How much does it cost to epoxy garage floor?
Epoxy garage floors cost between $1,447 to $3,006, with the national average at $2,227. If you’re tired of the plain concrete flooring in your garage, you may be interested in long-lasting epoxy flooring. Epoxy is a rugged and durable finish that will transform dull garage flooring into a gleaming surface.
Is it worth it to epoxy garage floor?
Epoxy flooring protects the underlying concrete from moisture, stains, grease and cracks. In the long run, this can save you a great deal on cleaning and maintenance costs by eliminating the need to clean carpet or grout. It’s also very reasonably priced for the duration and level of protection that it offers.
Why you should not epoxy your garage floor?
Steer Clear of Epoxy on Your Garage Flooring- #1: Epoxy has Weak Adhesion. Compared to paint, epoxy has far stronger adhesion. …
- #2: Epoxy Takes Multiple Days to Fully Cure. …
- #3: Epoxy Fades. …
- #4: It Can Stick to the Wrong Places! …
- #5: Poor Flexibility. …
- #6: Cooler Temp Applications Are Tough.
We are getting asked more often about using epoxy full flake seamless flooring over tiles because, in many instances, people want a cheaper, cleaner and faster option than replacing the flooring with new tiles.
Thanks to some great new products, it is now possible to do tile restoration work on any tile. As a result, epoxy flooring is becoming more and more popular among home and business owners.
As tiles are another popular flooring option, we are often asked if epoxy coating can be applied straight on top of tiles. Tile removal can be a long, difficult and expensive process.
Applying epoxy coating over tiles is an option. However, a couple of factors need to be considered before applying a durable, high-performance epoxy coating.
Tiled Floors Are All Suitable For Resurfacing
We can now get our epoxy full flake seamless flooring to stick to any tile, but the project’s success depends on two factors.
Are the tiles in good condition, and will they stay in place without moving? If you are 100% confident that they are not going to move in any way, then you can happily proceed.
If they are loose or sound “drummy”, IE hollow when you tap them, chances are they will lift in the future, which will cause the epoxy to crack and lift. If your tiles are loose or damaged, you will need to repair them before the epoxy can be applied.
Well, dealing with your old tiles during residential, commercial, or retail space renovation can be stressful and messy. Nevertheless, tiles have always been a popular and practical flooring choice.
Today, more innovative flooring solutions are made available in the market, and people are curious about them. Epoxy flooring is one of the top choices, and many people consider having the switch.
Nevertheless, removing tiles is messy and time-consuming. Seems like the go-to solution for most people, while the truth is that there are simpler and better ways to deal with it.
We are here to help you have a trouble-free transition from tiles to epoxy flooring. We are the best flooring specialist in Melbourne, guaranteed to provide you with the right solution that best suits your needs and budget.
FAQs About Epoxy Flooring Over Tiles
Can You Epoxy Over Tiles?
Is it possible to go over your tiles? The answer is yes, it’s possible. It’s much more convenient in many ways. And choosing epoxy allows you to pick from a wide range of designs highly customizable by you.
How Long Does Epoxy Last On Tile?
Typically, epoxy flooring lasts 2 to 3 years in heavy traffic. Commercial properties-like garages, restaurants, or factory spaces-with lots of daily foot traffic can expect this experience. However, with proper care and maintenance, your epoxy flooring may last much longer.
Are Epoxy Floors Worth It?
Epoxy flooring protects the underlying concrete from moisture, stains, grease and cracks. In the long run, this can save you a great deal on cleaning and maintenance costs by eliminating the need to clean carpet or grout. It’s also very reasonably priced for the duration and level of protection that it offers.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Epoxy Flooring?
Disadvantages epoxy floor
Epoxy floors are hard, and therefore there is contact noise during walking.
An epoxy floor feels somewhat cold without underfloor heating, similar to tiled floors.
If there are unevennesses or cracks in the substrate, ripples can become visible on the floor.
Our Epoxy Floor Slippery?
One of the main issues facing epoxy flooring and other coatings for the garage is how slippery it becomes when wet. Resinous garage floor coatings like epoxy, polyuria, and polyurethane are non-porous, which is why the surface tends to be extremely smooth.
Switching To Epoxy Over Tiles
If you have decided to make the switch, let’s get on to prepping your floor. If your floor is all good and stable, the first concern we must deal with is epoxy adhesion onto the tile. It needs to stick to the tile for a good and long-lasting result.
Take a moment to look down and identify the existing tiles you have on your floor. If the tiles feel rough and unglazed, it only needs to be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water and let dry.
If needed, removing the dirt and digging into those grout lines could also be done. But if you have glazed tiles on your existing floor, it would need additional preparation. Light sanding will remove the gloss from the tiles and have a rougher surface, making it easier for the epoxy to bond on the floor.
