Typically, all concrete floors require a coating to prevent the floor from deteriorating. Epoxy is one of the famous concrete coatings that is very sought after because of its durability. You can use epoxy for either exterior or interior applications. Still, the most popular use for epoxy is indoors for floors, specifically basement and garage floors or patios and countertops made of concrete.
The main benefit of using epoxy paint over concrete floors and other concrete surfaces is that it prolongs the life of the concrete. Otherwise, concrete, as it is, tends to deteriorate quickly from wear and tear over years of use. Another reason why epoxy paint is an excellent choice to coat concrete surfaces is because it gives your home a very polished, sleek and finished look, which you cannot achieve with only concrete surfaces. Epoxy surfaces are also easier to clean as compared to concrete surfaces.
Epoxy Paint coating for Basement Floors
EpoxyShield Basement Floor Coating
Pros
- You don’t need to apply a primer to your floor before applying this epoxy paint coating.
- The package comes with a fully detailed list of instructions on using it.
- You can cover a large area adequately with only a single coat
Cons
- The Epoxyshield Basement Floor epoxy paint coating may include VOC ingredients restricted in some parts of the land. To avoid any mishap, you should check your area’s restricted items report before purchasing.
This epoxy paint coating contains high solids solvents which are great for your basement floor. Transform your concrete floor into a smooth and sleek epoxy coated floor which ultimate protection from water, chemicals and west and tear.
Epoxyshield Basement Floor epoxy paint coating comes in a kit that includes decorative chips. 2 part water-based epoxy coating, and a stick to stir the mixture. It is a sturdy adhesive for concrete floors, so you don’t have to wait more than one day for your basement floor to be able to withstand heavyweight.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | Rust-Oleum |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 28 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 17 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Usage | Interior |
EpoxyshieldRust-Oleum Epoxy Floor Coating
Pros
- This product is water-based, so there is little to no order with the coating.
- The finish of this product results in a smooth and clean satin look
- The EpoxyshieldRust-Oleum epoxy paint coating can resist stains, abrasions and all wear and tear.
Cons
- The product is exclusively for indoor use, which means that you cannot use this formula to cover areas exposed to the outside world.
The Rust Oleum epoxy floor coating is both functional and affordable. It comes as a whole kit that is enough to cover at least 250 square feet of area. Epoxyshield Rust Oleum epoxy paint coating is an easy and fast solution to smooth, waterproof floors. The fact that you do not need a primer means that you can be done with the coating in a shorter amount of time. Moreover, you don’t need to double or triple the coatings to get coverage.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | Rust-Oleum |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 17 x 7 x 9 inches |
| Color | Gray |
| Material | Liquid |
| Warranty Description | Satisfaction Guaranteed |
Kilzepoxy Paint Coating for Interior and Exterior Concrete Surfaces
Pros
- The Kilz epoxy paint is resistant to chemicals, so you don’t have to worry about chemical damage on your concrete floors.
- The formula contains acrylic, water-based export paint, which resists any stains on the surface.
- The paint gives you a highly durable, heavy-duty surface and does not blister easily even if heavyweight objects are on top of it.
Cons
- The Kilz epoxy paint may require at least two coats to adequately cover your concrete floors and give them a smooth finish.
Kilz epoxy paint is acrylic epoxy paint that you can use on concrete floors. Since the base of this paint is water, you can trust this paint to protect your concrete floor from any small cracks, scuffs and damage from natural wear and tear.
With this formula, you don’t have to worry about any staining or damage from chemicals and other substances such as oil and gasoline, which you can most likely find in basements. It gives your floor a satin finish that is smooth to walk on and sleek to look at. The paint also dries quickly, so you don’t have to wait for long hours for double coating if you want.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | Masterchem Industries LLC |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 6.63 x 6.63 x 7.65 inches |
| Color | Silver/Gray |
| Material | Water Based |
| Coverage | 300-500 sq. ft. |
| Usage | Interior/Exterior |
| Included Components | Interior/exterior concrete and garage floor paint |
| Warranty Description | Limited Warranty (see product package for details) |
EpoxyShield Rust Oleum Professional Epoxy Paint for Floor Coating
Pros
- The EpoxyShield Rust-Oleum Professional epoxy paint dries quickly.
- It gives your floor a subtle shine and has a semi-gloss finish
- You don’t have to apply layers and layers of coating. Only one coat is enough to give you a solid and durable floor to last you for years.
Cons
- You need to make sure that you shake the can thoroughly before using it because most of the heavier additives fall to the bottom of the can. It can be pretty tiring to stir it by hand.
The EpoxyShield Rust Oleum Professional epoxy paint comes in a lot that includes decorative chips, 2 part solvent-based epoxy coating and a detailed instruction manual on using the product. It is ideal for use on basement, workshop and garage floors which ensure a lot of heavy-duty. You can also use this to coat other concrete floors indoors as well.
