6 Reasons Why You Should Skip Epoxy For Your Garage Floor
Jun 26, 2020

Epoxy coatings have been the go-to option for coating concrete floors for a long time. In some situations, they’re a good solution and can offer benefits that shouldn’t be diminished.

It’s easy to assume that they will be the best choice for your garage, but is this really the case? We would have to say that epoxy is not the best option for your garage. Read on to learn why!

#1: Epoxy does not adhere well

Epoxy has a significantly stronger adhesion than paint. But, as the floors swell and retract, the epoxy begins to break down. Chipping and peeling is a common occurrence with epoxy floor coatings.

However, when you compare epoxy with polyurea, there is no comparison. Our polyurea 1-Day floor coating comes with a 15-year warranty that covers chipping, peeling, and delamination. Epoxy does not offer this.

#2: Epoxy takes days to cure

Epoxy floor coatings take a minimum of 5 days to become drivable. One of the best things about our 1-Day floor coating, is that it is drivable in just 24 hours. This is ideal for both homeowners and business owners.

Five days is a long time to keep the kids and dogs off the driveway and finding street parking after a long day at the office! Not to mention five days is a long time to be shut down for business while the floors dry. Plus, the long cure time invites bugs, dust and other contaminants to get caught in your beautiful floors. Our 1-Day installation eliminates all of these issues.

#3: Epoxy will fade

Epoxy is tough, but unfortunately it doesn’t stand up to UV exposure. That super cool floor color will not hold up under the sun and that’s disappointing!

That means that patios, walkways and pools are off limits for epoxy, and you should even limit how long your garage door stays open. Protecting your floor coating from UV exposure is the only way to keep epoxy from fading and this is impractical.

On the other hand, polyurea is 100% UV stable - with a lifetime warranty!

#4: Epoxy doesn’t stay in place!

Unfortunately, epoxy doesn’t stay where you put it. On hot days, you run the risk of peeling up the flooring as your tires drive over the surface. Hot-tire pickup is a massive problem with epoxy.

Many people choose to protect their floors with rubber mats to combat this lift, but then you’ve masked your beautiful floors! Our 1-Day floor coating chemically bonds with cement. This makes it virtually impossible to peel!

#5: Epoxy is inflexible

Epoxy never fully cures. After 5+ days, it becomes drivable and it will continue to harden indefinitely. This means that over time the floor turns brittle. The more brittle it becomes, the more it becomes compromised during temperature fluctuations. As the cement expands and contracts, the brittle epoxy will begin to crack.

Polyurea is 10x more flexible than epoxy.

#6: Cool temperature applications are tricky

Epoxy is finicky and the temperature needs to be just right in order for it to cure well. This means that epoxy can only be applied when the temperature is ideal, and that’s not always practical.

Our 1-Day floor coatings can be applied in all seasons. We can install these coatings any time of the year. If winter is your slow season and the best time to recoat your floors, our 1-Day floor coatings are up to the task. Epoxy is not.

Lancaster Painting specializes in 1-Day floor coatings

Our 1-day floor coatings:

  • 4x Stronger Than Epoxy
  • Will Not Crack or Chip
  • 1-Day Installation
  • 15-Year Warranty
  • Slip-resistant

We spent a long time researching the best floor coatings and chose polyurea floor coatings for a specific reason. We stand behind our products and offer a 15-year warranty. Head over to our  Facebook page  to see some of our recent floor coating projects. If you have any questions, or want a  free estimate , reach out to our team!

