Epoxy Floor Durability

The durability of your epoxy floor is directly related to the quality of materials that are used and the proper preparation of the surface.

See our Epoxy Floor Prep link immediately below for detailed tips and techniques for properly preparing your garage floor.

The $69 - $99 hardware store kits have homeowner grade materials. The epoxy supplied is usually contains only 30-40% solids to keep the cost down. The rest is water. The kits also do not contain a clear sealer to enhance the beauty and durability of the floor. Store personnel can rarely recommend a sealer let alone one which is compatible with the kit's epoxy..

Professional grade systems utilize a two-part epoxy resin which has 95% - 100% solids. This type of product produces a much thicker, deeper penetrating and more durable coating.

Professional installers also broadcast 25-50 pounds of 1/4" decorative chips over a typical 2 car garage floor. (The homeowner kits usually only contain 2-3 pounds of 1/16" chips.) This heavy coating of chips hides imperfections in the floor, provides an even granite-like look, makes any necessary future floor repairs easy AND gives the floor additional non-slip traction.

On top of the epoxy and decorative chips, professional installers apply a tough UV-resistant urethane or polyurea clear sealer coating. This top coating further enhances the durability of the floor and produces a high gloss finish which is extremely easy to keep clean.

Using a high quality sealer over the epoxy and chips is one of the most important things to do to ensure maximum durability and beauty for your floor.

Professional grade materials cost the installer $85 to $120 per gallon. Don't even bother with the $99 kits. You will regret it sooner than later when the coating starts to peel off or discolor.

Your floor coating materials should have the following properties:

VOC: Less than 100 grams per liter (g/l). (VOC is a measure of the amount of volatile organic compounds [VOC] emitted during application and curing. A lower number is better for the environment and is required in most Air Quality Management Districts.)
Solids: 75-100%
Flammable: No
Odor: None to moderate
Pencil Hardness: H2-H3
UV/Fade Resistance: Excellent
Non-Yellowing: Excellent
Abrasion Resistance: Excellent
Hot Tire Pick-up Resistance: Excellent

(These test results are supplied to the materials manufacturer by an independent testing lab.)

The coating should show "No Effect" to the following household chemicals and automotive fluids:

Motor oil
Gasoline
Transmission fluid
Brake fluid
Anti-freeze
10% HCL (battery acid)
Degreaser
Liquid Plumber
Ammonia
Vinegar
Clorox
Windex
Acetone
Xylene (a very strong solvent)

(These test results are supplied to the materials manufacturer by an independent testing lab.)

If the supplier of the coating materials can't or won't give you this chemical resistance information: stay clear.

Don't use any cleaning products on your epoxy garage floor that contain the solvent Methylene Chloride. (Read the label.) Products that contain this extremely strong solvent are normally epoxy or urethane strippers. Methylene Chloride will damage your garage floor.

Very, very few products contain this solvent. Normally you have to go out of your way to find them. Methylene Chloride is not an ingredient of standard cleaning products designed for household use.

California Concrete Restoration, Inc.
Laguna Hills, CA
(949) 939-4088
Email us at: calconcrete@cox.net

We specialize in installing quality epoxy floor coatings in Southern California. If you are located in another area we should be able to give you a reference to a local professional. Email us with your location, contact information and what you would like to accomplish.

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