Garage Floor Epoxy: Is It Worth the Investment?

Whether you want to restore your old and worn garage floor or upgrade your concrete flooring with a more beautiful and durable flooring system, you can’t go wrong with epoxy garage floor coating from Armor Coating Company in Duluth, MN.

There are numerous reasons why epoxy flooring is a popular garage flooring option today. It is stronger and more resistant than traditional concrete, cost-effective, and adds a touch of elegance to your space. Read on to learn more about epoxy flooring and why it is worth the investment.

What Is Garage Floor Epoxy?

Many people confuse epoxy garage floor coatings to paint. Epoxy is a thermosetting coating resin used for coating concrete and flooring surfaces. Due to its curing process, it provides a thicker and stronger coat than regular paint.

You get epoxy coating by mixing epoxide resin with polyamide hardener. This mixture gives epoxy its characteristic strength and durability, making it one of the best flooring options for garages.

While some paint products include a bit of epoxy in their composition to enhance durability, it is still paint. The significant difference between epoxy paint and fully epoxy coating on your garage floor is that paint dries while real epoxy cures. The curing process results in robust polymer structures that create a solid bond to the concrete surface and a solid, long-lasting coating.

Why Epoxy Garage Floor?

Here are some of the reasons you should invest in epoxy coating for your garage floor:

  • Durability: Epoxy coating is the most durable garage flooring material you can find today. Its composition includes heavy-duty, impact-resistant, resin-based polymers. These polymers are also resistant to heat, fire, and bacteria. Professionally installed epoxy flooring can last for up to 20 years.
  • Cost-Effective: Epoxy is one of the most cost-effective garage flooring options for several reasons: You can install it directly over an existing concrete surface, and its durability means you won’t need to repair or replace it for many years to come, saving you a significant amount of money on maintenance in the long run.
  • Protection: Epoxy coating adds a protective layer to minimize damage to your concrete flooring. One way it protects your floor is that it minimizes oil and chemical stains, making it easy to clean up the mess once you finish working on your car or machine.
  • Property Value: A worn-out, dirty, and neglected garage floor is one of the greatest turn-offs for prospective homebuyers. However, a beautiful and well-kept garage can significantly increase your property’s curb appeal and value, and you can achieve that by installing epoxy garage floor coating.
  • Safety: Several reasons make epoxy the safest type of garage flooring. The first reason is the installation process that makes it completely seamless, with no grout lines to trip over. Epoxy flooring also offers a subtle cushioning effect that you can’t find in concrete, resulting in less strain on your feet and ankles. Additionally, it has slip-resistance properties, minimizing the risk of slips and falls and other related accidents. The high reflectivity of high gloss epoxy coating leads to improved visibility in your space, further promoting safety.
  • Aesthetics: Epoxy floor coating can transform your garage into a sleek and elegant space, and the glossy surface will complement any decorative lighting you have. Epoxy also does an excellent job covering cracks, dents, and other surface imperfections on your garage floor. Epoxy coatings are available in a wide variety of colors and designs to suit your specific style.
  • Moisture Resistant: Epoxy coating is highly resistant to water, deicing salts, petrochemical spills, and other contaminants. This helps prevent moisture damage to your garage floor, and it makes epoxy an excellent choice for garage floors susceptible to leaks and spills.
  • Easy to Clean: Epoxy is an ideal choice if you are looking for a low-maintenance and easy-to-clean garage floor. You can easily sweep dry debris away with a simple broom or brush and wipe up wet spills with a towel. You only need warm water and mild soap to clean your dirty epoxy surface.

With these benefits, you can easily see why epoxy flooring is an excellent option for your garage floor. However, it is worth noting that epoxy garage flooring has some disadvantages. A major drawback is that it is not resistant to everything, and you should avoid welding in the garage as it often leaves burn marks when hot slags fall on the flooring.

Another common problem is that low-quality epoxy flooring usually delaminates due to hot tire pickup. You can prevent this problem by having your epoxy coating installed by experienced professionals from Armor Coating Company.

How Much to Epoxy Garage Floor?

The cost of applying garage floor epoxy coating varies depending on various factors:

  • The size of your garage floor
  • The products and equipment needed for concrete preparation
  • The type of epoxy applied to the garage floor
  • Unique design features, like speckled flooring or marbling
  • The number of epoxy coats needed
  • The professional hired to install the epoxy coating

Property owners often spend anywhere between $1,100 and $3,500 for epoxy garage floor coating. After evaluating your specific needs, a professional epoxy floor coating installer will give you a comprehensive quote for the job.

How Long Will an Epoxy Garage Floor Last?

Epoxy garage floorings are long-lasting, and you can expect them to maintain their attractive look for years with minimal maintenance and repair. A professionally installed epoxy garage floor in a residential property can last at least ten years with regular wear and tear.

Is Garage Floor Epoxy Right for You?

We have seen that an epoxy garage floor coating can completely transform the appearance of a garage floor and improve property value. It is durable, chemical and stain-resistant, easy to maintain, and long-lasting.

