At first glance epoxy flooring costs significantly more than tiling the floor. However, as is the case with many things, there are complications that need to be considered in order to decide which is the most cost-effective solution.
Tile Cost
Tiles can vary dramatically in cost. The cost is influenced dramatically by whether you’re planning to fit them yourself or have a professional do it. The cost s also affected by what type of tile you choose. A basic tile can cost as little as $10 per square meter, a high-quality tile can cost three or four times that.
But, having the tiles isn’t enough. The floor needs to be prepared for them. In most cases, this means putting a layer of screed across the floor to create a flat surface, ready for the tile adhesive. This is something that is best done by a professional as, if you get it wrong, your floor will not be flat.
You also need to allow, on average, $45 per hour for the professionals to fit your tiles. There are further ancillary costs to accompany this, such as the grout.
Epoxy Flooring
There are a huge array of epoxy floor coatings you can choose from. This means you can create a floor that matches your personal decorating style. However, epoxy flooring is not something you can usually put down yourself.
The epoxy needs to be put on top of a special cement layer. Again, this needs to be perfectly flat and the mixture has to be right to allow it to bond with the epoxy.
The epoxy is then poured on top and must be left to set. It can sound straightforward but it can take several days to install the flooring properly. You should note that there are DIY kits available but, if you want the best possible finish, you need to get the professionals to do it for you.
The cost of purchasing the epoxy flooring and installing it is usually greater than the tiled option.
The Balancing Act
While epoxy flooring costs more to purchase and install than most tiled options, it will last significantly longer. That means the cost of choosing epoxy flooring can be spread out over a longer period, effectively making it a cheaper option in the long term.
Of course, if you’re deciding your flooring based exclusively on the cost you’ll want to consider how long you intend to stay in your current location. To get the most of your epoxy flooring and the money you’ve spent you’ll be looking at staying put for the next ten years or more. Epoxy flooring is very durable and, therefore, cost-effective.
The Bottom Line
Many variables can affect the cost of epoxy flooring and you’ll need to be aware of these and consider them before you make your decision. However, in the long term epoxy flooring is likely to be cheaper, making it a worthwhile consideration. The fact that it can be created in virtually any style and color also helps.
