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.
\n\n\n\nCommon Causes of Garage Floor Coating Failures
\n\n\n\nThere are several conditions which create challenges that must be properly addressed to ensure your garage floor coating lasts. The most common causes of failures are:
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- Inadequate preparation: Mechanical profiling such as grinding or shot blasting your garage floor are the best preparation methods. These methods when performed properly will 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 of installation from a contractor for hire. \n
- 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. \n
- Moisture: Moisture is the leading cause of failures in garage floor coatings. When a concrete slab is placed in direct contact with the soil, moisture will pass from the soil through the concrete and wick 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 pressure is referred to as MVE (moisture vapor emission) and is measured in pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours. \n
- Using a concrete coating outside its intended purpose may also result in failure. \n
In the Phoenix, AZ area there are many garage floor coating options available. The most commonly used are epoxy and urethane-based products, which include polyurea and polyaspartic coatings. A garage floor coating is an investment in your home \u2014 understanding the differences between products will ensure you purchase an installation that will last and protect your garage floors effectively.
\n\n\n\nGarage Floor Coating Products Typically Used in the Industry
\n\n\n\nEpoxy Coatings
\n\n\n\nEpoxy 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. The garage floor coating industry primarily uses four types of epoxies:
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- Water-based epoxies are used as an entry level or budget option. They are typically used in combination with a water-based sealer and do not typically provide adequate protection for garage floors housing vehicles. \n
- 100% solids epoxy does not contain solvents that evaporate during curing. When cured it retains its original volume and does not shrink. Best used as an intermediate coating when a high-build floor is needed. Not an ideal topcoat due to its lack of UV stability and scratch resistance. Can generally tolerate up to 5 lbs of moisture vapor emission. \n
- Epoxy primers are in most cases 80%\u201395% solids. They form a tenacious bond with properly profiled concrete but generally do not resist scratching and lack UV stability. Capable of withstanding 5\u20138 lbs of moisture vapor emission. \n
- Vapor/Moisture blocking epoxy primers are 100% solids and due to their chemical composition will remain bonded to concrete when exposed to high moisture content. When applied to a properly prepared garage floor, vapor blocking epoxy will withstand 15\u201318 lbs of MVE \u2014 making them the superior base coat choice for lasting installations. \n
Urethane-Based Coatings
\n\n\n\nUrethane-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.
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- Single component water or solvent-based urethanes are commonly used for decorative concrete. Water-based products are best used indoors. Solvent-based products can be used to pronounce colorants in concrete. Neither is recommended for professional garage flooring applications. \n
- Chemical Resistant Urethane (CRU) is a commonly used topcoat for garage flooring systems. Chemically resistant, good-to-excellent scratch resistance, UV resistant in most cases. CRU has an extended cure time and generally cannot be driven on for several days. Should not come in direct contact with concrete due to poor bonding characteristics. \n
- Polyurea has excellent scratch resistance and gloss retention, is resilient to chemical attack, and is often UV stable. Cures extremely quickly with very little working time \u2014 this can make uniform application challenging for installers. Limited to 3 lbs MVE when applied to concrete. \n
- Polyaspartic is an aliphatic polyurea and the most widely used topcoat in the garage floor coating industry. Superior UV resistance, chemically resistant to most household products, excellent scratch resistance and gloss retention. Offers extended working time over polyurea, making it easier for installers to apply consistently. Limited to 3 lbs moisture vapor emission. \n
Additional Components
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- Decorative flake is broadcast into coating systems and offered in endless color combinations. It provides aesthetic value and functional texture for increased traction, increases overall coating thickness for added durability, and when properly sealed creates an easily-maintained surface. In the event of damage, repairs blend well into existing flake coatings. Flake systems do not typically show wear from traffic and require minimal maintenance. \n
- Solid color floors have been around for years. When pigments are added to urethane products, solid color coatings maintain their original color much longer than epoxy. Solid color floors tend to show wear over time as scratching accumulates. Repairs can be made but may be apparent due to inconsistent pigmentation. Periodic sanding and re-coating maintains the original appearance. \n
- Metallic additives create visually stunning floors, but metallics have shortcomings. While they can be added to polyurea and polyaspartic, the rapid cure time does not allow colors to flow and blend like comparable epoxies. Epoxy-based metallics are susceptible to UV discoloration \u2014 lighter colors especially. Metallic coatings require increased maintenance and repairs are most often apparent. Re-coating will restore gloss but imperfections may remain. \n
Choosing the Right System
\n\n\n\nWith all of these options available, you will want to select a product which meets your needs and expectations. Choose a base coat that offers the best bond to concrete over its lifespan. UV stability and gloss retention are less critical for base coats as they are shielded from UV degradation by subsequent layers. For your topcoat, select a product that offers UV stability, excellent gloss retention, and chemical resistance \u2014 and one that offers enough working time for the installer to produce quality results.
\n\n\n\nMany contractors offer one-day installations. While the timeline is enticing, consider that the installation may be rushed, sacrificing results and attention to detail. One-day systems are most profitable to contractors \u2014 not necessarily most beneficial to homeowners.
\n\n\n\nRX Garage utilizes a system that offers the best performance in terms of bonding to concrete \u2014 a vapor blocking epoxy base coat on every project. It is an insurance policy that the system remains bonded to concrete over its lifespan under worst-case conditions. Combined with a full broadcast of decorative flake and a polyaspartic topcoat, we are confident our installations offer the best performance we can provide our clients.
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