The main reason epoxy floor coating is used to protect the concrete flooring from corrosion and atmospheric pollution. It also gives boring concrete flooring a nicer look. This is perfect for garage flooring, warehouse flooring and anyplace else you may use concrete flooring. Epoxy floor coatings are considered one of the most durable coatings available because it bonds so well with concrete. Another upside of the epoxy floor coatings is with proper maintenance it can last up to seven years and still look great.

The easiest to clean and apply is the epoxy floor paint. This particular paint is mostly used in large industrial warehouses. When several coats are applied it gives the flooring a nice shiny look. Epoxy floor paint is odorless, oil resistant, water resistant and extremely durable. One let down for this type of paint is it is slippery when wet, which may not be ideal in car shops or other places where water may be spilled.

You can purchase epoxy coating with anti-skid properties. This is known as rough coat epoxy concrete floor paint. The rough coat paint is water based and very thin. Because it is so thin it can not protect against cracks in the flooring. However this paint is economical friendly and very simple to apply which makes it ideal for residential flooring.

If you are reapplying or applying epoxy floor coatings for the first time, it is very simple. Below are a few instructions and tips on getting your floor coating just right.

Make sure the floor is clean, don’t forget to dust out the corners.

Etch the floor – Mix solvent in a watering can and follow directions from the manufacturer. Always wear protective gear when mixing and using chemicals.

Begin mixing epoxy paint. Pour the hardener into the paint, it usually takes about 3 minutes of stirring to get the paint mix properly.

Start painting. The solution must be used within 2 hours of mixing. Remember to make sure the area is well ventilated.

Distribute color flakes evenly before applying the top coat. Apply as if you are laying grass seed, let the chips sift through your fingers until all flooring has even amounts. Allow to dry for 12-24 hours

Mix top coat and hardener for 3 minutes. Apply the same as the other coats were painted on. The top coat will look milky until it is dried. Allow 72 hours dry time before parking a car.

An epoxy floor coating will do many things for your garage floor.  Many people are turning to it to improve the look and safety of their concrete floors. Although it is being used in many homes, it is often questioned whether or not it is safe for pets.  Also, how do you select the right one?

Epoxy is a floor coating that is applied to concrete floors. It resists grease, oil and many other substances. It creates a surface that is easier to clean, and often increases the life span of a floor. Epoxy usually comes in two parts that are mixed together right before they are applied. One part is the resin, and the other part is the hardener, and when mixed together create an extremely strong bond. They are found in either a solvent or liquid based form when purchased for noncommercial, home based projects. The liquid that forms can be painted onto the floors surface.

When epoxy is in liquid form it can be dangerous. While it is being applied it is important to keep children and pets away, and also to turn off any appliances that are located in the area. When applying an epoxy floor coating it is also important to wear protective clothing so it doesn’t come into contact with skin, and to make sure the area is well ventilated. Pets should be kept away from a floor that has been painted with epoxy until it has completely hardened. This could be up to 7-10 days depending on the product.

Once epoxy is dry and has hardened, it is perfectly safe for pets. In fact many kennels are using it. Since they are often made with concrete, applying epoxy to the floors in a kennel makes the cleaning a much easier process. New kennels along with those that are making improvements are turning to epoxy. It can also be skid resistant which makes it a popular choice with many kennels. Veterinary clinics use epoxy in their operating rooms for the ease of cleaning, and the skid resistance.

Although there may be information around that leads to the belief that epoxy is toxic to animals, This is only the case before it has hardened. You do want to make sure that pets are kept away during the process of applying the paint, and while it it drying. But, after it has hardened, epoxy is a safe floor covering to have in your garage, basement or any other surface in your home or business where you will keep your pets.

It will also serve as a safety precaution to prevent you from falling, particularly when it’s wet.  This type of non slip floor coating, when properly applied will look shiny and smooth, but won’t let you get injured from a fall.

Epoxy flooring can not only add a tremendous amount of value to your home, but also a great deal of aesthetic appeal, and even protection to your garage floor.

If you dislike the dirty look of your concrete basement floor, think about applying epoxy flooring to give it a shiny, clean, and brighter look while adding value to your home.

What exactly is epoxy flooring and how do you select the right one for your floor? For example, take a dealerships showroom and garage, their floors are clean, and shiny with a high luster. Their garage area looks great even though cars are fixed there, and driven over the concrete repeatedly. That is the beauty behind epoxy flooring. Epoxy floor coating is a resin and a hardener, when mixed together, the bonding results in a thermosetting reaction. The result is a sealant that is tough, strengthens concrete, cleans easily, resists chemical absorption, and provides a show room look to your concrete floor.

