How To Install An Epoxy Floor

Have you been wondering about how Epoxy floor installation is carried out? Epoxy Floor installation consists of cleaning the floor, applying various epoxy coatings, and letting it cure over a course of 3 Days. Here we are going to tell you about the detailed epoxy floor installation process that we carry out. If you are curious about how to install epoxy flooring or how to epoxy a floor? Your questions will be answered with this.

installing epoxy floor

Table of Contents

Epoxy Floor Installation Process

Here are the general steps to epoxy floor installation. This may vary based on the type of epoxy coating you’re applying.

Step 1: Preparing The Floor For Epoxy

First, you have to clear every removable object present in the room where epoxy is being applied. When applying epoxy in a garage floor , any greasy liquid present in the entire floor is removed. It’s best to spread the muriatic acid solution on the floor. Then start the process of diamond grinding. This is needed to remove the irregularities from the surface. It also exposes the surface for proper adhesion. You need machinery ( grinder ) and skills to perform this task. When diamond grinding, you need to keep the grinder running at all times to avoid making circular rings on the floor. All the cracks and divots in the floor need to removed optimize the quality of your epoxy floors.

Step 2: Applying Moisture Barrier Coating

It’s necessary to apply a moisture barrier before starting the next process. This is done to make sure that the water and the water vapor don’t enter inside the concrete floor. Different types of damage can occur if moisture barrier coating is not applied to the entire floor. Once the moisture barrier coating is applied, you have to let the floor dry overnight.

Step 3: Vacuuming The Floor

Before starting the next day, you have to vacuum and clean the entire floor. Then check if any debris is present on the floor. Otherwise, you cannot experience the maximum benefit of your epoxy floor coating.

Step 4: Applying The Epoxy

The process of applying epoxy can differ based on the type of finishes you need for your epoxy floors. If you need a mixture of epoxy and other substances, do the mixing according to the instruction provided on the cover of the epoxy packaging before applying the epoxy paint. In some cases, you may need additional products like quartz, metallic powders, polyurethane, e.t.c. to get the type of epoxy floor that you want. Apply them in proper order.

epoxy floor installation process

Tools Needed to Epoxy Garage Floor/Home Floor

tool required to install epoxy

Here is the list of materials and tools needed to epoxy garage floor or home floor:

  • Sweeping Broom
  • Gloves
  • Patching material to fill cracks and divots
  • Heavy-duty concrete dust vacuum
  • A Stiff Brush
  • Mini roller (for stem wall)
  • Paintbrush(3-inch)
  • 9-inch paint roller with 3/8-inch-nap roller cover
  • Extension handle for roller
  • Buckets to mix and keep the epoxy solution
  • Mixing drill
  • Spiked shoes
  • Epoxy floor coating kit (primer, base, top coat)


Different types of finishes need different installation processes and different time durations. Most Epoxy floor installation processes end within 2-3 days. We carry out several types of epoxy floor finishes and the process is a little different on each.

When To Install Epoxy Flooring?

Before installing epoxy floors, you must know when is the right time to install them. You can install epoxy floors when you get bored of looking at the same dull-colored concrete floor. The warmer season is considered the best time for installing epoxy floors. To safely install epoxy floors, ventilation is necessary. Installing garage floors in the winter will be a disaster. The cold weather prevents the epoxy coating from curing quickly.

How To Install Epoxy Solid Color Epoxy Floors
( 3 days )

Day 01

The first day of the epoxy flooring process is all about floor prepping. Before we can apply an epoxy floor coating, we have to make sure the floor is properly prepped and suitable for epoxy floor coatings to be applied. We diamond grind the floor which strips off the top smooth layer of concrete exposing the aggregate for proper adhesion. The floor has to be cleaned and neutralized and any cracks on the floor have to be filled. The perimeter has to be taped with duct tape and primer is applied and then left to dry. The detailed epoxy flooring steps for the first day are as follows: 

  • Step 1
    • All items must be moved out of the room or area where epoxy is being applied (if any are present.)

 

  • Step 2
    • We diamond grind the floor which strips off the top smooth layer of concrete exposing the aggregate for proper adhesion.  
  • Step 3
    • The floor and surrounding areas are then vacuumed clean.  
  • Step 4
    • Patch all cracks and divots.  
  •  

Day 02

The second day consists of Epoxy coating layering. Before applying epoxy, we make sure that the floor is free of any kinds of dirt or debris. If any dirt or debris is detected, they are blown away or vacuumed. After the floor is clean and ready, we apply the base coat that is chosen by the client. The steps of epoxy floor installation to be followed on the second day are as:

  • Step 1
    • Dirt and debris on the floor surface is either blown or vacuumed.

