Your garage is a crucial space in your home that not only carries a heavy load but keeps what’s most valuable safe, including vehicles, holiday storage, and outdoor equipment. When looking to have your garage flooring either replaced or repaired, it’s critical for it to look appealing but also maintain long-term integrity. That’s why you need to know about Epoxy floor coating, Polyaspartic floor coating, and Concrete flooring, as well as the differences between them. This article will help you research the different options available to commercial and residential owners alike.
Epoxy vs. Polyaspartic vs. Concrete
First, let’s talk about each one so you can recognize the differences between epoxy, Polyaspartic, and concrete flooring.
Epoxy Coating is a very durable resin polymer coating compound that consists of two distinct elements: an epoxy resin and a polyamine hardener known as a catalyst.
Polyaspartic Coating, also known as aliphatic polyurea sealer, resembles polyurethane. Still, it is actually a hybrid of ester and other materials providing a protective layer of aliphatic polyurea, which is a 100% solid, fast-curing, two-component, and UV-resistant coating system.
Concrete Flooring is usually the base or existing structure before any coating like epoxy is applied. It is formed into a flat slab by pouring concrete into a pre-set area or precast from a factory manufacturer and placed into an area. Concrete Coating refers to any liquid finish applied over concrete, such as Epoxy or Polyaspartic.
Which Coating Should I Choose for My Garage?
Epoxy generally works best indoors, which makes it the ideal choice for garage flooring because of its chemical-resistant properties and slip-free additives. Epoxy also has a bright and professional appearance adding that wow factor you want from your garage floor. Epoxy flooring is usually cheaper than Polyaspartic, and it is easier to apply and install yourself without needing a professional (even though we always recommend hiring a professional and not doing it yourself).
Polyaspartic is great for all types of weather and temperature conditions but can be the more expensive option. Polyaspartic is the better option for outdoor environments where the floor will be exposed to wide temperate ranges, direct sunlight, or UV radiation. For those who work on their cars in their garages, Polyaspartic does have a weakness to battery acid, and that is something you might want to consider for your garage flooring needs. Compared to Epoxy, Polyaspartic flooring is also great for most commercial and industrial applications because not all epoxy flooring is slip-resistant. If Epoxy becomes wet, workers can slip and injure themselves or others, meaning a potential lawsuit is inbound. Polyaspartic is much more difficult to apply than epoxy, and professional installation is highly recommended.
Your Garage Endures a Lot
While concrete is known for its durable, long-lasting material, and it’s widely accessible in almost all homes as its foundation, it doesn’t last forever. Like all hard surfaces, eventually, they’ll find a way to crack or get damaged due to normal wear and tear, including:
- The average weight of your car equals between 2,600 and 3,000 pounds.
- Previous poorly executed flooring installation.
- Improper drainage.
- Damage from vehicle and foot traffic.
- Ongoing fluctuations in temperature.
- Weather debris, including the famous ice and snow we see in Colorado.
- Exposure to various materials and liquids that deteriorate standard concrete garage flooring.
- Heavy equipment and tools being dropped on the floor.
It’s common sense to know that it’s impossible to prevent your concrete flooring from having any wear and tear. However, affordable and accessible alternative options for garage flooring are now available. Consider your options now—choose to replace or repair your flooring that will be worthwhile for a long while with epoxy flooring or Polyaspartic flooring.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
With normal wear and tear being unavoidable, here are some of the warning signs you should keep an eye out for:
- Visible cracks, either shrinkage or settlement cracks (which are more serious).
- Chips in the concrete bedding.
- Pitting, which are small holes on the concrete surface.
While some warning signs will lay on the cosmetic side, if you notice anything that could be concerning, make the move to look into epoxy or Polyaspartic flooring repair or replacement, especially if there’s a chance for settlement cracks.
Recommended Options for Repairing or Replacing Your Garage Floor
Ready to move forward to repair or replace your garage floor? Thankfully, you have options! If you don’t mind potentially patching a small crack yourself, since it isn’t a major structural concern, that is a quick project, albeit with minor mismatched coloring. But if you’re looking for that seamless, professional, long-lasting look, look into either Epoxy or Polyaspartic flooring.
Epoxy Flooring is a chemical-resistant resin polymer that protects your garage flooring from spills, scratches, and minor dings and tears. Better yet—it’s affordable, and the results are stunning. On the other hand, compared to Polyaspartic flooring, epoxy takes longer to install, may retain more moisture below the surface, may fade, and is less durable.
Polyaspartic Flooring consists of a mixture of Polyaspartic Ester combined with other materials, which creates a strong, flexible, and stain-resistant to oil, gas, rain, dirt, you name it! This material is the popular option for residential and commercial garage flooring.
No matter which flooring you choose, they both cover the top level of concrete to best protect it from the elements, reducing the risk of long-term corrosion.
Don’t DIY Your Garage Floor – Call Showroom Garage Flooring!
Have you considered repairing or replacing your garage flooring but weren’t sure if you had the time or money to invest? Showroom Garage Flooring is a premier garage floor repair expert that not only offers adorable prices on epoxy and Polyaspartic materials but gets most projects done in as little as 24 hours! Our team visits your home and provides FREE onsite estimates so you know what to expect before the work begins. All garage floors come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty, full-service installation, and top-tier customer support, including a 24-hour follow-up from the service to answer any questions. Our goal is to ensure we exceed your expectations. Your garage floor is a significant piece of your home. No matter what it may be, you need to hire a professional flooring provider who will ensure the life of your floors. Contact us today to schedule your free on-site assessment and consultation.