Garage Floor Coatings

Few surfaces in a home are subject to more abuse than the floor of the garage. The best way to ensure that it stays as clean as possible is to apply a heavy duty coating. Garage-floor coatings come in a wide range of colors and finishes. There are the basic entry-level systems common in tract homes and spec properties as well as the high-end commercial-grade systems commonly found in custom-built homes.

Regardless of the coatings' quality, a coating system should:

• Have light-reflective qualities to brighten the area
• Improve chemical resistance to oils, spills and household chemicals
• Allow for easy soil release and cleanability
• Provide impact resistance for dropped tools and equipment
• Remain bonded through all temperature extremes

Although many garage-coating systems are marketed for do-it-yourselfers, most heavy-duty, premium systems rely on the advanced chemistry of commercial-grade products and should be installed by a properly trained professional. While the professional-grade products aren't readily available to the general public, most DIY products are water-based, which makes them easy to ship, store and use. But they’re also generally of lower quality and less durable than the professional products.

In commercial-grade systems, the material, whether an epoxy or polyurethane, is often more volatile than that used for a DIY product and therefore requires special precautions during its handling and installation. The products go on thicker and require more skill in their application.

For any type of coating system to perform properly, these fundamental rules must be followed:

• The product must be rated and designed for the specific use. It should be resistant to any chemicals that might be spilled on it, wear-resistant for the amount of traffic it will see and durable enough for the items moving across it.
• The concrete substrate must be clean, profiled and ready to accept a coating.
• The coating must be applied according to the manufacturer's directions: at the recommended thickness and coverage rates and in the right temperature and humidity.
• The product must be allowed to properly cure before use.
• The surface must be kept clean, and any damaged, chipped or spalled areas must be repaired immediately.