Author Topic: Epoxy garage floor?  (Read 11555 times)

Trudie

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Epoxy garage floor?
« on: July 14, 2014, 02:23:36 PM »
I live in the upper midwest, and our garage gets filthy throughout the year -- especially in the winter with snow and ice, sand, and muck.  I'm wondering if it would be helpful to epoxy the floor?  Who has done it, and if so would you or would you not recommend it and why?

We are not super handy, but my BIL has done it and I'm sure would help us for a nice steak dinner and case of beer.

To be clear, I am not doing it so my garage is some tricked out get-away.  It is not large, but I like keeping it tidy and don't wish to invest tons of money in cabinets, shelving, etc.

soccerluvof4

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2014, 02:33:12 PM »
I live in the Arctic Midwest as well and I wouldn't do it. Over time it will give into the salt and all the car brings in. I would however purchase a big rubber car mat . If you have a drain and or garage is pitched properly i clipped the corners on mine to runoff into. But the DIY kits are expensive and dont hold up as do the pro jobs. Not worth the money

ProfWinkie

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2014, 07:39:41 AM »
Polishing the concreate is better than expoy and once sealed is 100% water & salt proof.

You can rent a polisher and have done in a weekend. You can also dye the conceret once polished.

b4u2

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2014, 12:01:13 PM »
I too am in the artic midwest (it is summer here right?). One problem I have is the concrete "sweats". Since they put a super smooth finish on the concrete it gets very slick and dangerous year round. I am thinking about the epoxy with the chips in it just to help with potential fall problems.

ProfWinkie

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2014, 02:10:25 PM »
A concrete grinder and 40-80 grit diamond pad will scuff up the surface and no maintenance.

You can rent cheaply for a ½ day

rubor

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2014, 02:30:51 PM »
What about those plastic interlocking pads? They look okay- sold at Costco. A little expensive- 1500 probably for a 2-car garage. Don't know how much the other options cost.

avongil

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2014, 08:17:09 AM »
+1 for polish and harden.  Epoxy is crap if you don't have it professionally applied.  I'm in the manufacturing business and have seen hundreds of machine shop floors. The DIY stuff is pure junk - peels quickly.  Check out Home Depot floors. They polish them yearly.. I think a garage will just need to be polished once in it's entire lifetime.




db_cooper

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2014, 08:49:15 PM »
We just refinished a poorly made concrete countertop in our cabin with a product called Spreadstone, and we're extremely happy with the results.  The coating was invented for concrete floors, so it bonded great, and looks pretty good too.  Considering we were either going to spend a couple grand having a concrete guy refinish it, with probably mixed results,  or tear it out and replace with granite, and possibly damage the cabinets,  it was a steal at $125 for the kit.  I would say it's worth looking at their website.

eyePod

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2014, 01:33:02 PM »
If you're going to do it, Ollie's discount outlet (popular out here in the mid atlantic region - similar to big lots) had it on sale for $40 which covers 250 sq ft. We plan on doing it in our garage. My father did it and it's lasted at least 5 years so far. Much easier to clean up anything you spill (oil, etc.) and it really looks great.

sequoia

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2014, 10:17:01 PM »
We did the epoxy for our 2 car garage 10 yrs ago when we bought the house. So far been great. There are 4 spots that worn out where 4 tires are. We did this because one of the car drips oil, so it is easy to clean. Also I do oil change and other maintenances. If I spill anything, it is easy to clean.

I dont remember the brand name, but it was purchased at Lowes or Home Depot, about $50 for 200sqft. The key is to clean the floor, like super clean, so that the epoxy sticks.

DollarBill

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2014, 10:42:03 PM »
I did a lot of research on this and I agree with most people here. I would just do a clear sealant because it will stop stains and won't chip or peel up. 

ADV_CJ

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2014, 03:43:53 AM »
OP, if this is still on your radar you are more than welcome to PM me.  I sell PMC (protective marine coatings) for a living and deal with epoxies all day long.  I can tell you from someone who lives in the midwest (Indiana) that a coating is only as good as the surface it's being applied to.  Epoxy coatings on garage floors can last years.  However, if your garage floor wasn't installed with a proper moisture barrier then it has potential for failure.  Most garage floors around these parts aren't installed with moisture barriers.  The DIY is not a good alternative.  The cheapest product that i'm willing to sell to my contractors would cost a home owner around $250 kit (2 gallon kit).