When it’s time to install epoxy flooring, you’ll want to work with a reputable professional for the best results. Armor Coating Company offers a wide selection of high-quality epoxy garage floor coating for residential and commercial properties in Duluth, MN.

Contact Armor Coating Company today at (715) 934-9037 for a free quote for all your epoxy garage floor needs.

How Much Do Your Concrete Floor Coatings Cost?

Each project is customized to your particular concrete flooring needs. Every job we do is different, because we offer different types of coatings and finishes.  We will work with you to develop a free estimate keeping your budget in mind. 

How Long Will The Concrete Coating Last?

We use the highest quality materials in our polyaspartic floor coatings and we’ve perfected our application process to make the concrete coating permanent.  Once completely cured and adhered, the concrete coating is meant to last as long as the substrate it’s adhered to.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Over Epoxy Floor Coatings?

Polyaspartic Floor Coatings dry more quickly than Epoxy Floor Coatings, and the finish is also more durable.  Our floor concrete coating finishes are also more slip-resistant and will not discolor like some Epoxy Floor Coatings.

How Long Do I Need To Stay Off My Concrete Floor Coating After It Is Installed?

Our flooring cures within a few hours, however our team of professionals recommends waiting at least 4-6 hours before walking on your brand new concrete coated flooring. After 12 hours, you can begin moving lightweight objects onto the flooring, like light patio furniture.  We recommend waiting a full 24 hours before moving anything heavy back into the area where we’ve applied the coating (your car, heavy equipment or furniture etc.).

Will My New Concrete Floor Coating Turn Yellow?

It sure won’t! Our concrete floor coverings will not yellow or discolor, because they are UV stable. This  one of the many benefits of using Polyurea or Polyaspartic floor coatings.

Will I Need To Reseal My Concrete Floor Coating?

If you follow our maintenance and cleaning guidelines, you should not have to worry about resealing the concrete floor coating. We offer a professional grade cleaner that will easily remove stains or tire marks, but will also preserve the life of your concrete coating topcoat.

How Long Does It Take You To Apply Concrete Floor Coatings?

We’ve perfected our 6-step application process, so most typical projects take between 5-10 hours depending on the square footage.  We pride ourselves in a one-day application, and will do everything possible to stay within that time frame.  Rainy weather can delay the project, but it is rare.

How Do I Care For My Concrete Floor Coating?

You can clean our concrete coatings with typical sweeping, mopping or steaming, and hoses.  We offer maintenance services should your concrete flooring ever need cleaning, however you can also use non-abrasive cleaners, like CLR, to remove grease or other stains. 

Will Oil Stain My Concrete Floor Coating?

Armor coatings are oil resistant as well as moisture resistant.

Who Invented Polyaspartic Coatings?

Bayer Material Science first developed Polyaspartic coatings in the 1990’s to protect steel bridges and infrastructure from rusting and corrosion. It has since been modified for different applications, once being durable concrete flooring coatings.

What Are Polyaspartic Concrete Coatings?

Polyaspartic Concrete coating is another name for Aliphatic Polyurea, which is a hybrid material consisting of ester and other materials. It was originally developed to coat metal bridges.  It was later used to coat concrete flooring due to its durability and moisture resistance. Polyurea is also used to coat truck bed liners.

Can Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Be Used Outside?

They sure can!  We offer wonderful solutions for driveways, patios, and even the area around the pool.  Our coatings are all UV stable, which will help prevent discoloration or flaking.

What Types Of Environments Can Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Be Used?

Polyaspartic flooring coatings can be used in a variety of environments.  The durability, slip resistant finish is fantastic for any industrial setting, storefronts, patios, or even driveways or garages.

How Are Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Applied?

We have perfected a six step process for applying Polyaspartic Floor Coatings that involves prepping the floor, basecoating, applying chips, scraping the chips, and applying the clear UV protective clear coat. 

Can I Apply Polyaspartic Floor Coatings In Cold Temperatures?

You can!  Polyaspartic floor coatings are safe to apply in temperatures as cold as -40 degrees.

How Long Do Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Take To Dry?

Our Polyaspartic Floor Coatings are engineered to rapidly cure, and can be dry in a matter of a few hours!  However, we recommend waiting at least 5-6 hours before walking on newly applied coating and 24 hours before moving heavy objects back onto the flooring.

Do I Need To Hire A Professional To Install Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

Installing Polyaspartic Floor Coating correctly is critical to the appearance and durability of your flooring.  Hiring a professional is the best way to ensure that your flooring will look amazing and last a lifetime! Our team at Armor Coatings is certified in Polyaspartic Floor Coating installation and have many years of experience.

Is It Possible To Cover Existing Epoxy Floor Coating With Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

It is!  Polyaspartic floor coatings are specially formulated for their incredible adhesion properties.  If you have existing patches of epoxy coating, our team can sand it down, vacuum, and wipe down the area with a solvent.  Once prepped, we will apply your new, superior, Polyaspartic Floor Coating