There are many options when it comes to picking garage floor coating. Some people paint over it to give it a fresh look; others use materials like epoxy to change it up completely. The type of floor coating that’s right for you will depend on several factors, and you need to assess each one before finalizing a floor coating that your garage needs. Here are some factors to consider from the professionals at Steel Coated Epoxy Floors.
The Final Look of the Garage
There’s no doubt that any new coating will look better than the old crack-filled and stained garage floor. However, you need to take performance into account. For example, if you take a DIY epoxy resin kit from the home goods store and apply it on the floor, it may achieve the durability of the epoxy, but it won’t have nearly the same finish compared to what you’ll get when applied by experts.
Similarly, as the type of coat varies in sturdiness, it also does in looks. Many people looking for affordable options or those on strict budgets add garage floor mats. While they serve their function, they won’t look as nice as polyaspartic, epoxy floor coating, or garage floor paint. A beautiful floor makes a huge difference in how the room looks and feels. The same applies to the garage.
Remember, you get what you pay for, so instead of being enticed by the cheap price tag of a DIY kit, invest in long-lasting (and better-looking) solutions.
Color Availability in Floor Coating
Color availability is different for different garage floor coatings. For example, a standard epoxy manufacturer offers 18-20 different colors along with various tinted topcoats. This will change depending on the manufacturers used by the floor coating company.
Likewise, solid polyaspartic coating is available in solid colors too. But what’s the right color for your garage? The color of the garage floor coating will have a major impact on its overall look. Take the vehicle color, cabinetry, garage door, etc into account. It’s easier to change the floor color to fit many elements in the garage, but it’s hard to change every element to fit the garage floor.
The Durability of the Floor Coating
There are tons of garage floor coating options on the market, but they don’t provide the same level of protection. For example, floor sealers are an affordable floor coating option, and they can protect the floor below from stain and water damage. They’re available in different materials, with the most popular being acrylic. The acrylic floor sealer requires reapplication every 1 to 3 years.
On the other hand, you have coatings like epoxy floor coating that, if done right, can last a lifetime. They will also provide many benefits:
- It doesn’t turn yellow as it ages unless exposed to a lot of oxidation.
- It makes the garage floor waterproof and spill-proof.
- Epoxy flooring solutions can hold 10,000 psi, making the epoxy garage floor coatingresistant to impact and abrasions.
- It will resist permanent markings from tires.
The coating you pick based on durability depends on what you use the garage for. Around 93% of homeowners use garages for storage, and 84% park their cars.
However, many hobbyist woodworkers and mechanics turn their garages into their workshops. How much equipment, cabinetry, and other items you plan to put in there is a major deciding factor in picking garage floor coating.
Resistance To Household Chemicals
Durability brings us to our next important factor in picking garage floor coating – is it resistant to household chemicals? This is an extension of your floor’s durability.
When choosing the floor coating, check how it stands up to household chemicals. It’s inevitable that a garage floor has some sort of spill due to chemical storage or leaked automotive fluids from your vehicle. Products and fluids like gasoline, oil, engine coolant, etc.,will damage the floor by seeping into the concrete. It’s important that you pick a coating with excellent chemical resistance.
Moreover, your garage will be exposed to extremely cold weather if you live in such an area. You’re most likely to use road salt and certain seasons to prevent ice from sticking to the floor. This road salt can damage the garage floor finish. An epoxy floor coating will increase the chemical resistance of the floor and prevent damage.
Long-Term Planning
Some people plan to eventually convert their garage into a living or entertaining space. If you would like to do so too, you need to plan for the long term. Converting a garage into a living space can take anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000.If you’re planning to do it one element at a time, you need to think about the floor coating that later on matches the vibe you’re trying to create.
Epoxy Garage Floor Coating That’s Built To Last!
Epoxy floor coating is one of the best ways to coat your garage and ensure it lasts a long time. However, this garage floor coating should always be done by professionals. If you’re looking for epoxy floor contractors, check out Steel Coated Epoxy Floors. We offer commercial and residential coatings, both with a lifetime warranty. You can get our steel-coated epoxy floors and concrete floor coatings in the Draper, Layton, Las Vegas, and Prescott areas.
Contact us for more information about our services.