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Can You Epoxy Over Vinyl Floors?

If you have a vinyl floor in your home you may have noticed that it is showing some signs of wear and tear. Adding epoxy could add some like to it but is it a good idea to put epoxy over vinyl?

You can put epoxy over vinyl flooring to bring the finish back and even add to it. Epoxy makes the vinyl floor look brand-new and can even add some designs or additional benefits, including adding some slip-resistant materials into the mix.

Epoxy floor in the dinning room

Before you begin putting epoxy over vinyl, there are some things you need to know. First of all, you may be wondering if there is a difference between vinyl tile and vinyl planks when it comes to epoxy. We will cover that in this article.

As is the case with anything when it comes to DIY projects, there are always going to be good and bad associated with it. The same can also be said with epoxy, so consider that part of our article before jumping in with both feet.

As far as DIY projects are concerned, epoxy is one of the easier to work with. It is self-leveling and in many cases, will work on its own with a little bit of help from you.

You will also appreciate the fact that you can put down an epoxy floor with very little effort and with very little output financially. Quite simply, it is a win-win situation that will allow you to brighten up your floors and get some of the original shine back again.

Can You Put Epoxy Over Vinyl Tile Flooring?

Man thinking while sitting on the floor

If you have some type of vinyl tile installed, then you might want to dress things up with epoxy. Is it a good idea to use it with a vinyl tile floor?

If you have vinyl composite tiles (VCT) installed in your home or in your place of business, they make an excellent surface for epoxy. As long as you prepare things properly, you can have a long-lasting and beautiful floor that will be the showpiece of the property.

One of the reasons why many people use vinyl composite tiles is because they can be waxed and buffed to a very high shine. Doing so requires regular maintenance, however, and a lot of work.

If you were to put epoxy over the vinyl tile flooring, however, you can have that brilliant finish that comes from a professionally waxed and buffed job on a continual basis. There is no need for you to constantly buff the floor but rather, it will maintain its beauty for the long-term.

One of the reasons why people consider putting epoxy over vinyl tile floor is because of the quality of the tile. If it has been put down in the past 10 to 20 years, it is likely that it is some of the more high-quality tiles that mimic other types of floors.

When you have high-quality vinyl tile flooring in place, it may look essentially the same as other types of flooring, such as stone, marble, or hardwood. The scratch-resistant quality of that flooring will last for years under normal use.

Eventually, the wear layer on the floor will break down to a certain extent. You may find that the edges of the floor have maintained their original sheen but the traveled parts of the floor are getting dull looking.

That is why many people will put epoxy over them. The high quality vinyl tile will provide a proper surface for the epoxy and will make for a very beautiful job that will last in the home for many years.

On the other hand, there are other types of vinyl tiles that could use a layer of epoxy but may not be the best choice. This would include peel and stick vinyl tiles that are typically an inexpensive floor that most homeowners put down on a budget.

Peel and stick vinyl tiles are notorious for experiencing problems because they are not typically made of high-quality material. They may come loose from the floor if it was not prepared properly or they could crack and even shift in some cases.

If you are going to put epoxy over a peel and stick vinyl tile floor, then you need to carefully consider the quality of the floor that is being covered. If there are any problems with the tile, it is going to cause problems with the epoxy and you may end up in worse shape.

On the other hand, if the peel and stick tile flooring is in good shape and properly adheres to the subfloor, there’s no reason why you couldn’t put epoxy over it. Admittedly, the job may not last as long as if you were covering VCT but you could end up with a beautiful floor that will last for many years.

Should You Put Epoxy Over Vinyl Tile Flooring? Reasons Why Not And Why Yes

Man thinking while sitting on the floor

As is the case with any home DIY project, it’s a good idea to consider both the pros and cons of putting epoxy over vinyl tile flooring. As discussed, it’s a great idea but are there any negative factors to consider?

