Over the years, garage floors may develop unsightly stains and cracks due to harsh impacts and heavy usage. If you’re looking to protect your floor while giving it a boost in appearance, you may consider applying a fresh coat of finish to the concrete surface. As you explore the best types of finishes to use, you will likely come across epoxy resin. Whether you’re looking to improve your garage’s aesthetics or simply want to protect the surface from damage, there are several benefits to consider when choosing epoxy resin as your next floor finish.
There are several benefits to installing epoxy resin on garage floors. The main advantages of epoxy for garages include the following qualities that epoxy features:
- High resistance
- Attractive Appearance
- Cost-Effective
- Durability
- Fast Installation
- Easy Maintenance
- Floor Protection
- Eco-friendly
- Long-Lasting
Before you install epoxy on your garage flooring, it’s important to understand the benefits epoxy has to offer. If you want to discover the numerous advantages of epoxy flooring, you have come to the right place. In this article, we’ll dive into the top 9 benefits of installing epoxy finish on your garage floor.
1. Epoxy Resin is Highly Resistant
When it comes to finding durable garage flooring, nothing is quite as resilient as epoxy resin. Epoxy resin is highly resistant to oil, gasoline, transmission fluid, bleach, cleansers, and just about anything else you’d find in a garage. What’s more, epoxy resin is water-resistant, making them an excellent choice if your garage floor often receives spills and leaks.
In addition to being resistant to numerous chemicals and liquids, epoxy resin’s impenetrable surface is resistant to bacteria and germs. Thus, epoxy resin maintains a clean surface, regardless of the environment. If your garage flooring happens to receive spills or leaks, the mess is easy to clean up with a broom or cloth.
Epoxy resin is also highly resistant to hot temperatures. In fact, most epoxy floors can withstand 200 degrees Fahrenheit without being affected in any way. Certain types of epoxy may handle even higher temperatures, such as epoxies containing Phosphorus.
2. Epoxy Resin Improves Appearance
When it comes to garage flooring, aesthetics can be as equally important as durability and resistance. Fortunately, epoxy resin lacks none of these qualities, making it an excellent choice for various types of floors. Its glossy surface offers incomparable beauty that endures nearly all conditions and environments. Even one coat of epoxy resin is capable of transforming garages into an attractive, luxurious space.
Epoxy resin’s sleek appearance enhances garage floors in numerous ways. In addition to covering up defects such as stains and cracks, epoxy resin provides garages with a smooth, glassy surface. Moreover, your garage may gain an entirely new look due to the epoxy’s ability to reflect light.
Epoxy resin is available in a wide selection of designs and colors. By choosing the right tones for your garage, you can give your garage a stunning appearance. Whether you’re looking for a simple design or an elegant style, there are countless paint shades to consider for garage floors.
3. Epoxy Resin Floors Are Cost-Effective
If you’re looking for an affordable flooring option, you found it with epoxy resin. Although epoxy resin is known as a high-quality finish, it is much less expensive than other flooring options. Additionally, epoxy flooring is fairly easy to install, making it an inexpensive project.
Because epoxy resin can be applied over existing flooring, there is little effort involved during the installation process. Therefore, you can benefit from incredible savings whether you hire a professional or tackle the project yourself.
4. Epoxy Resin is Extremely Durable
Because the epoxy resin is highly resistant to chemicals and heat, it is a durable floor option for garage surfaces. Besides enduring spills and leaks, epoxy floors are resistant to shocks and harsh impacts. From high tire traffic to heavy equipment and machinery, epoxy resin is capable of withstanding the harshest of environments. There is little need to worry about epoxy resin cracking or chipping from the impact of heavy items or high traffic.
To ensure the epoxy resin remains in top condition, it is best to apply the epoxy resin in multiple layers. This prevents epoxy flooring from being damaged by falling items or heavy pressure. Even after several years, your epoxy flooring should maintain its smooth, shiny appearance.
5. Epoxy Resin Flooring is Quick to Install
Installing epoxy flooring for garages is generally a quick and easy process. In most cases, applying epoxy resin simply requires mixing the resin with a hardener and pouring it on the surface. Always ensure the concrete is free of debris and oils, as such contaminants can affect the epoxy’s bond. Once you pour the epoxy resin, carefully spread it across the concrete to create a smooth, even surface.
Generally, it is best to apply epoxy in temperatures between 50 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures lower than this can prevent the epoxy from bonding properly. After application, the epoxy resin must cure before you walk or drive on it. The curing process typically takes seven days, although it may handle light use after 24 hours.
6. Epoxy Resin is Easy to Maintain
Due to epoxy resin’s high quality and durability, maintaining epoxy flooring requires little effort on your part. Depending on the amount of traffic your garage flooring receives, you may only need to thoroughly clean your flooring every six months. To maintain your epoxy flooring, simply sweep or mop the surface to remove mud and debris. Floors with stains may require heavy scrubbing along with the use of certain chemicals.
In addition to regular maintenance, epoxy flooring should be cleaned as soon as spills or leaks occur. This can easily be done by wiping the surface with a damp cloth or by using a mop. Avoid using soap-based cleaners, as they can make epoxy flooring dull over time.
7. Epoxy Resin Flooring Protects Existing Surfaces
Because epoxy flooring consists of strong materials, it is an excellent source of protection for surfaces such as concrete. By applying epoxy in your garage, you can extend the life of your concrete flooring while preventing major damages such as cracks from occurring.
Applying the epoxy resin in multiple layers is an excellent way to prolong the lifespan of the concrete and keep your garage flooring in top condition. Because the epoxy resin is extremely durable, there is no need to worry about the epoxy surface cracking or chipping.
8. Epoxy Resin is Eco-Friendly
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly flooring option for your garage, an epoxy finish may be the perfect product for you. Because epoxy resin requires few materials for installation, it is considered environmentally friendly and safe to use. Additionally, epoxy resin is long-lasting and therefore does not need to be replaced very often.
Epoxy resin’s longevity is perhaps the greatest reason why it is a much safer flooring option for the environment. Because the epoxy will last for many years, there is no need to continuously use large quantities of materials. Furthermore, machinery such as saws and power tools are not necessary for the installation process. This is just another reason why epoxy resin is an excellent alternative to tile and wood flooring.
9. Epoxy Resin is Long-Lasting
As a homeowner, it can be frustrating to discover your garage flooring needs replacing after only a few years of use. While this may occur with many types of flooring, it is certainly not an issue with epoxy resin. Thanks to epoxy’s high resistance and durability, epoxy flooring can withstand harsh conditions for several years. In fact, the epoxy resin may last several decades before it needs to be replaced.
In short, installing epoxy resin is an investment you won’t regret. Even after years of heavy use, epoxy resin will continue offering unmatched beauty and long-lasting protection for many years to come.