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Your garage is more than just a place to park your car; it’s an extension of your home. And if there are two things that are sure to transform it, it’s a well maintained, durable floor and a quality storage system. But not all garage solutions are created equal, so it’s important to do the homework before investing in either one of these projects. Wondering where to start? You’ve come to the right place! Let's dive in. Polyurea Concrete Coating: The Premium Choice There are many kinds of concrete coating options out there: from epoxy to acrylic to DIY low-grade sealers. However, when it comes to an attractive, quick, and long-lasting option, polyurea is well-recognized as the best option. Why? Take a look: Durability and Toughness Polyurea is extremely durable and resistant to abrasions, impacts, and chemical spills. Flexibility Unlike many other coatings, polyurea remains flexible even after it cures. This flexibility allows it to absorb impact and adapt to the expansion and contraction of the substrate, reducing the likelihood of cracks and peeling. UV Tolerance This top-of-the-line concrete coating is also extremely resistant to fading or yellowing, so you wont need to worry about that fresh finish going away anytime soon. Seamless and Waterproof Finish When applied, polyurea creates a seamless surface that is also waterproof. This makes any spills or marks very easy to clean. Understanding How Polyurea Concrete Coating Works Polyurea is a type of elastomer that is derived from a reaction between a diisocyanate and a polyamine. Before we get TOO nerdy on you, we can boil it down to this: it’s NOT just another epoxy coating, and the unique chemical structure gives it remarkable physical properties, including flexibility, toughness, and resistance to various environmental factors. Another key difference? How it’s applied: Professional Surface Preparation: Before applying polyurea, the concrete surface must be properly prepared. This usually involves cleaning the floor to remove any dirt, grease, or existing coatings, and then mechanically profiling or etching the concrete to ensure good adhesion. That’s where our heavy-duty concrete grinding machines come into play. Applying the Base Coat: After surface prep, a base coat is applied which penetrates the concrete pores and creates a strong bond between the floor and polyurea. Flakes: Before the base coat dries, vinyl chips (the color choice is yours!) are spread evenly across the garage floor, creating a durable and well-protected layer. Plus, it looks great. Polyurea Top-coat: once the base coat dries and the chips are in place, the excess is removed and the final polyurea top-coat is applied. Cabinets: The Best Garage Storage Solution The floor isn’t the only thing that significantly affects the overall functionality and style of your garage. Without an organized storage system, a garage can quickly fall into a chaotic state. We’re speaking from direct experience here (we’re homeowners too, after all!). So what should you look for in a good garage storage cabinet?  Durability Strength Customization Every garage is different. Customizable cabinets allow you to have more say in size, shape, and design as opposed to plastic or metal stock shelving. But a cabinet that fits well isn't worth much if it doesn’t age well. For garage cabinet systems especially, durability is key. If a cabinet is constructed well and finished with a high quality powder coat (as opposed to traditional painting methods) you can be sure it will stand the test of time. For more detailed information, take a look at this blog: What’s the Best Kind of Garage Storage Cabinet in the Central Valley? What’s Your Takeaway? Let’s recap. Transforming your garage is a significant step towards enhancing your home's functionality, appeal, and value. By choosing professional concrete coating services and custom storage installation, you're investing in quality, safety, and enduring value. For any more questions or inquiries, our team at Lancaster Painting is just a call away. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Are custom garage storage solutions really worth the investment? A: Absolutely! Custom garage storage solutions are designed to fit your specific needs and space, making your garage more organized and efficient. They can help maximize space, reduce clutter, and make finding and accessing tools and equipment easier. This level of customization and efficiency is difficult to achieve with off-the-shelf storage products. Q: Can polyurea coatings be applied to any concrete surface? A: Polyurea can be applied to most concrete surfaces. However, the concrete needs to be properly prepared, which includes cleaning, repairing any cracks or damages, and ensuring the surface is level for optimal adhesion and finish. Q: How do custom storage solutions compare to pre-made options in terms of cost? A: Custom storage solutions may initially cost more than pre-made options due to their personalized design and high-quality materials, but they offer better durability, functionality, and are tailored to fit your specific space, providing better value in the long term. Q: How long does a polyurea floor coating last compared to traditional coatings? A: Polyurea floor coatings typically have a longer lifespan than traditional coatings like epoxy. With proper maintenance, a polyurea coated floor can last for decades, whereas others might require reapplication or repair within a few years.
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