If you are considering a garage floor coating, you may be weighing whether to tackle the project yourself or hire a professional. This decision is influenced by several factors. These include: the unique environmental challenges of the Colorado Springs region, the quality of materials, and the technical requirements of the coating process. Let’s analyze the options to help you make an informed choice. Should you coat your garage floor yourself or hire an expert?
A Brief Examination of DIY Epoxy Flooring Kits
- Initial Appeal of DIY Kits
DIY garage floor epoxy kits are often marketed as a cost-efficient option for homeowners. These kits provide basic materials, such as epoxy resin and etching agents intended to create a chemical bond with the concrete surface. However, it’s important to understand that the surface preparation methods suggested in these kits are usually insufficient for Colorado Springs. - Temperature Variability
Colorado Springs, known for its significant temperature fluctuations, presents a unique challenge for garage floor coatings. Concrete surfaces undergo constant thermal expansion and contraction. This necessitates precise surface preparation. DIY kits commonly include an acid etch to prepare the concrete, however, this method is inadequate. Acid etching doesn’t create a proper profile for forming a durable primer coat bond . This is especially true in an environment where concrete experiences regular stress from temperature changes and moisture infiltration. - The Quality of Materials
The epoxy resin found in DIY kits often contains a lower concentration of solids. This leads to a thinner and less durable coating. In Colorado Springs, where UV radiation can be more intense due to the altitude, a low-quality epoxy flooring will be prone to yellowing, cracking, and wear.
Should You Coat Your Garage Floor Yourself: The Case for Professional Installation
- Advanced Surface Preparation Techniques
Professional installers use specialized tools such as industrial grinders to mechanically prepare the concrete surface. This method, unlike acid etching, creates a profile that significantly improves the adhesion of the primer coat (if it’s being done correctly, this will be a 100%-solids, moisture-mitigating epoxy primer). The precision in surface preparation reduces the likelihood of delamination, even in an environment characterized by high moisture and rapid temperature swings. - High-Performance Coatings
The residential epoxy and polyaspartic flooring systems used by professionals are engineered for superior durability and UV stability. Unlike the materials provided in DIY kits, these coatings are designed to withstand the effects of high-altitude UV exposure and mechanical stress, making them ideal for the conditions in Colorado Springs. - Long-Term Cost Efficiency
Although the upfront cost of hiring a professional is greater than that of a DIY kit, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial savings. Professionally applied coatings reduce the risk of peeling and cracking, ultimately saving homeowners from the additional costs associated with reapplication or repair. Professionally installed floors will look great and should last decades instead of months or a couple years.
Professional Installation for Optimal Results
For homeowners in Colorado Springs, the environmental challenges make professional epoxy flooring installation the preferred choice for a garage floor. The expertise in surface preparation and the use of high-quality materials ensure a long-lasting, durable finish that is resistant to the unique stresses of the region.
Get in touch if you want to talk about a professional installation for your garage floor coating.
