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Epoxy Garage Floor: Is it Worth the Investment?

Service: Epoxy Floor, Featured

Is it worth it to epoxy your garage floor?

Are you searching for solutions to upgrade the appearance and function of your garage? Even though this space tends to be used for storage, parking, and projects, don’t underestimate how much it can help to improve the flooring. Garage floor epoxy adds a nice touch that will transform your garage.

If you don’t like walking into the garage to see boring, ugly cement, then epoxy coating might be the right solution for your home. The finished product looks professional and beautiful – giving your garage a shop-floor shine. It’s easy to see why garage epoxy flooring is one of the most popular choices today.

How to Epoxy a Garage Floor

For years, epoxy flooring was used mostly in commercial and industrial applications. While epoxy flooring is still common in these larger buildings, it is also gaining popularity in residential homes as well. Homeowners want the clean-cut, functional benefits that come from high-quality garage flooring.

Garage epoxy flooring services are booming for new-home construction and existing-home renovations as well. If you are one of the many homeowners considering this upgrade for the garage flooring, then it is best to hire an experienced team for assistance.

Sealing a garage floor might seem like a simple task. Most people assume that the product simply needs to be painted on – then it is as good as new! The truth is that specific skill goes into the flooring preparation and the application of good products. Plus, it’s important to use the right tools to ensure an optimal outcome.

Instead of searching online for instructions about “how to epoxy garage floor,” don’t underestimate the benefits that come from hiring an experienced contractor. The simplest and most effective way to seal a garage floor is to bring in a pro team for assistance. When it comes to garage floor epoxy, you get what you pay for the inexpensive products don’t stand up to the levels available through a commercial application.

What is Garage Floor Epoxy?

One of the common misconceptions about sealing the garage floor is that epoxy garage floor coating is an upgraded type of paint for cement. The truth is that garage floor epoxy is quite different from the latex acrylic products you can buy. Sometimes, paint products will include a bit of epoxy in the mix to improve the durability of the paint. But it’s still paint! There is a big difference between the outcome of using epoxy paints vs. a full epoxy product on your garage floor.

An epoxy treatment is an actual thermosetting of resin on the surface of the concrete. This coating is formed by mixing polyamine hardener with epoxide resin. The combination gives epoxy the strength and durability you need because of the hardener additives.

One other notable difference between epoxy paint and real epoxy treatment is that paint dries, but epoxy cures. When the two parts of the epoxy resin are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs that requires curing. Polymer structures are developed, which is why garage floor epoxy has top-notch durability and strength compared to other types of flooring products. Even though the surface might feel dry, it takes a bit longer for the curing to finish.

Finally, the epoxy coating is much thicker compared to paint. The product can create a strong bond to the surface of the concrete, but the surface must be properly prepared before application.

Why Epoxy Garage Floor?

Here are a few of the reasons you won’t regret your decision to epoxy the garage floor:

• Durability: Epoxy is built to last. Even well-used garages look great years after the epoxy application. These garage floors hold up against wear and tear and are resistant to chemicals, chipping, and damage. If a bike is knocked over in the garage, or you accidentally drop a wrench, you don’t need to worry about damage to the flooring.
• Protection: Adding a garage epoxy floor coating means that you are creating a layer of protection to minimize damage to the cement. For example, the epoxy reduces the likelihood of oil stains on the floor, making it easy to clean up the mess after working on your car in the garage. It also protects the flooring against certain solvents and salts.
• Property Value: Every home improvement project increases the value of your property, and garage epoxy flooring is no exception. Potential buyers love having shiny, durable garage floors – and they are willing to pay a bit more for a home with this feature.
• Safety: Garage floor epoxy improves safety for yourself and your family. This coating decreases slippage, is fire resistant, and it holds up against extreme impact.
• Defects: If there are defects in the cement, then garage floor epoxy is a great solution to hide these issues. Cracks up to half an inch can be hidden using an epoxy mortar before the final application of epoxy.
• Aesthetics: The stylish colors and reflective surface help to brighten up the garage and improve the overall appearance of this space. Talk to our team about the results you can expect from different types of epoxy finish.
• Minimize Dust: Bare cement flooring will shed over time, creating a phenomenon known as “dusting.” Regular car and foot traffic in the garage can kick up the dust, which settles on tool benches, cars, and anything else stored in the garage. If you don’t like cleaning up the fine powder all the time, then adding an epoxy coating is a great solution. Since it works as a topical sealer, it gives you the anti-dusting benefits that make it easier to maintain a clean garage floor.
• Moisture Resistant: Adding a garage epoxy coating is beneficial to minimize the damage of moisture on the garage floor. When it rains, you don’t need to worry about water dripping off the car. Keep in mind that some epoxy surfaces can be slippery when wet. If you want to minimize slippage, then you might consider adding extra grip in the final coat to create a non-stick surface.

