How to choose the best concrete coating installation for your Phoenix, AZ garage floors.

Garage Floor Coating installed By RX Garage Floor Coatings and Storage Solutions in Phoenix, AZ.

When it comes to adding a protective coating to your garage floors, selecting the best coating can be challenging. Garage floor coatings must be able to resist stains and scratching, while also maintaining their bond to existing concrete. This is why most garage floor coating systems benefit from the use of multiple layers. There are several conditions which create challenges that must be properly addressed to ensure your garage floor coating lasts. The most common causes of failures of garage floor coatings are:

• Inadequate preparation: Mechanical profiling such as grinding or shot blasting your garage floor are the best preparation methods. These methods when performed properly will leave the concrete surface rough for the coating to adhere and are the standard for a professional installation. Acid etching and the use of sanders are not acceptable methods of installation from a contractor for hire.
• Chemical attack: Battery acid will degrade most garage flooring products if not immediately addressed. Household solvents, oils and vehicle tires may stain or discolor garage floor coatings.
• Moisture: Moisture is the leading cause of failures in garage floor coatings. When a concrete slab is placed in direct contact with the soil moisture will pass from the soil through the concrete. It will then wick to the surface where it normally evaporates. When concrete is coated the moisture is unable to evaporate and can accumulate enough pressure to break the bond between the garage floor coating and the existing concrete. This pressure is what is referred to as MVE or moisture vapor emission and is measured in pounds per 1000 square feet per 24 hours.
• Using a concrete coating outside its intended purpose may also result in failure.

In Phoenix, AZ there are many garage floor coating options available. The most commonly used are Epoxy and Urethane base which include Polyurea/ Polyaspartic coatings . A garage floor coating is an investment in your home and it is best to make an informed decision when purchasing. Understanding the differences of products used when selecting your garage floor coating will ensure you purchase an installation that will last and protect your garage floors effectively.

Garage floor Coating products typically used in the industry:

Epoxy coatings are known for their exceptional adhesion to concrete and resilience to chemicals. They are generally not UV stable and are more susceptible to scratching than Urethanes. The Garage floor coating industry primarily uses four different types of epoxies.

• Water-based epoxies are used in the garage floor coating industry as an entry level or budget option. They are typically used in combination with a water-based sealer and do not typically provide adequate protection to garage floors which are being used to house your vehicle.
• 100% solids epoxy means this product does not contain solvents which will evaporate in the curing process. When cured 100% solids epoxy will retain its original volume and does not shrink. This epoxy is best used as an intermediate coating when a high build floor coating is needed. It is not an ideal top coat due to its lack of UV stability and scratch resistance. 100% solids will bond with existing concrete but not as well as epoxies designed to be used as primers. These epoxies can generally tolerate up to 5 lbs of moisture vapor emission.
• Epoxy primers are in most cases 80%-95% solids. They form a tenacious bond with properly profiled concrete, however generally do not resist scratching and lack UV stability. Epoxy primers are generally capable of withstanding 5–8 lbs of moisture vapor emission.
• Vapor/ Moisture blocking epoxy primers are also 100% solids but due to the chemical composition will remain bonded to concrete when exposed to high moisture content. When applied to a properly prepared garage floor, vapor blocking epoxy will withstand 15–18lbs of MVE.

Urethane based coatings exhibit excellent scratch resistance and tend to retain gloss over prolonged use. They are chemically resistant and UV stable, however urethanes do not bond as well to concrete as epoxies. These are the most common types of urethane based products used in the garage floor coating industry.

• Single component water or solvent based urethanes are commonly used for decorative concrete. Water-based products are best used indoors to seal concrete but can also be used to seal driveways and patios. Solvent based products offer similar protective characteristics and can be used to pronounce the colorants used in or on concrete producing an appearance similar to when the surface is wet. These products are not recommended for use in professional garage flooring applications.
• Chemical Resistant Urethane is a commonly used sealer to topcoat garage flooring systems. Offered in water and solvent based formulations, they are chemically resistant, offer good/ excellent scratch resistance and in most cases are UV resistant. CRU has an extended cure time and generally can not be driven on for several days. Chemical resistant urethane should not come in direct contact with concrete due to its poor bonding characteristics.
• Polyurea has excellent scratch resistance and gloss retention. It is resilient to chemical attack, and in many cases UV stable. Polyurea cures extremely quickly and offers very little working time. This can make it challenging for installers to apply with uniformity. When applied to concrete polyurea will bond however it is limited to 3LBS MVE.
• Polyaspartic is an aliphatic polyurea and is the most widely used topcoat in the garage floor coating industry. It offers superior UV resistance and is chemically resistant to most household products. Scratch resistance and gloss retention properties are excellent. It offers an extended working time over polyurea making it easier for installers to apply. Polyaspartic is limited to 3lbs moisture vapor emission.

Additional components commonly used include:

Decorative flake which is broadcast into coating systems and is offered in endless color combinations. Flake offers aesthetic and functional purpose including texture for increased traction. Decorative flake when used will increase the overall thickness of coating systems for added durability. When properly sealed decorative flake will create an orange peel finish and is easily cleaned with a dust blower or light mopping. Lastly in the event that a floor is damaged repairs can be made which blend well into the existing coating. Coatings which include a layer of flake do not typically show wear due to traffic (blending of colors will camoflauge imperfections) and require minimal maintenance.

Solid Color Epoxy Floors have been around for years however over time they tended to amber or yellow. When pigments are added to urethane products, solid color coatings maintain the original color much longer than epoxy. Fading of the pigments does occure over prolonged UV exposure but is not normally an issue. Solid color floors tend to show wear over prolonged use as scratching accumulates due to foot and vehicle traffic. Repairs can be made to solid color floors however they may be apparent due to inconsistent pigmentation. It is best to sand and re-coat the entire floor periodically to maintain the original appearance.

Metallic additives when added to coating systems create visually stunning floors. The visual effects of metallic coatings can transform a concrete floor into a work of art however metalics do have they’re shortcomings. While metallic additives can be added to polyurea and polyaspartic coatings, the rapid cure time does not allow the colors to flow and bleed into one another like comparable epoxies. Epoxy products used in metallic coatings may contain UV inhibitors yet they are still very susceptible to discoloration. Using darker pigments may reduce the visual effects of UV exposure. Light colors are the most susceptible and should be only used in areas experiencing minimal UV exposure. Like solid color floors metalic coatings do require increased maintenance and repairs are most often apparent. Re-coating a metallic floor will restore gloss, however imperfections may still be apparent.

With all of these available coating options, you will want to select a product which meets your needs and expectations. Be sure to chose a base coat that offers the best bond to concrete over its lifespan. Uv stability and gloss retention should be less of a concern when selecting this option as they are normally shielded from UV degradation by subsequent layers. When selecting your topcoat, you should chose a product that offers UV stability, excellent gloss retention and chemical resistance. Also, you should consider selecting a product that offers enough working time for the installer to produce quality results.

Many contractors offer one day installations. While the timeline is enticing, consider that the installation may be rushed sacraficing results and attention to detail. These systems are most profitable to contractors.

RX Garage Floor Coatings and Storage Solutions, in Phoenix, AZ utilizes a system that they believe offers the best performance aspects of bonding to concrete utilizing a vapor blocking epoxy base coat on all projects. It is somewhat of an “insurance policy” that their system remains bonded to concrete over it’s lifespan under the worst case scenario. Combined with a full broadcast of decorative flake and a polyaspartic top coat they are confident the coatings installed offer the best performance that they can provide their clients.