Do epoxy floors off-gas chemicals and yellow over time?
Epoxy coatings can emit chemical fumes over extended periods and may yellow or dull like aged plastic when exposed to wear. These issues create hesitation around potential scratching, impact damage from dropped objects, and the difficulty of making future repairs.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- Most of it landed at once — the busiest month was September 2026, with 19 people.
- This comes up 53.3× more often in r/Flooring than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1buying lots and lots of rugs to cover up unwanted flooringDid this help you?
- 2putting down runners to hide or modify the surfaceDid this help you?
- 3Searching through specific manufacturer product rangesDid this help you?
- 4Gathering local quotesDid this help you?
- 5Relying on advice from online forums regarding material longevityDid this help you?
- 6Buying a cheap placeholder rug to use until the puppy maturesDid this help you?
- 7Rolling up carpets to keep them safe from chewingDid this help you?
- 8Choosing glue-down LVT instead of click LVT or laminateDid this help you?
- 9Researching long-term durability and moisture handling performance before buyingDid this help you?
- 10Refinishing wood floors instead of painting themDid this help you?
- 11Relying on salesperson assurancesDid this help you?
- 12Searching online and manufacturer websites for product informationDid this help you?
- 13Looking for noise damping underlayment options or brand recommendations for glue down LVPDid this help you?
- 14Searching box stores for their featured productsDid this help you?
- 15Asking contractors for brand recommendations like Provenza MaxcoreDid this help you?
- 16Considering real tile as an alternativeDid this help you?
- 17Using floating floors like luxury vinyl plank (LVP) which are not attached to the subfloor and can be taken up and reinstalled.Did this help you?
- 18Asking people for advice and considering alternatives like laminate flooring such as Mohawk Revwood Plus or Premier or Mannington laminate.Did this help you?
- 19Using lightweight microfiber-type mops recommended for laminate instead of wet scrubbing.Did this help you?
- 20Buy cheaper peel and stick laminateDid this help you?
- 21Shop at other stores like Menards for dealsDid this help you?
- 22Pass on discount flooring and buy scrap carpet insteadDid this help you?
- 23Asking for peer recommendations and insights on RedditDid this help you?
- 24Considering alternative brands recommended by others such as Mohawk, Pergo, Opulux, or ShawDid this help you?
- 25Using stained real wood to match the flooringDid this help you?
- 26Keeping carpet on the stairsDid this help you?
- 27Choosing lighter colors to hide dustDid this help you?
- 28Cleaning more frequentlyDid this help you?
- 29Asking for community opinions on aesthetic fitDid this help you?
- 30Using specific brands like Pergo OutlastDid this help you?
- 31Searching for matte luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or engineered wood alternativesDid this help you?
- 32Using cheap polypropylene carpet with foam underlay so it can be replaced multiple timesDid this help you?
- 33Installing commercial linoleum throughoutDid this help you?
- 34Applying an epoxy coating to concrete floorsDid this help you?
- 35Installing clearance tile or cheap hardwood that can be sanded and finishedDid this help you?
- 36Replacing the flooring entirelyDid this help you?
- 37Letting pets outside regularly to avoid indoor accidentsDid this help you?
- 38Using epoxy coatingDid this help you?
- 39Installing loose-lay vinyl plank (LVP) or linoleumDid this help you?
- 40Conducting a dome test or vapor barrier test for moistureDid this help you?
- 41Installing a dricore sub-floor with click laminate flooring or LVTDid this help you?
- 42Researched manufacturer specs and features like ceramic bead finishes or core thicknessDid this help you?
- 43Looked into standard recommendations for heavy traffic versus residential useDid this help you?
- 44Keeping existing carpet or water-damaged laminateDid this help you?
- 45Relying on conflicting advice from family membersDid this help you?
- 46looking under the wear layer to check the hardwood plyDid this help you?
- 47Ordering multiple physical samples from different brands to compare.Did this help you?
- 48Visiting local, family-owned flooring dealers who install their own products instead of buying from online retailers or big box stores.Did this help you?
- 49Installing hickory instead of oak for a harder natural surface.Did this help you?
- 50Using laminate with an 80-hour waterproof rating instead of LVP.Did this help you?
- 51Opting for pre-stained hardwood for a more durable, liquid-resistant finish.Did this help you?
- 52Installing tile instead of wood or vinyl.Did this help you?
- 53Taking pet hair to the store to find a color that hides sheddingDid this help you?
- 54Using thin glue-down planks instead of click-lock systems so damaged pieces can be easily replacedDid this help you?
- 55Switching focus from vinyl to water-resistant laminate to get better durability at a lower price pointDid this help you?
