Epoxy basement floors are tough enough to withstand potential damage like flooding, stylish enough not to bring down the value of your home, and won’t cost an arm and a leg to fix in the event of damage.

Whether you use your basement for storage or if it’s the man cave of your dreams, one thing’s for sure: you’ve got to have the right floors.

But is basement floor epoxy the right choice for your home? Here to tell you what you need to know about basement floor epoxy is

Jerry

, the

super app

for

home

and

car insurance

. Read on to find out what exactly epoxy is, how much it costs, and whether it’s a good fit for you.

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

What is epoxy basement flooring?

Epoxy is a kind of floor coating made from industrial polymers. It’s most commonly poured over concrete flooring and comes in a range of colors and finishes.

There are two main kinds of epoxy flooring: epoxy paint and epoxy coating. Although they may sound interchangeable, there are a couple of key differences.

Epoxy paint has a lower concentration of actual epoxy than epoxy coating. It comes in a can (similar to a can of standard wall paint) and is a mix of 50% epoxy and 50% solvent. While it’s still long lasting, epoxy paint tends to wear out a little faster than epoxy coating.

Epoxy coating, on the other hand, does not come pre-mixed. To use epoxy coating, you’ll have to mix the tinted resin and epoxy hardener yourself.

While epoxy paint has a similar dry time to wall paint, epoxy coating is a solid that needs 24 hours to cure.

MORE:

Is pay as you go insurance right for you?

Pros and cons of epoxy basement flooring

Epoxy has consistently been a favorite among homeowners and builders because of how durable it is. Despite that, using epoxy on your basement floors is not without its drawbacks.

Pros

A huge upside to epoxy is that it is waterproof and mold-resistant—which is extra important if your basement is on the damp side. Unlike carpet, which can be completely decimated by a few wet spots, epoxy basement floors hold up if they’re exposed to water.

Epoxy basement floors are very easy to clean. Just take a mop, run it along the floors, and they’ll be looking as good as new! If your basement is more of a man cave, your basement floors will never have an easier time recovering from a beer spill if they’re coated in epoxy.

Basement floor epoxy is also super wallet-friendly. It only takes a little determination and an afternoon to yourself to install it.

Plus, epoxy basement floors come in many different colors and styles, so you’ll be sure to find something that meshes seamlessly with your home’s aesthetic.

Cons

Epoxy basement flooring can be extremely slippery. While this may not sound like a huge deal, it can be dangerous if you’ve got young kids playing on it—they (or anyone, really) are more likely to slip and injure themselves. For this reason, the floor coating usually has some kind of grains mixed in to make the floors easier to grip.

As it’s very water-resistant, epoxy can be difficult to apply on damp concrete. The polymers will have a harder time bonding to a moist surface, and if you don’t take proper precautions, the epoxy could fail to adhere—leaving a giant mess of your basement floors.

Epoxy is made from chemicals, and believe us when we tell you that there will be a strong smell during the application process. If you’ve got a sensitive nose, epoxy basement floors may not be a good choice for you (at least, you’ll want to have someone else help you with installation).

MORE:

How to choose the right kind of home insurance for you

How to install epoxy basement floors

Coating your basement floors in epoxy can be as easy as painting, but it takes some work. Here’s a basic rundown of how to apply epoxy to your floors:

Prep the concrete beforehand by removing any tile and cleaning off any dirt, dust, or debris

Etch the floor with acid so that the epoxy bonds more effectively with your concrete floor. You can expect to pay between $30 and $40 for a gallon of acid, and one gallon will usually cover around 250 square feet.

Apply the epoxy to your floors. With epoxy paint, just paint it with a roller and let it dry. For epoxy coating, mix the resin and the hardener, let it sit for 30 minutes, then coat the floor, and let rest again for 24 hours

Add a layer of clear topcoat if you want. It’s not a necessity, but a clear topcoat will take the protection and durability to the next level. This generally costs $1.75 per square foot.

On average, epoxy basement floors will cost you $7 per square foot if you choose to DIY it and about $9 per square foot if you decide to call in a pro.

MORE:

What’s the difference between a builder and general contractor?

Does home insurance cover flooring?

Yes, your home insurance will help cover your flooring (or any other home component) if it is directly damaged by a peril listed on your policy. These perils include things like fire damage, theft, vandalism, etc.

To know exactly what you’re covered for and, more importantly, what you’re not covered for, take a look through your insurance documents. Note that things like pet damage, flooding, and earthquakes are never covered in a standard home insurance policy.

How to save on homeowners insurance

Despite how affordable epoxy is for your basement floors, there are many aspects of owning a home that are crazy expensive. Your home insurance policy doesn't have to be, though—and shopping with

Jerry

is the easiest way to find a cheap policy with the coverage you need.

A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new home insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy upon request.

“Using
Jerry
is a super straightforward process, and at each step, you can see exactly what coverage you’re paying for. Thanks to Jerry, I’m paying $900 less each year!” —Martin H.

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Shop Now

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance

Bundle your home and auto insurance with Jerry and save!

Try Jerry