Garage Epoxy Flooring Services in Toronto & GTA
Is your garage floor slippery and dirty? Are you tired of it looking like a relic from times long gone? Then our Toronto residential garage epoxy flooring services are your perfect solution!
Using a 100% solid epoxy solution, our high gloss finish will give you a clean and safe workspace resistant to oils, household chemicals, and other liquids.
Transform your concrete floor into a functional and stylish surface with one phone call.
Contact TTM today for a free, no-obligation consultation at 905-850-0335 or complete our convenient online form to learn how to transform your garage floor from drab to stunning!
What is Garage Floor Epoxy?
Contrary to popular belief, floor epoxy is not just an upgraded paint for concrete, far from it. While many paint products contain some epoxy to improve the paint’s durability, it is still just paint. Garage floor epoxy is an entirely different chapter in the book of flooring treatment. So, comparing epoxy paints with full epoxy is a bit like comparing your living room to your garage.
A garage floor epoxy treatment is a thermosetting of resin on the surface of the concrete. This coating is made by mixing polyamine hardener with epoxide resin. Due to the added hardener, the epoxy gains the strength and durability you need.
There is another considerable difference between an actual epoxy treatment and epoxy paint. Paint dries while epoxy cures. While this may seem insignificant, it is part of why garage floor epoxy is a superior solution—mixing the two parts of the epoxy resin result in a chemical reaction requiring curing. During this period, polymer structures are developed, giving the product top-notch durability and strength compared to other flooring products. It is important to note that even if the surface may feel dry, it might still not be fully cured.
Garage floor epoxy also is much thicker than paint. If the surface is prepared correctly before application, it creates a powerful bond to the concrete’s surface.
How to Bring Ugly Garage Flooring Back to Life
Garage flooring is one of the unsung heroes of any home, especially during the cold winters of Toronto. Fluid leaks, rust marks, and age can make the best-looking floor look more like a stained nightmare. Garage floor epoxy can help even the worst-looking surface.
Contact the garage floor epoxy specialists of TTM Finishes to learn how to transform your old, worn garage floor to look new again.
If you’re looking for a durable finish that can last (almost) a lifetime, garage epoxy flooring is what you need. It is durable and can easily be cleaned, leaving it looking like new every time. You can even add flakes and colour to add some additional style to your garage; we also have some metallic finishes available.
Not only does garage floor epoxy create a cleaner and more attractive surface, but it also gives more traction as an added benefit. With over 40 years of experience, TTM’s experts have the experience and expertise to professionally and quickly apply epoxy coatings for superior quality.
The Benefits of Epoxy Garage Floor Coatings
Now, you might be wondering what makes garage floor epoxy such an outstanding finish. We’re glad you asked.
RESISTANCE
Garage floor epoxy solutions are resistant to most household chemicals, car fluids, acids, alkalis, stains, chipping, impacts and abrasion.
PROTECTION
Epoxy seals the concrete flooring against moisture, making it highly beneficial to people living in snowy climates where road salts and deicing fluids could damage concrete.
DURABILITY
Garage floor epoxy’s resistance to most chemicals and fluids and against impacts makes it highly durable, so you don’t have to panic if you experience a spill or drop a wrench or accidentally knock over a bicycle.
EASY TO CLEAN
All you need to clean your garage flooring is water and a mild cleaning solution, or if it’s just dust and some debris, a soft broom or dust mop will do the trick.
SAFETY
You can add anti-slip additives to the epoxy before application, creating a safer surface for you and your family, especially if wet.
AESTHETICS
Not only can garage floor epoxy cover minor imperfections and flaws of the concrete, but it also gives your garage a sleek, clean look. Mixing in colours or flakes allows you to customize it for the desired look.
AFFORDABLE
It is a very affordable solution if you compare the durability of garage floor epoxy to concrete.
ENHANCED BRIGHTNESS
The high-gloss finish reflects light, creating a brighter work environment by enhancing natural and artificial light.
Types of Epoxy Flooring
There are several types of epoxy flooring available:
- Self-levelling epoxy flooring
- Epoxy terrazzo flooring (like the floors in a mall)
- Epoxy floor coatings, aka epoxy paint
- Antistatic epoxy flooring
- Metallic epoxy coatings
Garage Floor Coatings vs. Garage Floor Coverings
You might wonder if using garage floor mats or coverings might be a better solution than concrete coating. The answer is: It depends.
If you like working on your car in your garage or want to protect your flooring from water, road salts or deicing fluids, then garage floor epoxy is the better solution as it will protect the floor. You can still use garage floor mats in the areas you most often work for additional protection.
On the other hand, if you use your garage as a home gym, then gym tiles will likely be sufficient unless you want to minimize dust.
How Garage Floor Epoxy is Applied
The first step is crucial and doesn’t involve any epoxy yet. The concrete floor has to be appropriately prepared to ensure the perfect adhesion between the concrete and the epoxy coating.
In a new garage, a fresh concrete slab will need at least 28 days to set before epoxy can be applied to the garage floor. An existing concrete floor may need some repair work to patch and repair to prepare. Every part of your garage’s concrete must be roughed up by acid washing or shot blasting to create an abrasive surface perfect for the epoxy to adhere to and bond.
Once the concrete is prepared, the epoxy coating is applied with either rollers or brushes. It is critical to note that the concrete has to be fully dry before applying the epoxy to prevent any potential bonding issues. The epoxy can take up to two weeks to fully cure.
To ensure top-level quality, we use multiple layers of epoxy, beginning with an epoxy primer that binds to the concrete and creates foundational adhesion to give the other layers a strong base. It also can act as an additional moisture barrier.
