Epoxy Floor Installer
There are two competing products in the garage floor coating industry: the traditional applied epoxy/polyurethane coatings, and the relatively newer polyurea coatings. First, the coatings are chemically related; they share a common chemistry.
Both coatings have remarkable adhesion properties, and are very durable, at least compared to typical paint products. Another introductory point is that although advertised as "polyureas", garage floor polyurea products are really hybrids. A pure polyurea cures in 15 seconds or so--obviously not very easy to apply unless it is sprayed. Pure polyureas are sprayed, and used in industrial applications.
Strenghth and Adhesion
Adhesion is important because garage floors take a beating. If the adhesion between coating and cement floor fails, then the project fails. Both polyureas and epoxies adhere tenaciously to the surfaces to which they are applied-but only when the underlying surface is prepared well.
The problem with polyureas is that the reduced drying time may not sufficiently "wet" the concrete surface to which it is applied. This wetting of a surface means absorption, which means adhesion. We know that Premier Garage uses some form of hybrid, and the recent lawsuit brought by some of its franchisees involved, as one of its claims, allegations that PremierGarage's hybrid products lack adhesion.
It's only an allegation though, and I would suspect that the problem may lie in the surface preparation, rather than the coating properties. Here in Austin, the one Premier Garage installation I observed was prepared with an acid solution, and not with a physical grinder. That's a recipe for disaster--the best preparation is always surface grinding.
All in all, polyurea hybrids and epoxy coatings, when applied over well-prepared surfaces, have more than adequate adhesion properties to adhere to even imperfect concrete for at least a decade.
With garage floor epoxy coatings, the basic texture of a concrete floor can be changed so that it can be better utilized by a home or business. The coating can have a non-slip substance added to it, or rely just on the properties of the epoxy itself to provide a very slip-resistant surface that can even help in situations where there is some moisture or liquid on the floor. Additionally, certain types of coatings provide a finish that is so strong that it can resist damage from dropped items and will stand up to high heat. At the same time, some coatings are designed in a way that allows moisture to move up through the epoxy, preventing moisture held in the underlying concrete from destroying the finish.
Aesthetically, garage floor epoxy coatings can turn a neutral, grey concrete floor into a vibrant and colorful element of the room that matches the walls and other fixtures. Most epoxy floor coatings can be tinted or colored so that once dry the floor has a distinct color. Flooring professionals can offer a more elaborate coating that matches natural materials such as granite or marble for an elegant appearance. The reflective surface of the epoxy will also refract light into the room from the ground up, increasing the overall brightness of the space.
Modern garage floor epoxy coatings have many technical features that make them an excellent choice for a variety of different rooms. They are available in several different grades, from light coatings suitable for decorative areas, all the way up to very heavy duty coatings that can withstand heavy machinery or cars. Some epoxy floor paint is self-leveling for a perfectly flat floor, as well as allowing installers to run the finish up a small portion of the contacting walls for a more professional and consistent appearance. Finally, garage floor epoxy coatings are more resistant to staining and is far easier to clean over time than a bare concrete floor.
