Epoxy Flake Flooring: Do It Yourself or Go Pro?

Epoxy flake flooring is gaining popularity as an attractive and durable option for both residential and commercial spaces, offering a durable, seamless, and visually captivating flooring option. With its ability to create stunning, custom designs while providing a seamless and resilient surface, epoxy flake flooring has become the go-to choice for homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and contractors alike.

When it comes to installing epoxy flake flooring, the decision to go the DIY route or hire a professional makes all the difference. While tackling a DIY project may sound cost-effective and satisfying, professional installation often offers significant advantages that are well worth considering.

This blog dives deep into the benefits of epoxy flake flooring and why leaving the job to the pros might be the smarter choice.

What Is Epoxy Flake Flooring?

Epoxy flake flooring combines epoxy resin and decorative vinyl flakes to create a textured and visually appealing finish. It’s not just about aesthetics, though. This durable flooring solution offers seamless, hygienic surfaces that are resistant to wear, impact, and stains, making it suitable for garages and basements, retail and medical spaces, and more.

Vinyl flakes come in various sizes, colors, and blends, allowing for endless customization to match any design aesthetic. Whether you prefer subtle earth tones or bold, modern patterns, epoxy flake flooring has you covered.

Why Homeowners Are Choosing Epoxy Flake Flooring

There are several reasons why epoxy flake flooring is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners:

• Durability: Epoxy flake floors can withstand heavy foot traffic, machinery, and daily wear and tear, making them ideal for both residential and commercial applications.

• Easy Maintenance: The seamless and non-porous surface resists stains, grime, and bacteria, making cleanup a breeze.

• Aesthetic Versatility: Vinyl flakes offer virtually limitless design options, ensuring the flooring enhances your space, not just functions within it.

• Safety: The textured finish provides slip resistance, which is especially important in areas prone to spills and wet conditions.

  
  

Whether you’re looking to elevate your garage or add flair to your basement, epoxy flake flooring delivers both style and utility.

Choosing Between DIY and Professional Installation

Installing epoxy flake flooring is a multi-step process that includes surface preparation, applying epoxy resin, broadcasting flakes, and sealing the surface. While it might look straightforward on paper, the execution is not that simple.

Here’s how DIY and professional installations compare across key factors:

1. Surface Preparation

• DIY: Preparing the surface is one of the most critical steps in ensuring epoxy adheres correctly. DIY installers often struggle with grinding or etching concrete, which requires specialized equipment and skills. Improper prep can lead to peeling and bubbling later.

• Professional: Professionals have the tools and expertise to grind and clean the concrete thoroughly. They also test moisture levels to avoid long-term adhesion problems.

2. Application Quality

• DIY: Achieving smooth, even epoxy coverage is challenging for first timers. Mistakes like uneven thickness, air bubbles, or missed spots can result in a flawed finish.

• Professional: Experts use high-quality equipment, such as industrial-grade rollers and squeegees, to ensure precision. They know how to work quickly before the epoxy begins to set.

3. Material Selection

• DIY: Store-bought epoxy kits might seem convenient, but they often contain lower-grade materials that lack the durability of professional-grade products.

• Professional: Professionals use top-quality epoxy resins and offer access to custom flake blends, ensuring long-lasting results and unique designs.

4. Customization

• DIY: DIY kits offer limited color and flake options. Even if you have a vision for your space, you might not find the exact match in pre-packaged sets.

• Professional: By working with experts, you can choose from unlimited flake colors, sizes, and blends, resulting in a truly customized finish.

5. Time and Effort

• DIY: Installing epoxy flooring can take days for a DIYer, especially if you count the time needed for research, preparation, and troubleshooting.

• Professional: Professionals complete projects efficiently, minimizing downtime. Their experience ensures a smooth process from start to finish.

6. The Cost Factor

• DIY: While this option may appear more affordable at first glance, offering hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of dollars in savings, this only applies if you are confident that you will not make costly mistakes or wind up having to redo the job.

• Professional: Professionals may charge higher upfront costs, but the results are superior, and the floors last longer, offering better value over time.

  
  

DIY Pros and Cons

For hands-on homeowners and DIY enthusiasts, installing epoxy flake floors can be an exciting project. But it’s not as simple as rolling out paint. There are several factors to consider.

Pros of DIY:

• Cost Savings: Without the labor cost of hiring a professional, you can potentially save a lot of money. DIY epoxy flake flooring kits typically cost between $2 and $5 per square foot, depending on the quality of the epoxy and flakes chosen. Bear in mind that additional tools, such as grinders and squeegees, may also need to be rented or purchased.

• Sense of Accomplishment: There’s something deeply satisfying about completing a home improvement project on your own.

• Flexibility: You can work on the project at your own pace and tweak the design as you see fit.

Challenges of DIY:

• Surface Preparation is Key: Before applying epoxy, you’ll need to prepare the concrete surface meticulously. This involves cleaning, degreasing, and mechanically grinding the floor. Skipping or botching this step can lead to peeling or bubbling in the epoxy layer.

• Skill Level Required: Achieving a smooth, even application while distributing the flakes evenly requires a good bit of expertise.

• Time-Consuming: DIY epoxy flooring is not a weekend project. Expect to spend several days on preparation, application, and cure time.

What Professionals Offer:

• Detailed surface preparation, including stain and foreign materials removal.

• Expert advice on selecting colors, flake sizes, and finishes that complement your space.

• Advanced techniques (such as multi-layer installations) for enhanced durability and appearance.

• Understanding of how factors like humidity, temperature, and surface type affect installation.

• Top-quality epoxies and flakes that are often unavailable in regular hardware stores.

DIY or Go Pro? How to Decide:

If you’re determined to save money and consider yourself a seasoned DIY enthusiast, tackling a small space like a closet or storage room could be a manageable project. Be prepared for a learning curve and don’t compromise on preparation or materials. For large spaces or areas exposed to heavy use, DIY might not be worth the risk.

Epoxy flake flooring is an investment in both form and function, and how you choose to install it can significantly impact its performance and longevity. While tackling a DIY project can be rewarding, the value of professional installation is clear in terms of quality, customization, and long-term results.

If you’re ready to enhance your home or business with stunning epoxy flake floors, it’s time to reach out to the pros. Connect with our expert installers here at JM Solutions Services today to bring your dream floor to life by calling us at: 704.266.2523 or emailing: info@jmconcretecoatings.com.