Why Epoxy Might Not Be The Best Choice For Your Garage Floor
Garage Finisher Team • May 31, 2021
Are you thinking of finishing your garage or another area with a resinous floor coating? It's a good idea. Coated floors will last far longer than bare concrete, and are much easier to clean as well.
However, when people think of resinous floor coatings, usually they think of epoxy - but they should know that epoxy isn't the perfect solution. While it remains a commonplace choice, epoxy flooring has some significant drawbacks. In many cases, alternatives such as polyaspartic floor coatings
are going to be the better option.
So if you've been thinking epoxy, here are some reasons to at least do some more research into which floor coating will truly be best for your needs.
5 Significant Drawbacks To Epoxy Floor Coatings
1 - Epoxy is strong but brittle
Champions of epoxy like to tout its strength, and that is true - but only in very specific circumstances. Epoxy holds up best under direct crushing pressure, such as having extremely heavy objects stored on top of it. However, it is surprisingly weak to scratching, piercing, and other damage typically done by dropped objects.
2 - Epoxy takes a long time to cure
Once an epoxy surface is laid down, you can expect to wait for days before the area is actually usable. It'll be at least two days under absolutely optimal conditions and realistically will take 10 days. That's a long time to be without a garage! This can be particularly disruptive for working businesses who can't afford to lose access to one or more areas for most of a workweek. Don’t believe anyone that says the longer dry time will help with adhesion due to longer penetration time – EPOXY HAS NO PENETRATION into the concrete no matter how long it takes to dry.
By comparison, polyaspartic floor coatings
only take a few hours to cure. The entire installation process for all but the largest rooms can happen within a day.
3 - Epoxy presents even more installation challenges
Beyond the need for heavy-duty protective gear and the long curing time, there are even more challenges to installing epoxy that make it a difficult, tedious, and prolonged process.
For epoxy to properly bond with concrete, the concrete must be utterly clean and absolutely dry. Any trapped dirt or other debris beneath the epoxy layer will cause problems, and any additional moisture - even an increase in humidity over the course of an installation - can potentially weaken the final product. We've seen epoxy floor installations have to be abandoned and re-done because an inopportune rain storm fouled the process. Any installer of epoxy usually includes a long list of exclusions to their warranty due to the sensitivity of epoxy to moisture.
4 - Slippery when wet
The nature of epoxy is that it creates an entirely flat, non-porous surface. It's safe enough to walk on while dry, but that's not the case when it's wet. Any moisture on the surface will make it dangerously slippery, with almost no friction whatsoever. Of course, this is most problematic for businesses that would be in danger of slip-and-fall accidents and the worker's comp claims which can accompany them.
There's also the question of how to keep the floor safe on wet or snowy days when anyone walking inside will be adding liquid to the floor.
Any solution to this requires slip additives that usually sink to the bottom of the epoxy still resulting in a slippery floor. Otherwise, you'd have to use floor mats and other containment systems - and that can be an issue if you chose a resinous coating in part due to its appearance.
5 - Discoloration over time
Epoxy will tend to discolor over time, from staining, use, as well as from UV light. In a working space, this may not be an issue, but it can be a major problem in private homes, as well as organizations thinking about using epoxy in a prominent location such as a foyer. Also, wet epoxy being installed is particularly vulnerable to UV-based discoloration. One bucket left in the shade, and another left in the sun, will likely result in a color mismatch between the two batches. Some installers use epoxy as the basecoat followed by polysaspartic as the top coat to protect the floor from UV (and claim they install polyaspartic floors), but this is not considered a polyaspartic floor because the bond/adhesion coat to the concrete is epoxy and will still become brittle and peel.
Additionally, epoxy will expand and contract differently than polyaspartic, so this system is a recipe for disaster!
This is another case where polyaspartic floor coatings
are superior, as they resist just about any traditional source of fading or discoloration.
Garage Finisher Has The Best Flooring Solutions In Greater Cleveland
For decades, we've provided Cleveland and surrounding Ohio cities with the very best in floor finishings and coatings. Our "Forever Floor," based on polyaspartic floor coating
technology, offers all the benefits of epoxy with almost none of the drawbacks.