As you read through this list of epoxy garage floor benefits, it’s easy to see why this flooring coating should be high on your priority list for home improvement.

Are There Any Problems with Garage Epoxy Flooring?

While there is a long list of benefits you will enjoy from the garage floor epoxy, this concrete coating isn’t the right solution for every homeowner. You must schedule a consultation with an industry expert to get personal recommendations based on your unique needs.

One potential drawback of garage epoxy flooring is that it isn’t resistant to everything. For example, if you are planning to weld in the garage, know that the welding can create burn marks when hot slag falls on the flooring. Additionally, epoxy isn’t a good choice if you have concrete flooring with moisture issues, because the moisture is sealed in by the epoxy and can result in delamination due to moisture vapor transmission.

Also, a cheap epoxy floor coating can delaminate due to hot tire pickup. When you pull the car into the garage with hot tires, the tires contract as they cool down – and can pull at the surface of the epoxy flooring. This problem is most common with cheap epoxy products, which is one reason why it’s always best to call an experienced team for installation.

How Much to Epoxy Garage Floor?

Are epoxy garage floors worth it? When you experience the benefits of epoxy flooring, you will be glad that you prioritized this home improvement project. The cost of a garage floor epoxy treatment varies depending on several factors:

• Square footage of the garage
• The product applied to the garage floor
• What is needed to prepare the concrete before the application?
• Color of the epoxy garage floor paint
• Special design features, such as marbling or speckled flooring
• The contractor hired to apply the epoxy flooring
• Number of epoxy coats required

How much is an epoxy garage floor? It is common for epoxy flooring to be priced based on square footage. Most homeowners spend between $1,100 to $3,500 for garage floor epoxy. This amount is worth the cost because of the upgraded function and appearance. Plus, these home renovations can have a positive impact on your home value, which means you can recover a portion of the cost inequity when it is time to sell.

Contractor Estimates for Garage Epoxy Application

As you are pricing the cost of garage floor epoxy, make sure to discuss the scope of work with your selected contractor. All necessary services must be included in the estimate. For example, some bids might come in low because the contractor doesn’t include the cement preparation that is required before the epoxy application.

Most full-service epoxy estimates include everything needed from start to finish:

• Cement repairs for cracks and chips
• Roughing up the surface of the cement before application
• A thorough cleaning to remove dust and grime
• 3 coats of epoxy: primer, base coat, and topcoat
• Curing time between coat applications

Additionally, ask about warranty coverage and ongoing repairs and maintenance. Choose a dedicated contractor that stands behind their work. Quality matters, which is why it is important to work with an experienced team.

Warranty Coverage for Garage Flooring

One cost factor that needs to be considered is the possible warranty coverage you will receive for garage floor epoxy. Even though these materials are designed to stay strong for years, it’s important to have good warranty coverage in case anything goes wrong.

Any homeowner can go to a big box store and buy a garage floor paint kit for a DIY project. But the results don’t come out like a pro job. Additionally, do-it-yourself eliminates the possibility of warranty coverage for your new garage floors.

When you work with a reputable epoxy flooring contractor, you feel good knowing that the team is there to assist if problems arise with your epoxy. Talk to our team about warranty options that can cover everything from delamination to material defects. With the right products and proper installation, a good warranty can cover up to 15 years after installation. Some manufacturers even offer a lifetime warranty against product defects.

