Bare concrete garage floors are prone to cracking under heavy loads and harsh conditions. This can lead to expensive repairs or even structural damage in extreme cases.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to protect your valuable vehicles and equipment with a high-quality floor coating. The costs can vary, but professional installation is always worth the investment for a number of key reasons. Visit Website to learn more about durable floor coating options.
Durability
Concrete is one of the most durable flooring materials available, and garage floors are no exception. They can withstand heavy loads and vehicle traffic, impact damage from dropped tools or equipment, and even resist moisture and staining. They also require minimal maintenance, which is appealing to homeowners who want a functional and attractive space with less time-consuming chores.
Bare concrete floors can be vulnerable to cracking and other damage, particularly in areas with poor drainage and exposure to extreme temperatures. While repairing or patching these issues can be a short-term solution, a better option is to invest in a garage floor coating. A professionally-installed epoxy or polyurea coating is a long-term solution that will protect your garage floor from damage and extend its lifespan.
A reputable and experienced commercial concrete contractor can provide a variety of coating options to meet your needs and budget, from simple epoxy to elegantly-polished surfaces. In general, epoxy costs $3-12 per square foot compared to $10-18 for polished concrete, and both can be stain resistant with regular sweeping and mopping.
Another advantage of a garage floor coating is that it offers superior traction and prevents slips and falls, making your garage a safer space for everyone in the family. Additionally, it can improve ventilation and reduce moisture in the garage, which is great for preventing mold and mildew growth.
Concrete garage floors are a smart investment for your home, allowing you to use the space for more than just storing vehicles or equipment. They can serve as a workshop, playroom, gym, or home office, and are a good choice for those who like to work on cars or other mechanical projects.
Easy Maintenance
Concrete is one of the most durable materials available. It can withstand massive amounts of weight and resist impacts and chemicals without damage or discoloration. Unfortunately, this strength can make it difficult to maintain a pretty garage floor in the face of heavy usage.
The biggest issue is oil stains. While the floor may look nice when dry, these stains create a health hazard and can be abrasive on tires. Fortunately, the solution is relatively simple. Cover the stain with sawdust, kitty litter, or a dedicated absorbent material product to soak it up for several hours. Then, sweep it away with a push broom or vacuum it off.
For other stains, you can use laundry detergent, baking soda, or a specially-designed grease and soap scum remover. Once the stains have been removed, pressure wash the floor to create a fresh new appearance.
A high-quality garage floor coating can also help prevent stains and make them easier to clean. At ICS Coatings, we offer polyurea garage floor coatings that are made of high-performance materials and formulated for extreme durability. Polyurea is a much more long-lasting option than epoxy, and it resists impact damage, abrasions, UV damage, and staining.
With a variety of design options and colors, you can easily choose a finish that matches your decor preferences and will complement the overall aesthetic of your garage. The pearlescent metallic system, for example, offers a flowing, luxurious look that stands up to tough wear and tear. Or, you can go with a solid color that will add a modern, finished appearance to your garage. Finally, we can even broadcast colored vinyl flakes across the surface to provide a granite-like texture that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration slip requirements.
Aesthetics
A garage is often viewed as utilitarian space for cars and tools, but with thoughtful design, it can become an attractive extension of the home. Stylish floor coatings like epoxy and polyurea allow homeowners to customize their garage floors with a wide range of patterns, colors, and textures that complement the rest of their home decor.
Stencils and other decorative elements are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be placed before the concrete overlay or staining process to incorporate these patterns into the final look. This can make for a more unique and eye-catching garage flooring solution, and also adds functionality by making it easier to clean the floor without damaging the underlying materials.
Unlike unfinished concrete, coated garage floors are non-porous and resist liquids that can stain the concrete underneath. This eliminates the need for harsh cleaning chemicals and makes sweeping and mopping much easier. This can save homeowners time and money over the long-term.
Many homeowners worry that garage upgrades will disrupt daily activities, but this isn’t always the case. Professional garage floor contractors can install high-performance floor coatings in a relatively short period of time, usually allowing foot traffic and vehicles to return within 24 to 48 hours after the application.
Whether you opt for a classic concrete paint or a more modern option like polyaspartic floor coating, the result will be a beautiful and durable garage floor that looks new for years to come. A good floor coating will even minimize the visibility of dirt and grime, thanks to its reflective properties and the use of decorative flakes. Look for options that are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), to ensure you’re making a choice that’s safe for your family and the environment.
Energy Efficiency
Bare concrete floors are prone to unsightly oil and grease spills, which not only leave unattractive stains, but can also seep into the porous surface. This erodes the concrete over time, increasing the risk of premature replacement and leaving behind an unpleasant odor. Professionally applied garage floor coatings provide a protective barrier against such stains, helping homeowners avoid expensive repairs and maintaining a clean, safe space for their vehicles.
A well-done concrete flooring system isn’t only durable, but offers an aesthetic that can dramatically improve the appearance of your home’s garage. This can help boost your property’s curb appeal, potentially increasing its value. Additionally, a professionally installed flooring system is much more energy efficient than other types of garage floor materials. This helps keep your garage warmer during Boise winters, making it a more comfortable working space and less of a burden on your heating bill.
While bare concrete may have a utilitarian look, modern coatings are highly customizable. They can be stamped, colored, or even polished to create a stylish, sophisticated look. This helps you customize your garage to fit your needs, creating a space you’re proud of and enjoy spending time in.
In addition to improving your garage’s appearance, a professionally applied concrete coating is moisture-resistant, shielding your floor against damage caused by heavy rain and high humidity. This protection is a critical factor for areas prone to snow and ice, as the salt used to melt it can wreak havoc on concrete floors. This ensures your garage is safe and dependable year-round.
Value
Concrete is the standard flooring material for garages, but it doesn’t necessarily provide the best value. Unless coated with a durable, high-performance material like epoxy or polyurea, it’s susceptible to chipping, pitting, cracking, and other damage caused by heavy vehicles and tools. Coatings — especially fast-curing options like polyaspartic — offer a tough barrier that protects the concrete floor and extends its lifespan, saving homeowners money on costly repairs and replacements.
Bare concrete is also prone to staining from automotive fluids, which seep into the porous surface and leave unsightly marks that are difficult to remove. This not only looks bad, but it can also create a health and safety hazard for drivers and their passengers. A suspended floor, on the other hand, relying on beams and supports rather than the ground for support, offers a more resilient, safe option for vehicle and equipment storage and use. Additionally, a suspended garage floor is easier to heat in cold weather, which can help keep the space comfortable all year round.
While it might seem counterintuitive, a higher-end concrete garage floor can actually add to your home’s resale value. This is because it provides an attractive, functional upgrade that makes the space more attractive and easier to maintain.
The initial cost of concrete floor coatings may be a little more expensive than a basic tile system or traditional concrete, but it’s important to consider the entire project budget — including the upfront and ongoing costs of materials, professional installation, maintenance, and repair. It’s also worth considering whether you could save money in the long run by tackling a DIY project rather than enlisting a contractor. However, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of a DIY project against the complexity of your chosen materials, and the risk of error that can impact durability.