Since the product is a 2 part solvent-based, it provides extreme durability and industry-grade toughness. EpoxyShield Rust-Oleum Professional epoxy paint is highly resistant to external liquids like water and even chemicals, so you don’t have to worry about damage to the surface.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | Rust-Oleum |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 6.82 x 7.13 x 8 inches |
| Color | Dunes Tan |
| Material | Solvent Based |
| Usage | Inside |
| Included Components | Kit includes 2-part solvent-based epoxy coating, decorative color chips, stir stick and detailed instructions |
EpoxyShield Rust Oleum With Decorative Chips
Pros
- The paint comes in many decorative colors and blends that you can use to spice up any room in your home.
- You can use this even for industry-grade basement and garage floors.
- Gives your floor a showroom finish with its glossy premium finish.
Cons
- The EpoxyShield Rust-Oleum epoxy paint with decorative chips retails a little more expensive than other epoxy paints.
You can use this epoxy paint to customize your concrete floors. The best part about the Epoxyshield Rust-Oleum paint is that it combines good looks and functionality. This paint comes with decorative chips, which are used with one or two-part concrete floor epoxy coatings. This gives your floor an even more unique and personalized look. You can mix and match the decorative chips as you like to create your customized look.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | Rust-Oleum |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 5.75 x 2.75 x 7 inches |
| Color | Gray Blend |
| Coverage | 125-250 square feet per bag |
| Usage | Inside; Amateur |
| Included Components | Decorative Color Chips |
Benefits of Epoxy Paint Coating for Basement Floors
Moisture resistance
The best thing about coating your concrete floors with epoxy paint is that it helps seal in the concrete, acting like a protective layer from external damage. Not only this, the epoxy paint is quite durable; hence when you coat your basement floors, it fortifies the foundation of the house by adding water and moisture-resistant layer.
Easy to clean
Rather than concrete floors, epoxy floors are low maintenance. Because of their water-resistant surface, epoxy floors are effortless to clean. The liquid-tight surface of epoxy floors makes it easy to sweep and mop the floors compared to concrete floors, which theme to gather dust and concrete particles.
Improved looks
Epoxy coating on floors gives your home a new and improved look, and it transforms your living space into a sleek, showroom-like premium look. Rather than carpeted floors or even treated concrete floors, the epoxy coating gives an elegant finish to any interior floor design.
An added benefit is that your floors will always be shiny and nicely complement any decorative lighting in the room. You also have the option of choosing from a range of different colors and blends so you can match your floor to your room’s aesthetic. Some epoxy paint comes with free decorative chips made of quartz or mica, creating a speckled look for the floor. If your paint doesn’t come along with free decorative chips, you can easily purchase them at any store for a low price.
Low cost
Epoxy paint coating, as much as it is an elegant addition to your home interiors, is surprisingly low cost. In fact, epoxy coating is much cheaper than tiles, carpet or even hardwood floors. Moreover, if you decide to add tiles or hardwood, you have to calculate the installation costs, whereas, for epoxy coating, you can easily do it yourself. On top of this, it doesn’t even require that much time to renovate your floors with epoxy, and the application and drying time together is much less than installing tiles or hardwood floors.
How to Apply Epoxy Floor Paint on the Basement
Before starting:
The first step before you even start the application process is to survey the room you are renovating and make sure that there is proper air ventilation. Some epoxy paint coating can have strong odors, which may take some time to air out of covering your interior rooms.
The next step is to ensure you have all the equipment necessary for the renovation. Some typical things you will need are a bucket, gloves to protect your hands, goggles for eye protection, a face mask to ensure you don’t inhale too much of the epoxy paint and a paintbrush.
Prep the surface
Make sure that you clean the surface of the floor properly. Sweep and mop the floors to eliminate any dust, debris, water, oil, grease, etc. This is unarguably the most crucial step of the whole process because you need a clean canvas to work with. Or else you will end up with a floor that has a lot of dirt and debris stuck, plus, the floor can be a fail. This will cost you even more money to redo the whole thing, so it is best to start with a thoroughly clean slate.
Another tip is that you need a slightly rough surface to work its magic for the adhesive. The bonding between the epoxy paint and the concrete surface will be stronger this way.
Apply tape around basement edges
After prepping your floor, start applying masking tape around the edges where you don’t want the epoxy paint to go. This is like creating the canvas where you will be applying the epoxy coating to not spread to areas where you don’t want any coating.
The best recommendation for this step is to use painter’s tape because, unlike regular tape, this sticks well to the surface and does not leave any residue behind. It is also easy to remove, and they are usually colored in vibrant colors, so you will be able to detect the tape after painting quickly. This process is vital because it helps you get the best professional, prim and proper look for the floor.
Prepare the mix
Most epoxy paint kits come in two parts- part A and part B. Mix them well until both parts are well incorporated with each other. You can also follow the user’s manual with almost every epoxy paint kit. This step is quick and easy but make sure that you follow the user instructions to a T. You need to get the exact quantities prescribed by the manufacturers to get the desired outcome.
