Paint or Epoxy?
“…even the smallest garage can be transformed into an area that
projects neatness, uniformity and organization.”
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Garage floors are perhaps the most over-looked area in any home. Granted, garage floors are not the most appealing aspect to a home.
However, with the application of high quality garage floor coatings, even the smallest garage can be transformed into an area that projects neatness, uniformity and organization.
When homeowners are looking to sell their homes, they often look for inexpensive solutions that will attract the attention and interest of potential buyers.
It is estimated that over 30 billion dollars are spent each year on improvements to existing homes with the majority of the improvements completed on kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Garages are often taken for granted and rarely improved.
Garage Floor Coatings: A Popular Solution
Undoubtedly, the mere thought of applying one of many garage floor coatings to a perfectly good surface strikes fear into the hearts of even the most reasonable individual. It might also raise the eyebrows of family members and friends questioning what is considered to be “rational decision making.”
Take heart. Garage floor painting has increased in popularity and is rapidly becoming one of the most attractive features of new home construction as well as the remodeling of existing homes.
Inspect Your Garage Floor First
Before painting a garage floor, a thorough inspection must be conducted to determine the overall condition of the floor. Depending on how you use your garage, there may be oil stains, pet urine stains, cracks or small missing concrete sections. All of these issues need to be addressed before painting a garage floor.
Garage Floor Repair
For areas with significant concrete damage, repairs should be completed by a competent, qualified and experienced concrete contractor. If you are confident in your DIY skills, you may choose to tackle concrete cracks, chips, etc., but be sure to do your homework and take your time. Failure to adequately repair these areas will be visibly noticeable upon completion and will detract from the overall quality of the finished floor.
Choosing Garage Floor Coatings
Choosing the best garage floor paint or epoxy garage floor coatings can be confusing and frustrating, especially with the large selection available at local and large home improvement stores. From basic, one coat coverage, like Behr garage floor paint 1 part epoxy, to two part epoxy coatings like Behr 2 part epoxy or Rustoleum’s Epoxy Shield Garage Floor Coating, there are many choices.
Each product is formulated to produce specific results, with different finishes (matte, gloss, semi-gloss), quality, longevity, installation specifications and cost. This may seem obvious, but you don’t want to act too quickly without being aware of the pluses and minuses of each product. Compare first, then choose.
A water based latex garage floor paint is not recommended for areas with high traffic. Although somewhat effective and the least expensive, water based garage floor paint will require frequent maintenance and repainting at least every five years, depending on climate, weather conditions and the amount of vehicle traffic across the garage floor. Basic garage floor paints are great for shops but are not ideal for an active garage.
Garage Floor Cleaning
Garage floor coatings will not adhere well to areas where oil or grease has penetrated into the concrete. Before painting a garage floor, it is essential that you thoroughly clean the concrete. While there are many commercially available cleaners that will remove oil stains, some people prefer to use muriatic acid or some other acid compound.
Whatever you use, be sure to read safety instructions and wear personal protective equipment like chemically resistant gloves and eye protection. The use of a high pressure washer is also recommended for removing concrete stains, surface dirt and grime. A clean surface is critical when applying garage floor paint or epoxy.
Etching Concrete
In addition, garage floor coatings will not adhere well to a smooth, polished surface. Consequently, you may need to apply an “etching” compound before applying paint or epoxy. Etching concrete opens the concrete pours and allow for greater penetration of the paint or epoxy.
Special Tools?
Application of garage floor coatings is typically completed with tools designed for the specific brand of product selected. For the most part, you will need a scrub brush for cleaning difficult spots, a power washer if one is available (helpful but not required), a paint brush to cut in the edges, and a paint roller and roller cover for coating most of the floor.
Every brand either supplies their own tools as part of a kit, or recommends what works best for their product. Not all painting tools work well. If you want excellent results, a thorough understanding of the product is critical. This includes preparation and application procedures, drying times and ongoing care to name a few.
Summary
From garage floor paint to epoxy garage floor coatings, there are many options. Choose a product that works best for your conditions, read and follow the instructions, and enjoy the results. Don’t overlook the power of a clean, well organized garage. Kitchens and bathrooms are great, but a cool garage? That’s what I’m talking about!
WARNING: While garage floor paint and epoxy are relatively easy to apply and reasonably inexpensive, it’s hard to go back once you make this choice. Be sure youcompare your garage flooring options before deciding. There are many othergarage flooring options to consider.
Read these Tips for Painting Garage Floors
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