In addition to its aesthetic appeal, epoxy garage floor coatings can also increase the value of your home. According to a study by HomeAdvisor, epoxy garage floors can add an average of $8 per square foot to the resale value of a home.
Epoxy has poor flexibility, meaning it doesn't do well in drastic temperature changes where it must constantly expand and shrink. This will further affect the adhesion to the concrete surfaces and thus result in chipping or peeling.
According to various real estate research, homes with garages generally command higher prices than similar homes without them. A garage can add between 5% to 20% to a home's value, depending on factors such as location, design and the existing housing market.
Estimate Amount of Epoxy Needed Per Square Foot
(or 6.4 ounces per sq. ft.) Divide your square footage by 20 to get the gallons required (or multiply by 6.4).
Epoxy garage floors are definitely a great investment. Not only do they make your garage look great, but they also protect your concrete from stains, spills, and wear and tear. In addition, epoxy coatings are very easy to clean and maintain.
The cost of epoxying a 250-square-foot one-car garage ranges from $750 to $3,000. The average cost for a 400- to 500-square-foot garage is between $1,200 and $6,000. Epoxy coating costs increase with the size of the surface. Cheaper options include solvent- and water-based epoxy.
In many cases, people choose epoxy at first, but after it deteriorates rather quickly, they realize that, in the long run, a better choice is polyurea due to its sturdiness over time. While polyurea can cost more, you are paying for its durability and longevity which clearly is a better investment.
Generally, larger areas tend to have a lower cost per square foot. For example, a two-car garage covering approximately 400 square feet may incur a cost of around $4,000, while a larger project spanning 1,000 square feet could cost about $8,000.
For a typical one car garage, two gallons of epoxy should be more than enough for two coats after a primer has been applied. Three gallons should cover the average two car garage, and five gallons will generally be needed for a three car garage.
A high-quality epoxy garage floor signals to potential buyers that the home has been well-maintained, and they may be willing to pay more for a property that requires less immediate upkeep. According to real estate experts, epoxy floors can boost a home's resale value by up to 5%.
That being said, not every buyer will consider a home without a garage as a deal-breaker. On the other hand, it's not likely a buyer will object to a house that has a garage and meets their needs. Having a garage will nearly always help you sell more quickly and likely at a higher value than a home without one.
Does the garage count in the square footage of a house? The garage does not count towards the square footage of a house, as that is considered an unfinished space. A garage will only count towards the square footage of a home is if it has been legally converted into a living space.
Weakness #1: Strong Solvents
Epoxy can be weakened by strong solvents. Substances such as pure acetone, potent alcohol (typically denatured), and lacquer thinners are all examples of this. These substances will gradually dissolve an epoxy resin surface, weakening it and reverting it to a liquid.
Polyurea is more durable than epoxy and more flexible because it is an elastomer. It is also chemical resistant and can withstand stable heat up to 266℉ and 430℉ for a shorter time, according to Corrosionpedia.
For the average 2-car garage that totals about 360 square feet, that'd be $1,080 on the lowest end and $4,320 on the highest. The cost of epoxy garage flooring varies significantly due to several factors, including: The type of epoxy. The size of the space you need to be coated.
The Lifespan of Professional Epoxy Garage Floors
For most homeowners, this translates to a realistic lifespan of 20+ years, even in high-traffic residential garages. The key factors influencing this impressive durability include the thickness and composition of the materials used.
General rule for epoxy coverage
There is a general rule to help you understand how much epoxy you need. For coating epoxies, one mixed gallon (half a gallon each of resin and hardener) will cover twelve square feet at a thickness of 1/8 of an inch.
Epoxy floors are generally more expensive than polished concrete floors due to the cost of materials and labour.
The cons of garage epoxy floors include a complex installation process, higher upfront costs, sensitivity to temperature, potential for odors, and difficulty in repairs.
As a general guide, it should be touch dry in a few hours. Give it at least 24 hours before walking on it. Leave it for four to seven days to make sure it's fully cured before you park your car on it or reintroduce any heavy furniture like work benches or shelving into your garage.
Polyurea's extremely fast curing time can lead to a weaker bond and a greater chance of imperfections showing once cured.