Depending on the product, the primer layer may have to cure overnight before applying the second coat. This coat can contain paint chips or other additives. Finally, you can opt for an additional topcoat for improved durability. It often is transparent and glossy. One of the most common materials used in top finishes is polyurethane, as it is resistant to yellowing, which epoxy is known to develop when exposed to the sun.
Epoxy Garage Floor Maintenance
Garage floor epoxy comes with very convenient maintenance. Dust and debris can easily be swept up with a dust mop or a soft broom. Liquids or other spills can be cleaned with water and a mild cleaning solution, which is particularly convenient during winter when dirty snow mixed with salts and deicing fluids drop from your car.
Should You Hire Someone to Install Garage Floor Epoxy Coating?
It is possible to install garage floor epoxy by yourself. However, it is essential to note that it is not as simple as it may seem. It is a challenging and time-consuming process. The floor has to be meticulously prepared to prevent any issues with the epoxy bonding, and any mistakes made during this process or the application can impact the final result.
If you hire professionals, you can rest assured that the floor preparation and application of the epoxy layers will be done professionally and safely.
TTM Finishes is the leading surface finishing company in Toronto and the GTA. With over 40 years of experience, you can count on us for your painting or concrete floor finishing project. From the painting and refurbishing of industrial warehouses, plants and equipment to custom floor finishing for high-end retail spaces, lofts and apartments – trust us for a long-lasting and durable finish. We guarantee our painting and floor finishing work.
TTM Finishes is fully bonded and insured and only uses high-quality products, environmentally-friendly techniques, professional equipment and WHMIS-trained and certified personnel on all painting and concrete floor finishing projects. Contact TTM today for a free, no-obligation consultation at 905-850-0335 or fill out our convenient online form to find out how you can transform your garage floor from drab to stunning!
FAQs
ARE THERE OTHER COATINGS BESIDES EPOXY?
There are other decorative coatings available for your garage flooring than epoxy.
One of the most common alternatives is single-part polyurea coating systems, which are durable and easier to apply than epoxy. These systems dry very fast, allowing a complete system to be applied in just one day.
IS EPOXY AND PAINT FOR A GARAGE FLOOR THE SAME THING?
No. Contrary to popular belief, floor epoxy is not just an upgraded paint for concrete, far from it. While many paint products contain some epoxy to improve the paint’s durability, it is still just paint. Most paints are latex acrylic, making them the least durable decorative option.
It is also critical to note that paint is not intended for clear topcoats; most are incompatible with most clear coats.
ARE THERE DRAWBACKS TO AN EPOXY COATING?
While garage floor epoxy is tough and durable, it is not indestructible.
The biggest challenges come from welding, where hot slag and grinding sparks may damage the coating. Metal fabricating, in general, often has heavy and sharp objects being dragged across the surface.
Epoxy also is not the perfect choice if your garage floor has moisture issues from below the slab, which may cause delamination if the moisture is too high.
Hot tire pickup can cause problems with epoxy, especially with DIY kits. These kits are usually water-based and very thin. Hot tires can cause these coatings to soften and cause dents or adhere to the tire, so the tread can pull it off the floor when being moved.
Finally, epoxy is not UV stable, meaning prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lead to a yellow tint. This can be avoided by using full-colour flakes and a high-performance polyurea or polyurethane topcoat.
IS EPOXY COATING A DIY JOB?
While it is possible to epoxy your garage floor independently, we don’t recommend it for multiple reasons. It is critical to properly prepare the concrete floor before applying any coating. Any mistakes during this step can cause issues with the flooring. The layers of epoxy also have to be correctly applied and then allowed to cure to guarantee the best possible quality.
Applying an epoxy coating to your garage floor is time-consuming and challenging. We recommend hiring professionals like TTM.
WHERE CAN EPOXY FLOORING BE USED?
Epoxy coating is highly versatile and can be used anywhere you can use paint. Other than garage floors, people use it to cover concrete porches, outdoor coatings, unfinished basements and more.
HOW LONG WILL MY EPOXY FLOOR COATING LAST?
It depends on the circumstances, such as which coatings you use, whether it is installed professionally or not, and the wear and tear you place on your garage floor, but generally, your garage floor should last at least ten to twenty years.
Once you start seeing wear and tear, you can, in most cases, apply a new top coating so you don’t have to start the whole process over.
DOES EPOXY FLOORING WORK WELL IN A COMMERCIAL SETTING?
Absolutely. Epoxy floors can be an excellent solution for a variety of commercial settings. It gives floors a cleaner look, even with higher foot traffic, and it is also easier to keep clean and look great.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL AN EPOXY FLOORING SYSTEM?
Typically, applying garage floor epoxy will take a few days to ensure it is done right. While labour takes a few hours, you have to factor in the time it takes to prepare the flooring and allow the coating to cure properly.
IS IT WORTH IT TO EPOXY YOUR GARAGE FLOOR?
It is worth epoxying your garage floor. It is durable, protects your floor, is resistant to most household chemicals and other liquids, and you can customize it with colour and other additives.
WHAT IS THE BEST FLOOR TREATMENT FOR YOUR GARAGE?
The best garage floor treatments are epoxy and polyaspartic coatings. They protect your garage flooring from humidity and other abrasives. At the same time, the top coat is durable and resistant, making your garage aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean for years to come.
ARE EPOXY FLOORS SLIPPERY?
The glossy topcoat finish of garage floor epoxy may give the appearance of slipperiness, but they are skid resistant and less slippery than most other smooth surfaces. Anti-slip additives can be added to the epoxy before the application.
HOW LONG DOES GARAGE FLOOR PAINT LAST?
A garage floor coating of acrylic or latex paint will typically last 1 to 2 years, depending on how busy the area is. If you use paint without added epoxy, you must reapply more frequently.