Every type of flooring has its pros and cons. As great as epoxy flooring is, they aren’t best for every location. Epoxy coatings are commonly applied to garage floors, however, it may be best to avoid epoxy and simply choose polished concrete instead. You need to be sure that you pick a floor that will fit nicely with the needs of your specific space, and polished concrete is like epoxy in that they’re both durable, sustainable, and cost-effective.
Whether you have a commercial body shop or residential garage, you need a flooring option that can withstand heavy foot traffic and the elements it will come into contact with on a daily basis. With limited maintenance and cleaning, you will save money on repairs and replacement with a durable, strong concrete floor. If you own an auto shop and need a strong flooring, you should consider polished concrete. Below we discuss the disadvantages of epoxy flooring for your garage floor.
Temporary
One of the major disadvantages of epoxy flooring is that it is only temporary. Even though it is very durable and easy to maintain, you will eventually have to replace it. Everyday wear and tear and cracks can take a toll on the flooring. The floor needs to be replaced when this happens.
Slippery
Most epoxy floors are slip-resistant, but these floors can be very slippery when they are drying. Epoxy floors are not good in areas that are prone to spills or water on the floor. Since garages are privy to this, epoxy is not recommended.
Preparation
A lot of effort goes into getting floors ready for epoxy coating. The concrete has to be cleaned and free of any grease or oil and cracks need to be filled. If your floor has seen frequent oil or grease drippage, it will be hard to get it completely clean beforehand.
Application
Not only is the preparation time consuming, so is the application process. The first coat has to completely dry before you can add on the second coat and the drying time can take several days. This can create issues as you will be out of a garage for a few days, maybe even a week.
Smell
Wet epoxy coating can have extremely strong fumes. Darker shades of epoxy tend to have a stronger ammonia smell after you apply it.
Sensitivity
Epoxy flooring needs to be applied according to the directions. If it is not applied like it is supposed to be, then it will not last as long as it should. Leave it to the professionals to apply your epoxy flooring.
Adherence
Epoxy does not adhere well to floors that are in moist environments such as a basement. If applied in a damp environment, this can cause the paint to peel up. Of course, professionals can help combat this drawback.
Additional Costs
The business owner installing the flooring might need to buy additional cleaning products to ensure that the epoxy sticks.
Removal
Once the epoxy is applied, changing the colors and the design of your floor can be really labor intensive and very costly to the business owner.
If you are considering new flooring for your garage space, polished concrete is a great option. It is durable and low maintenance, which is perfect for this location. Now, if you are still considering garage floor epoxy, regardless of the disadvantages of epoxy flooring, and have more questions, contact us today! We can help you pick what flooring is best for your space and handle the installation from start to finish.