Superior Epoxy Garage Floor Coatings
Epoxy garage floor coatings are very popular for homeowners because of the style and functionality they add. But, you may not know that most of the garage floor coatings installed today are in fact not epoxy at all. Today homeowners and contractors installing concrete coatings opt for polyurea.
Looking for a comprehensive list of epoxy and concrete coatings options for your garage floors? You have a couple of options:
Traditional Epoxy Garage Floor Coatings
Epoxy is the most affordable option for garage floor coatings. However, due to its many drawbacks and a lifespan of only about 3 to 5 years, we find it impossible to recommend for garage floors.
Here’s why you might want to reconsider using epoxy in your garage:
Epoxy is by far the least durable "resin" coating available.
Epoxy isn’t completely devoid of durability, offering some protection better than epoxy paint. Yet, it falls significantly short in 3 crucial areas: adhesion, flexibility, and scratch/impact resistance.
Epoxy is particularly finicky about adhering to concrete floors. It is notorious for “hot tire pickup,” a phenomenon where the coating sticks to hot tires and peels away from the concrete.
When fully cured, epoxy becomes rather stiff and solid. While this might seem beneficial, it’s actually a drawback. You want your coating to retain some flexibility to accommodate the natural shifts in the concrete due to seasonal changes and aging. This lack of flexibility can cause epoxy to delaminate, chip and peel.
As you might expect, poor adhesion and flexibility do no favors for epoxy’s ability to resist impacts and scratches. This will further degrade the functionality of the coating in your garage.
Epoxy is prone to fading and yellowing.
Epoxy is highly reactive to UV light, which can cause the topcoat to yellow and fade over time. If you’ve opted for a chip coating to add aesthetic texture between the top and base coats, this visual appeal will diminish as time passes.
This issue can be mitigated by applying a polyaspartic top coat, which adds to the cost. At that point, you might wonder why not choose a better base coat that isn’t prone to peeling, chipping, and has a longer lifespan?
Epoxy has a lifespan of about 3 to 5 years.
This is significantly less than most polyurea coatings, which can last for more than 15 years. Consider the inconvenience and expense of having to repair or replace the epoxy coating every 5 years, depending on the wear and tear on your garage floor, which could be as costly as the initial installation.
Takes up to 7 days to install and is limited by the weather.
Epoxy installation requires up to a week to fully cure, with an optimal temperature range of 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). Temperatures above this can cause the epoxy to cure too quickly, risking imperfections like air bubbles or a hazy surface. Meanwhile, low temperatures cause the epoxy to thicken and harden slowly, which can lead to weak finishes. In Virginia, the winter months often fall below the ideal temperature for epoxy application, making its installation impractical or impossible during these times.
How much does epoxy cost for a standard 2 car garage?
Traditional epoxy is the most affordable option for concrete coating. There are many different kits available, varying in quality. Most kits include both the coating and flakes, although there are some particularly inexpensive options that contain the coating only. Expect to spend between $500 and $2,500 on the DIY kit alone.
Additionally, you should also consider the cost of additional equipment required for proper application.
- Concrete Grinder: can be rented for ~$197 per day.
- Floor Buffer: can be rented for ~$57 per day.
- Industrial Vacuum: can be rented for ~$26 a day.
- Miscellaneous Equipment: Remember to account for the additional cost of equipment such as squeegees and special spike shoes, which allow you to walk over the coating to both broadcast flakes and apply the top coat.
- Your Time: Undertaking a DIY garage floor coating project is challenging and time-consuming. Unless your concrete is in pristine condition, repairing and mending all imperfections is crucial for the best results. Using a grinder to polish the concrete is almost always necessary, as acid etching alone is insufficient in most cases. At the very least, expect to spend at least two days on such a project.
Common Polyurea & Polyaspartic
Polyurea is a robust resin known for its quick setting times and unmatched durability, offering Fredericksburg homeowners a superior alternative to traditional epoxy for garage floors. Its resistance to water, scratches, and chemicals makes it the preferred choice for homeowners that value long-lasting floor protection.
It’s important to note that not all polyurea is created equal. There are many manufacturers, and the quality may vary depending on the types and amounts of fillers used to make polyurea more affordable.
We strongly advise exercising caution when selecting store-bought polyurea coatings. Inexpensive and poorly installed polyurea is unlikely to last over 15 years.
What is Polyaspartic Coating?
Polyaspartic coating is a type of polyurea with a slowed cure rate, giving installers more time to apply the coating before it begins to set. Despite this, it’s still extremely fast to install compared to epoxy, with most polyaspartic polyurea coatings being installable in about 1 day.
Polyaspartic coating is an excellent option for top coating due to its UV resistance, preventing fading or yellowing.
Can Polyaspartic be used as a base coat?
While not the best option for a base coat, polyaspartic can be used to reduce the overall cost of coating. Pure aromatic polyurea provides better adhesion and durability but at a higher cost. However, it will extend the lifespan of your garage floors even further.
Can I install Polyaspartic myself?
Yes, if you’re experienced with advanced DIY home improvements. However, even with a slowed cure rate, polyaspartic coating cures quite fast. You’ll need to be prepared to work quickly, as it’s easy to make mistakes, potentially resulting in an inferior finish and durability.
Alternatively, FloorTech can handle the installation for you. Our pure polyurea coating is exclusively available to official Penntek dealers like us. Most importantly, our team of professionally trained and experienced installers guarantees a job done right – lasting a lifetime.
PURE Polyurea Garage Floor Coatings
Key Facts About Penntek Polyurea:
99% Polyurea with Little to No Fillers
Extremely Fast
Cure Time
Forms a Permanent Bond with the Surface
Backed by
Lifetime Warranty
Pure polyurea is polyurea in its most unadulterated form, with minimal fillers that can weaken the final product. This results in a coating that cures exceptionally quickly, necessitating expert preparation and application by a skilled team.
When properly installed, pure polyurea creates an almost permanent bond with concrete, significantly enhancing its resistance to cracking or peeling.
High-quality polyurea coatings, such as those made by Penntek Industrial Coatings, are the best choice for garage floors. With expert preparation and installation by FloorTech Concrete Coatings, your garage floor coating is guaranteed to outlast the concrete itself – all backed by our limited lifetime warranty.
About FloorTech Concrete Coatings
FloorTech Concrete Coatings is an exclusive & certified installer of Penntek Industrial Coatings located in Fredericksburg, VA.
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