Dust and small debris not only pollute the garage, but also provoke gradual abrasion of the concrete coating. As a result, large-scale and expensive repairs have to be carried out over time. There are several types of materials that can be used to paint the concrete floor in the garage to prevent it from collecting dust. If you have completed a commercial garage door installation and are interested in high-quality garage flooring, this article is for you.
Pros And Cons Of Concrete Garage Floors
The advantages of concrete coating indoors include the following:
- Increased resistance to loads. Concrete can withstand mechanical stress for a long time and withstand structures weighing several tons.
- Long service life. The need to replace the concrete floor in the garage arises 20-30 years after pouring.
- Relatively low price. Cement and other materials needed to form a concrete screed are inexpensive.
- Hygiene. Concrete screed does not create conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
- The concrete floor is repairable. Small defects can be easily covered with cement mortar. The main disadvantage of this material is that the concrete screed has a porous structure. Therefore, under the influence of loads, dust constantly forms on the floor in the garage, which is dangerous for the respiratory system.
The second disadvantage is the inability to withstand the aggressive effects of certain chemicals. Because of the latter, the floor in the garage cracks within six months.
Causes Of Dust And Defects
Concrete floors are characterized by active dusting. This is explained by the fact that due to the porous structure, the floor gradually wears out, in particular under the influence of loads. Small particles form a layer of dust on the bottom of the garage that cannot be completely removed with a brush or other means.
For a similar reason, defects appear on the floor covering. In addition, cracking of the concrete screed is caused by:
- natural subsidence;
- contact with machine oil and other aggressive substances;
- penetration of water into the screed structure.
To avoid such problems, it is recommended to remove dust from the concrete screed at the stage of arranging the interior space by applying the appropriate material.
The Need For Dust Removal
Additional protection of the concrete floor allows you to increase the strength of the material and significantly reduce the amount of dust generated. To do this, at the stage of garage construction, dry cement or a layer with polymer toppings is laid on top of the fresh mortar. If this procedure was neglected at the initial stage of pouring the floor, the floor is covered with:
- tree;
- ceramic tiles;
- rubber plates or PVC.
You can also polish the concrete or make a self-leveling floor. Each of the proposed options requires relatively high costs. The best way to remove dust from a garage is to apply paint to the floor. This is especially important if we are considering commercial garage door installation.
What Paint Is Suitable?
When choosing a paint coating for a garage floor, it is recommended to pay attention to materials that prevent negative effects:
- temperature changes;
- chemical substances;
- mechanical impact;
- moisture.
To do this, you should choose durable materials. The best ones, in this case, are acrylic, polyurethane, epoxy, and alkyd paints. A primer is also suitable for garage floors.
Acrylic Paint
If you fill the garage floor with acrylic paint, you can create additional protection against abrasion, chemicals, and moisture. This material is considered environmentally friendly but takes a long time to dry (12 hours). The second disadvantage of acrylic paints is their high price.
Epoxy Enamel
Treating the garage floor with epoxy enamel is the best option since this material is easy to apply and inexpensive. The composition dries quickly. Therefore, epoxy enamel should be applied immediately after stirring.
This composition is also suitable for painting coatings exposed to constant sunlight. Enamel under ultraviolet light does not fade over time.
Polyurethane Paint
Polyurethane is suitable for painting garage floors. This material is highly resistant to the presence of aggressive environments and can withstand prolonged mechanical stress. Polyurethane paint forms a smooth surface on the floor, as a result of which the adhesion of the wheels to the floor covering is weakened.
However, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of polyaspartic coatings for garage floors. While polyurethane offers excellent resistance to aggressive environments and mechanical stress, exploring the specific attributes and potential drawbacks of polyaspartic coatings will help you make an informed decision for a durable and suitable garage floor finish.
Rubber Paint
If the garage is used not only for storing the car but also for various repair work, it is recommended to lay rubber on the floor. The material withstands shock loads and contact with petroleum products. Rubber paint has a long service life exceeding 10 years. In addition, the composition is applied in one layer. The main disadvantage of rubber paint is its high cost.
Alkyd Urethane Enamels
Alkyd-urethane enamels are resistant to abrasion. However, such materials take a long time to dry and do not withstand frequent mechanical stress. Enamels of this type are colored and form a glossy surface on the floor.
Coloring Rules
Painting a concrete screed with your own hands is carried out in several stages. Before proceeding directly to applying the paint and varnish material, it is recommended to clean the surface to be treated with debris and dirt.
Due to the fact that concrete has a porous structure, dust accumulates inside the floor, due to which the surface will not be painted well enough. Small particles can be removed using moisture. Shortly before applying paint or enamel, wash the concrete floor and wait until it dries.
Enamels are allowed to be applied no earlier than 90 days after pouring concrete. The screed must gain strength before processing.
Primer
Impregnation of concrete with a primer is a mandatory step, after which the strength of the screed increases and the pores close. This material increases the degree of adhesion of paints (enamel) and the floor in the garage.
Applying Paint
Before applying paint or enamel, it is recommended to read the instructions on the package. Each composition contains different compounds, as a result of which it imposes its own requirements on the condition of the floor covering. A number of enamels are allowed to be applied to a wet surface, others – exclusively to a dry one.
When using quick-drying compounds, the entire floor surface must be painted at once. Otherwise the coating will be uneven.
Final Thoughts
Garage floors can be exposed to salt, oils, vehicle fluids, and other chemicals that can corrode the concrete or damage its surface. Paint or a special coating can protect concrete from these harmful effects, increasing its lifespan. If you are looking for a company for high-quality commercial garage door installation services, we recommend contacting STI Garage Door.
