If your garage floor has become a greasy, sticky mess and oil stains are a constant reminder of what’s stored inside the garage, consider an epoxy flooring installation.
Choose a reputable flooring contractor that uses high-quality materials and offers warranty coverage. Be sure to get the full estimate, including concrete surface preparation and cleanup.
Choose a Color
When installing Seattle epoxy flooring, following all the instructions and doing the prep work properly is important. This includes removing all items, sweeping the garage floor, and cleaning it using a power scrubber and degreaser. It’s also vital to make sure the floor is dry before starting.
You can choose a solid colour or go with a metallic finish that gives your garage a stunning visual effect. Either way, you’ll want to regularly sweep or dust mop your new floor to remove dirt and debris. It would help to clean up any oil, chemical, or solvent spills immediately to prevent discoloration.
Once the epoxy floor is fully cured, you can add decorative flakes and chips to give your garage flooring a custom look. These flakes not only add style and visual appeal, but they also provide extra durability. Some people opt for a clear coat over their coloured floor to increase durability and keep the flakes from showing.
Create a Pattern
For epoxy to properly adhere to the concrete floor, it needs a clean and smooth surface. Many DIY’ers need to get the surface of their floors clean enough or score the concrete properly, leading to adhesion problems.
A clean, flat garage floor provides a smooth surface that is easier to sweep, mop, and wipe down. Epoxy is durable and resists chemical wear and tear, drop impact, and foot traffic.
You can add a pattern to your epoxy coating by adding colour flakes, which offer texture and visual dimension. This can take attention away from cracks, stain spots, and other flaws. Colour flakes typically come included with an epoxy kit.
Work in 10×10-foot sections. Keep the edges wet as you move from section to section to prevent noticeable seams. Light foot traffic can resume once the epoxy has dried, and automobiles can be parked after 24 hours. Use felt pads under chairs and heavy items to protect your new flooring.
Add Texture
The glossy nature of epoxy flooring enhances light in large garage spaces and rooms. This feature makes it easier to see the condition of vehicles, tools, and other items stored in the space. The shiny surface also resists water and other common cleaning chemicals that could dull the floor.
An added benefit of garage floor epoxy is that it minimizes dusting. Bare cement floors shed fine dust that settles on cars, tools, and other items. The epoxy coating acts as a topical sealer and reduces this dusting, keeping the garage cleaner and minimizing the need for special cleaning products.
Before applying any epoxy, the concrete floor should be thoroughly cleaned. This can be done with a leaf blower or clean push broom, followed by a degreasing formula compatible with your chosen flooring. After the garage floor is cleaned, it should be protected with plastic and painter’s tape. Follow the application instructions with your specific product to apply the first coat of epoxy. If desired, add colour flakes for additional texture and design appeal.
Add a Finish
Once you’ve chosen the color and pattern of your new epoxy garage floor, it’s time to apply the base coat. Start by sweeping the floor and power-scrubbing it, if necessary, to remove any oil or grease residue that could interfere with the epoxy coating’s ability to adhere. Then, use an etching solution to prepare the concrete for the base coat.
Mix the epoxy solution’s two parts together per the manufacturer’s instructions. Pour the mixture into a paint tray and use a roller with a medium nap, working in 10 by 10-foot areas at a time to ensure an even application of the epoxy. Keep the roller wet to prevent lap marks, and allow the first coat to dry as directed.
Epoxy flooring is a satisfying DIY weekend project. But be aware that the cost can add up quickly if you add decorative and specialized materials. Ask flooring companies about their pricing and warranties before you make a purchase.
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