About 37% of people in the US that own garages don’t use them for cars.
A garage can be a very useful space, whether you just use it for storage or you use it for anything else. It’s important to look after your garage, and the floor can often be subject to quite a bit of abuse. Coating for garage floors is an ideal form of protection, but how do you choose between the different types that are available?
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the most popular garage floor coatings on the market so you can decide which is best. Keep reading for more.
Polyurea Coating
In recent years, polyurea has become one of the most popular choices when it comes to garage floor protection. The main concern for many people is durability, and polyurea is great in this respect. It can stand up to abuse from car tires, foot traffic dropped tools, and plenty more.
It’s also highly resistant to chemicals and abrasion. These can leave marks on other flooring types, and may even cause corrosion. Polyurea holds up to these very well, so it will stay looking new for longer.
There are plenty of choices when it comes to appearance, so you can go with something you like the look of.
It’s easy to clean polyurea garage coatings. You usually just need to sweep and mop it about once a week. When giving it a deeper clean, a lightly abrasive pad with some mild detergent will be enough to remove trapped dirt.
It’s also one of the best choices in terms of installation. It’s fairly simple, so a company like Garage Force can get it done quickly. It only takes about 24 hours to cure, so you’ll be able to get back to using your garage almost straight away.
Polyaspartic Coating
Polyspartic coating is made from a combination of resin and a hardener. It shares several benefits with polyurea coating.
It’s resistant to water abrasion, chemical abrasion, and oil spills. This makes it easy to keep clean.
It’s also durable and crack resistant and even offers UV protection. This will prevent it from fading if it’s exposed to direct sunlight.
The reason that these two types of coating are so similar is that polyspartic coating is actually a type of polyurea coating. It’s a subcategory that offers a few specific benefits.
One of the big differences is the curing time. Polyurea takes 24 hours, which is quite fast but nothing compared to polyspartic coating. This typically takes just a few hours, making it one of the best options if you’re under strict time constraints.
If you’re trying to keep costs down when coating your garage floor, you might be tempted to go for a cheaper option. Polyurea and polyspartic coating can be a bit more expensive initially, but they last longer than other coatings and can save you a lot of money in the long run.
A polyprotic coating can last for upwards of 20 years. Maintenance is fairly simple, so this is often very achievable.Consumer-Grade Epoxy
Epoxy coating has been widely used for a long time, and remains a very popular option. The main benefit of consumer-grade epoxy is that it’s the cheapest to install. Some people even have the skills and confidence to install it themselves, which helps to keep the cost down.
This is a bit of a case of you getting what you pay for. You may save some money at the start, but the chemicals in consumer-grade epoxy simply aren’t as good. The result will be a less durable floor coating that won’t last as long.
It’s worth noting that installing an epoxy floor coating can be difficult, even with a DIY kit. You should also bear in mind that the finish likely won’t be as good if you choose to install it yourself. Unless you’re very confident in your abilities, you may want to get your garage floor coating installed by a professional.
Industrial-Grade Epoxy
This is another type of epoxy that can provide better results. It has a stronger chemical mix than consumer-grade epoxy, making it more durable and long-lasting. Professional installers can ensure it effectively bonds to the concrete so that it has a better, longer-lasting finish.
If you’re going to go with epoxy, the industrial grade may be the better type, but it still has some drawbacks. When wet, the surface can become slippery, creating a safety hazard.
Compared to polyurea coating, epoxy is less resistant to chemicals, corrosion, and UV rays. This means it can lose color faster, and stain more easily.
The curing time for epoxy is also significantly longer. Epoxy often takes up to 10 days to fully cure, so you won’t be able to use your garage for a long time.
The Best Garage Floor Coatings for You
If you’re looking for a protective coating for your garage floor, consider your specific needs. For something durable and long-lasting, polyurea may be better than epoxy. In some cases, there can be strict time constraints, so epoxy may not be a viable solution.
Also, think about what your floor is exposed to. If chemical and oil spills are possible, polyurea will hold up much better than epoxy. Think about what you need from your floor alongside the various advantages and disadvantages of the garage floor coatings available.
