Garage coatings are usually made up of an epoxy product which bonds to a cement floor and dries to a ceramic-like finish. Epoxy consists of a two-component liquid emulsion which, when mixed, is used as a sealant or protective finish. This material lends itself perfectly to use as a garage floor coating.
Garage coatings are becoming more popular as homeowners are constantly looking for ways to improve their home for both aesthetic and financial benefits. Because garages are being repurposed as workshops, play areas, craft rooms and home offices, more homeowners are finishing their garage floors. Garage coatings resist oil, dirt, water and grease, which makes them perfect for alternate use in laundry rooms, basements, work shops and porches.
Many of the garage coatings on the market are designed for do-it-yourselfers who are finishing their home garages as a weekend project. If plain old gray doesn't match your garage's "decor," there are many base colors and add-ons available. Color chips or quartz aggregates may be added to garage coatings for a speckled or granite effect, and stickers or decals can jazz up the floor. Finishes include black marble for the refined garage, a "Harley" combination for the motorcycle aficionado, gold or silver sparkles for a flashy look, and earth tones for the more neutral garage.
Garage coatings are a practical way not only to beautify your garage, but also to protect the concrete floor against weathering, cracking, oil, chemicals and moisture. Some products claim that garage coatings are actually stronger than concrete, thereby extending the life of your garage floor. Although you may hire a professional to apply garage coatings, there are many products that can be ordered online or purchased at your local home improvement store that are low odor, self-priming and quick dry.
Coating your garage floor can be completed in a weekend. The garage coating kit you purchase should come with all the necessary materials. First, the garage floor must be degreased, cleaned and etched, or roughed up. This allows the epoxy to bond with the concrete. Patching holes or cracks is an optional next step.
Depending on the finish you want, you may begin and end with the base coat. If you choose a more decorative finish, color chips may be added, followed with either one or two topcoats. The result: a tough, yet beautiful finish to your otherwise boring and utilitarian garage floor.