Garage floors take a lot of abuse. We expect them to be tougher than the flooring in other parts of the home. Many homeowners use bare concrete as their preferred garage flooring. But as the flooring material for a garage, bare concrete has its limitations and it does not respond well to many of the threats that are present on garage floors.
What are these threats and how does a bare concrete floor handle them?
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The threat of impact and overloading
Garage floors are designed to bear a certain amount of weight. Loading it with a vehicle or other load beyond its load limit will strain the floor and cause it to crack. Additionally, concrete floors are easily damaged by the impact of heavy tools falling on them as well as the traction of car tires.
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The threat of rapid extreme temperature changes
Concrete floors react adversely to temperature changes. They soak in and retain moisture. That retained water freezes and thaws with seasonal temperature changes, leading to micro-cracks inside the concrete. This is why the floor becomes brittle over time.
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Threat of corrosion
Concrete is highly susceptible to corrosion. And in a garage, there are many materials that pose a threat of corrosion like road salt, chemicals, and substances that are used in the service and maintenance of vehicles.
If this is the case with bare concrete floors, then what is the best flooring for a garage floor?
The best protection for a garage floor is an epoxy coating over the bare concrete floor, suggests the Income Realty Team. An epoxy coating will make the floor completely resistant to the problems associated with using bare concrete floors in a garage. An epoxy coating extends the capabilities of a concrete floor.
So what is epoxy garage floor coating and why is it best for your garage floor?
What is garage floor epoxy coating?
An epoxy floor coating is a glass-like, ultra-hardened surface that is layered over the concrete floor of a garage. It is the product of mixing epoxide resin, polyamine hardener, and other additives. This mixture results in a stable and durable material that is capable of sealing a garage floor and protecting it against all threats. Epoxy floor coating is often confused with epoxy paint. But epoxy paint is only acrylic paint with a little epoxy added to make it more durable.
The benefits of garage floor epoxy coating
1. Increased tensile strength
Coating the concrete floor in a garage with epoxy will more than triple its ability to hold weight. A concrete floor with a maximum load limit of 3,000 pounds per square inch will comfortably hold a load of 10,000 pounds per square inch if it is reinforced with an epoxy coating.
2. Shock-resistant
Epoxy floors are resistant to impact; they will retain their appearance in spite of abuse. The floor will not be damaged by heavy tools or machinery dropping on it. Unlike concrete floors, it will not be worn out by traction from vehicle tires.
3. Heat-resistant
Standard epoxy floors will resist temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. And high-grade epoxy will withstand higher levels of heat. The heat resistance of an epoxy floor can be enhanced even further by using phosphorus-containing epoxides. Heat resistance is a desirable quality for garage floors because car engines emit a lot of heat.
4. Corrosion-resistance
Chemical spills on an epoxy floor can be cleaned up without worrying about damage to the floor. Not only is epoxy resistant to chemicals, but it is also impervious to substances that are commonly spilled in a garage like a brake fluid, gasoline, and oil. An epoxy floor will keep these substances from seeping through to the concrete below.
5. Water-resistant and slip-resistant
Epoxy floors are not porous; they do not have pores that water can flow into. There is no danger of the underlying concrete getting damaged by freeze-thaw cycles because the epoxy coating seals it in and prevents contact with atmospheric moisture. Epoxy floors can be made slip-resistant by adding slip-resistant aggregate to the mixture during installation.
6. Long-lasting and cost-effective
Epoxy floors have a longer lifespan than tile, wood, or most materials used as flooring. Its long lifespan is partly due to epoxy’s ability to resist and withstand the threats that would damage or weaken other floors. The longevity of epoxy means the floor will not need to be redone soon and that makes it cost-effective.
7. Enhanced appearance
Epoxy has a glass-like veneer that looks deceptively fragile. It can be embedded with pictures, logos, graphics, and other kinds of designs. Epoxy is also highly reflective and can help make a garage brighter and safer. Overall, an epoxy floor coating will make your garage beautiful.
8. Easy to maintain
Epoxy reduces the amount of work needed to maintain a garage. Epoxy has a shiny and smooth surface that is easy to clean with a broom, mop, or vacuum cleaner. And because it seals in the concrete floor, it reduces the amount of dust that is generated in the garage, making the garage environment healthier.
There you have it, the benefits of an epoxy garage floor.
