We spend a lot of money decorating our homes, and they become showpieces that we are proud of. Unfortunately, the garage isn’t so lucky because it is often ignored and used for storage and parking. You can, however, transform this space to bring it up to the level of the rest of the home with a little effort, and then it will be a room you can add to your home tour.
The garage floor is where you make the most impact; by putting a covering on it, you clean up the room and protect the floor. You can paint or apply epoxy, and they both can look great, but you may find it hard to decide. To help you understand the benefits of each, here is a guide to garage floor paint vs epoxy.
Decide the Usage of the Space
Your garage can be many things. It may be a catch-all for totes, tools, shoes, bikes, and toys. Your gardening supplies and Christmas decorations also need a place to live, and if you have any more room, you can park your car inside.
Some people like to make this an extension of their home and turn it into a:
- Workshop
- Studio
- Living space
- Gym
What you use this room for may dictate the choice of epoxy concrete floor coverage. If you are just looking to make the floor look good and don’t spend too much time in there, paint is a great way to go. On the other hand, if you work in the garage and there will be lots of traffic flow, epoxy will be a superior choice.
What Is Floor Paint?
Floor paint is a latex, acrylic paint similar to wall paint and goes on the same way. It can seal your floor and protect the surface to withstand foot traffic and items stored on top. Some floor paint will have anti-slip additives to it and may even contain some epoxy as well.
This instant upgrade to your floor looks great but will require maintenance as it may chip and crack over time and need some touch-ups. Use enough paint for good coverage and apply two coats for best results.
What Is Epoxy?
Epoxy is a great option if you want better protection for your garage floor. It contains polymer resins and hardeners to create a strong chemical bond with the surface and is much tougher than paint. It’s ideal for heavy traffic and protects against spills and stains.
You can get it in many colours, with more customization like metallic or terrazzo, and it gives a nice upgrade to your garage that will last for a long time.
Application
A homeowner can do both paint and epoxy without too much trouble. They both require a clean surface to start, so you must clean the garage and sweep up all the dust and debris. You may also want to repair any cracks or chips so it doesn’t show through the coating you put on.
Paint
Paint is easy to roll on; you just need to get latex or acrylic paint in your colour of choice. Floor paint is similar to wall paint but is a little tougher to stand up to wear and tear. Get an even coat and let it dry for 4-6 hours before putting on your second coat.
Epoxy
Epoxy takes more time and has an extra step to prepare the concrete. You typically use a grinder or shot blaster to remove the top surface of the concrete to help even it out and leave behind a rough surface so the epoxy adheres better.
Now you can mix the epoxy solution and roll it on, making sure to get it done within a few hours so it is still workable.
Cost
Everything has an attached cost, and your garage floor is no different. For the cheapest option, painting the floor will be your choice. You can measure the square footage of your floor and allow for two coats so you know how much to buy. Epoxy is more expensive, but this is offset by the fact that it lasts much longer and is a superior coating for your floor.
There we have it, garage floor paint vs epoxy. It comes down to preference, so check with your local supplier and see what makes sense. You can also contact a concrete coating company, who will help you decide the best option. After you are done, enjoy your upgraded garage and utilize this room for anything you want.