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Garage Floor Coatings Criteria Part IV: Selecting the Coating System

The final step: Selecting the coatings system for your garage floor

We're now in the home stretch! In the previous three parts of this series, we've covered:

  1. Evaluating the Current Condition of the Garage Floor
  2. Defining the Performance Requirements for a New Garage Floor Coating
  3. Choosing the Desired Look of the New Garage Coatings

Now, there's only one more thing left to do..

thinking about coatings system that's right for your garage

Selecting the Proper Garage Floor Coating System for Your Garage

Selecting the coatings system for your garage

This step is often the most difficult, as there are so many systems to evaluate and compare. The systems differ on look, performance, and price. Some systems are sold as Do It Yourself. Others are installed by professionals (be careful, as many non-coatings companies or independent tradespersons attempt to subsidize themselves by dabbling in coatings applications).

When choosing a professional, it's important to exercise caution and properly vet them before going through with the project. Check out our blog post titled "CAUTION AHEAD When Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor" for more information on this.

Decorative chip floor in Annapolis, MD

Decorative chip flake coatings are the most popular coating system and it's the system STRONGHOLD FLOORS typically recommends.

While there's no specific "right answer" when selecting a garage floor coating, the following are four popular choices:

Floor Coating System

System characteristics

Decorative Chip/Flake
  • Hides dirt and debris
  • Emulates the look of real terrazzo
  • Available in hundreds of combinations
  • Available in many sizes of chips/flakes
  • Easy system to maintain
  • Hides normal wear & tear longer than most systems

 

Solid Color
  • Great for “working” garages where small items may be dropped
  • Available in many colors
  • Typically the least costly system
  • Shows dirt and debris

 

Metallic Pigmented
  • Creates a one-of-a-kind floor
  • Available in hundreds of color combinations
  • Typically requires several days for installation

 

Clear, Thin-Mil “Nude”
  • Emulates the look of Polished Concrete
  • Give a natural look but is truly protected; far superior to sealers
  • Shows dirt and debris

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Why Aren't Decorative Quartz Coatings Listed?

Decorative quartz coatings have long been the workhorse of commercial, decorative coatings, but they are losing ground to decorative chip and metallic epoxy systems. For the typical residential garage, a quartz floor has too many issues:

  1. If only done in a single broadcast of the decorative quartz, the system will be prone to:
    1. Inconsistency in the finished look.
    2. Crack repairs showing through.
  2. Whether a single or double broadcast, quartz coatings will:
    1. Show dirt and debris quicker than a decorative chip coating.
    2. Cost far more than a decorative chip coating.
    3. Show wear and tear faster than a decorative chip coating.
Epoxy quarts bathroom

Decorative quartz epoxy coatings, such as the example above, shouldn't be used in residential garages.

Final Items to Consider When Choosing Your Garage Floor Coatings System

  1. Is the floor coating system widely used or installed in residential garages?
  2. Can the floor coating system be seen at customer sites? Are the floor coatings shown in the model homes of reputable builders?
  3. Has the system been applied in residential garages long enough to evaluate its expected lifespan?
  4. Does the coatings application company have a good reputation in the community and on the web?
  5. Do local residential and/or commercial builders use the installation company?
  6. Does the coating system carry a warranty that actually has real meaning?
  7. Is the warranty provided by the installation company, not just the coatings manufacturer?

Before and after Stronghold Floors garage project

Wrapping It All Up

Purchasing a garage floor coating system is not simple. We hope this four part series has helped you in the decision making process.

A garage floor coating shouldn't be overly expensive, but it's also not cheap, either. If it seems cheap (like the kits sold at the big box stores), it won’t last. If it’s a kit sold in a paint store, it’s probably not real, high solids epoxy. If the price seems too expensive, be sure to ask around and compare the price with other companies.

For most homeowners, a DIY epoxy kit or applying sealers is not going to be a good answer. Ignoring the unprotected surface isn't going to make the problem disappear, either.

There are many good, professional garage floor coatings companies in the mid-Atlantic region. If you're in our service area, we hope you will give us a call. We’re here to help. You can also fill out a contact form online to request a free quote today!

STRONGHOLD FLOORS has assisted thousands of homeowners in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Our team will be happy to assist you in proper system selection.