The main reason why people put epoxy over vinyl tile flooring is because it adds beauty to the floor and can make it look brand-new again. It’s a long-lasting finish that can add the deep, luxurious finish to the vinyl floor that you may have appreciated when the floor was brand-new.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of putting epoxy over vinyl. Admittedly, the positive aspects of doing so far outweigh the negatives, but it’s always good to consider everything involved with such a DIY project.

First of all, we will take a look at the positive parts of putting epoxy over a vinyl tile floor.

Strength – One of the primary benefits of using epoxy is the fact that it creates a very strong floor. You will have a difficult time damaging the epoxy once it is in place and fully cured. Unlike many other types of flooring, you will generally not have a problem with peeling or cracking. It will last for many years.

Budget – If you are trying to put down a floor on a budget, you will find it to be much less expensive to use epoxy over vinyl rather than replacing the vinyl. At the same time, it will bring the original vinyl back to its former beauty and keep it beautiful for many years. All of this at a price that is much lower than putting down many other types of floor.

All-Weather – If there is a possibility of the floor getting wet, you don’t have to worry about epoxy. It will withstand the water quite nicely, as well as temperature extremes. That is why many people use it in the garage but it is also a good addition to any room of the home where vinyl tile is down.

Long Life – Epoxy will stand up to everyday wear and tear without any difficulty. You will find that it lasts for many years and will often still be a beautiful part of the home when you are ready to move out.

Beautiful – Even just a standard layer of epoxy flooring is going to add beauty to the home. There are also many options for epoxy coatings, some of which can add some unique beauty to the floor.

Safety – Although epoxy can be slippery when it is wet, that isn’t the case when anti-slip properties are added to it. It will provide a very sturdy and safe floor for the home.

Although it is always a good idea to consider the positive, there are also some problems that may be associated with using epoxy. Keep these in mind when making your decision.

Fumes – There are some very strong vapors that are put off by the floor during the application process. It is important to wear respiratory protection during that time.

If you have any issues with asthma or COPD, you would want to steer clear of the area until the epoxy has fully cured. The fumes will be gone once that takes place. Always make sure you work in a ventilated area.

Slippery – We discuss the safety of epoxy and how there are anti-slip options available to keep you safe. Without those anti-slip additions, the floor will be very slippery when it gets wet.

Curing – It can take a few days for the floor to fully cure and until that time, you will not be able to use it completely. This is different than other types of floor that can be put down in used on the same day.

Can You Put Epoxy Over Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Man putting epoxy on the floor

If you have vinyl plank flooring in your home, you may be thinking of topping it with epoxy. Is it a good idea to do so?

Vinyl plank flooring can successfully be covered with epoxy and it will bring out the original beauty of the floor. It may even add to the beauty, as you can use a variety of textures and colors in the epoxy that will change the look of the floor and make it brand-new.

Like any type of vinyl flooring, plank flooring is also able to be covered with epoxy. There really is not any difference between vinyl tile and vinyl plank as far as the application of epoxy is concerned.

What is important is to prepare the floor properly so that the epoxy will adhere to the tile without any problem. Otherwise, the lifespan of the epoxy will be greatly reduced.

Vinyl plank flooring can be made to mimic many other types of flooring, such as stone, marble, and wood. Adding a layer of epoxy adds the original shine to the floor and can even make it more beautiful.

Should You Put Epoxy Over Vinyl Plank Flooring? Reasons Why Not And Why Yes

Man putting epoxy on the floor

Are you considering putting epoxy over vinyl plank flooring? Let’s consider the pros and cons of doing so.

The primary benefit of putting epoxy over vinyl plank flooring is the beauty it adds to the home. This is often done after the vinyl flooring is getting some wear and tear but a layer of epoxy will bring the original shine of the floor out again.

Let’s briefly consider some of the pros and cons of putting epoxy over vinyl plank flooring. You might find that there are many more pros associated with doing so.

Beauty – There is nothing more beautiful than a vinyl floor that is freshly put down. Epoxy will give you back that look and will maintain that look for many years.

