Find Better Garage Flooring
On the surface, painting your garage floor may seem like a simple, easy way to keep things looking fresh and clean. But in reality, this approach to garage flooring will waste your time and money. It wears off quickly, it can cause health risks, and it wont even look good after all your trouble.
If youd like to find a better option for garage flooring, check out the rest of our site at Garage Force. Our concrete coatings provide a custom, finished look while adding functionality to your garage. Check out our color options and start making the smarter choice for your garage floor today.
Rust Bullet For Concrete
as of November 14, 2022 10:03 pm
This product is a little pricier, as its only available through distributors or online sellers. It works great for uneven concrete floors that might require grinding with a different paint application. The paint creates an impervious shield between concrete and spilled chemicals, gasoline, and grease. Cleaning the garage floor is easy with this concrete paint. Rust Bullet sells assorted decorative flakes and non-skid options for topcoats. Its more labor intensive than some other options, with up to four coats recommended for heavy-traffic garages.
Is Polyurea A Good Decorative Option
Yes, polyurea is an excellent decorative option because you can add several pigments, flakes, and other additives. This feature allows you to customize your new garage floor in several ways.
Even if you choose the same compounds as your neighbor, we hand-cast the decorative elements. No two floors are ever precisely the same.
The unique properties of polyurea make it possible to mimic more expensive materials and several artistic effects. If you wish to have a show-stopping metallic floor with a 3-D design, we can help you achieve that look.
Finally, we protect the design with a clear coat of polyaspartic that creates more depth and enhances the final result.
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Paint Chips Turn Into Dust
If your garage always seems dusty somehow, its not because youre going crazy. Garages generate dust from a combination of dead insect material, dead skin cells, and the material that gets worn off of your concrete floors. If you have paint, you can add paint dust into that mix coating everything in your garage.
The problem is that whenever you go out into your garage, youre inhaling those microscopic particles. Your body is equipped to handle things like dust mites and dead skin cells, but its not designed to deal with acrylic paint. Inhaling acrylic paint dust could have health repercussions, especially for people with sensitive allergies or asthma.
How To Paint A Garage Floorclean And Prep The Floor
Concrete is very porous and will easily collect dirt and grime, so cleaning with a power washer or floor buffing machine is best. Do not skip this part!!! If your pressure washer will allow it, you can add a degreaser to the water as well to really get things cleaned. Allow to dry well!For those of you that do not have access to a power washer, you can use a stiff-bristled scrubbing brush and a hose with a high pressure nozzle as an alternative. You will just need to use a lot more elbow grease to really get that dirt out of there! Use either a degreaser, TSP, or laundry detergent for added cleaning power and, for extra dirty floors, allow the cleaner to sit for a few minutes before giving it a final scrubbing. Just make sure that you do not allow the cleaning solution to dry on the concrete!**NOTE: We were starting with a bare concrete floor. If you have any old paints or sealers on your floor you will need to remove this first with a chemical stripper. **
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Pay Attention To Drying Time
Latex garage floor paint dries to the touch in a matter of hours, but it is best to let it dry at least a full day before walking on the surface and a full week before driving your car on it.
- Are chemicals in concrete floor paint dangerous?
Breathing fumes from epoxy can be highly toxic, so be sure to paint in a well-ventilated space and wear protective gear and a mask.
- Is concrete floor paint expensive?
Concrete floor paint costs around $15 to $30 per gallon.
- When is the best time to apply concrete floor paint?
The durability of concrete floor paint can be affected by high humidity. So, paint during a low-humidity season to ensure long-lasting results.
Epoxy Flooring Services In Your Area
Garages are usually the least finished room in the house. The bare concrete floor is unprotected from chemicals, stains, and impact. The edges, especially if your garage floor has a stair, can start to crumble after a few years. But an epoxy floor coating can repair existing damage and prevent future deterioration.
Garage floor coating contractors start by removing surface level damage such as cracks, spalling, and stains. Then they lay an epoxy coating that binds to the concrete. This epoxy floor repels everything from car oil to road salt. It even stops the small cracks caused by temperature changes and heavy impact.
Local epoxy floor installers can customize your floor coating for your area’s climate. You can even pick between solid colors and patterned chip flakes for long-lasting protection that looks great. Type in your zip code and HomeAdvisor will connect you with prescreened garage floor coating contractors in your area.
