FAQs About Epoxy Garage Floors

14 June 2023

What are the benefits of epoxy garage floors? You're ready to redo your garage floor. But you're not sure which coating is the best option. Before you start your next home improvement project, take a look at what you need to know about garage floors, epoxy coatings, and the professional installation process.

What Is An Epoxy Floor?

This type of garage floor is made from a thermosetting (heat-setting) resin with a hardener on top. Epoxy is a coating that won't take the place of the subfloor. Instead, the resin and hardener will sit on a specially-prepared concrete floor. But don't worry about the resin slipping or the coating shifting away from the concrete. The installation process allows the epoxy materials to bond with the underlying concrete, creating a strong, durable floor.

Why Choose This Type of Garage Floor?

Epoxy is a popular material used for residential and commercial garage floor applications. If you're considering this type of flooring finish, the top benefits of epoxy coatings include:

• The look. An epoxy floor has a smooth, almost reflective surface that stands out from the typical plain concrete floor. If you use your garage for more than just storage, epoxy can add a designer look to the room's aesthetics.
• The choices. There isn't one standard type of epoxy floor. You can choose from a variety of finishes, colors, and glosses. This allows you to create a one-of-a-kind floor in your garage.
• The durability. These floors are highly durable, making them the perfect choice for a garage. You can drive over the floor or haul tools and other household equipment across it without worrying that it will fall apart.

Along with these benefits, epoxy flooring is easy to keep clean. This is important in a garage environment—where oil and other potentially staining materials are present.

How Should You Install Epoxy Coatings In Your Garage?

The short answer to this question is—you shouldn't. This doesn't mean you should stay away from epoxy floors as a choice for your garage. Again, this material has an impressive aesthetic, is available in a variety of color options, is highly durable, and is easy to clean. But it isn't something that you should install yourself.

Only a qualified professional should install this type of floor or use epoxy coatings. The benefits of a professional installation include:

• Safety. The pro knows how to work with resin, hardener, and chemicals necessary to make this type of floor shine.
• Aesthetics. A professionally installed epoxy floor has a professional finish. This means your floor is more likely to look the way you imagined it would.
• Warranty. Some manufacturers require professional installation to validate a product warranty.

If you're not sure which professional to choose, ask your would-be potential contractor for references and photos of past work. These can help you to decide if the contractor is the best choice for your next garage improvement project. For more information on epoxy garage floors, contact a professional near you.