Also, note that the glossy finish can be because of a sealer applied to the tiles. It is usually applied to prevent them from looking dirty. You would also need to grind these sealers off the tile for better results.
Are Grout Lines To Stay Or Not?
Look closely at the grout lines of your tiled floor. As mentioned, it is better to remove the dirt in between. If it’s too much, dig it out to ensure it wouldn’t ruin the new floor. The dirt present on your grout can affect the adherence of the epoxy.
Grout lines are the main drawback when it comes to tiles. It may look clean and sleek at first, yet it accumulates dirt which is very unpleasing to the eye. It’s non-hygienic, too.
What If The Tiles Crack?
Take note that if some of the tiles are loose, it’ll be better to remove them. When some start cracking while grinding, the bond between the floor tile and the concrete is not very good, making it unstable and risky.
Remember, it’s better to consult a flooring specialist for an inspection than to take things into your own hands without the proper knowledge and experience.
Okay, so what’s next? Once we’re all sure that it’s safe and sound and squeaky clean, we’ll need to get your floor FLAT. Nobody wants to see those grout lines appearing beneath your seamless floor.
So, something needs to be done about it. Getting the floor flat could be achieved thru either grinding or applying a levelling compound. And the latter is much preferred if there are grout lines to be covered.
In some cases, installing a self-levelling compound could still not be enough to hide the joints. It’s not because of improper filling but because of how the light affects the epoxy floor.
An effective way to amend this problem is to install two layers of the levelling compound. The first one would serve as the filling layer, applied thinly.
The finishing coat would be thicker with a strong, suitable tint by then. Well, an epoxy grout could also be used to fill the lines, followed by sanding then installing the final coat.
So is epoxy over tiles possible in your space? It’s hard to tell from the outside if your tile flooring is stable or they’re just faking it. There are cases when people would wake up and find that their tiles are cracked and popping on the floor, yet it was all fine the day before.
If your tiles are found unstable during the inspection – or in some cases during the preparation phase – then maybe going over the top is not meant for you. You might just be risking everything here – time, money, labour.
Taking risks is a brave thing, but not all risks are worth taking. In the end, always aim for a long-term solution. In the construction industry, different kinds of approaches can be applied to fulfil the tasks on hand.
Further, each case has its unique challenges, and our team always finds innovative and effective ways to solve them. Do you want to make the change? Keep in mind that not all tile floorings are the same. It’s always better to consult a flooring specialist before doing anything to know what suits you best. At EpoxyFloor, we only want what’s best for you!
Why Overcoat Tiles With Epoxy?
Many clients want to overcoat their tiles for the following reasons:
- Grout has worn and discoloured
- Tiles are too slippery
- Tiles have become unsightly
- Tiles were not originally sealed, and harbour dirt and grime, and are now impossible to clean due to the penetration
- To create a unified and seamless floor, easier to keep clean with a regulated slip resistance
Ease of cleaning has been the biggest benefit of overcoating tiles with epoxy, based on feedback from customers who have gone through the epoxy tile overcoating process. The grout lines are gone, and the floor is free-flowing and seamless.
The slip resistance is hand scattered, targeting higher traffic areas and giving added safety and assurance underfoot. The colour choice can help your area feel more alive, with the products used being mostly high gloss and semi-reflective so that light bounces and your floor is vibrant.
When overcoating tiles with epoxy, how the tiles were laid, the glue used and what they’re applied to are all important areas for assessing an epoxy overlay. Epoxy coatings are mostly inflexible, so the coating can split if there is any movement.
If the tiles are applied to concrete, this is favourable. However, if they’re applied to fibre cement sheeting, this adds a layer of complexity as to whether it can work or not in the long term.
Therefore, the risks need to be detailed and for everyone to see and assess before choosing an overcoat. This latter point mostly relates to substrate movement and, as already mentioned, what the movement can do to a coating.
Suppose the area has gone through numerous seasons, i.e. years of winters and summers, where the substrate has undergone the expansion and contraction phase multiple times. In that case, it can give a better indication of stability instead of an area that is new and has not gone through the cycles.
Can All Tiles Be Overcoated With Epoxy?
Can all tiles be overcoated with epoxy? Unfortunately, the short answer is no, and here is why:
- Epoxy over substrates other than concrete requires special consideration. The need is for the tiles to be well stuck to – hopefully – concrete. This is the soundest base.
- Some tiles may be loose or drummy, so they must be checked. This can be done with the ‘knock’ test by dragging a heavy chain and listening to the sound.
- The preparation process may include diamond grinding, further damaging or pop tiles.
- The drummy tiles and damage need to be repaired before overcoating occurs.
