Garage floor coatings can turn a drab garage into a functional space that you want to use. The right concrete coatings add stain and chemical resistance while making your concrete surfaces easier to keep clean.
In this post, the Global Garage of Central Texas team goes through your options for coated floors. Our team looks at the garage floor coatings in Austin that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Things to Consider When Looking for a Garage Floor Coating
Before we look at the types of coatings, let’s go through two important considerations.
What Functionality Do You Require?
This may seem obvious, but there is a difference between flooring that will be durable enough to drive over and materials that can take a beating from heavy machinery. A painted floor would not hold up well under such conditions but may work for someone with one car they seldom drive.
Another example determining whether you need a floor to hide stains or one with a highly reflective capacity. You might want a floor that won’t show grease marks quickly. However, what if the garage is a dark, small space? Then it may be more important to use a reflective, light surface to brighten the space.
You need to decide upfront how much of the following you require:
- Durability: How soon do you want to have to replace the flooring? Do you have the budget to refinish it every few years or do you want it to last for many years instead?
- Impact-resistance: Are you likely to drop tools or other items on the floor? Will you need to move heavy machinery across it? If so, paint is not going to be a good option.
- UV protection: How much of the garage receives direct sunlight? If several spaces do, plain epoxy without a UV-protectant is going to yellow over time.
- General protection: Do you need a tough surface that will withstand much abuse? If so, it might pay to invest in a polyaspartic topcoat in conjunction with your flooring choice.
- Chemical resistance: Are there likely to be messy spills of caustic chemicals like acids? If so, can your chosen flooring handle these? Metal, for example, may corrode if you expose it to the wrong chemicals.
- Traction: Is safety a factor? How much traction do you need to keep drivers and their vehicles safe?
- Brightness: Do you need bright garage floor coatings to make a small, dingy space look bigger, or a dark floor to make a cavernous space look cozier?
What Look Do You Wish to Achieve?
Now we get to the fun part — the look you wish to achieve. You probably already have some ideas in mind, so now’s the time to quantify them and start looking for examples of your desired aesthetic.
Do you need something contemporary or more retro? Do you like gleaming chrome or elegant marble? Are you wanting something quick and easy like rubber flooring without worrying about the rest?
If you are unsure, you are welcome to contact our team for further advice.
Types of Garage Floor Coatings
Epoxy & Polyaspartic
Epoxy garage floor coatings are a classic option that suits many purposes. With the latest formulations, like polyurea and polyaspartic topcoats, you are looking at flooring that will last for 10 to 15 years or longer in a residential garage.
Polyaspartic coatings contain UV protectants, negating any issues with sun exposure and further enhancing the tensile strength of the floor. The entire installation process takes a day, with the garage being move-in ready within 24 hours.
The upside is that the style options are almost limitless thanks to the number of additives you can select. However, you must invest in professional installation to achieve maximum benefit.
Paint
Paint is a quick and easy option if you have a limited budget. You can use opaque latex or oil paint to cover a multitude of stains and impart a non-slip finish to the floor. The upside is that you can easily paint the floor at the weekend and start to park your car a couple of days later.
The downside is that it is difficult to achieve a smooth finish, so you will likely see the brush strokes. More importantly, however, paint is a surface treatment, meaning it will flake, chip, and peel away.
In a high-traffic environment, you have about a year to two of use before you have to scrape the floor and start again.
Mats
Floor mats are an easy option if you need a quick solution. Select between PVC plastic or rubber in a range of textures, colors, and sizes. You simply lay the mats and your floor is ready.
The upside is that they’re inexpensive and require little effort to install. The downside is that they have a limited shelf-life and will show signs of wear and tear quickly.
Metal Plates
Metal plates are an aesthetically pleasing, hardwearing option. They look amazing if you want a chrome finish overall. The upside is that they look impressive and will last for many years. The downside is that they mark up easily and may corrode if you spill chemicals on them. Dirt can also get caught in the seams, leaving them looking grubby.
Get a Free Quote for Garage Floor Coatings in Austin, TX
If you’re looking to enhance the durability, functionality, and appearance of your garage flooring, we highly recommend an epoxy or polysaspartic coating. Contact Global Garage Of Central Texas at (512) 957-6982 for your free estimate for garage floor coatings today!
