There are many flooring options to choose from. If you need a durable material that will stand up to wear and tear, you could be considering epoxy or tile.
There are some specific circumstances to consider, but overall, epoxy flooring is more cost-effective than tile.
The Costs of Epoxy and Tile Flooring
When you break it down, the cost of epoxy coating ranges from $3 to $12 per square foot and less than $1 per square foot for installation. Floor tiles run prices between $3 to $5 per square foot, with higher installation costs of $5 to $10 per square foot.
Although epoxy can be more money to install at first compared to tiles, the maintenance, longevity, and durability make it a more cost-effective flooring solution.
What Exactly Is Epoxy?
Epoxy floors have grown in popularity through the years for many reasons. Epoxy is a material that contains resin, an accelerator, a hardener, and a plasticizer.
Together, this mixture goes onto a finished concrete floor as a final step.
This flooring material gives a glossy sheen for any area, but you may see epoxy being used more in industrial settings, like warehouses and garages. That does not mean that it isn’t well suited for your home, though.
Many of the benefits of epoxy flooring make it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, entrance ways, or other high-traffic areas.
Benefits of Epoxy
Because of the composition, epoxy has several benefits, making it a popular choice for workshops and homes.
These include:
- Durable and wear-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Safe
- Customizable
- Clean, polished appearance
- Non-porous and seamless
- Resistant to slipping, impact, heat, and fire
- Low maintenance
- Eco-friendly
Disadvantages of Epoxy
When comparing epoxy to tile, you should consider the disadvantages as well. For some circumstances, epoxy will not be the best solution due to these factors:
- Strong fumes when installing
- It needs a lot of time to dry and harden completely
- The installation process can be time consuming and messy
Comparing Epoxy vs. Tile
When comparing epoxy and tile flooring, there are several factors to consider. These elements include:
- Location
- Purpose
- Budget
- Design preference
Where you are installing new flooring materials will have a direct impact on the type you choose. While epoxy is terrific in homes and industrial settings, you may find that epoxy is better suited for the bathroom.
Meanwhile, tile is a better choice for the living room if you’d like to help keep your floors clean (especially if there are little ones around!).
Both epoxy and tile are durable and long-lasting, but as you consider the purpose of your floor, you can be turned off from using one or the other.
Related: Can You Put Epoxy Flooring Over Vinyl Tile?
Tile may not be the best solution if large items are dropped frequently, such as in a shop setting or commercial cooking area where you are moving about large objects such as pans.
Your budget could lead you to a decision on how to finish your floor. Epoxy floors may cost more upfront than tile does, but it will be more cost-effective in the long run. This makes it a more budget-wise choice.
Design and decor can help you make your decision too. There are dozens of tile colors and patterns to choose from, making it a classic design choice.
Epoxy is customizable, allowing you to add colors, texture, and even depth to the layers of epoxy resin.
Benefits of Tile
Tile is comparable to epoxy with many of the same benefits. You may see more tile than epoxy in homes, but it is versatile enough to be used on decks, porches, garages, and shops.
Tile is more common in areas like the kitchen and bathroom due to its water-resistant properties.
Some of the many benefits of tile include:
- Air quality since they contain no adverse compound materials
- Durable
- High resale value
- Eco-friendly materials
- Water-resistant
- Low maintenance
- Various materials, including ceramic or stone
Disadvantages of Tile
Tile does have some disadvantages that can make you think twice about choosing it for your floors.
Some negative aspects of tile flooring include:
- Grout between the tiles can become dirty and stained quickly
- Heavy dropped items can create cracks or chips
- Some materials will expand and contract with heat
- Heavy to carry for installation
Key Takeaways
The choice between epoxy flooring and tile can become confusing if you aren’t sure of the pros and cons of each, and why you should choose one over the other based on your circumstances.
By narrowing down your budget, flooring needs, and style preference, you can arrive at a clear choice. In the end, epoxy flooring is a more cost-effective solution when you compare it to tile alternatives.
If you are still unsure of which flooring material to go for, talking to a flooring expert can help. Someone who knows all the ins and outs of flooring materials can give you a better idea of which product will work best for your floors and budget.
FAQ
Still have questions about epoxy flooring? We’ve got answers!
How long does an epoxy floor last?
You can expect a properly installed epoxy floor to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on the location and traffic of the area. This timeline will also depend on the thickness of your epoxy flooring. Thinner coatings will not last as long as thicker applications.
How do I clean my epoxy floor?
A diluted ammonia mixture is ideal for cleaning epoxy floors. Products like vinegar or citric acid will break down the epoxy finish and damage it over time. You should not use any harsh chemicals such as bleach on an epoxy floor surface.
Can you add epoxy to a tile floor?
Yes, you can add an epoxy resin coating over your existing tile floor. This method will seal in the tiles, keeping the grout from becoming stained or dirty and achieving the best of both worlds.
Can you epoxy a wood floor?
It is not ideal to use epoxy on hardwood floors because wood can swell and shrink with temperature changes. When you apply the epoxy resin, the temperature will be high, and as it cools, the wood will react to the drop in temperature, making it difficult for it to solidify correctly.
Ready to get to work and in need of an epoxy floor kit? View some top picks at the link below:
