Skip to Content

Can You Epoxy Over Laminate Floors?

If you want to put epoxy over a laminate floor, you might be heading in the right direction.

Applying epoxy over laminate is an excellent way to brighten things up and provide a new surface when the old surface has gone dull. You can apply epoxy over laminate floor, and the process takes place quickly with the epoxy drying fast and beautifully.

Paint roller on floor

Epoxy is an excellent choice for almost any type of material. It does a good job over laminate floors but many other surfaces may also benefit from the use of epoxy.

As you look down through the following information, you will find that epoxy is a good idea for a wide variety of reasons. It is more than providing beauty for your home, it also provides a durable surface that will last many years.

It is also one of the easier DIY projects you will do for your floors. At a cost that is relatively inexpensive compared to replacing floors, you can have something that looks and feels new.

Of course, you will have to care for the epoxy finish properly so that it will last as long as possible. With just a little care over the years, however, you will be surprised with how long the epoxy finish will last.

Can You Put Epoxy Over Laminate Flooring?

Man thinking with hand on chin

Most people put down laminate flooring because it is easy and comes at a fairly decent cost. If you are ready to make it beautiful again with epoxy, can you apply it over a laminate floor?

Applying epoxy over laminate flooring is an excellent way to make the floor look new again. Over the years, the finish may have worn off and become dull-looking. An inexpensive application of epoxy makes it look as if the laminate floor is brand-new again.

Although it certainly is possible to apply an epoxy coating over a laminate floor, there are some things that need to be considered. It requires at least a little bit of skill, but with patience and the right tools, the job should go well from the very start.

Considering how popular laminate flooring is, this may be a project that can take place in many parts of the home. It isn’t something that is simply reserved for the living room floor, anywhere that laminate is in the home can be a candidate for an epoxy coating.

As we will discuss further, you will see that there is a particular part of the process that is more important than any other. It also tends to be the part of the process that is overlooked by most DIY homeowners.

What I’m talking about is preparation. If you simply put the epoxy over a laminate surface, it may not last very long. You have to prepare the surface so that it adheres properly.

This would include cleaning the floor thoroughly, as well as roughing up the surface with some sandpaper. It might make the floor look worse but it is important to do so in order to make the floor look better.

You should also ensure that the entire room is taped off properly. This would especially be true of anything that is in place that would get damaged if epoxy would get on it.

You can use some painter’s tape to tape off the edges and use paper along with painter’s tape to cover any larger surfaces that must be protected.

Should You Put Epoxy Over Laminate Flooring?

An idea light bulb beside a man

It is always good to consider both the positive and negative associated with any DIY job. This would include putting epoxy over laminate flooring.

There are many more reasons why it is a good idea to use epoxy over laminate than there are negative points. As long as you prep the floor properly and take your time, you will be happy with the job. Epoxy flooring provides a beautiful coating that will last for many years.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons associated with epoxy flooring. This will help you to make a decision that is right for you and your family.

Pros:

We will start by discussing the reasons why using epoxy flooring over laminate or over any type of flooring is a good idea.

Strength – One of the first things that most people consider when choosing an epoxy over laminate flooring is the strength of the finish. When you compare epoxy to other types of flooring, you will see that it last much longer without losing its luster.

When you put the epoxy coating over laminate, it provides a moisture-resistant finish that will not wear away in the same way that the finish on the laminate or any other flooring does. You can also put a considerable amount of weight on epoxy without damaging it.

Economical – Another important consideration for using epoxy over laminate is the price tag. When you figure out the price per square foot, it is going to be much less than many other popular types of flooring.

Don’t mistake the fact that epoxy is low-priced with meaning it is low quality. Even though you are paying less for epoxy over laminate than replacing the floor, you will have a finish that lasts for many years. It maintains its beauty.

Maintenance – Most floors require at least some type of maintenance. This is also true of epoxy, but the fact that it is low maintenance makes it a very good choice.