 

  • Step 2
    • The floor is inspected properly to ensure it is fully clean for the next step. 
  • Step 3
    • We apply the base coat over the floor surface. The floor coat is properly applied over the floor.

Day
03

After the floor is left to dry overnight, the next day the floor is sanded(if necessary). After sanding the floor, the final coat of Poly Aspartic is applied on the floor surface. After applying the final coat, the floor is left to dry. The process is complete. The third-day process includes

  • Step 1
    • After letting the floor dry overnight, the next day the floor is sanded(if required).

 

  • Step 2
    • We apply the final coat of Poly Aspartic on the floor surface.

 

  • Step 3
    • The floor is left to dry now. Make sure that no one walks on the floor for the next day until it properly cures.

How To Install Granite ( flakes ) Epoxy Floors (2-3 days)

Day
01

We perform Diamond grinding on the floor surface in order to remove the smooth layer of concrete floor and expose the aggregate for proper adhesion. We clear off the area and clean the entire surface before moving on to the next step. We patch every crack and divot on the surface. After that, we apply a moisture barrier 2:1 primer/base coat and then flake on the floor surface. The detailed step-by-step first-day process is as follows:

  • Step 1
    • The first order of business is to prep the floor. So, we perform diamond grinding on the floor to remove the top smooth layer of the floor. Then the floor is now aggregated and can be properly bonded. 

 

  • Step 2
    • The floor is now properly vacuumed to make it clean. And cracks and pivots are filled.  
  • Step 3
    • The floor and surrounding areas are then vacuumed clean.  
  • Step 4
    • Patch all cracks and divots.  
  • Step 5
    • Then depending on size of the floor and time it takes to grind we apply a moisture barrier 2:1 primer/base coat + flakes.

Day
02

On the second day, if the floor wasn’t flaked and epoxied, then the epoxy coating is done. The epoxy coating is evenly applied over the floor. And the flakes are sprayed evenly all over the surface. Then after the floor is dry, the excess flakes are scraped and cleaned off the floor. Then the top final coat is applied on the floor surface. After that, the floor is left to dry.

  • Step 1
    • If the floor wasn’t epoxied and flaked, it is now carried out on the second day. But if already applied the previous day, excess flakes are scraped off the floor.

 

  • Step 2
    • The excess scraped flakes are vacuumed and cleaned off the floor.  

How To Install Metallic Epoxy Floors: (3 days)

Day
01

The first day is almost always the same for every finish process. We carry out a diamond grinding process to remove the top smooth layer and expose the aggregate for proper adhesion. We then clean the surface and seal every crack and pivot before we proceed. We then apply a coat of primer as a moisture barrier. The detailed step-by-step first-day process to install metallic epoxy floor is as follows:

  • Step 1
    • Diamond grinding the floor to make sure the floor can be properly bonded to the epoxy solution. 

 

  • Step 2
    • Cleaning the floor and making sure there is no dirt or debris on the surface. Sealing the cracks and pivots. 
  • Step 3
    • Moisture barrier coating is applied on the surface and the floor is left to dry.

Day
02

Floor is checked for dirt/debris and then either blown out or vacuumed. Once we ensure the floor is clean and ready for the base coat we mix the metallic powders into the clear 100% solids epoxy. Once mixed the color or colors are then squeegeed out onto the floor and then back rolled in different ways for different styles.

On the second day, the floor is rechecked for any kind of dirt or debris. If found, they are vacuumed or blown away. We then create a mix of metallic epoxy. We mix the metallic powders into clear 100% solid epoxy. After mixing them, a thick solution is obtained. Then the colors are squeegeed on the floor and then rolled back in different ways to create patterns and styles. Metallic epoxy creates a unique design every single time due to this reason. The steps of epoxy floor installation to be followed on the second day are as:

  • Step 1
    • Rechecking the floor for any dirt or debris, if found any, vacuuming or cleaning it off. 

 

  • Step 2
    • Creating a mixture of metallic powders and clear solid epoxy. 
  • Step 3
    • The solution is applied on the floor and then squeegeed on the floor in different ways to create different patterns.  A unique pattern is obtained every time.

