One of the easiest ways to transform your garage floor is by applying a coating of epoxy. It will not only instill new life to your dull garage, but it will also protect your concrete floor from oil, dirt, and grime. Indeed, a garage floor epoxy can quickly produce that showroom-quality finish, without you doing anything substantial to the interior. The coat also features several colors to fit your taste. In fact, some manufacturers will also customize colors to make sure that your place is the most unique in the neighborhood. Epoxy remains the standard in garage floor coatings. In 2015, the global epoxy market was worth $21.5 billion, according to data. By 2024, the market is projected to reach $42.2 billion on the compound annual growth rate of 7.8% from 2016 to 2024.
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But Is It Expensive?
The cost here is relative. You are going to incur some expenses with garage floor epoxy. According to Home Advisor, people are spending between $1,400 and $3,000 on their concrete floors. On average, they pay from $3 to $12 for each square foot. The price is based on the national level. Still, there is no significant difference whether you live in Los Angeles, California, or Morris, Illinois. So, if you have a garage floor of about 250 square feet, you will spend a minimum of $750 if you are paying $3 per square foot. The cost only takes into account the application of epoxy. For instance, if you have dilapidated surfaces, it might cost you more to prepare it for the task at hand.
Solid Epoxy vs. Water-Based Epoxy
If you want to save some money, especially if you have ample floor space, you can opt for water-based epoxy. However, for contained areas, it is a much better option to buy solid epoxy instead. For one, the latter does not require too much maintenance, and it lasts a long time. One benefit of water-based epoxy is that it is easier to apply. Hence, the product is better suited if you are going through the DIY route. You also do not have to worry as much in leveling since the material self-corrects. When you apply water-based garage floor epoxy, you limit the lag time since the curing process is relatively short. Once you blend the resin and hardener, the process immediately starts. You also have a longer time to apply the product due to its pot life. You’ll be grateful for this extra allowance, especially if it is your first time to embark on the project. For instance, the pot life for water-based solvents would be about two hours. In comparison, for solid epoxy, it can start at 30 minutes.
For those who are going the DIY route, they must not skip the process. Applying an epoxy coat requires more than merely cleaning your garage floor of dust and debris. Make sure that the polymer attaches well to the surface. Open the pore of the concrete and ensure that its surface is rougher to guarantee adhesion.Contractors will shot-blast the floor or ground it with a mechanical diamond device. You will not have the same luxury. With that said, you can definitely save money if you coat your garage floor yourself rather than hiring professional installers.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post. This post is pre-written.
