Not all garage floors are created equal. RX Garage utilizes time proven techniques and products leaving your garage space a cleaner, more durable area.
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Our garage flooring process begins by diamond grinding the concrete surface to clean and roughen the surface to accept epoxy primer.
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All cracks and divots are then properly prepared, filled and re-ground flat.
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Moisture blocking epoxy primer is next applied. This primer wicks deep into the concrete surface and is backed by a manufacture lifetime adhesion warranty.
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Depending on the style of floor selected, vinyl flakes may be broadcast into the wet primer for a slip resistant decorative finish.
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Lastly our floors are top-coated with Polyaspartic sealer. Polyaspartic's cure in a matter of hours returning your space to service.
How to choose the best concrete coating for your garage floors.
When it comes to adding a protective coating to your garage floors, selecting the best coating can be challenging. Garage floor coatings must be able to resist stains and scratching, while also maintaining their bond to existing concrete. This is why most garage floor coatings benefit from the use of multiple coats. There are several conditions that create challenges that must be properly addressed to ensure your garage floor coating lasts. the most common causes of failure of a garage floor coating are:
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inadequate preparation: Mechanical profiling such as grinding or shot blasting your garage floor are the best preparation methods. This method when done propperly will leave the concrete surface rough for the coating to adhere and is the standard for a professional installation. Acid etching and the use of sanders are not acceptable methods of installation from a contractor for hire.
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Chemical attack: Battery acid will degrade most garage flooring products if not immediatly addressed. Other solvents, oils and vehicle tires may stain or discolor garage floor coatings.
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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. It will then wick to the surface where it normally evaporates. When concrete is coated the moisture is unable to evaporate and can accumulate enough pressure to break the bond between the garage floor coating and the existing concrete. This pressure is what is referred to as MVE or moisture vapor emission and is measured in pounds per square feet per 24 hours
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Using a coating outside its intended purpose.
In Phoenix AZ there are many garage floor coating options available, including Epoxy and Urethane base products such as Polyaspartic coatings. A garage floor coating is an investment in your home and it is best to make an informed decision when purchasing. Understanding the differences of products used when selecting your garage floor coating will ensure you purchase an installation that will last and protect your garage floors effectively.
Common Types of Garage floor Coatings available
Epoxy coatings are known for their exceptional adhesion to concrete and resistance to chemicals. They are not UV stable and are susceptible to scratching. The Garage floor coating industry primarily uses four different types of epoxies.
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Waterbased epoxies are used in the garage floor coating industry as an entry level or budget option. They are typically used in combination with a water based sealer and do not provide adequate protection to garage floors which are being used to house your vehicle. We recommend these products be avoided.
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100% solids epoxy means this product does not contain solvents which will evaporate in the curing process. When it is cured 100% solids epoxy will retain its original volume and does not shrink. This epoxy is best used as an intermediate coating when a high build floor coating is needed. It is not an ideal top coat due to its lack of UV stability and scratch resistance. 100% solids will bond with existing concrete but not as well as epoxies designed to be primers. These epoxies can generally
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Epoxy primers are in most cases 80%-95% solids, they form a tenacious bond with properly profiled concrete. Epoxy primers are generally capable of withstanding 5-8 lbs of moisture vapor emission.
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Vapor/ Moisture blocking epoxy primers are also 100% solids but due to the 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 15-18lbs of MVE.
Urethane based coatings exhibit excellent scratch resistance and retain gloss over time. They are chemically resistant and UV stable. Urethanes do not bond as well to concrete as epoxies. These are the most common types of urethane based products used in the garage floor coating industry.
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single component water or solvent based urethanes are commonly used for decorative concrete. waterbased are best used indoors to seal concrete and solvent based are often used to seal driveways and patios. These products are not recommended for use in professional garage flooring applications.
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Chemical Resistant Urethane is a commonly used sealer on garage flooring systems. It is chemically resistant, offers good scratch resistance and in most cases is UV resistant. CRU has an extended cure time and generally can not be driven on for several days. CRU should not come in direct contact with concrete due to its poor bonding characteristics.
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Polyurea has excellent scratch resistance and gloss retention. It is resilient to chemical attack, and in many cases UV stable. Polyurea cure extremely quickly and offers very little working time. This can make it challenging for installers to apply with uniformity. When applied to concrete polyurea will bond however it is limited to 3LBS MVE.
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Polyaspartic is the most widely used topcoat. It offers uv resistance and chemically resistant to most household chemicals. Scratch resistance and gloss retention properties are excellent. It offers an extended working time over polyurea making it easier for installers to apply. Polyaspartic is limited to 3lbs moisture vapor emission.