GARAGE COATINGS

Garage coatings have become very popular among homeowners as a way of improving the visual appearance of the garage.  Possible the main reason for the popularity is that most garages are being redesigned into workshops, play areas, craft rooms and home offices, today, the garage isn’t just for parking the family care or storing unused items.  However, even though more and more garages are being transformed for other uses, they are after all garages and therefore need coatings that are resistant to oil, dirt, water and grease. 

The most popular forms of garage coatings are usually epoxy products that bond to the cement floor.  When these products dry, they usually have a ceramic-like finish.  Epoxy coatings are also oil, dirt, water and grease resistant.  Epoxy coatings consists of a two liquid emulsion component that when combined, become a permanent sealant or protective finish.

Another reason for the popularity of epoxy garage coatings is that many of these products currently on the market are designed for the do-it-yourselfer.  In addition, epoxy coatings are available in many base colors as well as add-ons.  These add-ons include color chips or quartz aggregates that can be added to the garage coatings for a speckled or granite effect that can also improve traction.  Other add-ons include stickers or decals, such as a Harley-Davidson® decal or one inspired by your favorite sports team to jazz up your garage floor.  Because garage coatings are available in a wide range of colors, textures, and looks including faux marble, wood grain, and natural stone, which makes them perfect for basements, entry ways, laundry rooms, kitchens, workshops, bathroom, pool house, and porches—and any concrete floor in your home or office.

Garage coatings add beauty to your garage floor but they also protect the concrete floor against weathering, cracking, oil, chemicals, as well as moisture.  Because these products protect the concrete flooring, they thereby extend the life of your garage floor.  Although many homeowners’ hire professionals to apply garage coatings, you should be aware that there are many products available through home improvement stores and online that you can purchase.  These products usually have low odor, and are self-priming as well as quick drying.

The garage coating kit that you purchase should come with all the necessary materials you need however, depending on the size of your garage, you may have to purchase two or more kits.  Once you have purchased your kit, your next step is carefully read the application instructions. 

NOTE:  It is extremely important to read the entire application instructions before attempting to apply any concrete coating. 

The second step is carefully clean the garage floor.  Your garage floor must be degreased, cleaned and etched, or roughed up, depending on how dirty, oily and whether or not you have to deal with moisture, this process could take as long as several days to complete.  If your concrete floor is not clean, the epoxy will not bond with the concrete properly and holes or cracks can develop.