Strength – Epoxy is a very strong finish that will stand up to everyday wear and tear. It can even stand up to some abuse in industrial settings.

Moisture – If you have a lot of moisture in the area where the epoxy is put down, it will take longer to cure but it will also stand up to the moisture. The same is also true of temperature extremes that can easily damage other types of flooring.

Cost – When it comes to inexpensive flooring, you will have a difficult time finding one that is less expensive than epoxy. It also offers other cost-effective benefits, including being put directly over the vinyl floor rather than having to remove the flooring.

How To Put Epoxy Over Vinyl Flooring (Is It The Same For Tile vs Plank)

Man putting epoxy on the floor

The process for putting epoxy over vinyl flooring is fairly straightforward. It is also the same for both plank and tile.

The most important factor for a successful DIY project when putting epoxy over vinyl flooring is preparation. If there is any contamination on the surface, such as grease or dirt, it will keep the epoxy from properly adhering to the vinyl floor.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 22, 2021.

That is why it is so important to prepare the floor in advance. You can do so by sweeping and mopping the floor with a neutral cleaner.

You should also use a degreaser that will help to remove any of the built-up grime and grease that has been on the floor for many years.

After the floor has been properly cleaned, you will need to rough up the surface so that the epoxy will properly adhere to it. This is done by sanding the surface, typically with an orbital sander and 60 grit sandpaper.

For most home surfaces, the use of an orbital sander will be sufficient. There are larger machines that can be rented from a hardware store if you are trying to work with a larger surface.

It may take some time to completely remove the finish from the vinyl plank or tile. It may look like you are destroying the floor but by simply removing the shiny finish layer, you will add beauty to the floor once the epoxy is put down.

The next step in the process is to fill any imperfections or holes that are in the tile. There are various types of material that can be used for this purpose but you should try to match the look of the vinyl as closely as possible.

If any of the vinyl is not properly adhered to the subfloor, it will cause problems with the epoxy. Make sure that the vinyl is solidly attached to the subfloor before proceeding.

At this point, you need to decide if you are going to paint over the floor or if you are just going to bring back the original look. In either case, this is the step that takes place before the epoxy is mixed.

The mixing of epoxy is a fairly straightforward process. Typically, it comes in two parts and the manufacturer will give you instructions on how to mix it and how long you can work with it.

The first layer of epoxy can be applied at this point. Make sure that you have an exit plan and work your way across the room to ensure that every part of the floor is properly covered.

It will take some time before the first layer of epoxy is set. Check with the manufacturer’s directions to see how long you should wait before applying the second layer.

The second layer of epoxy is what is really going to make the floor shine. You apply it in a similar way to the first layer, but make sure that you are not missing any sections. It is easier to miss areas the second time.

After the epoxy is in place, you will need to wait about three days before it is completely set. Moving furniture or walking on the floor prior to that time may cause damage.

What Tools And Preparation Are Needed?

Tools for epoxy floor

Is it necessary to prepare the floor before putting an epoxy down?

Preparation is the most important part of the process when you put epoxy over a vinyl floor. The floor must be thoroughly cleaned with both a neutral cleaner and degreasing agent. You also have to sand the floor with 60 grit sandpaper to rough the surface and allow the epoxy to adhere to it.

Another important factor that should not be overlooked is having the proper tools available. These can be gathered in advance, either by purchasing them or renting them at a local hardware store.

Orbital Sander

60 Grit Sandpaper

5 Gallon Buckets

Smaller Buckets

Paint Stir Sticks

Squeegees

Rollers

Long Handles and Cages for the Rollers

Blue Painters Tape

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 22, 2021.

Paper for Covering Larger Objects

Kneepads

Gloves

Respiratory Protection

Safety Glasses or Goggles

You can epoxy over vinyl floors to bring back the original look of the floor or to make it look unique with some of the various epoxy options that are available. As long as the floor is prepared properly, you will have a long-lasting finish that will add beauty to the home for many years to come.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 22, 2021.

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