The general rule is that up to 10% of the tiles can have issues. If over this, a discussion will need to be had about ripping up the tiles completely, grinding underneath and starting again. While this isn’t ideal, it can save many issues, including movement and, ultimately, failure. When overcoating tiles with epoxy, we also need to consider some other factors:
- How the tiles were laid can impact the work involved with your desired finish. For example, if tiles are uneven, more product and preparation are required to eliminate the visual aspect of a protruding tile. Keep in mind that grinding down a tile too far can cause it to shatter
- The finishes offered are limited. As nice as metallic finishes are, offering this as an option over tiles can be a huge risk. The product, typically with metallic resins, is self-levelling, and the surface needs to have a good level of flatness
- The grout lines themselves can harbour impurities, making them a repellent that the epoxy won’t stick to. Knowing the history of the floor can help ascertain if your floor is a good candidate for overcoating. This can be particularly relevant in commercial settings such as kitchens and food preparation areas where floor contamination can be present.
Further Considerations
Longevity And Maintenance
If you look after your health, you’ll generally live longer and with greater enjoyment. The same applies to tiled floors that have been overcoated with epoxy resin. They are NOT maintenance free.
Depending on the system used and slip resistance added, most projects will require a simple hot water detergent mop every 2-4 weeks, depending on the usage and whether indoor or outdoor. If anything spills onto the floor, clean it up immediately.
Some systems have light chemical resistance, and as with all resins, not all epoxies are created equal. We can discuss this with you further when consulting on your job.
Safety
With tiles, the consideration is mostly aesthetic. There is little consideration given to the slip resistance, porosity (if they’re sealed or not) and cleaning required to keep them at their best.
The environment can measure considerations for slip resistance a floor is in. First, determine if it’s internal or external, then near any wet areas such as pools, bathrooms, laundries etc.
Also, consider the traffic going across the floor, and the propensity for tripping and slipping, based on age and any disabilities you might need to cater for.
We take the time to consider each project from every angle. Aesthetic is merely one of these angles. For example – we encourage our customers to share details of all the potential activities that could take place on the floor so that we can assess all technical and safety considerations.
How To Apply Epoxy Over Tiles?
Tiles Grout Lines
Grout lines are an inseparable part of any tile flooring. However, grout lines tend to absorb dirt, grime, oils, and anything else that can soak into them due to their porous texture. This can prevent the epoxy from penetrating and bonding properly.
This applies especially to kitchen flooring, where cooking oils can easily be spilled onto the tile flooring. For areas like this, grout lines might have to be dug out or the entire tile flooring removed first before applying an epoxy coating.
Adhesion Of Epoxy Flooring Over Tiles
The main concern is adhesion – tiles to concrete and epoxy to tiles when applying epoxy over tiles. If there are any broken or loose tiles, they become a loose link in the floor. Applying epoxy over any loose links means that the epoxy will peel off over time, and you will end up with gaps in your floor. If you find any loose links during floor inspection or while grinding the tiles, the tile floor should be removed, and the epoxy applied directly onto the concrete floor.
Tiles Preparation And Texture
For epoxy to bond property and be durable and long-lasting, it needs the right floor texture. This is why floor preparation is vital for successful epoxy flooring. The floor base needs to be porous, the pores of the floor should be open enough for the epoxy to penetrate them.
However, they should not be over or under-exposed. Some tiles have a glossy finish from the glazing process, which can be tricky to bond to.
The glossy finish should be ground off before applying any epoxy onto it. Other terracotta tiles use a glossy sealer to prevent them from looking dirty. If a sealer is used, it will need to be ground off, as often these sealers have water repeal properties, preventing the epoxy from bonding to the tiles.
On the other hand, Vitrified tiles are non-porous and very hard in general. Therefore, grinding these tiles alone will not be enough to prepare them for epoxy coating. If you have vitrified tiles, you will need to apply a special primer to them before moving to the epoxy coating.
Getting The Tiles Flat
Once you are happy with the tiles’ condition and are sure the epoxy will bond to them, the next challenge is to get the tiles flat. No one likes protruding edges or visible grout lines on their new epoxy flooring.
Although you can apply a self-levelling compound to the tile floor, the best way is to grind the tiles mechanically. This will flatten the floor to the correct level and remove the top layer of the tiles and open their pores for the epoxy. Grinding the floor can also expose any loose or broken tiles.
Tile Removal
Removing the existing tiles and starting on fresh, clean concrete is always the best option. Removing the actual tiles is relatively easy, the difficult part lies in removing the tile’s glue. If your tiles are not strong enough or not glued properly to the floor, the best thing to do is remove them. It might cost more to remove them, but in the long run, you will have peace of mind that one day you will not wake up to a peeling epoxy due to a loose tile.
Conclusion
If you consider getting a new epoxy floor and have tiles, we recommend contacting a professional epoxy floor applicator.
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