Search “best epoxy flooring Orlando” and you'll get fifty contractors, all claiming to be the top choice. The reality: most are doing the same thing differently, and a handful are cutting corners that won't show up until your floor starts peeling 14 months in. This guide gives you the actual questions to ask, the red flags to spot, and a realistic picture of what a quality epoxy floor in Orlando looks like — from a contractor that's been pouring resin in Central Florida since 2022.
What separates the best epoxy contractors from the rest
1. Real surface prep, not chemical etching
The single best predictor of a long-lasting epoxy floor is mechanical surface prep — either diamond grinding or shot-blasting the slab. Acid etching alone (which cheaper installers still use) doesn't open the concrete pores deeply enough to get a permanent mechanical bond. If a contractor quotes you a 4-hour install on a 2-car garage, they're probably etching, not grinding. Walk away.
2. 100% solids epoxy, not water-based paint
Big-box DIY kits and the cheapest contractors use water-based or solvent-based epoxy — thin films that turn yellow, scratch easily, and don't hold up to hot tire pickup. Quality installers use 100% solids epoxy (no carrier liquid that evaporates) with a UV-stable polyaspartic or polyurethane topcoat. Ask which you're getting.
3. Polyaspartic topcoat, especially in Florida
Polyaspartic clear coat is what makes the difference between a floor that yellows in Orlando's sunlight and one that stays crystal-clear for a decade. It's also what allows next-day return-to-use. If a contractor doesn't include polyaspartic in their quote, you're getting an older or cheaper system.
4. Written warranty — specifically on workmanship
A 10-year warranty on the materials is meaningless if the contractor disappears in 18 months. Ask specifically: what does the warranty cover (peeling, hot-tire pickup, delamination), what voids it, and is it transferable? Get it in writing.
10 questions to ask every epoxy contractor before signing
- How will you prep my slab — diamond grind, shot-blast, or acid etch?
- Will you do a moisture test before applying anything?
- What product are you using? Can I see the TDS (technical data sheet)?
- Is the topcoat polyaspartic, polyurethane, or just more epoxy?
- How long will the install take, and when can I walk on it / drive on it?
- How thick is the finished system?
- What's your warranty — written, in years, and what voids it?
- Can I see (or call) three Orlando customers from 2+ years ago?
- Are you fully insured (general liability and workers' comp)?
- What's the all-in price, including prep and any crack repair?
Red flags that should kill a deal
- Cash-only or refusal to write a formal contract
- Vague pricing (“starts at $3/sqft” with no upper bound)
- No mention of surface prep at all
- Promises a 1-day finish on a complex commercial floor
- No proof of insurance
- Reviews under 4.5 stars or fewer than 25 total reviews
- Won't provide local Orlando references
What a quality epoxy floor in Orlando actually costs
- Solid color, 2-car garage (~500 sq ft): $2,500–$4,500
- Decorative flake, 2-car garage: $3,500–$6,000
- Metallic finish, 2-car garage: $4,500–$8,000
- Commercial space (1,000–5,000 sq ft): $5–$10 per sq ft all in
- Custom epoxy countertops: $80–$150 per sq ft
If you're quoted significantly less than these ranges, ask hard questions about prep and product. The cheapest quote is almost never the best floor.
Why customers choose A1 Epoxy Coatings in Orlando
- 4.9-star rating across 40+ Google reviews
- Diamond grinding on every job — no shortcuts
- 100% solids epoxy + polyaspartic topcoat as standard
- 10-year written warranty on workmanship and materials
- FDA & USDA approved resin systems for food-safe applications
- Locally owned, fully insured, serving Orlando, Winter Park, Doctor Phillips, Windermere, Lake Nona, Bay Hill, Kissimmee, and Apopka
Get the right floor the first time
Call (407) 821-1863 for a free on-site quote, or send us a message. We'll measure, walk you through the system options, and give you a flat-rate proposal in writing.