Epoxy is one of the most popular finishes that you can apply to a garage floor for several reasons. Not only is it one of the toughest and most durable finishes on the market today, it protects your garage floor and can instantly transform your boring/ugly concrete into a professional looking floor that you can enjoy for many many years.
The garage has become a lot more than just a space to park your car, and store all your belongings. In fact, epoxy is commonly used in many residential and commercial spaces for obvious reasons regarding protection and aesthetics. Depending on the flooring system chosen, there are a wide variety of custom colors, metallics, and blends of decorative acrylic flakes to match your taste and style.
With all that said, you might be wondering "what exactly is an epoxy coating"? In this article we go over what an epoxy coating is, and some of the major benefits in hopes that it will help you navigate the world of epoxy coatings.
WHAT IS A GARAGE EPOXY COATING?
Epoxy is a two part thermosetting resin applied over concrete surfaces. By combining one part clear epoxy resin with one part polymer hardener you create a chemical reaction that starts the curing process. This chemical reaction is what gives epoxy its strength and durability. When applied to a properly prepared surface, you get a thick and incredibly durable floor that lasts years. As mentioned previously, you can also add decorative flakes to the epoxy base coat, as well as a clear coat which provides an added layer of protection to the color flakes and base coat. The combination of base coat, flakes, and/or clear coat is what is referred to as the "flooring system".
EPOXY PAINT VS. EPOXY RESIN
There are other decorative coating options for your garage on the market such as single-part polyurea coatings. However, it should be noted that an epoxy floor coating is not paint. Paints for garage floors are latex acrylic and have more of a matte/satin finish. They are the least durable of floor coating options and some have a small amount of epoxy resin mixed in to add some durability. Having said that, they are still latex acrylic- not to be confused as an epoxy coating. Epoxy paints are commonly referred to as a one-part epoxy paint versus a true epoxy coating floor system. Additionally, garage paint does not seal the garage like an epoxy coating does, and they are only designed to be used as a single coat.
BENEFITS OF GARAGE FLOOR EPOXY COATING
Other than it's durability and amazing look, epoxy is a great finish for garage floors as it is hard & thick, and is extremely easy to clean. All that is required in most cases to clean an epoxy floor is a mild cleaning solution and water. Epoxy floors are known for being resistant to impacts, chips, stains, chemicals, and surface abrasion. As epoxy coatings are thicker, they also do an amazing job of hiding minor cracks and flaws in concrete.
When applied properly, you can expect epoxy floor systems to last up to 15 years or more.
CONCLUSION
As you can see, epoxy coatings have the potential to change the look of your garage floor and add an amazing level of protection. The durability, low maintenance, and stain resistance are some of the major reasons why so many people love epoxy floors. It should be noted that while it is possible for people to complete the process on their own, it can be very risky to DIY this kind of project as there are many products and companies out there that will not produce the type of protection we have gone over here. When it comes to garage coatings, you get what you pay for, and it can cost more time and money in the long run if it is not done correctly or if you have a subpar product.
So whether you are looking to transform your garage into a beautiful workshop, or just a nicer place to park your cars, look no further than your Utah Epoxy Pros to install your epoxy flooring system!
We've got your floor covered. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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