Bob W

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2014, 01:08:08 PM »
I'm considering this myself.   I have seen several garages done in this style.   One guy even did a black and white tile pattern that was awesome.     My floor is heavily stained so I think the polish and seal is out.   

I think I'll go with the classic grey that has the little flecks you can throw in.   It looks like a classic garage seems it would to me.

I do always marvel at Home Depots polished concrete floors though.   

Best of luck!

Booritocat

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2014, 08:32:39 AM »
We live in the arctic midwest - 34 degrees this AM.  Put epoxy on our garage/shop floor four years ago and it is holding up beautiful.  Ours is grey with the color chips sprinkled in.  Those chips keep the floor from being slippery when there is a coating of water or snow on it.  The floor is easy to keep clean and looks just as good today as the day we applied it. 

SnackDog

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2014, 07:37:27 PM »
Why waste money on a garage floor?

Sunny

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #15 on: September 15, 2014, 06:08:58 PM »
Another resident of the snowy Midwest here.  When I pull into he garage after winter driving, the salty-snow mixture melts on the garage floor and pits the concrete.  It's often April before I can hose the floor clean, but try to use a broom to sweep out what I can over the winter.   I was just looking at these large rubber grooved mats that go on the garage floor.  I'm thinking the melted salt- snow mix would drain out the garage opening, or at least make it easier to sweep out the garage without staying on the concrete and affecting the floor.

eyePod

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #16 on: September 16, 2014, 10:14:28 AM »
Why waste money on a garage floor?

The point is that it makes it a lot easier to handle spills and cleaning the of the floor.

dragoncar

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #17 on: September 16, 2014, 12:14:32 PM »
Why waste money on a garage floor?

The point is that it makes it a lot easier to handle spills and cleaning the of the floor.

Why waste time cleaning a garage floor?

Zacyra

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #18 on: September 14, 2018, 08:10:11 AM »
I had my garage done professionally and it's great. They start by grinding the concrete to remove the skin on the concrete that has oil and other stuff on it. Then they lay the epoxy https://mechanicguides.com/best-garage-floor-cleaner/ Before the epoxy sets, they sprinkle some color stuff on the epoxy. The guy has "nail shoes", that is shoes with a bed of nails in the sole so he doesn't leave prints in the epoxy as he walks on the epoxy to spread the sprinkle stuff. The next day, the epoxy is cured and they sweep off the excess sprinkle stuff.

Then a few days later, they come back and put a clear coat on top. It is NOT slippery. I've walked on it wet, with sawdust on it, and never felt that my footing was uncertain.

My shop is in the two car section of the garage and my wife has the remaining one car section. I built a wall between the two sections. Her section is fine, no peeling or other failures.

I would recommend you have it done professionally and check out the reviews of the people who do it. If done right, it's a good looking, long lasting coating for the garage.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2018, 12:55:39 AM by Zacyra »

J Boogie

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #19 on: September 14, 2018, 01:09:56 PM »
Why waste money on a garage floor?

The point is that it makes it a lot easier to handle spills and cleaning the of the floor.

Why waste time cleaning a garage floor?

Garages are often just used for storage, but a storage area benefits from an owner who takes pride in it.

When you keep things in order, your mind tends to be more at ease. When things are undone and in disarray, it's easier to give in to the defeatist laziness snowball that can send you down the route of crippling anxiety and next thing you know your loved ones have hired a massive saw to cut you out of your bedroom which you haven't left in 8 years and you have since gained too much weight to move your own body.

ChpBstrd

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Re: Epoxy garage floor?
« Reply #20 on: September 27, 2018, 02:14:25 PM »
Why waste money on a garage floor?

The point is that it makes it a lot easier to handle spills and cleaning the of the floor.

Why waste time cleaning a garage floor?

Garages are often just used for storage, but a storage area benefits from an owner who takes pride in it.

When you keep things in order, your mind tends to be more at ease. When things are undone and in disarray, it's easier to give in to the defeatist laziness snowball that can send you down the route of crippling anxiety and next thing you know your loved ones have hired a massive saw to cut you out of your bedroom which you haven't left in 8 years and you have since gained too much weight to move your own body.

We're not to the classic "5 why's" yet!

Why should it bother a person if their garage floor isn't as clean as an interior floor? Or, why should a person allow this "problem" into their headspace?