere between $6 and $15 per square foot, depending if you have a professional do it for you or you do it yourself.
Rough epoxy basement floor cost for 800 square feet
Overall, if you plan on installing epoxy in your basement without the help of a professional, you’ll pay somewhere between $1000 and $1800 for all the materials.
On the other hand, if you want a professional to install your floor for you, you can expect to pay somewhere between $2800 and $4800, plus some extra depending on if you need floor leveling or crack filling.
Tips for getting the best deal on basement epoxy flooring
Now, if these costs seem a bit steep to you, that’s fair. Epoxy flooring is not cheap. But once it IS installed, you’ll have a beautiful floor for years to come.
If you still want to proceed, here are a few tips to keep in mind when trying to pay as little as possible on epoxy flooring.
1. Shop around for the best deals on materials, and don’t be afraid to ask yourself if you can install it cheaper than getting a professional.
2. Ask your friends or family who have done epoxy flooring before for advice, as they may know of better deals or have tips that save money on installation.
3. Buy kits that include both the epoxy and flakes, as this tends to be cheaper than buying them separately.
4. Keep an eye out for sales or discounts – you never know when they may pop up.
5. Consider alternate methods of installation, such as using a roller or brush instead of spray guns, as these are often cheaper.
6. Consider doing the work yourself – it’s easier than you think, and can save you hundreds of dollars!
7. And lastly, make sure to do your research – there are tons of great resources out there that can help guide you in the right direction.
Conclusion
Epoxy flooring in your basement is a great way to add beauty and protection. Though it may be expensive, there are plenty of ways to save on installation and materials. With the right research and preparation, you can get the perfect epoxy floor without breaking the bank.
So go ahead – make that basement something special!