Why you should use Epoxy for your garage floor coating
Why you should use Epoxy for your garage floor coating
Garage floors are one of the most utilised surfaces in any space, either at home or at the office. Garage floors need to be able to take a beating. They get trodden on constantly, driven on endlessly, stored on continually and leaked on repeatedly, meaning they need to be functional and safe for those walking on them.
Garage floors need to be hardy so they can withstand all the contact that they’ll most likely have to endure on a daily basis. The last thing you need is a garage floor that cracks, chips or get worn down easily. Not only is this inconvenient but it may be a safety hazard as well as affect productivity within a workspace.
Not only do garage floors need to be tough, functional and safe, they also need to look good. A lot of the time, garages are front and centre to properties and are the first thing people see when entering that property, so they need to look the part too.
You’ve most likely looked at so many options and struggled to decide which garage floor coating is best for your space. Well, there’s good news. There is a floor coating system that will meet all of your flooring needs, it’s epoxy.
What is epoxy flooring?
Epoxy is a synthetic material that is extremely durable, sturdy and versatile. Epoxy “systems” use a blend of resins and hardeners, that when mixed, chemically react to form a hard and durable plastic material. Epoxy bonds well to any base layer, including old concrete, resulting in a strong, resistant and hard-wearing surface. Epoxy flooring is ideal for industrial and commercial settings, as well as residential spaces.
So, why choose a garage floor epoxy system? Here’s why:
- Resistance
Epoxy is resistant to just about everything like oil, gasoline, bleach, transmission fluid, cleansers and more. This is why epoxy floor systems are so popular in garages and within the automotive industry. Epoxy floor coating can bear chemical spills and cleaners without any negative effects on the coating and are heat and water-resistant as well.
- Aesthetic versatility
Epoxy comes in a variety of colours and patterns, and once applied gives an elegant shine to a floor. Traditional or more vibrant designs can be created; colour flake chips in a variety of colours add texture to an epoxy floor, giving the space a unique feel. Branding can also be added to commercial space as a form of advertising; logos, photos or writing can be embedded into your garage floor.
- Durability
Well known for their durability, epoxy floor coatings have a longer lifespan than most other floor types. Concrete is the only material that lasts longer, however concrete needs to be properly sealed and maintained. Epoxy floor coatings cover concrete floors anyways and make them exceptionally durable.
- Safety
Its abrasion, chemical, heat, slip, impact and static-resistant making it one of the most versatile and practical materials on the market. Whatever your need is, there’s a type of epoxy for it.
Another lesser-known safety advantage is that it enhances visibility inside the garage by reflecting light off the floor.
- Endurance
Epoxy coating lasts longer than most types of flooring. When installed properly, it can last for several decades without cracking or peeling. It’s durability and long lifespan make it common in commercial and industrial spaces.
- Easy to maintain
This smooth even surface is also very easy to clean and maintain. Not much sticks to epoxy flooring, so cleaning up a mess is fairly easy.
- Protective
Epoxy flooring acts as a protective layer, protecting the underlying concrete from moisture, stains, grease and cracks. In the long run, this can save you a great deal on cleaning and maintenance costs, by eliminating the need to regularly clean carpet or grout. It’s also very reasonably priced for the length and level of protection that it offers over its lifespan.
- Saves time
Epoxy is hugely popular as a garage floor coating because it has shorter curing and drying time when compared to other floor coatings. Your garage space can be used shortly after installation which means less downtime. Instead of a urethane coating, go for an epoxy floor coating to save you some time.
- Prevents concrete dusting
Chalking and powdering of cement floors is a common occurrence in regularly used spaces. An epoxy floor coating will prevent concrete dusting, keeping your garage floor looking great.
Not all that glitters is gold. There are a few downsides to epoxy floor coating systems that you should consider before making a decision, namely:
Preparation
Getting the existing floor ready for applying epoxy can be tedious; a large amount of effort goes into it too. The concrete floor has to be clean and free of any pollutants like grease, oil or solvents before the epoxy floor coating is applied. If applied onto concrete, cracks will need to be filled as well.
The good news is that if you engage a professional floor coating provider, they’ll do all of the preparation for you.
Fumes
Wet epoxy has strong fumes. Darker shades of epoxy have more hardeners than the lighter shades; they have a tendency of having an ammonia smell after applying.
Moisture
Epoxy doesn’t breathe once it cures, meaning that any moisture trapped below the surface can be a problem as it evaporates. It may lead to the need for repair or refinishing down the track, as bubbling or buckling in the flooring material may occur in some cases.
Now that you know the pros and cons of garage floor epoxy systems, you’ll be better prepared to make an informed decision. If you’re looking for Sydney epoxy flooring experts, get in touch with Sydney Innovative Floor Tech today. We provide the highest quality epoxy floors at the best rates.
Our team of experts can do it all, we will undertake the design, surface preparation and installation of an epoxy floor within your garage.
We have a range of solid colours, flake systems and marble effects to choose from. We can also embed logos, photos or writing into your garage floor, as well as install both graffiti walls and floors.
For more info Call Sydney Epoxy Flooring on 1300 621 873 or visit: www.sydepoxyflooring.com.au today.