The application of epoxy floor paint to a basement floor, is not difficult to do with the proper tools. The items needed prior to getting started are: Protective clothing, rubber gloves, mask, goggles, paint pan, roller, paint brushes, masking tape, mixing sticks, gallon bucket, 5 gallon bucket, and thinner. Once all the listed supplies are in order, the measurements of the concrete flooring that is to be epoxied with epoxy floor paint is needed. In general, one gallon will only cover an area that is 24×24.

The next step involves prepping for the epoxy flooring.  This is done simply by washing it with plain dish soap and water, and allowing it to dry completely. Also pay attention to any stains that are on the floor from oil and paint, remove these stains from the concrete using thinner. After removing the stains, rinse thoroughly with water, and allow to dry.

In this next step, protective clothing, gloves, mask, and goggles are needed, as an application of muriatic acid and water are going to be applied to the concrete floor. The formula to follow is, one cup of muriatic acid to one gallon of water. Mix the two ingredients in a bucket and pour some of mixture onto the concrete floor. Take a broom that has stiff bristles, and brush it over the entire floor. Follow up with another plain cold water rinse.

Next, if the epoxy flooring is a one step epoxy like epoxy floor paint, skip this step. If it is the two step epoxy paint and hardener, they will need to be mixed together into a five gallon bucket for five minutes. Allow this mixture to sit for an additional 30 minutes before applying.

Using the masking tape, tape off the edges of the wall along the floor to prevent epoxy from getting onto the walls. Using a flat narrow paint brush, paint along the edges of the walls, and any other small areas that are unreachable with a roller. Next, pour some of the paint into the roller pan, roll the paint roller into the paint to coat the roller, and start to roll the epoxy paint onto the floor starting at the far edge of the room, working your way outwards. Allow the paint to dry completely for at least 24 hours before walking on the floor.

Garage floor coatings are a good way to brighten up a garage. A floor coating is not only used for making the garage looking better, but garage floor coatings can also be used to keep the floor from being damaged, and it helps the floor to be less slippery. If you want to put the floor coating onto your floor that is totally up to you depending on whether or not you wish to pay a professional to do the job, but be prepared to pay out a stack of money.

There are many easy do it yourself kits for garage floor coatings that you can find in paint shops and they’re even available online and if you do it yourself you can save time and money. There are many types of coatings to choose from that depends on how much you are willing to spend and whether or not you buy a cheap floor coating or a more expensive brand they all work the same. You may decide to use the epoxy floor coating because it lasts and is more durable than the cheap ones that you find in most stores.

If you coat your garage with epoxy coatings, your garage will be able to resist all kinds of stains like oil stains, and antifreeze, and will make it easy for you to clean your floor easy as 1-2-3 and you won’t have to worry about having a garage floor that’s soiled with greasy looking stains. Buying a coating for your garage is also very useful because it can help hide imperfections that is made from paint jobs that have been done.

Once you have a floor coating applied it makes driving more easy and makes you feel more comfortable because you won’t have to drive up to a garage that feel rough but you’ll be able to drive on a more smoother and clean layout. You always want to remember that when you’re picking out a coating you may want to buy one that offers heat proofing because that’s why most floors crack and the paint melts away. So epoxy garage floor coatings works so well because you don’t have to worry about your floor peeling because epoxy works in high temperatures.

Also if you’re a elderly person, you may want consider epoxy floor coatings because it is very ideal for preventing slipping and falling which means there’s a reduction to friction. Some people use stained concrete instead of concrete coatings because it can be used to give concrete that luxurious look and style.

Staining concrete can do much more than add a simple color to your home, garage, or any commercial property, it actually works better than concrete coatings because it does so much more than give you a solid and plain looking effect. If you like designed concrete then you definitely want to have your concrete stained whether you do it yourself or have it professionally done. Having your concrete stained can actually bring a glow to any garage, home or commercial property because people that walk past won’t have to just look at a everyday boring surface.

You can have your concrete done in any design that you want and the job is definitely worth it. You can have it polished in marble or a stained wood which adds beauty to any place. There are many reasons for giving your garage a floor coating or a stained concrete look, it will definitely give your home that enhanced look and feel.