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The Versatility Of Garage Floor Coatings
Garage floor coverings have the versatility to go with any style of décor. Looks can range from simple gray concrete with a sealer to a more complex colored base with multicolor flecks in it, offering a design similar to granite or terrazzo.
Color flakes come in a wide range of colors and are made of acrylic paint chips. This system provides an excellent wear surface that can stand up under walking and driving on, but if impact resistance is what you’re looking for, decorative quartz is the way to go. Quartz floors are multicolored aggregates thrown to refusal into 100% solids epoxy and have the impact resistance not normally found with the acrylic paint chips.
Choosing the design for your garage floor covering can be as simple as matching the color of your house or as involved as hiding any imperfections or flaws in the existing floor. Here are your options:
- Coating the existing concrete with only a sealer, any imperfections will show through.
- A colored base with the paint chips or quartz aggregate thrown down to refusal would cover any imperfections that may exist.
- If the floor has no aesthetic reasons to choose full coverage, a medium or light paint chip coverage may be chosen for additional design variations.
Why People Paint Their Garage Floors
Youve probably heard from a lot of people before that painting your garage floor is a great way to freshen up that space. After all, how hard could it be to smear some paint around on a concrete floor? Its a quick weekend project, and it can go a long way towards brightening up your space.
Some people think that paint is a cheap, effective way to seal concrete and make it look cleaner. But as well discuss in a moment, paint is actually a terrible covering for your garage floor.
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For Additional Slip Resistance
Slip resistant aggregates can be added to the finish coat to increase traction and reduce slip-fall issues. The aggregates are available in different sizes, and issues such as climate and the degree of slip resistance desired must be taken into account when choosing the proper additive. In the Southwest, for example, a 40 to 60 grit aggregate is common, while in the Midwest, a 30 grit is the preferred size. Be sure to discuss the options with your contractor and have him or her show you a sample.
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Benefits Of Garage Floor Paint
One of the benefits of latex acrylic paint is that it gives your garage floor a moderate amount of protection with a variety of colors to choose from. Starting in the $20 per gallon range, it is mold and mildew resistant, water resistant, and provides for easy cleaning of the garage floor. It is moderately resistant to most automobile fluids if it is cleaned up quickly. Be aware however that if allowed to sit, fluids like anti-freeze and oil can stain the paint, while gasoline and brake fluid can actually cause it to wrinkle and peel away.
Another added benefit of painting your garage floor is that it renders your concrete dustless. Bare concrete is always producing a fine dust that can be tracked into your home or collected on your cars and work benches. Paint will prevent the dreaded concrete dust and helps to keep from tracking this dust and dirt into your home.
One thing to consider however is that garage floor paint is not the most durable of options for your garage floor. It is susceptible to hot tire pick up and can chip. If applied properly it usually will need to be touched up or reapplied every one to two years depending on the amount of use it sees. However, if you are on a tight budget and want something other than bare concrete, then latex acrylic paint may be just what you need.
Paint Is A Low Cost Option To Enhance The Looks Of Your Garage Floor
Updated By Shea
If you are on a tight budget and looking for a cheap option to enhance the looks of your garage floor, then look no further than paint. Thats right. If your floor has become more of a distraction than an attraction, you can paint a typical two car garage floor for as little as $30 $40 in paint from your local home improvement or hardware store, plus the necessary supplies if you dont have them.
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Is Epoxy Paint Different From An Epoxy Coating
One difference between the two epoxies is that coatings cure, whereas paint dries. In addition, when 100 percent solid epoxy coatings are used, the surface becomes hard and durable, making it highly resistant to things like chemicals, abrasions, impact, oil and grease, and stains.
There are many additional differences to consider. For example, epoxy coatings are comprised of two component materials, a polyamine hardener and epoxy resin. Before coatings are applied, a professional contractor or installer must first mix the two components, unlike paint that is one part, ready to use.
From your local SUNDEK contractor
Garage Floor Paint Floor Covering On A Budget
Nothing can improve and transform the look of your garage for the least amount of money than painting your garage floor. It is one of the oldest and still very popular ways to brighten up the garage and turn that plain or ugly floor into something to be proud of, instead of something you want to hide.
Available in two different formulas, the least expensive is the traditional latex acrylic concrete paint. Once your garage floor has been cleaned and prepped properly, it goes on quickly with the least amount of fuss and with a variety of colors to choose from.
The other formula that has become more of the standard is 1-Part epoxy paint. Though a few more dollars per gallon, it has epoxy added to the mix to improve the durability over standard paint. It is just as easy to apply and comes in a variety of colors as well.
