Your garage is supposed to be a space where you can get dirty working on something without any problem – so why are you having to spend so much time on floor maintenance? From having to repair cracks to removing oil stains, your garage is rapidly becoming a project for your workshop – instead of just being your workshop.
Do you want to have less floor care cleaning and maintenance? Coating your concrete garage floor with low maintenance flooring or no maintenance flooring can help eliminate the time you spend repairing damage.
A clean, intact garage floor is not only more enjoyable for you, but it also keeps your home’s value intact.
Why Concrete Alone Is Not Enough
The vast majority of garage floors are simply concrete. You might ask why that’s not enough if it’s so popular.
Consider then, how many times you’ve seen a garage floor chipped, dinged, or with a serious crack running down it? It’s quite a few, isn’t it?
Concrete on it is own is very vulnerable to chipping or cracking. Particularly in areas with cold winters, this can become a significant problem when water gets into the cracks, freezes, and worsens their condition.
Oil stains from vehicles, lawnmowers, and other equipment are also difficult to remove from porous concrete.
Coating a garage floor is the best option to avoid lasting damage to the concrete.
Paint
Garage floors can simply be painted with paint intended for this use. This paint generally has some epoxy mixed in and can be formulated to reduce slipperiness.
However, garage paint cannot simply be applied to floors. Damaged and dirty floors must be extensively prepped, otherwise, the paint can peel.
Epoxy Coating
A heavier option than epoxy-mixed paint is to simply go for an epoxy coating. This also requires prep work in clearing the floor of debris.
Epoxy is a resin that combines with a hardener to create a seal over a concrete floor. It creates a sturdy bond with concrete. Once applied, it will cure in place.
Homeowners can expect at least a decade – if not two – from epoxy coatings.
If desired, colors can be added to epoxy garage floor coatings for a fun look. Think your car would look sweet sitting on a bright white floor? Love the contrast of a red floor with your gray garage walls?
Mix it up. If you are coating the floor already, why not have fun with the options on hand?
Epoxy can take some time to finish curing, however, meaning you may not be able to use the space for up to four days. It also can yellow when exposed to sunlight.
Metallic Epoxy Coating
This truly unique look can bring a drab garage floor up a level. If you’re looking to make your garage more than a simple storage or workspace, consider trying out a metallic epoxy coating.
Like a simple epoxy coating, this involves the mixture of two parts to create the hardened resin seal. Beneath the metallic epoxy, a primer should be applied as well, with some color pigment mixed with the epoxy.
Chip Coating
Chip coatings also use resin. This features chips that are decorative and can give the floor a more professional look. Primers are applied below the mixture of MMA resins, poly aspartic resins, or epoxy and chips. Finally, a top-layer coat is added as well.
This is a good option for spaces where odor may be a concern. Chip coating does not have a strong smell and can be tolerated safely by those nearby.
Polyaspartic Floor Coating
Polyaspartic floor coatings are a version of polyurea floor coatings (see below). They cure slightly slower than polyurea, which can make applications easier. They are also useful for areas with temperature extremes, as they can be applied during negative temperatures or in overheated spaces.
Polyaspartic floor coatings will only need a day to cure. Their quick curing process eliminates the risk of bubbles forming. It is also resistant to damage from the sun and will retain its color.
Polyurea Floor Coating
Polyurea floor coatings – of which the above-mentioned poly aspartic floor coatings are a subset – are polyurethane derivatives. They are flexible and cure within a day.
At Garage Force, our polyurea coatings retain their original color even with significant exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun. Our double layer system prevents moisture in the concrete garage floor and thus damage.
The risk of bubbles forming during curing is low – especially in comparison to epoxy – because there is less time during the curing process for this to become an issue.
The extremely strong surface of polyurea flooring will be resistant to staining, many chemical corrosions, scrapes, and extreme temperatures. This makes it especially useful or areas intended to be a workshop.
Floor Maintenance Tips
When you do decide to update your flooring, some may still require low maintenance. Follow these floor maintenance tips to keep them in good shape for years to come.
Preserve your coating by regularly sweeping dirt and debris off it. Use a dust mop or broom to keep the floor clear.
Due to the sealed nature of the coatings, you will only need a cloth or paper towel to wipe away spills or fluids.
With a new garage floor coating, this will be the easiest spot in the house to keep neat.
Garage Flooring Options
Ready to install a new garage floor coating? Save your self the time of floor maintenance with a bare concrete floor and preserve the value of your garage space with easy to clean, low maintenance flooring options.
Garage Force has the experience and skills to get you the garage flooring option that will save you time and energy with quick clean-ups. We start by prepping your concrete, cleaning and repair the surface, and then applying the polyurea layers. With the look and colors you want, this process will result in your dream garage’s new floor.
Get in touch with Garage Force to learn more about our offerings for polyurea floor coating.