- 56Sourcing materials from online wholesalers to afford higher-quality wear layersDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“My worry is … does the epoxy off-gas lots of chemicals for years? That’s what has me hesitating.”source ↗
“does it yellow? does it dull and get opaque like headlights? will every scratch show? what happens if you drop something heavy on it, how do you repair it?”source ↗
“I want to install plank vinyl in my house with many pets and children. I'm getting overwhelmed by all the options.”source ↗
“Should I spend the extra money to get lifeproof at Home Depot or buy this one from Ollie?!?”source ↗
“My hesitation is durability and maintenance. We have a dog who slobbers, so I actually scrub/mop our floors weekly.”source ↗
“Builder is replacing our defective/lifting tile and giving us the choice between the same tile or RevWood Select. I strongly prefer RevWood aesthetically, but I’m worried I’d be trading extremely durable, low-maintenance tile for a flooring that looks better but requires more babying.”source ↗
“First is airy and gives the impression of more room. Any piece of dust/dirt is going to pop immediately.”source ↗
“Someone slid the couch and a piece of gravel was under a foot on the couch. Gouged the shit out of two lvp planks.”source ↗
“We’re installing new floors on a 100+ old house with crawl space underneath. Is there any brands anyone can recommend?”source ↗
“I’m not too familiar with flooring, is there any brands or ideas on what can help with noise dampening?”source ↗
“I can’t do the click LVP, it was trash in my last house, I know they have noise damping underlayment options, but I’m not sure what I can do with glue down in that aspect…”source ↗
“it seems that none of the box store stuff has the durability and longevity I need.”source ↗
“What's the BEST (Top 3) Manufactures of LVT/LVP so that I can Buy and have installed.”source ↗
“I was going to go with engineered hardwood like red oak but now im nervous about it getting damaged due to humidity.”source ↗
“People ive talked to have given mixed advice regarding how much humidity actually damages engineered hardwood and I cant seem to get a straight answer.”source ↗
“Which type of flooring would you guys recommend?”source ↗
“Looking for recommendations on waterproof/scratch proof/kid proof flooring without exceeding the $3-$5/sq foot range.”source ↗
“I’m looking to replace whatever laminate came with our house. It looks nice, but scratches like crazy and if you leave a drop of water on it, it swells.”source ↗
“My mom picked a different LVP for her house and it’s matte and you feel every spec of dirt no matter how many times you sweep. If you sneeze too hard, it scratches. I hate it.”source ↗
“I am at my wit's end with one of my properties. Just finished pulling up carpet from a unit where the tenants moved out and I do not even want to talk about what was underneath”source ↗
“I just do not have the time or energy to keep replacing flooring every few years.”source ↗
“I am leaning toward LVT or maybe a good laminate but I am second guessing everything after reading mixed things online.”source ↗
“I'm worried about going somewhere without having someone who's already had that brand in their home for a few years who can tell me how it has held up.”source ↗
“If you're worried about how something is holding up after a few years then you shouldn't be getting hybrid.”source ↗
“Neither, I would go with glue-down LVT because. it is one of the most durable flooring options and has relatively little that can go wrong compared with Laminate or click LVT.”source ↗
“Paint doesn’t sit on wood flooring well, or any flooring really.”source ↗
“It will chip and peel.”source ↗
“The weird thing about it is, I can't find ANYTHING about it online.”source ↗
“Does anyone have experience with multi species engineered hardwood?”source ↗
“Does anyone have any experience with Instride or Lions flooring? We are also considering Mohawk Revwood or Pergo flooring.”source ↗
“Sad to hear about Lions and Instride, we liked their colors in the showroom.”source ↗
“I put dark flooring in when redoing the upstairs and regret it. It shows everything.”source ↗
“12mil is pretty thin, even builders sell 20 mil LVP is their most basic package.”source ↗
“I’ve read through prior posts but they were a couple of years old and I want to be certain before spending all my money!”source ↗
“Is there an option out there that is better quality and durability?”source ↗
“My LVP is coming up like weeds in the spring.”source ↗
“We have 5 dogs (4 big, 1 small) and 3 cats.”source ↗
“What material should I use, and how much should it cost for 1,600 square feet?”source ↗
“My main question: Are these flooring and specs generally any good for residential? Is a 12 mil wear layer sufficient for a residential home with a toddler?”source ↗
“I know 20 mil is often recommended for heavy traffic, but since it's strictly residential (no pets) and features a ceramic bead finish, I'm wondering if this will hold up well.”source ↗
“I’m wondering how durable it is? My kids like to leap from the third step on the staircase down to the floor (currently carpet) and I’m wondering if that would cause the flooring to bust or separate?”source ↗
“Does it matter if I go with the cheaper one? Are there significant differences other than the thickness. I don’t know much about flooring.”source ↗
“I’m closing on a home tomorrow and im torn about whether to do lvp or hardwood in the living room/dining room. I want to do hardwood but everyone keeps saying if I end up getting animals theyre going to scratch the hell out of the floors. I would prefer to stay away from lvp in fear of the seams cracking down the road…”source ↗
“Twelve-week-old, and the floor is going to take a beating for a while. Torn between a $50 placeholder I won't care about and buying the real thing now and dealing with it. What did you actually do, and did you regret it?”source ↗
“If so I would get a placeholder until your puppy matures. You can get your carpets cleaned but mine has also been chewing at the edges of the carpet. Thankfully nothing damaging yet but I often think I should roll it up to be safe until she is out of her toothy gremlin phase.”source ↗
“We're trying to decide if we should use the matching LVP stair treads, or if we can use real wood and stain them to match/get close? Our biggest concern is durability.”source ↗
“I feel like if we end up doing the LVP in the hallway, it makes sense to do the LVP treads, but we've used some before and they were awful. They looked terrible and the nose pieces kept popping loose.”source ↗
“I'm not sure how we would manage the transition on the top stair if we went with wood treads.”source ↗
“If/when it needs work again I would prefer a flooring that I can remove easily and possibly reuse. Would floating LVP be a viable option?”source ↗
“What can I paint over the concrete floor that’ll give it a clean, durable look and feel?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2What kind of flooring can you put on a screened-in porch?
- 8Do I need a waterproof membrane under tile on a concrete floor?
- 5What floor color matches dark wood furniture and greige walls?
- 2Should I keep old 1970s basement tile or cover it up?
- 4Should I glue down engineered herringbone flooring or float it?
- 3Should I use asphalt kraft paper under wood floors?