Choosing a floor covering in the garage
With high concrete strength, such a floor covering in a garage will wear out quickly. And concrete dust is harmful not only for mechanisms, but also for humans. The screed is especially susceptible to destruction, which is equipped with a violation of technology or using low-grade concrete.
The appearance of concrete dust is also caused by high humidity and temperature drops in the room, which gradually destroy the base. Additional coating will increase the life of the concrete and increase the comfort of being in the room.
Concrete floor impregnations and primers
Impregnations for concrete floors in the garage are divided into organic (polymer) and inorganic silicate. Inorganic compounds enter into chemical interaction with the concrete surface. Polymers have a different principle of action and are more popular. The composition of polymer organic impregnations penetrates into the surface of concrete, adheres to its particles, forming a durable coating.
Types of organic impregnations, depending on the composition:
- acrylic;
- polyurethane;
- epoxy.
Dust-free concrete floor primers penetrate the porous surface and prevent the substrate from peeling and cracking. The primer, in addition to dedusting, prepares the substrate for the following coatings. Before applying the primers, the surface is thoroughly cleaned of dirt, oil stains are removed with solvents.
Garage floor paints
Painting the floor is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to protect the floor from deterioration and absorption of oil or gasoline. Painting the surface creates an aesthetic appearance and makes cleaning easier.
For painting a concrete floor, ordinary enamels are not suitable, but only paints with a special composition.
Before painting, the floor surface should be prepared:
- the new concrete screed is allowed to dry;
- on the old floor, all damage is repaired, the surface is polished;
- remove stains and debris;
- a primer or impregnation is applied so that the upper dusty layer of concrete does not absorb a large amount of paint.
The paints, depending on the area, are applied with rollers, a brush or by spraying.
Types of concrete paints for garage floors:
- Rubber. The paint has good waterproofing properties. After application, it creates an elastic, even layer that will not flake off and wear off during use. Rubber paint has good hiding power. In order to achieve the desired rubber layer, several applications are required, the drying time of one layer is 2-3 hours. The service life of the coating is about 10 years, depending on the material manufacturer. Rubber paints, like floor coverings in a garage, are environmentally friendly, do not emit strong odors and harmful substances. Available in various colors. The composition is resistant to weather conditions, therefore it can also be used for painting garage exits.
- Epoxy. A two-component paint consisting of a base and a hardener, which are mixed before application. The curing time of the composition is several hours, so it is necessary to apply epoxy paint for the garage floor quickly.The paint creates strong adhesion to concrete, and the formed film does not peel off during operation. The coating may wear off over time in areas of constant friction or stress. The paint has no strong odor and is suitable for rooms with high humidity and temperature changes. Epoxy paint can be tinted in any shade, to create glossy or embossed surfaces. After staining, floors can be cleaned with detergents. The service life of the material is 10 years.
Modular garage flooring
The material consists of individual tiles with connecting edges. Elements are assembled like a puzzle into a monolithic flooring. This design is suitable for any, including uneven surfaces. The tiles are pressed under their own weight or glued, easily mounted and replaced if necessary. The modules are made of PVC or rubber.
Other benefits of modular coverage:
- anti-slip texture;
- easy cleaning, the coating does not transmit or absorb moisture;
- does not chip;
- resistance to loads;
- non-conductive;
- do not require special tools for installation.
Floor covering in the garage, which is better for PVC or rubber modules:
- Rubber elements are durable, with good shock-absorbing properties, made in black, with a relief surface. The modules have a characteristic smell of rubber, therefore it is recommended to ventilate the room after installation or beforehand of the elements themselves. Additional advantages include the fact that during installation, the material is easily cut with an ordinary knife.
- PVC modules are made on the basis of polyvinyl chloride, similar in hardness to ceramic tiles, textured surface of various shades. Additional advantages include the absence of odor, and the fact that the material does not support combustion.
Rubber floor covering for garage
Unlike a modular covering, which consists of separate elements, a rolled rubber covering is laid with one sheet, like linoleum. The joint seams and the coating itself are fixed with glue. The rubber roll material has an anti-slip, embossed surface with a long service life.
Rubber floor coverings in the garage are self-leveling, they consist of two components: a mixture of rubber crumb and glue. The compositions are mixed and applied using a special technique, creating a seamless finish.
Due to the complex installation, such material is not suitable for self-production, as well as for small rooms.
Self-leveling coating
Modern one-component or two-component formulations. The mixture is poured onto the floor surface and rolled over it with combs and toothed rollers. Self-leveling garage floor coverings create a flat, smooth surface. Elements such as chips, dried pieces of polymer paint, can be added between the base and final application, which creates additional decorative effect of the coating.
To work, you will need special shoes with spikes or pads on the soles, containers and mixing tools.
Before applying the liquid garage floor, the surface is thoroughly cleaned, primed and sanded. The preparation stage is important in that any roughness that comes across during application will later form chips on the coating.
The primer is selected on the same basis as self-leveling floors.
The cost of self-leveling floors is high, therefore, before applying them, they try to level the surface as much as possible.
The polymer floor covering in the garage contains acrylic, which dries up within a few hours, so the work must be done quickly and in one go, filling the mass with sectors. The composition in the container is constantly mixed before pouring. You can use the flooded surface the next day.
Types of self-leveling floors, depending on the base:
- Epoxy garage floors provide a durable, highly decorative finish.The composition includes epoxy resins, stabilizing elements, various colors can be included. Such a floor is inert to chemicals, frost-resistant. The disadvantage of a liquid floor is the complexity of its repair.
- Polyurethane coating for concrete is similar in strength to epoxy, but has greater elasticity. Such characteristics of wear resistance are applicable, including for floors experiencing vibration and shock loads. With the help of the material, a glossy or embossed surface is created. The polyurethane layer provides an airtight and oil resistant coating on the concrete.
Self-leveling flooring can be used on floors made of any material. The self-leveling ability of the flowable compound is used on surfaces with height differences. The service life of the filling surface is 5-7 years.
When choosing how to cover the floor in the garage, you should focus on the condition of the concrete screed or other floor materials, climatic conditions and the location of the room, calculate the output of materials and their installation.