Installing an epoxy coating on a garage floor can dramatically improve the look and feel of your space. The shiny, durable finish not only makes it easy to clean off oil stains but also increases the value of your home while adding a touch of class to an otherwise neglected corner of the house. However, not all epoxies are created equal, and it’s important to do some research before you head out to buy one for yourself. Here’s what you need to know about choosing and installing this popular home improvement product.
Table of Contents
Is it worth it to epoxy garage floor?
One of the most common questions is whether homeowners should epoxy their garage floors. It’s a great question, and one that needs to be answered before moving forward with the project. While it’s not the right choice for everyone, there are several reasons why epoxy flooring is among the best materials you can use in your garage or workspace.
Epoxy coating can be used on many concrete surfaces, but its usefulness is most evident when used to coat concrete floors because it protects that surface from damage caused by water and other liquids, such as oil and gasoline. The resin-based substance provides a strong barrier between your garage floor and anything that may spill on it.
Epoxy also prevents moisture from seeping into the pores of concrete floors—this means your floor will not become stained even if oils leak onto it or snow melts off tires.
This durability makes epoxied floors ideal for garages where cars are stored overnight since they’re less likely than bare concrete surfaces to crack under pressure exerted by tires rolling over them while parked in one place all day long (or longer).
It’s important to note that an epoxied garage floor will cost more upfront than traditional concrete—however, this investment will pay off in years of reduced maintenance costs as well as having better-looking surroundings each time you open up those doors!
How much epoxy do I need for a 2 car garage?
In general, epoxy for garage floors comes in kits that cover 500-600 square feet. If you are doing a two-car garage with a standard size of around 400 square feet, then you will need to buy either one or two kits depending on the brand of epoxy its coverage rate per kit.
The size of your garage (the area that will be covered) is not where you should cut corners. It is much better to have extra material left over than to run out midway through your project and have seams because you did not buy enough kit material. The bottom line here is don’t cheap out trying to save money by buying less material; it just isn’t worth it!
How long does epoxy garage last?
- Epoxy garage floors can last up to 30 years.
- Epoxy garage floors are tough and durable, meaning they won’t chip or peel (if installed by a professional).
- Epoxy flooring is stain-resistant. So go ahead and drop those spare ribs on the floor—they won’t leave a mark! This property also means that epoxy flooring makes cleaning up spills in your garage easy as pie. The only thing you have to do is wipe up that mess with a damp cloth, spray off your surface with water, and dry it off!
Why you should not epoxy your garage floor?
It is true that an epoxy coating can do wonders for your garage floor, especially if you park your car in the garage and are prone to oil and grease stains. However, epoxy coatings have a few drawbacks as well:
- If you want to change the color of your garage floor, you will have to remove the existing epoxy coating first. This can be a very expensive and time-consuming process.
- Epoxy coatings can chip or crack if they are exposed to heavy loads. Again, this is not necessarily a problem if you only park your car in the garage–but it would definitely be problematic if you plan on doing any auto repair in this space.
Can I epoxy my garage floor myself?
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you probably won’t want to hire a professional to install the epoxy garage floor. The good news is, that most epoxy floor kits are easy enough for even the novice DIY’er to handle.
Of course, before starting a project like this on your own, make sure you read all of the instructions and know exactly what to expect in terms of prep work and installation. If you need additional help or have questions about how best to do something, there are many videos on YouTube that can demonstrate the process for you.
You can also find great customer support from many online retailers of epoxy flooring.
Still not comfortable with taking this on by yourself? Many home improvement stores offer professional application services through contractors they have used before. Even if they don’t advertise these services themselves, they may be able to refer you to someone who will do an amazing job without breaking your budget.
How long does it take to epoxy 2 car garage floor?
The epoxy needs 24 hours to dry, but the floor won’t be fully cured until a few days later. Depending on the temperature and humidity, it can take up to a week to cure completely.
Is it hard to epoxy garage floor?
You will sometimes hear people say that it is hard to epoxy a garage floor. This is not true. It is easy, but it takes time, especially if you have a large garage.
The hardest part is cleaning the floor because you can’t lay down the epoxy coating until the floor has been cleaned and dried. Other than that, there are only a few basic steps to follow and they’re all easy to do
How do you epoxy a 2 car garage?
To get started, you’ll have to apply a thin layer of the primer included with your kit. Next, mix the epoxy with a paint stir stick. Pour the epoxy onto the garage floor and use a paint roller to spread it around. Finally, let the epoxy dry. It’s as simple as that!
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve taken a look at what goes into the cost of epoxy flooring for your garage. We covered:
- What epoxy is (epoxy resin/hardener mix)
- Why you might want to consider an epoxy coating over a garage floor paint
- The three main factors that will contribute to how much it costs to install an epoxy coating on your garage floor:
- The total area of the garage floor you’re looking to cover, and whether or not you’ll need any extra material, like anti-skid additives or colored flakes
- The complexity of preparing the surface (whether or not the current floor needs major repair, if there are cracks that need filling in, etc.)
- Whether you’re going with a professional installer or DIYing it yourself
While we know from personal experience that installing an epoxy coating on your garage floor can be daunting at first glance, we also know that once it’s done (and especially once you see how great it looks), you’ll be glad you did it!
