Why DIY Epoxy Kits Get A Bad Rap

When it comes to using the DIY epoxy kits that you can find at the local hardware store, you will find that the cheaper kits on the market are plagued with bad reviews. These reviews, however, are very accurate and are exactly why DIY epoxy kits get such a bad rap. But today, we aren’t just going to tell you that they are bad, we are going to tell you exactly why they are bad and why you should instead trust an epoxy flooring system that has been professionally installed. So, let’s get started!

To begin we are going to be taking a more in-depth look at these cheap DIY epoxy kits and to start, let’s talk a little about the quality of materials they use. Let’s not try to stretch how DIY epoxy is an okay substitute to professional epoxy, even the “professional” DIY kits you can buy at an inflated price are no match to the grade of a true professional epoxy. You will find that DIY kits are only a one-part system, pairing the epoxy resin with paint to make it dry, but a true epoxy flooring system is at least a 2 part system.

One of the biggest mistakes that DIYers make when installing these DIY kits is the step of preparing the concrete slab. However, this is commonly not the fault of the applicator. The materials that the DIY kits come with to profile your concrete; to open the pores of your concrete are subpar at best. Thankfully, there is a way to determine if your concrete is properly profiled for the DIYers out there. All you have to do is spill a small amount of water across different areas of your concrete. If the concrete turns a dark color, the pores of your concrete have been exposed, thus meaning that your concrete has been properly profiled. But, acids and the materials provided in these kits are never as good as a contractor using a diamond wheel grinder or shot blasting to profile the concrete.

The only place where the DIY epoxy kits are going to shine is in the application. These epoxies have been formulated for ease of application by making the material thinner. With a thinner material, you have the option to use a paint roller to applicate the “epoxy”. But, with a professional epoxy contractor, you won’t have to worry about how the flooring is applicated, the contractor will take care of this messy process for you! Just for insight, professional-grade epoxy is applicated with a squeegee and trowels to ensure the thicker materials reach the proper thickness throughout the concrete, something that you wouldn’t be able to do with a DIY kit.

When it comes down to it, can epoxy flooring be DIYed? Technically, yes. There are millions of reviews that show how much people love the flooring they have crafted for themselves, you just have to know what to expect. With DIY kits, just make sure that you are prepared and knowledgeable in knowing that your floor isn’t as durable, high performing or long-lasting as an epoxy floor coating that has been professionally installed. If you know the level of protection you need and its nothing too intense, a DIY kit is fine, but if you work out of your garage or use heavy tools in your garage, a professional epoxy flooring will be recommended.

When looking at DIY epoxy kits, you will find that some of the more expensive kits can last up to 10 years. While this sounds like a long time, these kits are usually 100-200 dollars more expensive than the lower quality kits that only last an average of 2-5 years depending on where they are placed and how much foot or vehicle traffic they have to endure. Though either way a 2-10 year lifespans for these coatings are fine, right? Well, not really. When having a professional epoxy flooring contractor install their industrial-grade materials, you will have a flooring system that is capable of lasting your home up to 30 years with proper maintenance! While a portion of this is from a higher grade material, it is mostly because of how the concrete is prepared for professional epoxy, allowing the material to seep into the pores of your concrete.