Garage Floor Epoxy so Much Better than Plain Concrete
Garage floors are generally made of concrete. This is a tough, wear resistant surface with a long life. Concrete will wear down with normal use. Walking or driving on a concrete floor will cause minute particles to break off. These become concrete dust. This dust will float onto every surface in the garage. Over time a concrete floor may also develop small cracks. These are annoying and may look unsightly. Concrete can be stained by a wide variety of liquids. These stains may be permanent. Covering a garage floor with epoxy may be the answer.
When planning to epoxy a garage floor there are many factors to consider. Is the garage also used as a shop? Epoxy can stand up to many tools being dropped but it can be burn scarred if welding slag hits it. Is there a lot of rain in the area? Some epoxies are slippery when wet. Is there excessive water under the slab? This can cause less wear life in an epoxy floor. A professional will know which types to choose for these situations.
Covering a garage floor with epoxy is a multiple step process. It does require specialized knowledge. A professional will know the answers for the concrete preparation. They will also understand the catalytic processes which control the epoxy curing and the different coats necessary for a complete covering. There are several layers which must be applied with most epoxy coverings and a professional will understand these layers.
The first step in getting a concrete garage floor epoxy done involves preparing the concrete surface. This may involve etching the concrete with acid or grinding the floor with machines made specifically for the task. All small holes must be filled at this time. The epoxy must have a stable base for adherence. Speak to a professional about getting this step done. If done improperly the epoxy will not bond and may loosen over time.
A good garage floor epoxy coating involves several layers. Epoxy primer is the first step. It is applied to insure adherence of the next epoxy layer to the concrete base. It is also used as a moisture barrier between the concrete and epoxy.
The next step is the base or color coat. This is where the color for the final look of the floor is added. The epoxy components must be mixed, creating a catalytic reaction. This compound must be applied in a timely manner and the floor must cure. A coat of acrylic paint may be added to this layer for a denser paint color. This depends upon the manufacturer’s recommendations. A professional will know the options and will explain them during the planning process.
The last layer of application is the clear coat. This is applied after the epoxy cures or when the acrylic paint finishes drying. The sheen expected of an epoxy floor is the reason for this coat. It provides the glassy look for the floor.
There are many options and decisions to be made when choosing a garage floor epoxy. These decisions would be best handled by a professional with the skill and knowledge to steer the garage owner.
Testimonials
My garage was so cluttered and a total mess, I was always embarrassed to have the door open! Not anymore!! Floorguard® helped me design a perfect system for my family, it’s amazing!! Now I keep my garage door open for all to see, it’s organized, and absolutely beautiful!!!
- Pam Orland Park, IL
Really Pleased! Our garage needed some major help – not only was it a mess but the floor was just ugly with all the stains and such. I will agree with the reviewer below – do not go with the cheap imitators! Floorguard not only has a great product, but their installers and service is well worth any extra cost, which is minimal anyway. Our neighbors have commented on how good our garage looks and we’ve recommended them to Floorguard without hesitation.
- Nathan
The garage looks so good! A+ company on every level. Wish I had another garage to resurface!
- Chelsea
My neighbor had a floor done by another company that was new to the industry, boy were they sorry. I went with the experts, Floorguard did an incredible job!!
- Tom T., Orland Park
When it comes to adding value to your business, you can’t go wrong with the superior technology and materials from Floorguard
- Jenny P.
Covering our old, gray garage floor was a great aesthetic and functional improvement. This project requires 2 days: first day preparing the surface (major job requiring right equipment), putting down first coating and sprinkling the flakes. This requires about 4 hours. After this dries, they come back next day and apply the topcoat. They notified us when they would start the work and arrived as promised. They worked diligently, completed the work efficiently, left the work areas and our driveway clean. The owner Steve is a great guy to deal with.
- Bob H.
It was a pleasure dealing with the company’s owner Steve Chaloult. When we called him to give us an estimate, he arranged to come within a few days. We have a very large two car garage. His estimate was a bit more than the first company we called but he seemed very well prepared in showing us samples and very knowledgeable about his product and we just liked him. For personal reasons , we had to delay installation for about a month and he could not be more accommodating. we finally we able to have it done this past week and it was worth the wait. The garage floor is just beautiful and I never would have thought I would say that about a garage floor! We also had the lower walls around the floor done and very glad we did. At one time we were thinking we could do this ourselves using a kit. WHAT were we thinking? This is a job for a professional and we are so glad we used Steve.
- Moira J.
The owner Steve Chaloult was easy to work with and he’s very good at what he does. I highly recommend Floorguard as your contractor if you’re wanting to have a garage floor finished with a durable epoxy like colored finish. Floorguard came when they said they would and cleaned up after they were finished. Floorguard also installs garage storage cabinets.
- Andrew A.
Very responsive, good communicator. Was on time and did a top quality job. Very happy with the outcome.
- Anonymous Homeowner
Great eexperience. Quick and dependable service. High quality. Fair cost.
- John H.