How Long Will an Epoxy Garage Floor Last?

Epoxy garage floors are designed to be long-lasting. This durable product looks good for years, without the need to reapply garage floor paint regularly. Once the coating is applied, the garage floor coating will maintain the same shine and function with minimal repair and maintenance.

With normal wear and tear, a good epoxy garage floor will last from 5 to 10 years in a residential setting. Sometimes there is a risk of garage epoxy staining when it comes in contact with certain materials. However, the staining generally will not affect the performance and durability of the flooring.

Prepping the Concrete Before the Epoxy Garage Floor Application

One of the common mistakes made by DIY homeowners is that they overlook the importance of prepping the garage concrete before applying epoxy products. Without proper surface preparation, you might end up with delamination because the right adhesion won’t be present between the concrete and the epoxy coating. On the other hand, good preparation means that the cement will likely fail before you have problems with the bond.

With a new build, the fresh slab of concrete needs a minimum of 28 days to set before a garage floor coating can be applied. Existing concrete might need a bit of repair work before the epoxy is painted on. Most garages require a full day of prep work before the epoxy product is used. During this time, existing concrete can be patched and repaired if needed.

Every part of your garage concrete will need to be roughed up using shot blasting or acid washing. Adding the abrasion creates an optimal surface for the epoxy to bond. After the concrete is prepared, the epoxy coating is applied using either rollers or brushes.

Since moisture can increase the likelihood of epoxy problems, the concrete surface must be completely dry before applying the epoxy. It’s best to wait a minimum of three days before pulling your car onto the epoxy garage floor. It takes up to two weeks for full curing.

Multiple Layers of Epoxy Resin for Ultimate Durability

Since quality is our priority, we use multiple layers of epoxy on the prepared flooring. To create the resistant, tough coating you need, it’s important to start with the first application of epoxy primer. This product binds to the concrete, creating a foundation of adhesion so the subsequent layers have a strong base. Additionally, epoxy primer can serve as a moisture barrier if your floor is susceptible to moisture damage.

Most of the time, the first coat needs to cure overnight before applying the second coat of epoxy. The next coat is the base coat or color. Sometimes, this coat can be applied without a primer, depending on the products and the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you choose unique style features, such as acrylic paint chips, then this texture is added to the second epoxy coat.

Finally, you might choose to add a topcoat for improved durability and performance. Often, the last coat is clear and gives it the glossy finish that makes the floors shine. Polyurethane is a common material to use in the topcoat because it is resistant to the yellowing effect that commonly happens when epoxy is exposed to the sun.

Personalizing Your Epoxy Garage Floor

One of the benefits of choosing this garage flooring is the chance to personalize the color and appearance of your garage floor. When someone walks into the garage, you can create the “wow factor” with beautiful floors that shine.

A wide variety of colors are available for garage epoxy flooring, including solid colors and decorative patterns. For example, color quartz aggregate or contrasting vinyl chips can be added in the epoxy to create different features:

• Marble-like
• Speckled
• Terrazzo
• Granite-like
• Metallic Epoxy

Not only do these color chips add a unique style, but some of them also offer extra benefits by adding an anti-skid texture to your garage floor.

Is Garage Floor Epoxy Right for You?

The key to applying the right type of flooring in your garage is to learn about your options. Knowledge is power when you are investing in home improvement. Understanding the industry gives you a clear idea about the cost of these products and the long-term results you can expect.

At AllStar Concrete Coatings, our experienced team is committed to your satisfaction. We use the highest quality equipment and stay current with the latest training and recommendations in the industry. Not only do we offer garage floor epoxy, but we provide a range of concrete solutions. Our full-service approach means that you can enjoy quality concrete flooring designed to save you time and money over the years.

For more information, contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss available services. AllStar Concrete Coatings offers the unique services you need for quality flooring. Contact us to discuss garage floor epoxy and other concrete services: (512) 740-2234.