According to Global Market Insights, the $4.7 million concrete floor coating market is set to grow at a rate of 7.2% per annum through 2028. That’s because more people are discovering the many benefits of concrete coating to ensure the durability of their floors.
Although most of the demand for floor coatings comes from industrial concerns, they’re also an excellent solution for residential applications.
Applying a garage floor coating to your concrete floor can greatly enhance its appearance and longevity. Make sure you choose the best one at the outset by taking these tips to heart.
1. Set Up a Budget
On average, it costs between $2 and $30 per square foot for concrete floor coating, depending on the material you choose. You can save money with a DIY installation, but that’s rarely a good idea.
Installing a floor coating requires patience and expertise and can become a frustrating exercise for all but the most experienced DIY enthusiasts.
Local contractors have access to the best quality floor coatings and will ensure you end up with a flawless finish that meets your expectations.
According to the NAR, a garage floor coating can add value to your home if you design it as an extension of your interiors. So, you can look forward to a good ROI when you opt for this home improvement.
Implementing a concrete floor coating before your concrete floor becomes eroded or cracked will extend its lifetime. Concrete floor resurfacing is a good option if your floor already has some damage and can help delay replacing your garage floor.
Your budget will determine the type of floor coating you can afford. You can also pay for your concrete floor resurfacing with a home improvement loan if need be.
2. Opt for a Durable Solution
Durability is a major consideration when choosing a floor coating. You must ensure you pick a product that’s resistant to chemical spills, resilient, and long-lasting.
The best garage floor coatings have the following features:
- An attractive glossy finish
- UV resistance to prevent yellowing
- Abrasion and impact resistance
- Resistance to stains from hot tires
You can extend the lifespan of your garage floor coating and maintain its appearance by performing regular maintenance and keeping it clean.
3. Chemical Resistance Is Key
Your garage floor doesn’t need the extreme chemical resistance required in an industrial setting. Yet, it should be impervious to household chemicals and automotive fluids.
Poor-quality floor coatings are easily damaged or stained by spills. If you live in a snowy climate, salt from the roads can also damage your garage floor.
Be sure to take your circumstances into account when choosing a garage floor coating. You could save a little by installing a less durable floor coating, but then you’d lose out if you tried to sell your home to someone with different needs.
For this reason, it’s always a good idea to buy the best quality you can afford whenever you do home improvements.
4. Consider Maintenance and Cleaning
All garage floor coatings require regular cleaning to look their best. In many cases, this involves little more than sweeping and mopping.
Avoid coatings that require extensive cleaning with specialized products. These will eat into your time and budget.
The best floor coatings should last 30 years without any issues. If any issues develop after that, a contractor can easily patch or repair these premium coatings.
5. Make Provision for the Installation Process
Depending on the type of floor coating you choose, the installation process could take several days. Some floor coatings take up to 72 hours to cure.
You won’t be able to use your garage during this time, so make provision for parking your car elsewhere.
If you work from your garage or have nowhere else to park your car, this could pose a serious problem.
Do you use your garage for storage? You’ll need to find somewhere else to keep these items until the installers complete their work.
Advanced, modern floor coatings boast quick installation times that result in as little inconvenience as possible.
You should also consider whether the coating emits any fumes during installation as this can pose a risk to family members with health issues. Coatings that emit large volumes of fumes are also harmful to the environment.
6. Take the Environment Into Account
Overall garage floor coatings all offer some environmental benefits as they reduce the amount of concrete waste by prolonging the life of your floor.
For a super-eco-friendly option, opt for those that emit low VOCs, too. Most manufacturers and installers have found ways to produce goods and provide services with the least environmental impact.
Concrete is a sustainable flooring choice made even more so when you coat it with the latest floor coatings.
7. Prepare Your Floor Before the Installation
While garage floor coating will quickly improve the appearance of your concrete floor, you shouldn’t see them as a way to conceal damaged, stained, or cracked concrete slabs.
Unless you repair and clean your floor properly, the problems will carry over to your new floor coating. Existing grease stains will show through most floor coatings.
Be sure to address any major issues before installing a floor covering or coating. You should ensure your floor is spotlessly clean before the work begins, too.
When you hire a reputable contractor for your concrete coating project, they’ll attend to every step of the installation process, including the time-consuming prep work.
8. Choose a Suitable Overall Appearance
Your garage can have a big impact on the value of your home. Every time you open the door, it’s visible to all and potential homebuyers will want to inspect your garage before committing to the sale.
As an entry and exit point to your home, your garage sets the tone for what’s to come. A stained, cracked floor creates unnecessary stress when leaving an otherwise immaculate home.
Floor coatings greatly enhance the appearance of your garage and they’re available in a range of attractive finishes to suit your home’s design style and your preferences.
