The Benefits of Garage Floor Epoxy
Garage floor epoxy is a protective coating that can add beauty and functionality to your garage or room. Epoxy is resistant to chemicals, water, shock, and stains.
A quality epoxy system includes a primer, color coat, decorative color flakes, and a clear coat. Choose from a variety of flakes including blended, brindle, or metallic. Read on to learn more.
Long-Lasting
Unlike garage floor paint that chips, peels, fades and yellows, an epoxy coating lasts much longer. It is resistant to chemicals, shock, and stains and can withstand the abrasion of rolling toolboxes, jacks, and cars. Slip resistance additives can be included in the final coat for safety, to help prevent the slickness and accidents that sometimes occur on uncoated concrete surfaces.
A high-performance topcoat locks in color flakes and gloss and protects the entire epoxy flooring system. Commercial quality epoxy floors can last for ten to twenty years on a garage floor.
The cost of a professional garage floor epoxy can vary depending on how many coats are required, how much color flake is added, and whether a clear coat will be used. Choosing a higher-quality product can save you time and money in the long run. Avoid the heartache of poorly-performing flooring by taking the time to research your options. Remember: You really do get what you pay for.
Chemical-Resistant
Epoxy is chemical resistant, meaning that it can hold up to oil, gasoline, and many other chemicals. This helps keep your garage clean and protects your garage floor from damage or stains.
Additionally, epoxy is impact resistant. This means dropped tools, metal-wheeled toolboxes, and even heavy free weights (if you use your garage as a gym) do not chip or otherwise damage epoxy floors like they would on concrete.
The acid resistance of epoxy is very important as it protects your floor from corrosion caused by caustic chemicals and acids. The ArmorGarage acid-resistant epoxies we use (Novolac epoxies) can resist hundreds of different chemicals and acids and are superior to standard-type solid or water-based epoxies.
Easy to Clean
Few floor coatings have the same resistance to abrasions, physical impact, and chemicals as epoxy. Even car-related chemical spills, such as oil or antifreeze, can be cleaned up quickly and without issue.
To keep your garage floors clean and free of dirt, debris, and stains, you should sweep them daily and mop them at least once every other day. This will prevent dirt buildup and help you catch any problems before they become bigger issues.
If there are large stains or spots that won’t budge with warm water, use a concrete degreaser such as Simple Green. Just be sure to only use approved cleaners for your garage floor epoxy. Other cleaners can leave a film or de-gloss the finish and may require more frequent cleaning. If you have any questions about your cleaning routine or what kind of cleaner is best for your floors, speak with a professional contractor that knows epoxy flooring. They can give you specific tips to help your floors stay as clean as possible for as long as they last.
Easy to Maintain
Epoxy garage floors are resistant to a wide range of chemicals. However, some can cause physical changes or odors in the floor coating if not cleaned immediately. To prevent this, you should keep a neutralizing agent nearby and always wash chemical spills with water first.
In addition, some cleaners can leave a hazy film on the epoxy flooring, which attracts dirt and makes it slippery when wet. To avoid this, you should only use non-toxic and non-abrasive cleaners on the floor. Simple Green, for example, works well to clean grease and oil on an epoxy floor.
The best way to ensure your floor looks its best is to get it professionally cleaned on a regular basis. While it may seem like a hassle, this is the best way to minimize damage and avoid costly repairs or replacements down the road. It’s also the quickest and most cost-effective solution. A professional can do the work in about five days, which means you only have to take your vehicles and items somewhere else for a few days. Next blog post.