Epoxy Floors: The Perfect Solution for any Garage Improvement
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If you believe the garage of your floor has seen better days, then ask yourself if you are prepared to take the next step and make a flooring upgrade. Epoxy floors can provide the solution as they are designed to last, especially in areas where a dependable floor coating is a requirement.
Easier to Maintain and Clean
Epoxy for garage floors is an ideal way to protect concrete from garage-type dirt, grease and oil as well as foot traffic. When you apply epoxy to concrete, then, it merely acts as an impermeable cover over the actual concrete floor. This solution is preferred as modular installations lie above the concrete floor; therefore, moisture, dirt, oil, and grease can collect above and beneath the flooring. Epoxy flooring, on the other hand, resists oil, grease, dirt, demarcations and chemicals. As a result, the floor is easier to maintain as well as clean.
The Choice of Epoxy
All this info brings us up to the choice of epoxy. While most “epoxy” experts concur that 100% epoxy is the best choice, it may not be the top selection for homeowners. That’s because the product can start to dry and set up while you are applying it. Therefore, this type of epoxy coating is often the choice of painting professionals. Homeowners, many times, choose the solvent-based type of epoxy as it only contains around 50% epoxy content, and therefore is easier to handle. This kind of epoxy paint, too, is available in a number of hues or tints, which also adds to its popularity. However, when using this type of epoxy, make sure that the garage is ventilated well as this kind of paint emits harmful fumes.
For the Do-it-Yourselfer: Solvent-based and Water-based Epoxy Paints
Some people opt for water-based epoxy with approximately 50% solid content. This type of epoxy does not offer the same kind of coverage as the 100% and solvent-based epoxy paints and takes longer to dry. However, it also doesn’t emit the dangerous fumes like the other finishes. Choose either the solvent-based epoxy or water-based paint if you are a do-it-yourselfer.
Epoxy Cannot Be Applied to Floors with Moisture Problems
Epoxy for concrete floors is the ideal finish for garages and basements. Nevertheless, make sure that the paint isn’t applied to concrete floors that have moisture problems. Epoxy should only be applied to floors that are dry.
Prepping the Floor
Before any painting is done though, the floor must be prepped. Oil or grease spots must be removed and cracks, demarcations and holes filled in and smoothed over. Of course, if you use a 100% epoxy, you won’t have to apply as many coats as each coat is thicker than epoxies with less solid content. Usually, when using epoxies that are more diluted, you’ll need to paint the floors with at least two coats.
Clean-looking and Reliable
Epoxy floors for garages and basements are clean-looking and reliable. If you are ready to upgrade the flooring in your garage or basement, selecting an epoxy finish will keep your maintenance costs low, which, in turn, will add to the value of your property.
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