The right floor coating will provide a polished look and long-lasting durability. It will also protect your garage floor from water, chemicals, and shock, making it easy to clean.
There are many options available for garage floor coatings, including epoxy resin, polyurea, and polyaspartic. These are highly durable products that can transform a concrete slab into a showroom-worthy space. Read on to know more.
Epoxy
If you are on a tight budget, Kilz’s concrete floor paint is an inexpensive option. It comes in slate or silver gray and requires less preparation than epoxy. However, it is not nearly as durable and will likely scratch and chip easily. Chemical spills, hot tires, and abrasion won’t damage it, but it may lose its shine with time.
Epoxy is a tough polymer that can withstand spills, scratches, and abrasion. Home mechanics love it because chemicals like brake fluid, oil, and antifreeze won’t stain or penetrate the surface. The coating also resists staining from acidic products and is easy to clean with a mild cleaning solution or soap and water. The shiny surface also reflects light, which is especially helpful in garage spaces or rooms with low lighting.
A major drawback of epoxy is that it can take days to fully cure. During this time, you must remove your cars from the garage and stay out of the space until it is dry.
Polyurea
Polyurea is a great option if you want your floor coating to be resistant to chemicals. It also helps keep oil and other fluids from staining the concrete. It is also very durable and can withstand the pressure of cars driving over it.
It has superior wetting ability, meaning it penetrates the concrete better and is more resilient than epoxies. Additionally, it doesn’t change color when exposed to sunlight like epoxies can and is UV-resistant.
Another great feature of Nohr-S is that it doesn’t require separate Part A and Part B components. This eliminates the primary causes of cosmetic application errors and reduces the anxiety associated with applying high-performance garage floor coatings. It also dries fast and is odorless, making it safer to work in than epoxy. It can be walked on within seconds and can support the weight of vehicles after only 24 hours, making it ideal for time-sensitive projects. It is also extremely durable and can last for 15 years without the need for replacement.
BEHR Premium Wet-Look Sealer
The low gloss of this concrete sealer creates a sleek look perfect for garage floors. It resists damage from water, de-icing salt, and harsh UV rays. It also prevents the growth of mildew and mold, which are common in damp garages.
Like other garage floor coatings, this product must be applied to a clean, dry surface. The surface should be etched before application to improve adhesion and ensure proper curing.
Once the concrete is properly prepared, apply a single thin coat using either a nylon-polyester brush, 1/4″-3/8″ nap roller cover, or high-quality pad applicator. Allow to dry for 72 hours before allowing vehicular traffic. Reapply as needed. This concrete, brick, and masonry sealer is water-based, which makes it safer to use than solvent-based alternatives. It is also shelf-stable, which means it can be stored for future touchups and recoats. A quick test will reveal whether the concrete is porous enough to accept this sealer.
Kilz
Garage floors are among the hardest-working surfaces in a home, exposed to hot tires and spilled chemicals on a daily basis. It is important to protect this working surface with an affordable coating that can stand up to the wear and tear of everyday life.
Floor paints are one of the most popular options for homeowners who want to give their bare concrete a fresh new look, but they don’t offer the same level of protection as polyaspartic or epoxy. The most common type of floor paint is acrylic paint which is water-based, produces little to no fumes, and dries quickly.
A more durable option is a polyaspartic garage floor coating that is applied by trained pros with special equipment to ensure long-lasting flooring protection for your garage. This high-performance coating penetrates deeper into the concrete to create a stronger foundational bond that resists water, chemicals, and other damaging elements. This hard, thick coating also withstands impact and abrasion damage, as well as the permanent markings caused by hot tires. Discover more interesting articles.
