A garage can be a place to park a car, store tools and other equipment, workshop, the base of a home business or even an entertainment center. It’s important that your garage floor is properly maintained to protect it from wear and tear which will help keep up its appearance or transform from a utilitarian concrete slab into an inviting space you want to spend time in. . Several options exist for garage flooring materials such as epoxy, paint or sealers and new options with greater durability like 100% Pure Polyurea and the Penntek Evolution flooring system.

If you’re looking to upgrade your garage floor, consider these 6 things when making a choice.

1. How will it improve the look of my garage?

Adding a durable concrete coating to your garage floor provides an instant improvement in appearance over a stained or dirty ugly concrete floor. Many color options are available to match the cabinets in your garage, your favorite sports cars, or options to blend in with the existing colors of your home’s exterior.  Flake systems have been very popular and come in a variety of colors. These systems provide a more natural feel to your floor will hide many imperfections in the concrete that you will be coating.  In addition, they are easy to clean and virtually maintenance free.

2. How long will it last?

Epoxy coatings normally last from 2-5 years while Polyurea coatings can last over 15 years depending on the quality of the product and the level of preparation done before installation. A high-quality coating should stand up to oil, gas and antifreeze as well as snow and ice melt from the roads.

3. Will it add value to my home?

Adding a concrete coating to your garage floor can add value to your home. Be sure to check with your insurer for coverage, as you may need an upgraded homeowner’s insurance policy if you are putting down a premium coating like the Penntek Evolution System in your garage. Having a premium garage floor will also allow your home to stand out from the crowd when buyers are looking at what home to purchase.

4. What kind of Warranty is available?

Most epoxy dealers offer no warranty or a simple 1-2 year warranty in cold weather climate areas like Spokane and Coeur d’Alene where the weather is harsh and freeze thaw cycles are guaranteed to occur yearly. Epoxy keeps curing year after year so as it continues to harden, the movement of the concrete below eventually forces the coating to break free causing peeling, chipping and ultimately failure of the epoxy coating. Polyurea coatings are 10 times more flexible than Epoxy and fully cure after 48 hours so the bond they make stays the same over many years. In addition, Polyurea coatings make a chemical bond with the concrete that is much stronger than the mechanical bond an epoxy floor makes with the concrete. For this reason, our Croc Floors made with Polyurea and the Penntek Evolution Flooring System offer a 15 year manufacturer’s warranty.

5. How much does it cost?

A simple Epoxy system can cost as little as $3-6 per square foot while a high end 100% Polyurea system like the Penntek Evolution costs a bit more at around $7-9 per square foot.  Some contractors are offering Polyaspartic basecoats and claiming to use Polyurea. This is a less expensive option however Polyaspartic basecoats are known to fail in 3-4 years due to the breakdown caused by Alkaline in the concrete that attacks the Polyaspartic ester, weakening the covalent bond over time that adheres to the concrete.  For this reason, we only use a 100% Pure Polyurea basecoat on all floors we install.  Regardless of which material you choose, the price with each flooring system can vary widely depending on the amount and types of repairs that need to be applied to your existing floor, any removal of existing coatings and extras like coating the vertical foundation edges and stairs into your home.  This is a long term investment and you must consider the overall value of your home and the longevity of the coating system that is going to protect your floor from daily usage.

6. Can I install it myself?

While you can install a concrete coating yourself, we do not recommend it with Polyurea systems due to the quick cure times and precise measurements needed to mix the chemicals. In addition, professional preparation is key to success for proper adherence of your new floor. The floors must be prepared by using industrial grinders that open the pores of the concrete and create a CSP (Concrete Surface Profile) between 3-4. The hydrostatic moisture content of the concrete must also be measured and monitored using digital moisture meters such as a Tramex CMEX5 to assure a proper chemical bond when applying Polyurea basecoats to the concrete.

The bottom line is that upgrading your garage flooring with a quality concrete coating can add value to your home and provide easy care and daily enjoyment for a room we often overlook.

If you’re looking for a professional to install your new garage floor coating, please give us a call or schedule an online estimate today. We’d be happy to discuss the various products and services we offer in detail so you can make an informed decision on what’s right for your project.

Financing

Explore our payment plans like 12 months same as cash that aim to make your project as affordable as possible.