What to Know Before Choosing a Garage Floor Coating in Phoenix or Scottsdale
When it comes to adding a protective coating to your garage floors, selecting the best coating can be challenging. Garage coatings must be able to resist stains and scratching, while also maintaining their bond to existing concrete. This is why most garage floor coating systems benefit from the use of multiple layers.
The Most Common Causes of Garage Floor Coating Failure
Inadequate Preparation
Mechanical profiling such as grinding or shot blasting are the best preparation methods. These methods leave the concrete surface rough for the coating to adhere and are the standard for a professional installation. Acid etching and the use of sanders are not acceptable methods for a contractor for hire.
Chemical Attack
Battery acid will degrade most garage flooring products if not immediately addressed. Household solvents, oils and vehicle tires may stain or discolor garage floor coatings.
Moisture Vapor Emission (MVE)
Moisture is the leading cause of failures in garage floor coatings. When a concrete slab is placed in direct contact with soil, moisture passes through the concrete and wicks to the surface. When concrete is coated, the moisture is unable to evaporate and can accumulate enough pressure to break the bond between the coating and the concrete. This is referred to as MVE (moisture vapor emission) and is measured in pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours.
Garage Floor Coating Products Used in the Industry
Epoxy Coatings
Epoxy coatings are known for their exceptional adhesion to concrete and resilience to chemicals. They are generally not UV stable and are more susceptible to scratching than urethanes. There are four types commonly used:
- Water-based epoxies — Entry level/budget option. Not recommended for vehicle-housing garages.
- 100% solids epoxy — Best as an intermediate coat. Not ideal as a topcoat due to lack of UV stability. Tolerates up to 5 lbs MVE.
- Epoxy primers — 80-95% solids. Excellent bond with profiled concrete. Tolerates 5–8 lbs MVE.
- Vapor/moisture blocking epoxy primers — 100% solids. Withstands 15–18 lbs MVE — the highest protection available. This is what RX Garage uses on every project.
Urethane-Based Coatings
Urethane based coatings exhibit excellent scratch resistance and tend to retain gloss over prolonged use. They are chemically resistant and UV stable, however urethanes do not bond as well to concrete as epoxies.
- Single component urethanes — Not recommended for professional garage applications.
- Chemical Resistant Urethane (CRU) — Good scratch/chemical/UV resistance but poor concrete bond. Extended cure — cannot drive on for several days.
- Polyurea — Excellent scratch resistance, UV stable, but cures extremely fast making uniform application challenging. Limited to 3 lbs MVE.
- Polyaspartic — The most widely used topcoat in the industry. Superior UV resistance, chemically resistant, excellent scratch/gloss retention. Extended working time over polyurea. Limited to 3 lbs MVE. This is what RX Garage uses as the topcoat.
Decorative Components
Decorative flake is broadcast into coating systems and offered in endless color combinations. Flake adds aesthetic appeal, increases traction, and adds durability to the system. The blend of colors camouflages everyday wear — repairs blend in naturally and maintenance is minimal.
Solid color floors tend to show wear over prolonged use as scratching accumulates. Metallic coatings create visually stunning floors but are highly susceptible to UV discoloration and require increased maintenance.
How to Choose the Right System
Choose a base coat that offers the best bond to concrete over its lifespan. For your topcoat, choose a product with UV stability, excellent gloss retention, chemical resistance, and enough working time for quality results.
Many contractors offer one-day installations. While the timeline is enticing, consider that the installation may be rushed — sacrificing results and attention to detail.
The RX Garage Approach
RX Garage, serving Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Rio Verde, uses a vapor blocking epoxy base coat on all projects — an insurance policy that the system stays bonded to concrete over its lifespan. Combined with a full broadcast of decorative flake and a polyaspartic topcoat, RX Garage is confident this system offers the best performance available.
Call 602-688-7561 or request a free quote online.