In Part 1, we evaluated the current garage floor condition. In Part 2, we determined the coating’s performance requirements. Now, we move on to the aesthetics. What is our desired look?
What do I want my garage floor coating to look like?
Garage floor coatings are not “one size fits all”. The coatings can reflect your sense of style. They can show off your favorite colors or match the colors of your home's exterior. They can even be tied to your favorite team's colors (see: Baltimore Raves over Epoxy Flake Garage Floors).
Garage floor coatings come in a very WIDE range of looks. That final look may have something to do with the actual performance, but it may also just be an aesthetic of the floor system. Because so many choices are available in garage coatings, we’ve listed out some things to consider.
Four Items to Consider When Choosing the Look of a Coating System
1) Do I want a “one-of-a-kind” look?
- Some floor coatings are unique and the final look will only be known after the project is complete. Clear, thin-mil coating systems are a typical example that can emulate the look of polished concrete without the cost and hassles.
- The artistic options often require special techniques. Metallic epoxies are examples of this.
- Artistic floor coatings will often cost more than coatings which give a uniform look.
Metallic epoxy floor coatings offer unique finishes for concrete floors.
2) Do the coatings’ colors tie in with the look of the home or room’s motif?
- Some coating systems have blends that tie in better with the brick, stone, or siding on the outside of the home. This is especially true of decorative chip coatings.
- Some coatings stop under the garage door, while others go out to meet the driveway. The floor colors may or may not be visible when the garage doors are down depending on this.
- The most common garage coatings are decorative chip systems and hundreds of blends are available.
Aprons are the sections of concrete that extend past the garage door and meet with the driveway.
3) Are the colors tied to a theme?
- Color blends can be tied to professional, college, or local sports team's colors.
- Blends can reflect brand affinity, such as the colors used by Harley Davidson or Ford.
4) Do I want the floor to hide particular types of debris?
Color blends can be utilized to help hide mulch, pollen, clay, pebbles, and road salt.- Some systems have very little or no ability to hide surface debris.
- Very dark coating systems tend to show dust and pollens quickly.
- Very light coating systems tend to show dirt and debris.
- Chip blends containing light, medium, and dark colors work best to hide dirt and look clean, even when they're technically not.
Decorative chip flake systems are the most common system that we recommend for residential garages.
Step Three Conclusions
When determining the desired look, keep in mind that:
- High performance coatings last a long time, so the look of the coatings should be something that can be enjoyed for a long time.
- Do-It-Yourself epoxy paint kits won't present the same look as professional systems, nor will they maintain their look for long. DIY paint kits will color shift yellow and fade many times faster than a professionally installed garage floor coating.
- For resale value, a choice that compliments the home may be more desirable than a choice made based upon one’s favorite color or sports team.
The Next Step
This is the third of four articles dealing with garage floor coatings and their selection criteria. The series ends with Part IV: Selecting the Coating System.
The team at STRONGHOLD FLOORS can work with you to select a coating system that provides the look and durability you need in a garage floor coating. Our weather and seasonality here in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia presents some differences from the systems more commonly used in California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas (states where epoxy garage floor coatings are the most common).
