What is epoxy garage floor coating?
Chances are high that if you are reading this article, you are considering painting our garage floor or a similar concrete surface and conducting a little background research on garage floor epoxy.
Today, we will give you a complete rundown of epoxy coatings for your garage floor!
What is garage floor epoxy coatings?
Like how a cell phone screen protector and case protect your cell phone, epoxy floor coating helps protect the surface it is applied to. The surface is usually concrete floors like your garage floor, covered porches, or commercial applications such as a brewery floor coating.
According to Corrisonpedia, epoxy coating is a compound consisting of two distinct elements: an epoxy resin and a polyamine hardener (also known as a catalyst). When mixed, the resin and hardener engage in a chemical reaction that creates cross-linking of the elements as it cures.
Once cured (think of drying), the epoxy coating is a highly durable plastic-like surface that goes on like paint but is stronger than glue. Epoxy coatings are generally considered the ideal protective solution for a standard concrete floor and extend the life of your concrete floor.
Pros and Cons of Epoxy Garage Flooring
With any home improvement project, there are pros and cons. Below are the benefits of concrete floor restoration/epoxy coatings and the cons:
Pros to Epoxy Flooring:
- Epoxy floors and floor coatings make your garage safer and look better since they are brighter and more professional
- The cost is very affordable, considering what epoxy flooring accomplishes when installed professionally
- Resistance. Epoxy garage floor coatings will protect your concrete floor for years to come, and they’re known for their resistance to countless fluids that your garage floor is often exposed to. While concrete can be negatively affected by oil spills, transmission leaks, bleach, chemical resistant, gas, and other fluids, your garage floor epoxy can withstand these stains.
- Durability. Because epoxy floors protect your concrete flooring from moisture, stains, grease, and even cracking – it increases the durability of the surface it is applied to.
Cons to Epoxy Floor Coatings:
- Some opponents of epoxy coatings will mention that it is temporary. However, the word temporary is very vague, considering it can mean a few years or 10+. This con is often misleading and depends on factors such as the epoxy material, prep, application, and care for the surface.
- Sometimes an epoxy coating can be slick without texture or when water spills are prevalent.
- Application and Preparation. A common complaint regarding epoxy coatings is the labor required to install a new system.
Types of Epoxy Flooring:
Most homeowners looking to utilize the power of epoxy flooring are familiar with epoxy flake coating. This is the most common type of garage floor coating. Expoxy flooring can also come in:
- Epoxy terrazzo flooring (think of the floor at the mall)
- Epoxy floor coatings aka epoxy paint
- Self-leveling epoxy flooring
- Antistatic epoxy flooring
- Metallic epoxy coatings (generally used with commercial flooring)
How to Make Your Floor Last 20 Years:
If you want your garage floor epoxy coating to last longer and show fewer signs of wear and tear, follow these steps:
- Don’t try to use the DIY approach; hire a professional.
- Be sure the company you hire follows appropriate prep steps.
- Proper product application methods and installing a topcoat are essential to longevity.
Utilizing a urethane epoxy topcoat will ensure your floor will look great longer and outlast other floor coatings.
Garage Floor Coatings vs. Garage Floor Coverings
Some wonder if garage floor mats or coverings are a better solution than a concrete coating. Truthfully, the best option will depend on your personal needs/use of your garage space.
A gearhead who likes to work on cars in their garage should consider sealing their floors with epoxy coatings but also utilize garage floor mats where they often work or lay on the floor. Someone who is using their gym as an at-home gym might use gym tiles an not need floor coatings unless they want to minimize dust.
FAQ Epoxy Garage Floors:
Is epoxy coatings a DIY job?
Anything can be a DIY job, but we don’t recommend you make epoxy floor coatings one of them. For starters, if you don’t prep the floor properly or apply the epoxy coating correctly, your coating will fail long-term. For example, using a degreaser on oil stains could compromise the epoxy floor coating. While an epoxy garage floor project seems simple by just watching a video online, there are too many potential problems that could occur which is why we recommend hiring a professional like Tactical Garage & More.
How much does a garage floor coating cost?
Epoxy coatings for your garage floor or other concrete floors can vary in cost depending on where you live and the company you hire. Generally speaking, most contractors will charge $2.50-$5 per square foot. According to a Bobvila.com article, the national average for epoxy garage floor coatings is $2,227. The price will ultimately come down to the total square footage and type or coating you decide to use.
Where can epoxy flooring be used?
You can use epoxy coating anywhere from the floor to your walls. Anywhere you use paint, you can technically use an epoxy coating. Some people will use it to cover their concrete porches, depending on the composition of the concrete. Others will use it for outdoor coatings, unfinished basements, mud rooms, and other locations.
How long will my epoxy floor coating last?
Your garage floor epoxy should last at least ten to twenty years. Results vary depending on the type of coatings you utilize, whether it is installed professionally or not, and the wear/tear you place on your garage floor/concrete floors. In most cases, when you notice wear and tear, you can apply a new top coating – you don’t have to start over completely.
Is Epoxy and Paint for a garage floor the same thing?
Epoxy floors differ from painted floor coatings. Essentially, you have epoxy coatings, epoxy paint, and regular paint. An epoxy coating is highly durable, hence the higher price point and use in garages and other concrete surfaces. An epoxy coating is 100% epoxy, the most durable coating you can utilize. The application process is more technical than regular paint or DIY kits from places like Home Depot or Lowes.
Does epoxy flooring work well in a commercial setting?
For several reasons, epoxy floors are an excellent solution for commercial settings. An epoxy coating system will help give a cleaner look to floors, even with higher foot traffic. Many mechanic and tire shops use epoxy floors to keep surfaces cleaner and looking great.
How long does it take to install an epoxy flooring system?
Our team at Tactical Garages & More typically takes a few days to apply your garage floor coating just right! The labor time takes a few hours; however, the process can take a few days between prep, application, and proper drying.
Should you hire someone to install garage floor epoxy coating?
The saying is cliche but is true regarding epoxy coatings, “You get what you pay for.”
If you decide to try and apply epoxy coatings to your garage surface by yourself, chances are you will compromise the system in the prep stage. Even with proper prep, the result in most residential garages when the owner uses the DIY approach does not look as good. The price of epoxy coating materials is high, even if you use the DIY approach. Hiring a professional is more cost-efficient than you think, and your epoxy coating systems will last longer.
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