9. Consider Color
Along with aesthetically pleasing designs, you’ll also find a wide variety of colors to choose from while shopping for garage floor coatings. You can choose a shade to suit your car, your home’s style, or your personal preference.
Although the best coatings don’t stain, darker colors are always best for concealing dirt, while lighter ones make your garage appear larger.
10. Research Garage Floor Coating Options
Once you’ve gone through the above process, you’ll have a good idea of what you expect from a concrete coating. With this in mind, you can investigate your options when it comes to concrete coating.
Be sure to compare each of these options bearing in mind their pros and cons in relation to your needs and circumstances. These are the most popular garage floor coatings available today:
Concrete Stain
Concrete stain creates an appealing organic look when applied to a concrete floor. It’s great for hiding imperfections and available in a variety of colors to suit your style.
Stains are non-slip, affordable, and UV resistant. They are the least durable of all garage floor coating options and are highly susceptible to oil and chemical damage.
Although you can apply a concrete stain with a paintbrush or roller, it’s difficult to apply them evenly, and you’ll need several coats to achieve a satisfactory result.
Garage Epoxy Floor Coatings
According to Grand View Research, epoxy floor coatings comprised over 40% of the global market in 2022. It’s the best-known and most widely-used type of floor coating thanks to its satisfactory performance and low price.
An epoxy floor coating is an economical choice that’s applied with paint brushes and rollers. Unlike paint, which dries from the evaporation of solvents, epoxy dries due to a chemical reaction between a resin and a hardener.
Epoxy flooring is attractive, durable, and long-lasting. It can resist high temperatures and chemicals to a degree.
A related product, epoxy paint, is made up of latex paint and a small amount of epoxy and is easy to apply, but it lacks the durability of true epoxy coatings.
Acrylic Floor Coatings
Acrylic is another affordable, easy-to-apply option for floor coatings. It has a non-slip surface for enhanced safety and comes in a range of attractive colors.
This floor coating resists UV rays well, so it doesn’t fade and discolor easily, but it’s highly susceptible to damage from oils and chemicals.
Due to these shortfalls, acrylic floor coatings aren’t suitable for garage floors and work best in low-traffic settings.
Polyaspartic Floor Coating
Polyaspartic coating is the latest innovation in floor coating technology. It’s a specifically designed version of polyurea that shares many of the benefits of polyurea coatings but is best used as a topcoat.
This floor coating is the most expensive of all the options, but its extra durability, UV resistance, and chemical endurance make the extra cost worthwhile, especially in industrial settings.
It’s vital to avoid high moisture vapor emission rates when applying polyaspartic coatings, which makes installation tricky. You’ll need to hire a specialized contractor to install this type of garage floor coating.
This floor coating does not stand up well to battery acid, especially when left exposed for extended periods of time.
Polyurea Floor Coating
Studies show that polyurea floor coatings outperform most others when it comes to chemical resistance and thermal loads.
Their attractive finishes work well as a garage, office, sidewalk, or patio floor coating. You can choose from a range of colors when you opt for a polyurea floor coating.
Polyurea comprises a mix of isocyanate-reactive materials and synthetic resin. It’s an excellent option for garage floors due to its high durability, and flexibility when subjected to impacts.
This floor coating resists oils and chemicals like calcium, oil, gasoline, grease, and salt, as well as UV rays. As such, it maintains its gorgeous, glossy looks throughout its long lifetime.
Applying polyurea is a tricky process and requires an experienced technician for the best results. Its thin, fluid composition means it flows easily into nooks and crannies and seeps deep into the pores of the concrete to seal it completely.
However, because this coating cures quickly, installation is frequently completed in a single day to minimize disruptions and inconvenience. This extremely fast curing time leaves no time for bubbles to form.
Polyurea is stable for installation between -30 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning you can upgrade your garage floor at any time of the year.
Make sure your installer uses a polyurea coating designed for your garage floor. Substandard products will fade or yellow when exposed to excessive sunlight.
11. Choose a Professional Installer
With so many different types of floor coatings to choose from, you’ll certainly appreciate some expert advice while making your decision. Hiring a flooring contractor is the best way to ensure you get the best value for your money.
They will help you choose a floor coating that fits your style, your needs, and your budget.
It’s vital to choose a licensed and insured contractor when engaging in home repairs. You should also read online reviews to gain an idea of their service levels.
Companies that offer long warranties on their products are a good choice. You know these contractors have faith in their products and workmanship, and you’re also covered if something does go wrong.
Find the Best Solution for Your Garage Floor
Garage Force polyurea floor coatings are an excellent choice for any high-traffic area in your home. They’re attractive, durable, resistant to chemicals and UV light, and offer a quick installation time.
Our flooring experts are experienced and well-versed in the most suitable garage flooring options. Contact Garage Force for expert and professional advice on the best garage floor coating for your home.