You can do the missing part by shaking it or using a machine to do it for you since it can be time-consuming and tiring. Or you can stir the mixture by using the applicator stick that comes with the kit. However, it is not recommended that you use the applicator stick to mix the substances in large quantities since they might not get well incorporated. Make sure that you use the mixture within 2 hours of mixing to get the best results.
Apply the epoxy
Now for the central part. Apply your epoxy mixture all over the floor evenly. You will need a roller or a paintbrush for this step, or both, whichever is more applicable to you. One important note during this process is that you need to plan your path. Plan out where you will start painting and where to go next. Each step should be well calculated so that you don’t end up stuck in the middle of your floor with nowhere to step into.
To paint the corners of the floor, a paintbrush is most convenient, whereas a roller will do a much better and quicker job painting the middle area. The best process is to start from the corners and move your way to the middle and finally the exit, which is your basement door. If you are planning on doing a double coating of your floor, make sure you wait for the allocated time for the first layer to dry before applying the second coat.
Add decorative chips (optional)
These epoxy kits come with free decorative chips made of quartz or mica that you can add to fresh epoxy paint. This step is optional, so you don’t have to follow this step if you don’t want to add any extra decorative elements to your floor.
To include decorative chips in your epoxy floor, sprinkle them around however you want, but do it evenly.
If you only have one exit in your basement, and it is a large area, you can alternate between painting the floor and sprinkling the flakes. Or else you can do this as the last step after applying the paint of your area is small, and you can reach all areas of the floor from one end. This part also depends on how you want to decorate your floor. You can create patterns and other art forms with the flakes if you wish to.
Let dry and cure
After you are done with the application process and the decorative part, let your paint dry completely. Typically. All epoxy paint coatings take about 48 hours to cure completely. However, the curing time can depend on your environment and the condition of the room as well. One way to know if your epoxy floor has completely cured is to check if the paint is resilient and hard. If even after 48 hours, the floor feels tacky, then you have to wait for a few more hours until it is hard.
Add an additional finish (optional)
This is also an optional step that you can skip if you don’t want to apply a topcoat. The topcoat is a clear epoxy coating that goes on top of your actual export paint.
Make sure that you apply this coat only after the initial layers of the epoxy have cured completely.
If you notice any bumps and blisters or air bubbles on your floor after the epoxy has cured, it is probably because of some debris left behind on your concrete surface. If you see these imperfections, you can sand them down with sandpaper and clean up the excess, then apply your topcoat over it. This will cover all the minor marks or scratches left behind in the initial layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you DIY apply epoxy paint on your basement floor?
Yes, you can DIY apply epoxy paint on your basement floor, and the process is simple and very doable. Most epoxy paint comes in small kits that you can prep and apply on your own.
Is epoxy paint going to make the basement cold?
Epoxy floors are typically colder to the touch than carpet or hardwood floors. If the temperature is cold in the basement, the epoxy coating will take on this temperature and make the floor cold. If you want to address this problem, you can customize your floor heating system.
Can you apply epoxy over any surface?
It is recommended that you apply epoxy paint only over concrete or other concrete-like surfaces. This is to make sure that the layer underneath the epoxy coating is solid to avoid cracks.
Is epoxy odorless?
Some epoxy paint may have an odor, but they go away after fully curing the paint. Depending on the environment and the type of epoxy you use, it can take up to 3 days to cure completely.
How many coats of epoxy are needed for a basement floor?
You only need one coat to cover the floor of your basement with epoxy. You can apply a second or third layer if you want to, but it is not mandatory. Depending on the style and look you are going for, you can add as many or as few layers of epoxy as you want for your basement floor.
Do you need to apply a clear coat over the epoxy?
It is a personal preference, but applying a clear coat over your initial epoxy paint will give your finished floor a glossier appearance. It also works as an additional barrier of protection from wear and tear. Some too coats can give you added benefits like scratch-proof or protecting your decorative mica and quartz flakes.
Can you remove epoxy paint?
Yes, you can remove epoxy paint, and you will need to use methylene chloride or acetone to remove it. Regular paint thinner does not work on epoxy paint because of the sheer strength of epoxy. Dip a cloth with either methylene chloride or acetone and place it on the epoxy to remove epoxy. You can press down on the cloth or start rubbing it away. You can also use methylene chloride or acetone scrapper to eliminate the epoxy.
Closing thoughts
If you want to revamp your basement floor to give it more protection from unwanted moisture, wear and tear, applying epoxy is an excellent way to do this.
Epoxy paint coatings are relatively cheaper than replacing or installing tiles and hardwood floors, and it is also a faster and easier method to fortify your basement floor. You also don’t need a ton of specialized equipment to do the job.
It is very inexpensive and achievable to cover concrete basement floors with epoxy, especially because basements tend to get damp or even suffer leakage from the drain pipes around the house. With an epoxy floor, it is easier to clean the basement’s surface and prevent mold from forming in the basement.
If you are thinking about coating your basement with epoxy paint, we recommend Epoxyshield Basement Floor epoxy paint. This coating has high solids solvents which can transform your regular concrete basement floor into a robust, sturdy and durable floor that can withstand natural wear and tear and even heavy-duty equipment.