When it comes to running a business, every detail counts—including the floor under your feet. At Garage Finisher, we’ve crafted Our Forever Floor as the ultimate garage flooring solution, designed to meet the demands of busy commercial spaces. Let’s walk through why this durable, versatile option could be the game-changer your business needs. Built for the Grind of Daily Operations Businesses don’t slow down, and neither should your flooring. Our Forever Floor is engineered to take on heavy foot traffic, equipment drops, and whatever else your workday throws at it. We know that garage flooring solutions need to be tougher than nails, and ours delivers with a resilience that keeps it looking sharp no matter the pace. Think about auto shops with constant oil drips, warehouses with forklifts rolling through, or office parking garages damaged by road salt—Our Forever Floor shrugs it off. Its seamless design means cracks and chips are a thing of the past, giving you a commercial surface that stands up to the grind while keeping maintenance low. We’ve seen it transform chaotic spaces into ones that work as hard as you do. Quick Installs Keep You On Schedule Our Forever Floor shines as the premier garage flooring solution—it’s fast to install and ready the next day. Our Garage Finisher team prioritizes efficiency, so your business isn’t sidelined while we work; you’re back up and running before the competition even notices. The quick-cure polyaspartic formula we use means no endless drying times. We’ve had clients thrilled to reopen their doors without missing a beat. It’s a practical choice for anyone who can’t afford downtime, and we’re proud to make it happen smoothly every time. A Professional Look That Impresses Your business’s appearance sets the tone for clients and employees alike, and our Forever Floor brings a polished look that’s hard to beat. Our garage flooring solution comes in sleek finishes that turn a utilitarian space into something professional and inviting. Garage Finisher loves helping local Cleveland business owners pick a style that reflects their brand without sacrificing function. A clean floor doesn’t just look good; it brightens up the whole area, making it feel bigger and more welcoming. Whether you’re showing off a showroom or organizing a workspace (check out our design ideas ), this flooring steps up to the plate. It’s the kind of detail that leaves a lasting impression. The Garage Flooring Solution That Saves You Money Investing in flooring might feel like a big upfront cost, but our Forever Floor pays off in the long run. Its durability cuts down on repairs and replacements, making it a cost-effective flooring solution for businesses watching their bottom line. We have seen clients save big by avoiding the constant fixes and long downtime that cheaper options demand. Plus, it’s low-maintenance—just a quick sweep or mop keeps it in top shape, and no fancy sealants or waxes are needed. That means less time and money spent on upkeep, freeing you up to focus on growing your business. Safety You Can Count On A busy workplace needs flooring that’s as safe as it is tough, and our Forever Floor delivers with slip-resistant options that keep everyone on their feet. Spills happen—whether it’s water, grease, or something stickier—so we customize with textures to reduce risks without losing its sleek look. Adaptable to Any Business Need Whether you need a garage flooring solution for a small retail garage or a sprawling industrial space, we provide flooring solutions customizable to handle the load—literally and figuratively. Every installation is tailored to your business, ensuring it matches your workflow.. Our Forever Floor isn’t just flooring—it’s the looring solution that keeps your business moving forward. Tough, fast, and tailored to your needs, Garage Finisher has the expertise to make it work for you. Curious how it could fit your commercial space? Contact Garage Finisher today—our team’s ready to answer your questions and get you started!
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Durability is a key factor that homeowners and business owners alike should consider for any project. Garage Finisher’s Polyaspartic flooring is incredibly popular amongst Ohio homeowners and business owners due to its impressive strength and resilience, making it an ideal choice for a variety of environments. By the end of this blog, you'll understand why Garage Finisher stands out as the premier garage flooring provider. Exceptional Chemical Resistance One of the standout features of our “Forever Floor” Polyaspartic flooring is its remarkable chemical resistance. Unlike traditional flooring materials that can easily succumb to spills, chemicals and stains, our Polyaspartic flooring is designed to withstand harsh chemicals, road salt, oils, and solvents. This makes it an excellent choice for garages, warehouses, and industrial settings where exposure to such substances is common. Moreover, our flooring's ability to resist yellowing and degradation over time ensures that it maintains its aesthetic appeal, even in demanding environments. As a result, you can enjoy a beautiful, long-lasting floor without the worry of frequent replacements, re-sealing, or repairs. Strength and Flexibility Combined Garage Finisher’s Polyaspartic flooring is not only resistant to chemicals but also boasts impressive mechanical properties. Our flooring formula is known for its strength and flexibility, which allows it to endure heavy loads and impacts without cracking or chipping. Whether you’re parking heavy vehicles in your garage or hosting events in a commercial space, our Polyaspartic flooring can handle the pressure. The unique composition of our Polyaspartic flooring allows it to expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, making it less prone to damage compared to other flooring materials like epoxy which gets brittle over time and peels. This adaptability is crucial in Ohio, where we can experience significant temperature changes, ensuring that your flooring remains intact and functional for years to come. Long-lasting Performance and Easy Maintenance Another reason why our Polyaspartic flooring is considered durable is its long-lasting performance and low maintenance requirements. Once installed, this flooring will last for decades with minimal upkeep. Unlike traditional flooring options that may require frequent waxing or sealing, our Polyaspartic flooring only needs regular cleaning to maintain its appearance. Additionally, its seamless surface prevents dirt and debris from accumulating in cracks and crevices, making it easier to keep clean, unlike cheaper alternatives that do not fill the control joints making those floors harder to clean. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your space but also contributes to a healthier indoor environment. With our Polyaspartic flooring, you can enjoy a beautiful, durable floor without the hassle of extensive maintenance. If you have additional questions or would like to learn more about how our garage flooring solutions can benefit your space, don't hesitate to contact Garage Finisher today. Our team is here to help you make the best flooring decision for your needs!
