While there are some disadvantages to applying an epoxy coating to your garage floors, the positives that come along with doing so highly outweigh the negatives. For this reason, we think it’s pertinent to apply a coating of epoxy to your garage floors whether they be residential or commercial. When an epoxy coating isn’t applied, you leave your garage floors vulnerable to wear and tear they needn’t be in the presence of. To further iterate this notion, we’re going to explain in depth some of the things that make epoxy flooring worth using and what could occur if you don’t. Before we do that though, we’ll first give you the definition of epoxy, so that you know exactly what it is and why you should be utilizing it. Read below to find out more.
What Is Garage Floor Epoxy?
Before you can understand why epoxy coatings are important to use, you first have to understand what exactly they are. So epoxy floor coating - what is it? According to garage floor specialists, epoxy coating is a thermosetting resin “formed when you mix one part epoxide resin with one part polyamine hardener. The hardener acts as a catalyst and is what gives epoxy its strength.” This final result is then applied as a coating to the desired surface.
Because it is applied as a coating, epoxy coatings are often mistaken for paint, so in describing what is it, it is also important to note what it is not as there is often much confusion. To be clear, epoxy coating is not paint. Paint is a latex acrylic product, and epoxy is an actual thermosetting resin that is simply applied as a coating - much like paint. While some paints have a small percentage of epoxy added to the mix to make it more durable, they are still paint and known as epoxy paints or 1-part epoxy paint.
In addition to being a different product entirely, unlike paint that has to dry, epoxy cures. When the epoxide resin and polyamine hardener are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs which jump starts an exothermic curing process. This curing process produces cross-linked polymer structures which give epoxy its superior strength and durability. The end result is a coating much thicker than paint and bonds beautifully to a properly prepared surface, so while there are some similarities between the two, they are still two very distinct products and should be treated as such.
Why Should You Have An Epoxy Coating On Your Garage Floor? What Can Happen If You Don't?
The list of benefits to using an epoxy coating on your garage floors is endless. These benefits are compelling in explaining why their use is essential, so we’ll offer you these along with explain what you leave yourself open to without the utilization of an epoxy coating.
Durability and Resilience
The thick coating that is created when epoxy hardens, helps to make the surface resistant to impacts, chipping, and surface abrasion. Without its utilization, you leave yourself open to constant worry with the fall or every hammer or bike. Save yourself the stress, and apply a coating to protect your floors from unwanted surface damage.
Chemical and Stain Resistant
In addition to being resistant to impacts, chipping, and surface abrasion, epoxy coatings assist in making floors both chemical and stain resistant as well. Epoxy coatings help to repel oil, brake fluids, anti-freeze, gasoline, and other caustic car chemicals. Rather than damage your garage floor, apply an epoxy coating, so that products such as the ones listed above can be easily be wiped up without worry!
Aesthetics
Beyond its durability against surface damage caused by impacts, chipping, surface abrasion, chemicals, and stains, epoxy coatings are also aesthetically pleasing. Available in a plethora of colors and flake options, you can achieve nearly any look or feel by applying an epoxy coating to your garage floors. Coatings also help to cover unwanted imperfections in the concrete, so you needn’t worry about those spider cracks any longer!
Low Maintenance
Because epoxy is a topical sealer, it is also anti-dusting. Much of the dust present in a garage is created from the powder that a cement floor can shed, so by applying an epoxy coating, you eliminate this from the equation.
Moisture Resistance
Topical coatings also make for moisture-resistant surfaces. This is especially helpful in snowy climates such as Omaha. The moisture-resistance offered by epoxy coatings can make it easy to clean off unwanted icy-brines and road salts.
Because epoxy coatings are durable and resilient against impacts, chipping, surface abrasion, stains, and chemicals, aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, and moisture resistant, we feel their use on garage floors is necessary. When not applied, you inevitbly leave yourself open to impacts, chipping, surface abrasion, stains, chemicals eating away at you floors, dust, and moisture.
Wanting An Epoxy Floor For Your Home Or Business, But Not Sure If You Should DIY?
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There are so many creative and custom options for finishing concrete, but first and foremost important is the concrete itself. At Custom Concrete Creations we have state of the art equipment and a properly trained team with years of experience. Custom Concrete Creations is a premier contractor serving the Omaha area as well at the Midwest. Give us a call or send us an email for your custom concrete finishing needs today!