If you’re looking to upgrade your flooring, you’ve probably stumbled across epoxy flooring, which is a popular option for garages, kitchens, and basements. Not only does it make the floor more resilient to wear and tear, but it also creates a glossy sheen that makes any room look more modern.
But before you pull the trigger on applying epoxy flooring to your space, you’ll want to know just how long it will take for the coating to dry. Like many other factors involved in installing floors—such as cost of materials and labor needed—how long an epoxy floor takes to dry varies from project to project.
While there’s no definitive answer, there are some general rules of thumb we can use for guidance.
How long before you can walk on epoxy floor?
The best way to determine how long it will take for your epoxy floor to dry is to check the manufacturer’s recommendations. You can also find drying times common for most products in the table below:
The thickness of Epoxy Floor | Time Before Walking on It
1/16” (1.5mm) | 24-48 hours
3/32” (2.4mm) | 3-7 days
1/8” (3mm) | 2-4 weeks
If you want to walk or drive on the freshly painted epoxy floor, it is recommended that you wait at least seven days after application.
After 14 days, your newly applied epoxy paint will be completely cured and ready for whatever challenges life throws its way! Even if you have applied a thick layer of epoxy flooring, don’t expect it to be completely dry and ready to use until 30 days have passed.
Table of Contents
- How long before you can walk on epoxy floor?
- Can epoxy floor be done in one day?
- How long does it take 2 part epoxy to dry?
- How long do you have to stay off of epoxy floors?
- Does epoxy scratch easily?
- How long does 5 Minute epoxy take to cure?
- Why is my epoxy floor not drying?
- How long does epoxy resin last once cured?
Can epoxy floor be done in one day?
This is a common question we are asked by our customers. Epoxy floors can be done in one day, but it depends on the exact type of epoxy used.
The average setting times for standard 100% solid epoxy coatings are between 18 and 24 hours. This means that if you install your floor with an epoxy coating that takes an average of 20 hours to set, you can return to normal activity on your floor within that time period, based on the condition that the temperature was right and there was enough air circulation.
However, you will need to allow the epoxy coating to cure completely before any heavy traffic or weight is applied to it. This curing process can take up to seven days depending on the specific formulation and conditions.
How long does it take 2 part epoxy to dry?
With a two-part, 100% solids epoxy, you have to wait 24 hours for it to dry before applying the second coat. After that, it takes 1 to 3 days for it to fully cure. Once it’s cured, you can’t walk on it for about 7 days.
This is why we recommend that people put their cars in the garage at least three weeks before they start working on the floor. This way, your floor can reach maximum hardness and durability while no one is driving or walking on it!
How long do you have to stay off of epoxy floors?
If you’ve just had epoxy applied to your garage floor, you might be wondering how long it’ll take to dry and when you can use it. Epoxy floors are a great way to protect your concrete from stains and cracks, but the application process can mean downtime for your garage.
Here’s what we recommend: If you’re going to apply an epoxy coating on your garage floor, allow yourself at least five days before using the space again.
Ideally, give yourself seven days. The first 24 hours are crucial: You should avoid walking on the floor during this time at all costs. After that, wait one more day before walking on the floor in socks or stocking feet only. Two days after the epoxy is applied, light foot traffic is fine—but keep vehicles off of it until five full days have passed.
Does epoxy scratch easily?
Epoxy flooring is durable and can handle a lot of abuse, but it is still susceptible to scratching. However, because epoxy is so much more scratch-resistant than other types of flooring materials you will find that epoxy flooring scratches less often and keeps its good looks for longer.
Epoxy flooring can be scratched by sharp or heavy objects. The use of rugs and mats can help protect your floors from damage, as well as signage that indicates where not to place heavy items on the floor.
How long does 5 Minute epoxy take to cure?
Epoxy is a durable, long-lasting flooring that can be applied to most existing concrete floors. Whether you’re looking to redo your garage or add a non-slip layer on top of your basement floor, epoxy is an excellent choice. All you need is some time and patience.
How long does it take for epoxy resin to dry?
Epoxy resin will harden in about 24 hours, but it takes about 7-10 days for the resin to fully cure. Once the resin is completely cured, you can walk on it with soft-soled shoes. It takes 72 hours before you can drive on the floor if you’re using QuickSet Epoxy from Epoxyshield or 72 hours before adding heavy objects if you are using Superfast Plus from Durall.
Why is my epoxy floor not drying?
If your epoxy floor is not drying, it’s likely because of one of the following reasons:
- It was not mixed properly. Although mixing your epoxy with a drill will be faster than doing so by hand, it’s important to use the drill on a low setting in order to avoid introducing air bubbles into the mixture during preparation. This air will rise to the top and remain in the wet layer. If you see any bubbles rise to the surface, skim them off before allowing your floor to dry. (This is where having an assistant can come in handy!)
- It is too cold. Temperature plays a big role in how quickly an epoxy floor dries, as temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit prevent it from fully curing—which means that even if you wait for several days, it won’t be ready for foot traffic or additional coats. If you’re trying to apply more layers when temperatures are lower than this, make sure to keep both your space and yourself warm while working with the material (and consider using a space heater if possible).
- It was not sanded properly. Make sure you’ve used fine-grit sandpaper—the finer texture will allow for smoother application and better adhesion between layers of material when applying multiple coats over time!
- It was not primed properly. Priming helps ensure proper adhesion between layers; however, improper application can lead to patches where no glue has been applied at all! The best way around this problem would be to make sure that there are no gaps between each coat by filling them up with more primer before adding additional coats on top of these areas after they have dried completely
How long does epoxy resin last once cured?
You may be curious to know: how long does epoxy floor take to dry?
Fortunately, the answer is straightforward. Epoxy resin generally has a service life of around 10-15 years, although it can last longer if it’s protected from damage and cleaned properly.
Conclusion
The dry time for epoxy floors varies based on the specific type of epoxy, but you can expect it to take about 24 hours for a single coat of epoxy paint to dry completely. If you’re using a solvent-based 2-part epoxy, it will take about 30 days until the floor is ready to walk on and 90 days until the floor is fully cured.
Epoxy floors are an excellent option because they’re extremely durable and easy to clean. Though they may require a little extra time to install, they’ll last you years and make your life easier in the long run.