--- title: Lower Cost Alternatives to Professional Epoxy Coatings description: If you have found that installing professional epoxy coatings over your concrete is out of your budget, there are still awesome options for upgrading your ugly concrete. Learn more. image: https://elitefloorcoating.com/hubfs/Services/Grind%20and%20Seal/Grind%20and%20Seal%20Close-Up.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/lower-cost-alternatives-to-professional-epoxy-coatings#main-content) [![Logo for Elite Floor Coatings in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.](https://elitefloorcoating.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Elite%20Floor%20Coatings%20Header%20Logo%20With%20White%20Background%20(1).png?width=1800&height=528&name=Elite%20Floor%20Coatings%20Header%20Logo%20With%20White%20Background%20(1).png "Logo for Elite Floor Coatings in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.")](https://elitefloorcoating.com) - Services - [Paint Chip Epoxy](https://elitefloorcoating.com/paint-chip-epoxy) - [River Rock Epoxy](https://elitefloorcoating.com/river-rock-epoxy) - [Quartz Epoxy](https://elitefloorcoating.com/quartz-epoxy) - [Metallic Epoxy](https://elitefloorcoating.com/metallic-epoxy) - [Acrylic Cement](https://elitefloorcoating.com/acrylic-cement) - [Grind & Seal](https://elitefloorcoating.com/grind-and-seal) - [Polished Concrete](https://elitefloorcoating.com/concrete-polishing) - [Concrete Polyjacking](https://elitefloorcoating.com/concrete-polyjacking) - [Specialty Services](https://elitefloorcoating.com/specialty-services) - [Pricing](https://elitefloorcoating.com/pricing) - [Service Area](https://elitefloorcoating.com/service-areas) - [Learning Center](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog) - [Request Free Quote](https://elitefloorcoating.com/free-quote) - [Grind & Seal](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/tag/grind-seal), - [Comparison](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/tag/comparison), - [Concrete Polishing](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/tag/concrete-polishing) # Lower Cost Alternatives to Professional Epoxy Coatings ![grind and seal concrete floor](https://elitefloorcoating.com/hubfs/Services/Grind%20and%20Seal/Grind%20and%20Seal%20Close-Up.jpg) - September 29, 2026 ![Cody Shank](https://elitefloorcoating.com/hubfs/Team/Cody%20Headshot.jpg) [Cody Shank](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/author/cody-shank) If you have been researching the [price of a professionally installed epoxy floor](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/epoxy-flooring-average-cost), you might have found that it is out of budget for your specific project. That does not mean you should run to Home Depot and buy the [cheapest concrete floor paint kit](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/garage-floor-paint-vs-professional-epoxy) they have. Actually, whatever you do, please don’t do that! There are still some really cool ways to coat your concrete to make it look better and last longer without an epoxy coating. ## Grind and Seal If you have an existing concrete floor that needs a makeover, a low cost option is to grind out the imperfections and put a sealer over it. [Grind and seal](https://elitefloorcoating.com/grind-and-seal) starts as low as $2/square foot for large areas like [warehouses](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/warehouse-floor-coating-options) or industrial facilities, but even at $4-6/square foot, it still makes a relatively affordable [concrete coating option for garages](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/garage-floor-coating-options), restaurants, and smaller commercial spaces. ## Polished Concrete If you want a concrete floor that has a bit more shine and glossy finish, then polishing the concrete would be a great option. [Polished concrete](https://elitefloorcoating.com/concrete-polishing) works great on newer concrete, or concrete that has less imperfections. Polished concrete looks great in open areas with lots of sunlight to reflect off the floor. [Schools](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/flooring-guide-for-schools), showrooms, [barndominiums](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/best-flooring-options-for-barndominiums), and other commercial and new construction garages have been polishing concrete to give the space an upscale, industrial look. We just polished several thousand square feet of concrete for a church in PA, and it has become one of the favorite [flooring options for churches](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/church-flooring-guide)! Starting at $5/square foot, [polished concrete is slightly more expensive than a grind and seal](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/polished-concrete-vs-grind-and-seal), but less per square foot than a high-quality epoxy like quartz or metallic. ## Acrylic Floor Paint (Not Recommended) We have used acrylic cement for pool decks, patios, and other outdoor areas, but this is not to be confused with an indoor concrete coating like acrylic floor paint that you can buy from the store. This is the [common DIY option](https://elitefloorcoating.com/blog/garage-floor-paint-vs-professional-epoxy) we see homeowners choose when they try to get an epoxy floor for under $1,000. Unfortunately, there is a reason these acrylic paints and DIY epoxy kits only cost a few hundred dollars… they are low-quality, and won’t bond well to your concrete (especially without professional concrete prep). We are including this on the list because it is a concrete coating option, just not a very good one. You can install an acrylic paint yourself for as low as $0.15/square foot, but please know it is not really an alternative to professionally installed epoxy. You will likely begin seeing chips and peeling in the paint within the first two years. Before installing a DIY concrete coating, consider grinding and sealing your concrete, and start saving for a professional epoxy install for the future (trust us, it is well worth it!). ## Choose The Right Concrete Coating for Your Floors If you are unsure which concrete coating option makes the most sense for your property, or are looking for a quote for finishing your existing concrete, [give us a call](https://elitefloorcoating.com/free-quote)! The team at Elite Floor Coatings has been coating concrete for over 20 years, and we are excited to help you get better looking, more durable floors. Blog Post ## Related Articles Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Check all articles Blog Post CTA ### H2 Heading Module Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. 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