Modular Vs. Epoxy Flooring: Which is Better?

Mike Beard • Apr 27, 2020

Whether you're designing a brand new garage or renovating the one you already have, at some point, you're going to have to make a choice over what floor to install. This can be a daunting task, and it seems like there are a million and one things to consider before you can make the right choice. In this article, we will look specifically at modular and epoxy flooring, drawing comparisons between the two.

So which one is the best for your garage flooring? In general, modular flooring gets the nod over epoxy due to its ease of installation, low level of maintenance required, and it's slip-resistant properties. Modular flooring is also the more affordable option.

Which one you eventually end up choosing should largely depend on how much use your garage, your specified budget, and your personal preference.

Let's not forget the aesthetics either. We all want our garages to look as nice as possible while remaining practical. Modular and epoxy flooring both have very different styles, and each comes with its own limitations. First, let's break each one down to its basics.

Modular Flooring

Modular flooring consists of small floor tiles that you piece together based on how much space you want them to cover. They are affordable, low maintenance and are very easy to install. In fact, they can be installed in just a few short hours.

The great thing about modular flooring is how versatile it is when it comes to design and maneuverability; It's a fantastic product for both looks and its practicality. If you want to add a special design to your garage flooring, then you're in luck, there are a ton of different styles and materials you can use, so don't be afraid to get creative.

The main advantage of modular flooring is its flexibility and how easy it is to repair. If you damage one of the tiles or if for some reason you want to replace it, it's as simple as pulling it out and adding a new one in its place.

Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy flooring is a type of resin that is applied over the concrete floor. It requires a professional to install due to the many steps it takes to get the finished product, such as mixing, pouring, and rolling.

If these steps are done properly, then epoxy flooring is one of the best in the business for aesthetics and resistance to chemical spillages. If you spill anything onto it, all it usually takes to clean it up is a mop or a broom. However, dust and dirt do show up on epoxy floorings more often than modular, so you may find that you have to clean it more regularly.

While an epoxy floor is a fantastic option, one of the main issues is affordability. It can get very expensive, very quickly. This is due to the costs of the raw materials and the added costs of labor. We will break this down in full later on in the article.

On top of that, if epoxy flooring isn't applied correctly, then it will start to peel and show signs of wear in a very short space of time. Considering how expensive it is, this is something you will undoubtedly want to avoid, so make sure you keep this in mind.

The Comparisons

Durability

First things first, we need to know how long our new floor is going to last us. There is no use forking out a small fortune on beautiful new flooring if it's going to need replacing within a few short years.

The durability of modular flooring mainly depends on what material it's made from. As you would expect, the better quality the material, the longer it's going to last. If you take proper care of it and provide the maintenance when it's required, you will find that your modular flooring will last for many years to come.

Secondly, the concrete underneath the flooring will be protected much more with modular tiles as compared to epoxy, due to the fact that it is raised up from the ground. This offers strong, rugged protection that will prolong the life of the base layer of concrete, potentially saving you on a repair job later on down the line.

On top of that, the added benefit is that when a particular tile becomes too damaged, it's extremely easy to replace without breaking the bank. There are no big expensive repair bills, and you should be able to do it without the help of a professional.

Epoxy is one of the most durable and long-lasting flooring options around as long as it's installed correctly, but this is easier said than done. It's a complicated flooring to install and requires the help of a professional, to get the job done properly.

With that being said, a good quality epoxy installation can last upwards of 10 years, as long as there are no major scratches or dents, and the owner takes great care of it. The problem with epoxy arises when there is serious damage, and there is a need for repair. You will once again need to call the professional back, which will likely cost you a pretty penny.

The Aesthetics

Modular flooring is extremely flexible in its design, and you can get as creative as you like with it. The small tile pieces give a mosaic-like design, allowing you to do what you want with your garage floors. You can go for a solid color to keep it simple, or you can install elaborate and intricate designs if you wish.

Epoxy flooring looks awesome. There's no denying that. If you're looking for a sleek and smooth finish, then epoxy is the way to go. It will look great in just about any garage, just as long as you can keep it clean. Most companies will offer you a wide range of options when it comes to design. The only drawback is that the more detailed of a design you want, the more it's going to cost—something to bear in mind.

Ease of Cleaning

The great thing about modular flooring is that dust and dirt do not show up very easily, especially if you have a darker design. When you want to clean it, all you need to do is use a standard vacuum for regular maintenance and a pressure washer or hose if you really want to do a deep cleaning. Just make sure you vacuum the seams, and you're pretty much done.

As for epoxy, it's all about keeping on top of the cleaning with regular brushing and mopping. It seems that no matter what you spill on the floor, you can clean it off in seconds. In fact, this is one of the main draws for epoxy for garage flooring, as you really do not have to spend much time cleaning up spillages and leaks from vehicles.

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Slip-Resistance

Once again, it depends on what type of modular flooring you are going to install and what the material is. With that being said, almost all of the options you can choose from offer fantastic slip resistance and grip for your garage floors. Even if the surfaces get wet or snowy in the winter, you shouldn't have any problems with the grit.

Modular flooring is extremely safe and slip-resistant year-round, which is a great bonus if you live somewhere with harsh winter weather.

On the other hand, epoxy flooring has a good level of grip for such a shiny and smooth surface, but it can also be dangerous when it's wet. Any surface that has such a high gloss finish is bound to become slippery when wet, so if you are somewhere that has adverse weather in the winter, modular will probably be the better option for you.

However, there are ways around this. If you want to make your epoxy floor more slip-resistant, then you can include anti-skid additives during the installation. This is usually in the form of silica sand, quartz, and polymer grit. Just bear in mind that you will have to sacrifice some of the high gloss finish for the added grip.

The Price

Finally, let's take a look at the cost of each flooring type. As mentioned, they can both tend to get a little expensive, but which one is the winner in affordability?

Well, modular flooring prices vary considerably depending on the material and quality that you want. A typical price range is between $1.80 to $6 per square foot—the more expensive the square footage, the better the material.

Epoxy flooring is costly, as there are typically a bunch of preparations that need to be done before it can be installed. For instance, if your concrete is in bad shape, then it needs to be restored before the epoxy resin is applied.

Typically this means that a professional will come out and patch up the concrete, grind it down, and prep the surface so that it's ready to bind with the resin. If you skip this step, then it's almost certain that the epoxy will start to peel and look awful in a very short space of time.

A typical price range for epoxy flooring is around $2 to $5 per square foot for the raw materials and an additional $1 to $6 for the added labor costs for installation.

If you are planning on buying a DIY kit to save on costs, then proceed with caution. A lot of the home kits have low-quality ingredients and will not give you the best results. If you do go ahead with a DIY kit, then you must remember one thing, preparation is everything.

Make sure you prepare your concrete flooring as best you can before you apply the epoxy flooring resin. If the concrete is damaged, uneven, or in poor condition all round, it's almost certain that you will be unhappy with the finished result.

The Bottom Line

While both of these garage flooring options are great for specific reasons, modular tile flooring is by far the best as an all-round solution. It's much more affordable than epoxy, is easier to clean and maintain, has superb grip, and has a very cheap repair cost should it ever get damaged.

However, let's not forget just how great epoxy flooring can look in some garage settings. If you can afford to shell out the extra cash on labor costs and raw materials, then it is certainly worth considering epoxy flooring.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference and what qualities you are looking for from your new garage flooring.

Good luck with your decision, and thanks for reading!

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