If you have been considering updating your garage floor coating, epoxy might be a good choice. Epoxy floorings provide an incredibly durable and stylish floor coating for garages, basements, and more. Many homeowners often ask the question, “how long do garage floor coatings last?”: With that in mind, the team at Excel Concrete Coatings is here to talk about garage floor coating lifespans.
How Long Do Garage Floor Coatings Last?
One of the reasons epoxy is so popular for garage floor coatings is its incredible durability and long lifespan. Garage floor coatings can easily last for 20 years or more if you remember regular maintenance and care. The long lifespan and durability make epoxy an extremely cost-effective option for garage floor coatings.
Factors That Affect Garage Floor Coating Lifespan
Epoxy garage flooring can last for a generation, but several factors have an impact. Common factors that affect epoxy flooring lifespan include:
Prep Work
Above all, surface prep work will affect how long your epoxy coating lasts. If you prepare your surface incorrectly, your coating is more likely to degrade faster than otherwise. Prep work involves grinding the underlying concrete surfaces, opening its pores so the epoxy can form a water and airtight bond. Improper prep can leave air bubbles under the epoxy, which negatively affects bonding.
Coating Thickness
Most epoxy flooring ranges between 0.5 and 1 millimeter thick. Generally speaking, the thicker the layer, the longer your epoxy coated floors will last. If you apply a thin coat, you will have to reapply the epoxy resin sooner than if you apply a thicker coating. Industrial-strength epoxy typically has thicknesses between 1.2 and 1.5 mm.
Urethane Topcoat
Depending on the type of epoxy you use, you may need to apply an additional urethane topcoat. Clear urethane provides an additional layer of sealing and provides extra protection against scratches, scuffs, and impacts. Urethane top coats are not necessary, but most contractors will recommend you apply a layer.
Foot Traffic
All types of flooring will have to deal with foot traffic. Epoxy will protect your floor, but foot traffic will eventually cause wear and tear. Areas that receive high foot traffic will not last as long. Similarly, heavy equipment and automobiles will also cause wear and tear over time.
UV Exposure
Most types of epoxy resin are not UV resistant. UV radiation can make the chemicals in epoxy unstable, making them degrade faster. That is why most experts will apply a UV protective layer on top of the main epoxy resin layer. You can tell your epoxy floor has sustained UV damage if it starts to turn cloudy and yellow.
How to Make Your Garage Floor Coating Last Longer
Epoxy coatings have a long lifespan, but you can do several things to make them last even longer.
- Ensure proper floor prep. The installers need to grind the concrete down before applying the epoxy so the resin can form an impermeable bond before drying. You also need to seal any cracks and joints and ensure the floor is leveled.
- Epoxy garage floor coatings need ample time to dry before they can handle traffic. The resin needs to cure for at least 24 hours before you can start walking on it. Thicker coats may need up to 48 hours to dry.
- One of the best methods to enhance your flooring’s lifespan is to sweep and mop it regularly. Epoxy does not require any special cleaning solutions and has excellent chemical resistance. Give your flooring a light cleaning at least once a month to keep it in top condition.
- If you have a lot of heavy equipment in your garage, consider buying mats for cushioning. Rubber mats can prevent scratches or scuffs from heavy machinery and also make the flooring safer for walking.
- Keep the flooring out of direct sunlight. UV rays can quickly cause the epoxy to degrade, so cover windows to keep harsh sunlight out of your garage.
- Adding chips or flakes to your flooring can make it last longer. These additions make the layer thicker and more durable.
- Epoxy is resistant to liquids, but you should still clean liquid spills as quickly as possible.
Garage Floor Coatings in Waukesha, WI
Excel Concrete Coatings strives to provide top-rated floor coating services. We take great pride in the quality of our work and always aim for 100% customer satisfaction. Contact us online or call today at (262)-683-5381 to discuss options for garage floor coatings in Waukesha, WI!
