Coating your garage floor with epoxy requires two distinct substances– resin and a hardener. When mixed, they will produce a chemical reaction that results in a super-durable surface to protect your floor and make your garage worthy.
Once applied, the epoxy floor coating will protect the concrete from cracks and other blemishes. It will make sure that it’s not slippery, especially if you move around in your garage frequently. Lastly, the material is highly resistant to diesel oil, hydraulic fluid, brake fluid, and even beer.
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Nevertheless, there are several myths surrounding epoxy floor coating, which are still prevalent today. Here are some of the misconceptions:
Myth #1: It Is Expensive
All epoxy products are not created equal. There are actually three types of coats: solid epoxy, water-based, and solvent-based. The 100% solid material is the most expensive.
According to Home Guide, you will spend from $3 to $7 per square foot of space for epoxy coating. If you have a large floor area, it would be better if you choose water-based epoxy instead.
Water-based products contain a maximum of 60% epoxy. You will likely spend about $30 per gallon for water-based epoxy and as much as $150 per gallon for 100% solid epoxy. So, in the end, you have several options.
Myth #2: Epoxy Can Only Be Applied On Concrete Floors
Another common myth is that epoxy floor coating will only be effective on concrete. In fact, you can also use it as a coating for metal, cement, and even wood. It’s used not only on residential garages but also on industrial and commercial complexes, as well. Epoxy is also stain-resistant so that you can maintain that showroom-look for a long time.
Myth #3: Epoxy Has A Short Lifespan
You might have heard of horror stories about homeowners having to redo their whole garage floors after a year or two. The primary reason for this is the wrong process of application. When a professional installer does the job, the epoxy floor coating can last up to 20 years.
One common mistake that DIY proponents commit is the wrong preparation. The process takes more than merely cleaning the surface to promote adhesion. Professional contractors even shot-blast your floor to achieve the ideal roughness for the epoxy to stick.
Myth #4: It Works Just Like Paint
Epoxy is not glorified paint, as some people might think. The fact that epoxy contains hardeners means that it can provide more protection that paint can only dream of. You can drop a heavy object on your epoxy floor coating and be confident that the material underneath would absorb the impact.
Brake fluid and other corrosive substances will chip, peel, or damage the paint. You would not encounter the same problem with epoxy. You do not have to repaint your floor now and then to bring it back to the original luster and sheen.
You might spill corrosive fluids on the surface and not worry about cleaning it immediately before the chemical will seep into the material, thereby damaging it. You are confident that your floor can sustain the abuse even with heavy usage. In the end, you cannot really quantify the peace of mind you enjoy when you coat your floor with epoxy.
