Epoxy can be used as a decorative layer for walls and floor surfaces in the home. It comes in various colors, making it a popular choice among builders and homeowners. Epoxy is also a popular flooring material for wet and high-traffic areas of the home, such as kitchen countertops and garages.
But you might wonder if epoxy is safe on your shower floor. Is it strong enough to protect the shower floor from constant dampness, and is it safe for you, given the slippery nature of epoxy?
Well, that’s what you’ll find out in this post. Can you epoxy your shower floor? If yes, how should you apply epoxy to a shower floor? And what kind of outcome should you expect?
Let’s dive in
Can You Use Epoxy for Shower Floor?
Yes, you can epoxy your shower. It is an excellent flooring choice for a frequently used bathroom. Epoxy is a durable, waterproof, easy-to-clean, and hygienic finish for bathroom floors. The material is tough enough to keep water from seeping through any small cracks in the bathroom floor’s surface and can last for several years.
However, to get the most out of epoxy flooring in your shower, the material must be applied correctly. If you decide to do it yourself (DIY), make sure to properly prepare the shower floor surface by removing the old grout between the tiles, cleaning the shower floor, and ensuring it is completely dry.
The application process can also be a little tricky, so you must carefully follow the product instructions to get perfect bathroom flooring. I’m sure you’re curious about how to apply epoxy to your shower floor, and I’ll get to that soon.
But first, let’s go over the common ways to use epoxy on a bathroom floor.
Epoxy is a special adhesive material composed of two components – resin and hardener – that react chemically to help bind objects together. It has numerous applications. It is primarily used in construction projects to bind subfloors, fasten concrete elements, and paint and coat walls and flooring.
How to Use Epoxy on Bathroom Floor
Epoxy is commonly used on shower floors for a variety of purposes, including;
Coating and Sealing
Epoxy is an excellent material for coating surfaces and filling cracks. Its tough protective coating and sealant qualities include durability, strength, and chemical resistance.
When used as a seal over the shower floor, epoxy helps to protect it from water damage. And, as a protective coating, epoxy shields your shower floor from bacterial and fungal growth, the chemical impact of urine, heavy shock, heat, and other corrosive elements.
However, not all shower floor tiles are epoxy-compatible. Porous tiles, such as ceramic and stone materials, are not appropriate. You can, however, coat your porcelain tiles with epoxy.
Painting
Epoxy resin can also be used to make decorative flooring. In addition to sealing the floor, epoxy improves the appearance of your shower floor by adding a little shine to it.
Many epoxy brands now offer a wide range of colors (including gold, blue, and green) to help homeowners choose the best finish for their concrete, granite, wooden, or tiled floors. So, if you want to use epoxy on your shower tile, think of it as an added layer of beauty and brightness.
Grouting
Epoxy is best used to coat the entire shower floor to provide complete protection. However, it can also be used to grout tiles. Because of its durability, non-porous nature, and stain resistance, epoxy is commonly used by renovation companies for grouting tiled showers.
The main components of epoxy grouts are resins and a filler material that chemically reacts to form the grout material. And as opposed to traditional cement grout, epoxy protects your shower tiled floor from cracking, discoloring, and shrinking.
However, epoxy grouts are a little more difficult to apply than cement grouts. It is even suggested that you use them in stages for the best results.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the various applications of epoxy, let’s talk about how to apply epoxy to the floor of your bathroom shower.
How to apply epoxy on Shower Floor
While most shower-remodel projects can be completed using DIY, using epoxy for coating and grouting shower floors often requires hiring a professional to complete the task in order to get quality results.
So, if you’re determined to handle this project by yourself, get the necessary kits, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and use the steps below as a guide.
Tools and materials are needed to epoxy the shower floor;
- Two-part Epoxy Coat/Grout
- Bucket
- Paint scraper or putty knife
- Vacuum cleaner
- Electric drill and mixing bit
- Epoxy grout float.
- Paintbrush
- Scrub sponge
- Rags
Step 1: Prepare the Shower Floor
Epoxy painting and refinishing require extensive surface preparation to be effective and have a perfect appearance.
- Start by scraping off loose and discolored grouts and caulks with a paint scraper or putty knife.
- Then, using a vacuum cleaner, clean off any dust or debris from the shower floor.
- Double-check that the floor is completely smooth and dry.
- And keep the bathroom well-ventilated before proceeding.
Step 2: Mix the Two Components of Epoxy
The mixing and application of epoxy vary slightly between products. So, before mixing and applying epoxy, read the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Remove the lids from the epoxy resin and hardener containers.
- Pour all of the epoxy ingredients into a mixing bucket.
- Using an electric drill and a mix bit, thoroughly mix them.
- Continue to mix until they form a single substance. Depending on the product, this could take a minute or more.
- When properly mixed, the epoxy should be soft, smooth, and spreadable.
Step 3: Apply the Epoxy
After mixing the epoxy, you must apply it within an hour before it cures and hardens. An epoxy can that has already been opened cannot be saved for later use.
When grouting shower tile with epoxy;
- Apply grout to tile joints using an epoxy grout float.
- Hold the epoxy grout float at a 45-degree angle, and force the epoxy grout into all grout lines.
- Check that all tile joints are filled with epoxy grout and that no gaps remain.
- As you apply grouts, use a damp sponge to remove any excess grout on the tile surface. (Do this as soon as possible while the product is still wet.)
- Avoid removing grout from the joints or leaving stains on the tile surface.
When coating shower floor tiles with epoxy;
- Before mixing epoxy for coating, inspect the tiles for holes, dents, cracks, and open grout lines and fill with epoxy filler.
- Allow for a few hours for the filler to dry.
- When preparing epoxy for tile coating, make sure to include anti-slip additives to prevent slips and falls.
- To coat the shower floor, use a paintbrush to apply the epoxy mixture to the tiles in overlapping strokes, covering the entire surface of the floor.
- Leave no gaps where air can get trapped underneath the tiles when drying.
- Inspect the surface to ensure it is smooth.
- Even a thin coat of epoxy will provide additional protection for your shower tiles.
Step 4: Let the Shower Floor Cure
Epoxy requires adequate drying time for a perfect coating and sealing of the shower floor.
- Allow the coated floor to cure and harden for the next 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, examine the floor for cracks and openings and fill them with epoxy fillers.
- Allow the shower floor to dry for another 7 days to ensure that it is completely sealed.
FAQs On Can You Epoxy Shower Floor?
Where Can I Buy Epoxy Shower Kits?
Shower floor epoxy is widely available at home improvement stores, paint stores, and online retailers. A complete epoxy shower kit includes countertop epoxy, quick coat, fiberglass mesh, and epoxy thickener. The dyes are also available in a variety of colors to match your bathroom decor.
How Much Does It Cost To Epoxy A Shower Floor?
Epoxy flooring costs range from $5 to $9 per square foot in material and installation. The cost will vary depending on your location, bathroom size, and floor condition.
Is epoxy flooring slippery?
Yes, epoxy floors can be dangerously slippery when wet. However, many manufacturers are producing non-slippery epoxy suitable for painting and protecting bathroom floors. So, when looking to remodel your shower floor with epoxy, make sure to get one with anti-slip properties.
