Deciding which coating you should apply to your garage floor surfaces takes some thought. When making a choice, there are several factors to consider. Besides your budget, understanding your requirements helps move the process along.
Depending on your floor use, you may opt for a slip-resistant finish or something that resists concrete stains. Be sure to factor in whether the flooring space is residential, industrial, or commercial. Each flooring has different requirements for best use.
Garage Flooring Options
Understanding the pros and cons of the materials you use is also essential. You can choose from several garage flooring options, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses.
Some popular choices are as follows:
- Epoxy-based floor coatings
- Polyaspartic coatings
- Garage floor paints
- Garage mats
Garage mats are nonslip, and you can easily place them on the concrete surface. These mats are easy to use but need replacing every few years. They are also less durable than the other options and will not cover the entire floor the way a coating will.
Garage floor paints are not especially slippery and can have additives to encourage slip resistance. Paint alone is not a durable material. Most home and business owners prefer polyaspartic or epoxy-based coatings for their resilience and attractiveness.
Epoxy resins and polyaspartic polymers are the top contenders for a coated garage floor. When dry, they are both slip-resistant. However, spilling liquids such as water, oil, or chemicals makes them extremely slippery.
These coatings lose their slip resistance during spills because they are nonporous. The liquid cannot sink into the material, causing slips and skidding.
Does My Coated Garage Floor Need to Be Slip-Resistant?
It depends. The floor use and location are the two main factors that dictate your needs.
If you commonly spill water, oil, or chemicals on your garage floor, you will require a form of slip resistance for safety. Another consideration is whether you drag ice or snow in with your vehicles, which melts and forms puddles.
Adding a nonslip particle may not be necessary if you live in a dry area. It’s worth considering if it rains often or is exceptionally humid in your local climate. A professional can help you make the decision.
How Can I Make the Garage Floor Surfaces Slip-Resistant?
Making any of these concrete coatings nonslip is straightforward. Adding a substance to your top coat gives the garage floor covering more grip.
There are two ways to add the substance:
- Mixing it into the garage floor covering and applying them together.
- Spreading the addition to your concrete floors after painting.
The first option is easiest to ensure even coverage.
There are several nonslip materials available, each with a specific use.
Shark Grip
Shark grip is the easiest way to make your floors slip-resistant. They make shark grip out of a finely ground polymer material, which is soft on the skin and clear once dried. This quality makes shark grip the best option for residential use.
It’s also easy to clean since its softness allows a mop to glide over the bumps on the surface.
Silica Sand
Sand is an option as well, but it has its drawbacks. This material weakens garage floor coatings because sand breaks down quickly, leaving holes in the surface.
Sand also affects the garage’s appearance, so is best used with a colored coating to hide it.
Aluminum Oxide Additive
Aluminum oxide additive is exceptionally rough, so it is best for industrial flooring. It is incredibly effective as a slip-resistant additive but is harsh on bare skin. This aspect makes it difficult to use anywhere bare feet will touch it.
It’s long-lasting and durable, but hard to clean because it easily catches a broom and mop.
Contact Tagg Concrete Coatings for the Ideal Slip-Resistant Garage Floor
You have many options available for a nonslip garage floor coating. When deciding which coating works best for your needs, it always helps to ask for a professional’s expertise. Not only will they know which coating suits your garage, but they can also apply the coating to ensure long-lasting results.
While it is possible to do it yourself, applying garage floor coating is a challenging task that takes a level of know-how to do it right. Your garage floor surfaces deserve the best, so let us step in. Our commitment to quality work means we offer a 15-year warranty on chipping and peeling.
For more information on garage coatings and slip resistance in Charlotte, NC, contact Tagg Concrete Coatings at (919) 439-8879 to request a consultation.
