Orange County homeowners love epoxy garage floors. The benefits of epoxy garage floor coatings make them appealing to homeowners all over the county. Here are six reasons to love a coated floor.
Durability and Longevity
Epoxy garage floor coatings create a tough, resilient surface that withstands heavy traffic, dropped tools, and vehicle weight without chipping or cracking. Unlike bare concrete, which deteriorates over time, epoxy coatings resist wear and extend the life of the floor. A professionally applied epoxy garage floor coating typically lasts 10 to 20 years, depending on several factors:
Quality of Materials Used
Different coating systems offer different lifespans. The products used by pros like Crank Waterproofing, Decking, and Roofing last longer.
- Water-Based epoxy garage floor coatings offer the shortest lifespan. These products for DIY’ers last about 3-5 years.
- 100% Solids Epoxy coatings provide a durable floor coating and are favored by professionals. Expect these to last 12-20 years with proper care.
- Hybrid Systems combine an epoxy coating with a polyurethane/polyaspartic topcoat and provide protection for 15 to 20 years.
Surface Preparation
Pros understand the need for careful surface preparation. Concrete grinding or shot blasting before application ensures better adhesion and longevity. Applying epoxy coatings over poorly prepped surfaces such as those that are oil-stained or unetched leads to premature peeling.
Garage Usage and Wear
How you use your garage impacts the life of your garage floor coating. With light residential use such as vehicle parking, storage, and occasional projects, expect your epoxy coating to last from 15 to 20 years. Commercial garages subject to mechanical work, tool drops, frequent traffic, and tire heat from high-performance vehicles lower the life to 10 to 15 years.
Exposure to Ultraviolet Light and Chemicals
Epoxy garage floor coatings require a proper topcoat to prevent yellowing and degradation from UV light. can cause yellowing and degradation if not properly top-coated.
Chemical and Stain Resistance
Garage floors are prone to spills from oil, gasoline, antifreeze, and household chemicals benefit from garage floor coatings. Epoxy garage floor coatings provide a smooth, non-porous surface resistant to stains. This makes clean-up effortless and prevents permanent damage to the concrete. While epoxy coatings offer high chemical resistance, automotive fluids degrade the surface if left unattended. Spills of the following fluids require prompt cleaning to avoid long-term damage.
- Brake fluid contains glycol-based compounds that soften and break down epoxy. Clean up spills immediately with a shop towel and mild degreaser.
- Gasoline contains solvents that slowly eat away at epoxy’s topcoat if left. Wipe up spills quickly and wash the area with mild detergent.
- Motor oil can leave stubborn stains if absorbed into surface imperfections. Use a degreaser or kitty litter to absorb fresh spills before cleaning.
- Antifreeze and coolant contain ethylene glycol, which leaves sticky, hard-to-clean stains. Mop up immediately.
- Transmission fluid contains petroleum-based and synthetic additives that cause staining and slow degradation. Clean spills up immediately with a degreaser and a soft brush.
- Battery acid contains sulfuric acid that etches and eats through epoxy coatings. If spilled, neutralize immediately with baking soda, then rinse thoroughly.
Enhanced Safety
Many epoxy garage floor coatings offer anti-slip additives, improving traction and reducing the risk of slips and falls. Additionally, epoxy’s high-gloss finish reflects light, improving visibility in the garage.
Epoxy coatings give your garage floor the dealership treatment
Aesthetic Appeal
Epoxy coatings come in a mesmerizing array of vibrant hues, metallic finishes, and decorative flakes. The variety allows homeowners to customize their garage floors to match their style. A sleek, professional-looking floor increases home value and creates a more inviting space.
Easy Maintenance
With epoxy, garage floors become seamless and easy to clean—no more scrubbing stains from porous concrete! Dust, dirt, and spills can be quickly wiped away with a mop or hose, keeping the space looking pristine with minimal effort.
Enhanced Value
An epoxy-coated garage floor enhances marketability and could lead to a faster sale. So, while an epoxy garage floor may not always increase the home’s appraised value dollar for dollar, it makes the home more desirable and easier to sell. It serves as a key differentiator from other homes. When other homes offer a plain or stained concrete floor, the epoxy-coated garage floor stands out as a premium feature. And when buyers compare multiple homes, a clean, polished garage leaves a lasting impression.
If two homes are similar in price, the one with an upgraded garage may tip the scale for buyers.
The Pros that Know Epoxy Garage Floor Coatings
Ready for a fresh, clean garage floor this Spring? Get a free estimate for application of epoxy garage floor coatings from Crank Waterproofing, Decking, and Roofing. Garage floor coatings cost much less than you think and offer many benefits.