More than likely, you will not be able to damage the epoxy unless you do something very wrong with it. You will rarely ever have to do any repairs, so that adds to the value when all is considered.

Beautiful – When you apply epoxy over laminate, you are really adding to the beauty of the room. It will last for a long time and provide you with the durable, lovely finish that you desire.

Weather – If there is any type of exposure to the weather, epoxy is going to be a great choice. It will be able to handle any extreme weather conditions, regardless of whether it is exposure to water or even to high temperatures.

CONS:

There are also some negative things to consider when using epoxy. Here are a few to keep in mind.

Slippery – If an epoxy floor becomes wet, it can be extremely slippery. This is a problem, but there are ways around it. Some epoxy floors have additional materials that will make it nonslip.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 10, 2021.

Curing – Unlike many types of floor that can be put down in one day, it will take a few days before the epoxy is completely cured. During this time, it could be damaged if you put too much wear and tear on it.

Fumes – In most cases, the fumes can be rather high. This is a particular concern for individuals who have asthma and other respiratory issues. After the epoxy has cured fully, the fumes are no longer a problem.

How To Put Epoxy Over Laminate Floors

Painting the floor

If you are planning on putting epoxy over laminate floors, here are the steps that need to be taken.

The most important part of the process when using epoxy over laminate is preparing the floor. If you don’t prepare the floor by roughing it with sandpaper, it is likely not going to adhere properly. This can be a big problem that will cause additional issues and would certainly shorten the lifespan of your new epoxy floor finish.

During the preparation process, you should sand the laminate floor with 80 grit sandpaper. You should try to completely remove the shiny finish from the laminate floor. Otherwise, the epoxy will not adhere properly.

After sanding the floor you should sweep it thoroughly and wash it with some warm water and a degreaser. Make sure that you rinse the floor thoroughly after doing so and allow it to dry.

Tape off the entire area, paying careful attention to anything that could be ruined if epoxy comes in contact with it.

You have a number of options available so you will have to choose your epoxy wisely. In most cases, it will involve mixing a resin and hardener before applying it.

It is important to work your way across the room quickly because the epoxy will harden before too long. Once it gets hard, it is impossible to work any further.

You will pour the first layer of epoxy and spread it on the surface. This is known as flooding.

After about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour has passed, you can complete this process before it hardens fully. There may be a problem with bubbles in the epoxy in some cases. If necessary, use a blow dryer on a low setting to cause the bubbles to come to the surface.

A second coat of epoxy would be applied after the first one has been allowed to dry for 24 hours. At that point, it is just a matter of allowing the epoxy to fully cure before you use the floor.

What Tools And Preparation Are Needed?

Man with question marks floating around his head

As is the case with most DIY projects, preparation is the key to success.

Preparing the laminate floor by washing and sanding it will allow the epoxy to adhere to it properly. It is necessary to sand away the finish of the laminate to do so. You should also tape the entire room, including the edges and anything that can’t be moved from the area to ensure it doesn’t get ruined as you are putting down the epoxy.

Here are some of the tools you will need:

  • 5 Gallon Pails
  • Timer (To Time Mix and Drying Times)
  • Screwdrivers
  • Utility Knives
  • Painters Tape
  • Paper
  • Squeegees
  • Rollers
  • Trowels
  • Extension Cords
  • Hairdryer (Four Bubbles)
  • Paint Sticks
  • Rags
  • Garbage Bags
  • Safety Glasses
  • Kneepads
  • Respiratory Protection

Putting epoxy over laminate flooring is an excellent way to bring life into the finish again. It is a durable, relatively inexpensive material that can be applied quickly and easily.

Related Articles

Can You Epoxy Over Tile Floor/Countertops?

Can You Remove Epoxy From Concrete/Tile?

Can You Epoxy Over Laminate Countertops?

Can You Epoxy Over Linoleum?

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 10, 2021.

Can You Epoxy Over Vinyl Floors?