Day
03

On the third day, the floor is again checked for debris/dirt. The floor is lightly disc sanded if it is necessary. If the floor is sanded, it is then cleaned and wiped down with some acetone. Then after that, either Poly Aspartic or Aliphatic urethane is added. After that, the process is complete and the floor is left to dry. The third-day process includes:

  • Step 1
    • The floor is rechecked for debris and it is sanded(if necessary).
  • Step 2
    • If sanding is done, then the floor needs to be cleaned and wiped down with some acetone.
  • Step 3
    • Some Poly Aspartic or Aliphatic urethane is applied on the floor surface as the final coating to provide better protection of the metallic epoxy floor.

How To Install Quartz Epoxy Floors ( 3-4 days )

Day
01

On the first day, we prep the floor using a diamond grinding method and strip off the top smooth layer of concrete floor in order to get an aggregated surface for proper adhesion. The floor and the surrounding areas are properly cleaned and vacuumed. The detailed step-by-step first-day process is as follows:

  • Step 1
    • Diamond grinding the floor to make sure the floor can be properly bonded to the epoxy solution. 

 

  • Step 2
    • Cleaning the floor and making sure there is no dirt or debris on the surface. Sealing the cracks and pivots.

Day
02

On the second day, a layer of moisture barrier coating is applied to the surface. Then right after that, the first layer of quartz is broadcasted all over the floor. The steps of epoxy floor installation to be followed on the second day are as:

  • Step 1
    • Applying a coat of moisture barrier all over the floor.

 

  • Step 2
    • Evenly broadcasting the first layer of quartz over the floor.

Day
03

On the third day, excess quartz is scraped and vacuumed clean. Then the second coat of 100% solids is applied and second layer of quartz is then broadcasted all over the floor. The third-day process includes:

  • Step 1
    • Excess quartz is scraped and properly cleaned and vacuumed. 

 

  • Step 2
    • Second coat of 100% solids is applied over the floor and then the second layer of quartz is broadcasted over the floor.

Day
04

On the 4th day, excess quartz from the second layer is scraped and vacuumed clean. A clear coat of poly urea is applied on top of the surface. The process of installing epoxy floors is now complete. The floor is not walkable for at least the next 24 hours. You will have to wait at least 48 hours before you can put heavy items such as a refrigerator, pool tables and heavy tool boxes. Vehicles can be driven over the surface only after 7 days.

  • Step 1 
    • The excess quartz from the second layer is scraped and vacuumed clean so that we can process on to the next step.
  • Step 2
    • After the surface is clean, a clear coat of polyurethane is applied on top. This concludes the process of installing epoxy floors. Now the floor is left to dry. 

This is how to do epoxy flooring in your home, garage or work. When you properly install epoxy flooring properly, it will last for decades if properly maintained. If you want epoxy flooring for homes, schools, or anywhere, contact us for epoxy installation services. We are one of the finest epoxy flooring companies in California. 

Call Best Coast Epoxy Coatings if you have any questions.

If you need to learn about the epoxy installation process for specific spaces click the links below:

Here is a glimpse of our epoxy installation process.

 **All installations include a standard 10-year warranty on installation and labor.**

Frequently Asked Questions

Epoxy floor installation typically takes one to two days. Our team will start by repairing any damage, removing stains, and diamond grinding your cement surface. This is the most time-consuming step. Your epoxy will be put when the surface has been prepared. And then it is left to cure over 24-48 hours.

The floor is able to be walked in 24 hours. Before that period, the epoxy is still in its curing stage.

It is recommended to avoid driving for 7 days for the epoxy floor to be vehicle ready.

Installing epoxy floors is easy. Anyone with DIY skills is able to apply it easily. But in order to get a perfect finish, you should hire professionals for epoxy installation service.

The materials required for epoxy flooring are:

• Sweeping Broom

• Gloves

• Patching material to fill cracks and divots

• Heavy-duty concrete dust vacuum

• A Stiff Brush

• Mini roller (for stem wall) • Paintbrush(3-inch)

• 9-inch paint roller with 3/8-inch-nap roller cover etc.

You can apply epoxy flooring on your garage floor, home floor, industrial sites, warehouses, and commercial buildings.

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Author

Ryan Pepple
My name is Ryan Pepple and I am the founder/president of Best Coast Epoxy Coatings Inc. I do all the residential jobs myself and use a crew to complete commercial jobs. You can call the number mentioned on the site to talk to me.