Epoxy flooring is durable and protects against shock, chemicals, water, stains and more. It is a cost-effective option that is easy to clean and maintain.
Its durability also makes it ideal for car enthusiasts, who can change their oil or perform other maintenance in the garage without worrying about stains. Epoxy is resistant to abrasion, so dropped tools or even heavy free weights won’t chip the floor.
Easy to Clean
If you plan on using your garage for your car or other types of vehicles, you’ll need a floor that can stand up to the abuse. An epoxy garage floor coating is a durable, attractive solution. It shields the concrete floor from damage and provides an attractive shine that resists stains and dirt. It’s also easy to clean, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas.
A professional garage epoxy installation can cost about $6 per square foot. This includes the two-part epoxy system, etching solution and decorative color chips. It also includes floor preparation, if required.
You can save money by applying the epoxy coating yourself if you have experience with construction or home renovation projects. However, you’ll need to prepare the concrete surface, which may involve grinding or acid etching. This process creates a chemical reaction with the concrete that helps the epoxy bond better to the surface. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for prepping and applying the epoxy. If you skip any steps, the floor coating will wear out prematurely.
Regular cleaning with soap-free, degreasing products will keep your garage floor looking great. You should also avoid cleaners that contain acids, which can cause the epoxy to degloss and become dull over time.
An epoxy coating can be scuffed with a scrubbing pad, but you should not use a wire brush or steel wool. Scrubbing hard will damage the epoxy, so you should scrub only light to medium pressure. You can also try using a kitchen scrubbing sponge or soft deck brush. For rust stains, you can try a 1:1 ratio of CLR and warm water. Just be sure to rinse the floor well after scrubbing.
Once your garage is coated with epoxy, you’ll be surprised how much easier it is to clean. Sweeping the floor is easy, and you can use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clean up dust and dirt. If you need to clean chemicals, you should always neutralize them before washing with water. This will prevent the chemicals from damaging or discoloring the floor.
Durable
A floor coated with epoxy is not only very durable but also offers a sleek and beautiful finish. It is a great choice for high-traffic areas like garages and auto showrooms where it can stand up to hot tires, oil spills and more. Coatings are resistant to abrasions and chemicals and can be customized with colored chips to give it a unique look. They are also an excellent choice for industrial floors and locker rooms where they can stand up to extreme wear and tear.
While paint is fine if you want something that can hold up to light use and is easy to clean, epoxy is the way to go for floors that will be exposed to a lot of abuse. Epoxy is thicker and stickier than paint so it holds up much better. It is also less likely to peel. It is important to make sure that any existing paint is removed from the floor before applying the epoxy. If not, it will flake and chip and leave behind a sticky residue.
Epoxy coatings can be applied by a professional or by do-it-yourselfers. There are many different types of products available but some of the best ones are made by Rust-Oleum and KILZ.
Both of these products are available in kits that include two-part epoxy, etching solution and color chips as well as complete instructions. They are also priced fairly low, giving you an affordable option for sprucing up your garage or workshop floor.
Once the floor is coated, it will need to cure for a few days before you can use it again. During this time, you should keep cars and other vehicles out of the area. This will help prevent the concrete from becoming stained or scratched while it is drying.
After the epoxy has cured, it is important to apply a clear top coat. This will protect the surface from moisture and dirt, making it easier to clean. It is also possible to add a rubber mat in the area where you park your vehicle, providing an extra layer of protection when you get out of the car.
Easy to Repair
If you have an epoxy garage floor, you don’t need to worry about it being scratched, chipped or damaged by anything from vehicles and heavy equipment to chemicals and solvents. Unlike concrete floors, epoxy is nonporous and chemical-resistant. It also has a high impact resistance, so it can withstand damage from dropped tools and sharp equipment.
Epoxy coating is the most durable of all flooring options and offers the best impact and abrasion resistance. It can be used in industrial units, warehouses and garages to handle heavy wear and tear, and it comes in a wide range of colors to match the décor of the space. However, it is the most expensive of all flooring options.
When your garage epoxy starts to crack or peel, you can repair it by applying a new coat. This will require cleaning the existing floor and sanding it smooth so that the new coat will adhere. You should also take care to fill any cracks and voids in the concrete floor as these will show through the epoxy coat if left unfilled.
Be sure to use only the highest quality epoxy available. Cheaper epoxies from big box stores or mega online retailers are likely to have problems that can be costly and time consuming to fix. It’s not worth saving a few bucks to be stuck with a floor that will fail after just a few years.
You can keep your garage epoxy looking good by wiping up spills and splatters as soon as they happen. You should also clean the floor regularly using a mild detergent and water. Avoid cleaners that contain acids like citrus or vinegar as they can degloss the epoxy coating over time.
To help protect your garage epoxy floor and extend its lifespan, put down a walk-off mat at the entrance to the space. This will help to trap dirt, sand, moisture and other debris that would otherwise be tracked onto the floor. It’s also a good idea to place mats under any heavy equipment or bicycle kickstands in the garage. You should also avoid dragging heavy machinery or tools across the epoxy as this can leave an indentation on the surface and dull the shine of the coating.
Affordable
When compared to other garage flooring options, epoxy coating is more affordable. It can also save you money and stress in the long run because it’s easy to clean, durable and stain resistant. The upfront cost can vary depending on the size of your garage and what type of finish you want.
If you’re on a tight budget, there are kits available that include everything you need to get started for less than $2 per square foot. They start with an epoxy primer and include a high solids base epoxy color coat that is ready to receive color flakes. This can be mixed to create any color flooring you’re looking for. The last step is a clear topcoat that locks in the colored flakes and gives it the gloss that epoxy floors are known for.
You can even add anti-slip grit to the clear topcoat for added safety on your shiny new garage floor. This can help prevent slips and falls while you’re working or playing in your garage. The grit is typically made of aluminum oxide or polymeric and can cost anywhere from $0 to $40 for the entire garage floor.
One of the best garage epoxy paints for a DIY project is Rust-Oleum’s Concrete & Garage Floor Paint + Primer. It’s available for less than $4 a gallon and can cover up to 500 square feet. It’s recommended that you work with a buddy and apply the product in 4′ x 4′ sections. This way the first person can roll while the other lays down the flakes. The epoxy has a short pot life so it’s best to apply in small batches.
Before applying the epoxy, the concrete slab should be repaired and patched. This is especially important if there are cracks, chips or spalls. It’s also a good idea to degrease the floor and use a power washer to remove oil, grease and dirt. A broom, flat-edge shovel and shop vac are useful tools for cleaning the floor. If low spots are present, they should be filled with self-leveling concrete underlayment.
Epoxy Coating Industry 