A Universal Space
Your garage isn’t just for your car these days. So why not give that old, ugly and boring cement a new look that everyone in the family can enjoy? These days, garage floor coatings can come in all sorts of colors and patterns. The biggest decision you’ll have to make is what type of coating is best for your specific needs.
Understanding more about your options can ultimately help you pick the best coating for your needs. So, let’s take a look at some of the coatings on the Phoenix market and find out what makes each one so great.
If you’ve done any research, you know that there are some great choices when it comes to garage floor coatings. Depending on your needs and personal taste, you can choose from a variety of applications. These can include:
- Epoxy coatings
- Epoxy Terrazzo coatings
- Polyaspartic coatings
How do I choose the right coating?
There are some important factors you should consider when looking for a garage floor coating. You want to make sure this investment in your home is a wise one, so you should first consider a few things before you make a final choice.
You want to make sure that your new garage floor coating can stand up to your everyday use without damage.In general, damage can occur from 4 general types of abuse:
- Chemical exposure
- Abrasion
- Impacts
- Thermal shock
Of course, there are other factors you should consider before making your final decision. You should think about what you expect from your new garage floor coating. This should include:
- Aesthetics – What is your vision for your new floor? Are you trying to match existing decor or create a whole new look? Would you like a solid, subdued color or perhaps a one-of-a-kind custom design?
- Installation restrictions – There are a variety of factors that can affect the installation. Temperature, schedule, presence of odors can affect your final results
- Lifespan – How long do you expect your new garage floor to last? How much maintenance are you willing to commit to?
- Cost – Cost is alway a factor. It is important to remember, you get what you pay for. Don’t cut corners up front or you may end up with bigger repair costs before it’s over with.
Preparation is the key!
No matter what coating you choose, proper surface preparation is key to fantastic results. Your concrete will need to go through a multi-stage process to make sure your new flooring will adhere properly. This surface preparation is, hands down, the most important step of your installation. Your surface must have a good structure, and be clean and free from any foreign materials before installation. It’s also important to patch, repair, and level your surface before your coating is installed.
Concrete coatings are great for heavy traffic areas. Coatings over concrete can offer beauty and function with a professional look in areas such as:
- Garages
- Basements
- Kitchens
- Entryways and Patios
- Outdoor Entertainment Areas
- And more!
The 3 most popular coatings are: Epoxy Coating, Epoxy Terrazzo, and Polyaspartic coatings
What is Epoxy Coating?
An epoxy coating is one of the most durable coatings available today. It’s important to point out that an epoxy coating isn’t a paint. This is actually a mixed resin that needs to cure after it’s applied, not dry. Typically, epoxy mixtures are 100% solvent-free
This is a thermosetting resin that is made from a mixture of one part polyamine hardener and one part epoxide resin. The hardener is what gives this coating its superior strength and durability.
What is Epoxy Terrazzo?
This is a thin-set mixture that can cure overnight in most cases. This means it can be polished the following day, offering homeowners a faster project turnaround. This is a lightweight coating and is great for use in multi-story projects. Other benefits of this coating include:
- Permanent color with no fading
- High impact resistance
- Stain and chemical resistance
- Abrasion resistant
- No shrinking
- Non-porous finish prevents mold, mildew and bacteria growth
- Low maintenance
- Superior durability
This coating is not without its limitations. It’s important to consider the drawbacks, no matter how few there are. One of the biggest downsides to this type of coating is the initial cost of installation.This is because not just anyone can install this type of flooring. There is a lot of labor and skill needed to install these types of garage floor coatings properly. Epoxy Terrazzo is not usually used in outdoor areas due to UV exposure.
What are Polyaspartic Coatings?
As one of the ‘newer’ products to find popularity, there is still misconceptions about this type of coating. Polyaspartic coatings offer a ton of benefits, including:
- Rapid curing time
- Wider acceptable temperature range requirements for installation
- Thicker film build
- Bubble-free surface
- UV resistant, so surface won’t turn yellow with exposure
- Can withstand extreme temperatures – up to 350°F
- Highest abrasion resistance compared to epoxy coatings
There are a few downsides to polyaspartic garage floor coatings. You must create the proper environment for this coating. A properly prepared surface is the biggest requirement. Moisture vapor emission can also cause issues with a polyaspartic coating, and can potentially cause the flooring to fail.
The Benefits of these types of epoxy coatings:
But what really makes them so great for these kinds of areas? No matter what floor coating you choose, you know it will be durable and resilient. The purpose is to protect your natural concrete from deterioration, damages, and contamination. With an epoxy or epoxy terrazzo coating, you’re going to get better performance when it comes to chemical resistance, flexibility, and compressive strength. A polyaspartic coating will offer a thicker coating with increased performance. What this means for you is that even in high traffic areas, garage floor coatings will last 40+ years. Your colors shouldn’t fade or chip, and the surface should retain structure and strength.
Find Your Dream Floor:
The best advice for anyone considering a new garage floor coating for their home is to speak to a professional. Knowledge and experience are essential to this sort of project. An experienced contractor can offer insight on which coating may be best for your needs without sacrificing quality or performance.
Our team of professionals are dedicated to superior customer service
and high quality workmanship. If you are looking for the best concrete floor contractors in Arizona, discover the difference Dreamcoat can make. Contact us today to answer any questions you may have. While you have them on the phone, you can schedule your FREE, no obligation concrete consultation with one of our professionals.
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