Garage Floors (Epoxy & Coatings)

Most garage floors are bare concrete that stains easily, collects dust, and looks industrial rather than finished. Oil drips, tire marks, and spills leave permanent marks on untreated concrete. The porous surface absorbs liquids and harbors dirt in tiny pits and cracks. Cleaning bare concrete is frustrating because stains never fully come out and dust returns immediately after sweeping.

Epoxy and polyurethane floor coatings solve these problems by sealing the concrete under a tough, impermeable surface. Spills wipe up easily instead of soaking in. Oil spots clean up with a paper towel instead of leaving permanent stains. The smooth, sealed surface doesn't generate concrete dust. Your garage stays cleaner with less effort. A quick sweep or mop is all you need for regular maintenance.

Durability is another major benefit. Quality floor coatings resist tire marks, chemicals, impacts, and abrasion. They protect your concrete floor from damage while looking great. These coatings handle hot tires, dropped tools, and everything else that happens in an active garage. The investment pays off in reduced floor maintenance and a more pleasant space to work in.

Appearance matters too. A professionally coated garage floor looks showroom quality. The glossy finish brightens the space by reflecting light. You can choose solid colors or add decorative chips for a custom look. Many homeowners find they use their garage more once it's transformed from a dingy storage cave into an attractive, functional space. Whether you use your garage for vehicles, workshop activities, or as extended living space, a coated floor makes a dramatic improvement.

Proper installation is critical for floor coatings that perform well and last for years. Shortcuts in preparation lead to coatings that peel, bubble, or fail prematurely. Here's how we approach every garage floor project.

Surface preparation is the most important step. The concrete must be clean, dry, and properly profiled for coating adhesion. We start by repairing any cracks or damage. Then we grind or acid etch the floor to open the concrete pores and create a profile that coatings can grip. All oil stains, previous sealers, or contaminants must be removed. Even small amounts of oil or grease prevent proper bonding. We test the floor's moisture content because excess moisture causes coating failure.

Once the floor is prepared, we apply the base coat. For epoxy systems, we mix the two components and apply them with rollers or squeegees. Working time is limited before the epoxy starts to cure, so we work efficiently. The base coat needs to be applied at the right thickness and worked into the concrete profile. If you're adding decorative chips, we broadcast them into the wet epoxy immediately after application.

After the base coat cures, we lightly sand the surface to remove any sharp chip edges and prepare for the topcoat. The polyurethane or epoxy topcoat goes on next. This final layer seals everything, creates the glossy finish, and provides the wear surface. The topcoat must be applied evenly for consistent appearance and performance. Multiple thin coats typically work better than one thick coat.

Curing time is essential. While the floor may look dry within a day, full cure takes several days. We advise keeping vehicles off the floor for at least five to seven days. During this time, the coating achieves its full hardness and chemical resistance. Using the floor too soon can damage the still-curing coating. Temperature and humidity affect cure times, so we account for conditions during your project.

The preparation and application process typically takes two to three days for a standard two-car garage. Day one is prep work. Day two is base coat application. Day three is topcoat application. Then you wait several days for full cure. The timing can vary based on floor condition, coating system, and weather. Unlike outdoor concrete work that you can see happening, much of the value in floor coating comes from the preparation work that happens before the attractive finish goes down.