The Guide To Epoxy Garage Floor Cost & Types of Epoxy
- Devin Spahr
- 1 minute ago
- 5 min read
Epoxy is one of the most durable and attractive options for upgrading your garage floor. But before you get started, it’s important to understand the epoxy garage floor cost. Whether you tackle the job yourself or hire a professional, epoxy flooring prices can vary widely.
In this guide, we’ll cover the average costs of epoxy garage floors in Arizona, comparing DIY vs professional installation, materials, and other factors that affect price. If you’re looking for professionals to handle the job, Spahr’s Painting can help. Our dedicated contractors offer painting, epoxy floor application, stucco repair, and more. We're located in Tucson, but we serve the entire area, including Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita.
How Much Does It Cost to Epoxy a Garage Floor?
Epoxy is a durable, resin-based coating that’s applied over concrete to create a tough surface. It hardens, protecting the floor from stains, moisture, and damage while also giving it a clean look. With options for color, texture, and decorative flakes, epoxy can be customized to your preference. Epoxy garage floor cost depends on a number of factors, but perhaps the biggest one is whether you do it yourself or hire professionals.
When doing it yourself, you can expect to pay between $100 to $600 for a one-car garage (approx. 250 sq. feet). That includes the epoxy kit, surface prep tools, and paint materials. While the upfront costs are lower, you will pay for that with your labor. In order to properly coat your floor, you’ll need to spend the time to clean and prep it. Doing it yourself can be great if you’re a handy homeowner looking to save, but it may not last as long or look as smooth.
In Arizona, the average epoxy garage floor cost to hire a professional ranges between $6 to $12 per square foot. That includes professional-grade epoxy of polyaspartic coatings, full concrete prep, decorative finishes, and, often, a warranty. The professional surface prep results in better adhesion that will last longer (think 10 to 20 years). If your garage has any cracks, oil stains, or moisture issues, a pro will be able to address these issues for a better result. Plus, you typically have more options to customize with colors and textures.
Cost to Epoxy a One Car Garage
To epoxy a one-car garage that’s approximately 250 square feet, expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000. This includes both materials and labor costs. The exact price depends on the type of epoxy as well as any decorative finishes. To DIY your one car garage, you’ll pay somewhere between $100 and $600 for the materials.
Cost to Epoxy a Two Car Garage
In Arizona, a two-car garage that’s around 500 square feet costs between $3,000 to $6,000 to epoxy. More space requires more materials, more time to prep the surface, and more time to apply the epoxy. To do it yourself, you’ll need more epoxy and more prep material, which may cost you between $300 and $1,000. However, while a one-car garage is a manageable DIY project, a two-car garage is a much more difficult project without professional tools.
Cost to Epoxy a Three Car Garage
Epoxying a three-car garage is a huge project that requires a pretty big investment. For 750 square feet, expect to pay between $4,500 and $9,000 for professional work. High-end systems like polyaspartic with color flakes will push the cost up towards the higher end but will last longer with better results.
The Cost of Labor
The cost of labor to epoxy a garage floor in Arizona typically ranges between $4 to $9 per square foot and makes up a large part of the cost. Basic epoxy systems are less labor intensive and will cost you less. The high-end systems require much more labor, but last longer and look better as well.
What’s included in labor:
Surface preparation, like grinding, cleaning, and crack repair
Application of primer, base coat, and topcoat
Installation of decorate flakes or other finishes (if requested)
Optional moisture barriers or sealers
Equipment Needed
Another factor in the epoxy garage floor cost is the equipment needed to prepare the surface and apply the epoxy. Here’s a list of the equipment and tools needed to epoxy a garage floor:
Surface Prep:
Diamond grinder: Uses diamond-coated discs to grind the top layer of concrete. It removes old coatings, smooths rough spots, and opens the concrete’s pores so epoxy can bond better.
Shot blaster: Blasts tiny steel beads (shot) at the floor to clean and texture the concrete. Great for removing dirt, paint, and coatings.
Floor scraper: A hand tool or machine used to scrape off stuck materials to achieve a clean, bare surface between grinding or etching.
Concrete patching compound: Used to fill cracks, holes, or pits for a smooth, even surface.
Shop vac: Used to clean up dust, dirt, and debris from the surface.
Tack cloth: A sticky cloth used to clean up dust and dirt before application.
Application tools:
Electric mixer or mixing stick: Used to properly mix the epoxy and hardener.
Roller: Used to smoothly apply the epoxy to the concrete.
Squeegee: Used to smooth out the epoxy resin and remove excess.
Trowel: Used for repairing concrete before applying the epoxy.
Shoe spikes: Shoe spikes allow you to walk around the floor without leaving footprints.
Safety equipment:
Respirator: A respirator or mask protects you from breathing in harmful fumes.
Eye protection: Safety goggles protect your eyes from the chemicals.
Gloves: Gloves protect your hands from the chemicals in the epoxy resin.
Ventilation: You’ll need fans or ventilation systems to keep the air clean and prevent harmful fumes from building up.
Types of Epoxy to Use
The type of epoxy you use will affect the overall epoxy garage floor cost. Water-based epoxy is the least expensive and is easy to apply. However, it’s also thinner and less durable. Water-based epoxy typically costs between $30 to $50 per gallon.
Solvent-based epoxy is more durable than water-based, offering good adhesion and some chemical resistance. It costs between $40 to $55 per gallon. Solid epoxy, which can cost between $40 to $150 per gallon, is the most durable, lasting up to 20 years. It sets quickly and requires a good surface prep, making it better for professional use.
How to Prep the Area
The most important step when epoxying a garage floor is the surface prep. Skipping it or rushing it can cause the epoxy to peel, bubble, or fail within months. If you’re going to do it yourself, you’ll want to take the time to prepare the area.
First, clean the floor. Sweet out all dirt and debris, and use a degreaser to scrub away oil stains with a stiff brush. Repair any cracks and pits with a concrete patch, and let it cure as directed. Next, etch or grind the floor, which is crucial for adhesion. After grinding, make sure the floor feels rough, like medium-grit sandpaper. If it’s smooth or glossy, it needs more prep. Finally, tape off the edges to protect your walls, baseboards, fixtures, and drains.
Before you get to work, check the temperature and humidity. You’ll want to work when it’s between 60-85°F with humidity below 85%. Epoxy cures faster in the heat, which shortens working time. With Arizona’s hot climate, you may want to wait for the cooler months to epoxy your garage floor.
Epoxy Garage Floor Cost Conclusion
A number of factors affect the final epoxy garage floor cost, including the size of your garage, the type of epoxy used, and whether you do it yourself or hire professionals. In general, expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 for a one-car garage.
While doing it yourself is feasible, especially for a smaller garage, you may not get the results you want. Hiring a professional costs more, but will result in a smoother finish that lasts for years.
Whether you’re looking to epoxy your garage floor or paint your home, Spahr’s Painting is the painting company you can trust. We’ve served the Tucson community for years, offering service you can rely on. Contact us today for an estimate!
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