Choosing the Right Epoxy Coating for Your Garage/Basement

The durability, versatility, and beauty of epoxy coating drastically improves concrete flooring in your garage and/or basement. In addition to enhancing the decorative dimension, it also protects the surface of the concrete from stains, cumulative wear, and other damage. When used on garage floors, it prevents absorption of oil and corrosion caused by rock salt. Other epoxy coat colours complement basement design and furniture.

Waterborne Epoxy Paint

Among the types of epoxy coatings, waterborne epoxy paint is the easiest to apply. Its longer pot life makes it favourable for do-it-yourself projects, and the single coat system can cover about 250 square feet. Waterborne epoxy paints can be purchased at a local hardware store or home improvement centre. Depending on the brand, it can be a cost-effective option. However, despite the more desirable pricepoint, waterborne epoxy paint is the least durable due to its outdated formulation. The chemicals used do not offer high resistance to stain and can be prone to hot tire lift. The shades typically available are grey and tan.

High Solids Epoxy

High solids epoxy is a commercial grade epoxy product that offers the highest resistance to stains and scratches. This 100 percent solid single coating system has a higher viscosity, making it more durable than two coats of waterborne epoxy paint. Its thickness and variety of colours make it a great colour base coat to a multi-coat system. The cost of high solids epoxy may depend on the brand and the solid content. However, colour and custom tint can affect its pricing.

Despite being a better option to waterborne epoxy paint, it’s not DIY-friendly. Because of its thicker viscosity, it needs to be rolled back and forth when applied to flooring. Its shorter pot life also requires it to be applied to the garage/basement floor within 30 to 40 minutes after mixing.

Clear Epoxy or Polyurethane

Adding a coat or two of clear epoxy or polyurethane enhances the coating of high solids epoxy. This top coat technique adds thickness, boosts durability, and gives the floor a shiny gloss. You can also sprinkle paint chips to your base coat sparingly or apply them to a full refusal (the process of throwing chips until they no longer stick).

Full refusal adds texture, increases thickness, and produces an anti-slip surface. With the number of coloured chip combinations, it enhances the aesthetic value and gives your garage/basement floor a customized look.

Multi-Coat Epoxy

This type of epoxy coating system contains 50 to 70 percent solid contents and has a thinner coat and consistency. This allows the epoxy coat to soak deeper into the concrete pores to create a stronger bond. Compared to other types of epoxy coats, multi-coat epoxy can last for up to 15 to 20 years, and sometimes longer. While this type of epoxy coating is the most expensive, its long wear makes it the most cost effective in the long run.

While applying epoxy coating yourself can save money, it’s best to leave the task to a professional epoxy flooring contractor to avoid any potential complications.

For professional epoxy flooring in Toronto, Ontario, as well as surrounding areas, call Concrete Epoxy 101 at (416) 838-5188

Related article: Add Value to Your Home with Epoxy Flooring