If you are researching different types of garage flooring, then you probably came across the epoxy paint solution. Most of these articles tell you about all the benefits of this method, but what they don’t tell you are the problems. One huge problem that many consumers face with this product is the installation. If you don’t put a sufficient amount of time into your prep-work, then your garage flooring will not come out well. The problem with epoxy is that there are too many things that will interfere with its bond to the floor. To make sure that your epoxy paint bonds well with your floor then you will need to follow some precautions.
Before you start anything, you need to do some serious surface preparation. If there are any chemical or oil stains on the concrete, make sure they are removed. If there is any part of your garage flooring that is stained with any product, then the epoxy paint will not bond well with that spot. Also you must be sure your garage floor is completely dry. There can be no moisture coming in contact with your floor what so ever. Even if your floor appears dry, it still may contain moisture. A way to test for hidden moisture is to tape a piece of plastic to a section of your floor and wait for a few days. If you see water near the edge of the tape, then you know that there is water coming up from the concrete which will affect the epoxy paint significantly. Also if the floor was previously painted, then all of the paint must be removed even if you have to ground down the floor to do it. The preparation for an epoxy paint job can be long and tiring and there is still a chance of failure.
Reasons For Failure
If the humidity of your garage is not perfect, then there is a chance that the epoxy will fail.
The epoxy needs to cure quickly because if it doesn’t then blistering can appear on your floor.
If salts from the concrete come in contact with the epoxy as it cures, then it may bond incorrectly.
When a surface becomes too hot or cold, then it can expand or contract. These slight expansions can cause the paint to crack which will ruin the look of your flooring.
Depending how far you have gotten in your research, you may know some good alternatives to epoxy. One very good alternative is rolled garage flooring. Rolled garage flooring is very durable, easy to install and clean, and it even offers anti-fatigue benefits. Rolled garage flooring comes in a very wide variety of styles and colors so there is a good chance you will find one that you love.
Advantages to Rolled Garage Flooring
The only steps needed for preparation is a sweeping. It is recommended that you clean up the dirt and spills before putting in the carpet but it doesn’t need to be perfect.
It is very inexpensive, which is great for people who don’t want to spend a fortune on their garage floor.
They come in many different sizes, styles, and colors so there will be one that fits your lifestyle.
Most people only write about the reasons why you should purchase a product, and they tend to leave out the reasons why you shouldn’t. After reading this article I hope you have a better understanding of the work and risks that comes with epoxy. If you still think that epoxy is your best option then that is perfectly fine; just make sure you know all your other options before you make your final purchase.…