If you like, colored acrylic paint chips can be broadcast onto the surface of the paint after it is applied to add additional color. If you live in a wet or snowy climate, you can also add anti-skid media to the paint to make for a slip resistant finish.
Two-part epoxy paint kits are another variation of this formula. The most expensive of these choices, these kits technically are not paint but are worth mentioning here because of their relatively low cost and tougher finish.
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What Is The Best Coating For Garage Floors
by Skyline Concrete Coating | Nov 4, 2022 | Concrete Floors
Choosing the best coating for garage floors is top of the list for many homeowners. With all the choices on the market, how do you know which coating is best for your concrete floors?
In this article, the Skyline Concrete Coating team discusses the best garage floor coating.
Garage Floor Paint Vs Epoxy Coating
Some people interchange the terms epoxy coatings and epoxy paints, but the two are quite different. If you want to upgrade your garage floor, or some other concrete surface using epoxy, it is important to understand what differentiates the two. This allows you to make the right decision for your desired aesthetic.
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Concrete Floor Painting Tips
Once youve chosen the best garage floor paint for your needs, its time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Here are some helpful tips:
- Prepare. Remove everything from the garage. Youll need to give the space a thorough cleaning, so theres no way around this. This part will require some planning and will likely take longer than you think, so plan accordingly.
- Allow the floor to cure. Letting the floor cure is crucial, as walking on it too early could compromise the paint. With epoxy, you may have to wait for several says before using the garage.
- Clean. You need to make sure that the floor is as clean as possible otherwise the paint may not adhere properly. Start by vacuuming or sweeping the floor a minimum of three times before using a concrete cleaner. Muriatic acid and a power washer can help remove tough stains just remember to neutralize the concrete with baking soda.
- Seal the concrete. Patching up any cracks is essential otherwise moisture might seep through and cause the paint to peel.
- Apply the primer. Depending on the type of paint youre using, you may not need to apply a primer coat. Make sure to check, as some paints require a base coat to adhere to, so its not a step you want to skip.
- Apply the paint. Be careful to follow the manufacturers instructions when you put on the paint. Youll need to apply more than one coat to get full coverage, and youll need to wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second.
Garage Floor Protection Options Ranked From Best To Worst
Maybe youve been in the same home for many years and witnessed the gradual worsening of your garage floors durability and appearance.
Or perhaps you recently moved to a new house. Its highly likely the homebuilder left a garage floor with the bare minimum in terms of the surfaces resilience and visual appeal.
In either situation, now is the time to think about upgrading the level of garage floor protection in one of your homes hardest working rooms.
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Why Paint Your Garage Floor
Maybe the rest of the garage is clean and orderly but the floor draws attention due to some dated stains and repairs. Or, maybe its just old and worn looking with a few cracks and some pitting. To top things off, you are on a tight budget and just want to rid yourself of the eyesore your garage floor has become.
With some good old fashioned elbow grease, you can paint your garage floor in a weekend and completely alter the look of your garage.
Garage floor paint has been around for many years and hasnt shown signs of leaving anytime soon. The reason? Its cheap. There is nothing else on the market that can transform the look of a garage floor for less amount of money.
As an example, a gallon of Epoxy-Seal Concrete and Garage Floor Paint can be purchased from your local Lowes right now for less than $35. Its a simple latex acrylic concrete paint with a little bit of epoxy resin added for increased durability.
With a coverage rate of up to 500 square feet, it will be enough for one coat for most two car garage floors. You may even have enough to apply two coats for single car garage.
Rust-Oleum Concrete Garage Floor Paint + Primer is another example. Menards currently sells this for less than $35 per gallon as well.
The coverage rate is less, so you may need two gallons for a two car garage.
Do not get the idea to add a clear coat afterwards. Acrylic garage floor paints are designed as a stand alone product. This article about clear coats explains why.
Why Coat Your Garage Floor
There are a lot of reasons to coat your floor. The most obvious one is the aesthetics that it provides but it also can provide great protection. Heres a quick list of the reasons that coating your garage floor is a win win!
- Durability against impacts, chemicals, and surface abrasions
- Resale value, a coated floor is more attractive to a buyer
- It will make your entire garage feel put together and look better.
- It makes it easier to clean!
- It can cover flaws and cracks in concrete.
If youve decided you might want to give this a try heres how to do it.
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