If you've been working on cleaning out and fixing up your garage, you may be relieved you've finally reclaimed the space from clutter, but you might not be happy with the ugly concrete floor. A fresh floor could be the finishing touch your garage needs. Epoxy is an excellent floor for a garage since it's attractive, easy to care for, and can be parked on without damage.
Here's an overview of garage epoxy flooring and how it's applied.
Epoxy Bonds With Concrete
Epoxy is much different from paint. It's thicker and made with chemicals and resin that bond with the concrete garage floor. This creates a watertight barrier that also protects from impacts and stains. The epoxy fills the pores in concrete so the pores won't be able to soak up water, oil, or other stains from drips and leaks in your car.
Garage Epoxy Flooring Is Easy To Clean
The epoxy can be plain or have bits of colored pieces in it for an attractive look. The surface is bright and shiny so your floor looks clean. Since the floor is easy to sweep and mop, it is easy to keep clean too. You should sweep the floor regularly to get rid of grit that can scratch the flooring.
You can wash the floor with plain water and spot clean for stains. Avoid using soap, as soap can leave a film residue behind. Also, avoid vinegar and citrus-based cleaners as these might harm the epoxy. By cleaning spills and grit regularly, your floor will look good for a long time and last for years.
Epoxy Flooring Requires Several Steps To Install
Several steps are required to install garage epoxy flooring. You can do it as a DIY project, but you can also hire a contractor to do the installation and save yourself a lot of work and frustration. If your garage floor is still in good shape, the installation is easier since any damage has to be repaired before the epoxy is applied.
The floor also has to be cleaned well and degreased. After the floor is cleaned, degreased, and repaired, the concrete needs to be etched. This can be done with an acid solution that's applied to the concrete. After the solution works, it's rinsed off and the concrete has to dry thoroughly.
Right before the epoxy is applied, it has to be mixed. When mixed, it starts to harden, so work has to start immediately and can't be interrupted or the epoxy may get too hard to work with. The flooring is applied with a roller brush by starting in one corner and working your way across the floor.
There are several coats involved in garage epoxy flooring. The contractor may start with a primer and then add a base color topped with a flake coat. This may be topped with two layers of clear topcoat. The result is a thick and tough floor that is able to tolerate a harsh garage environment while still maintaining its good looks.