Garage Epoxy
- Thread starter socaltrojan81
- Start date
Similar to most of you, I considered the Home Depot/Lowes DIY options. However, upon inspecting the garage floors of my friends who have done this themselves, it immediately became clear to me that the quality of the products at Home Depot and the one's used by the professionals are completely different. (I've only had friends who tried the Home Depot kit)
Below are a couple of things that I did not like about outcome of the Home Depot Kit.
1) The epoxy layer looks very thin (boarderline non-existent)
2) The amount of chips/flakes appears sparse at best
3) The clear coat does not feel as durable as the commercial grade
Granted, some of the above deficiencies MAY APPEAR to be easily addressed by doubling or tripling up the material purchase, but I'm not even sure if that's gonna guarantee you the result you want. Additionally, at that point your investment (both time and money) would also increase.
My recommendation to any of you who are considering doing this yourself is to check out a finished product from someone that's done this on their own floor using the Home Depot/Lowes kit and make sure you are going to be okay with the outcome before investing the time and money.
P.S. I've heard the kit at Lowes is at least solid based, which is better than the water based kit at Home Depot, but I'm not sure of the outcome.
P.P.S. I've also heard that this company (http://www.armorgarage.com/ulepco.html) sells the commercial grade stuff, but at $600 for just the materials, I'm not sure how much money you will be saving.
Below are a couple of things that I did not like about outcome of the Home Depot Kit.
1) The epoxy layer looks very thin (boarderline non-existent)
2) The amount of chips/flakes appears sparse at best
3) The clear coat does not feel as durable as the commercial grade
Granted, some of the above deficiencies MAY APPEAR to be easily addressed by doubling or tripling up the material purchase, but I'm not even sure if that's gonna guarantee you the result you want. Additionally, at that point your investment (both time and money) would also increase.
My recommendation to any of you who are considering doing this yourself is to check out a finished product from someone that's done this on their own floor using the Home Depot/Lowes kit and make sure you are going to be okay with the outcome before investing the time and money.
P.S. I've heard the kit at Lowes is at least solid based, which is better than the water based kit at Home Depot, but I'm not sure of the outcome.
P.P.S. I've also heard that this company (http://www.armorgarage.com/ulepco.html) sells the commercial grade stuff, but at $600 for just the materials, I'm not sure how much money you will be saving.
usctrojancpa
Well-known member
I'll probably have them come give me a quote towards the end of this month so I'll let you know what it is.No Quarter said:
bitmaster20
Active member
We had epoxy in our garage done using the kit Home Depot sells. As someone mentioned earlier, it doesn't come out looking as nice as the professional kit. The epoxy layer is very thin, and it started wearing off in the areas where the car tires were rubbing against the floor.
Coleman
New member
Hmm, I know of a friend who has done his garage with the Home Depot kits and there are areas where the epoxy is flaking. However, I figured he uses his garage far more than typical people with tools dropping, spilling oil, coolant, etc.
I will have to do some additional research. My wife wants the garage to be epoxied, but I am not sure how much $he wants it do for, haha.
I will have to do some additional research. My wife wants the garage to be epoxied, but I am not sure how much $he wants it do for, haha.
I have used the Home Depot kit in my old condo, and like other posters said, it's thin and peels off under hot tires. You can still see the cracks in the concrete with this kit. The Epoxy-Coat kit on the other hand is a completely different beast. It's very thick and covers all the hairline cracks. Take your time to prep the surface, and you'll have a very nice looking floor. I didn't use all of the paint flakes, and in retrospect, I should have used it all. The pros seems to pile on the paint flakes and it makes it look much more granite-like.
ZeroLot
New member
OpenSky said:We have done epoxy in two prior homes.
One install was rather expensive, the other was rather cheap... both ended up flaking and deteriorating over time.
This time around, we ended up doing Armstrong VCT (commercial style). Costs about $2.70/sf installed. Extremely strong, easy to take care of, repairable when it chips, wide array of color choices. It glues to the garage floor. The install was done by Lowe's (Irvine store).
Total for a 20'x20' garage was $1200, including wall base and tax.
The stuff from Lowes and Home Depot won't be as strong as Sika Epoxy. Sika is the same people who make sikabond T21 for flooring. They are chemical adhesive specialists. Premiere Garage is the only people who has the license to use their epoxy. Their epoxy comes with a lifetime warranty.
There should be no peeling or deterioration for decades. I'm getting mine done next week. For a 20' x 20' garage. Costed less than $1500 with all the discounts I received.
J
jmoney74
Guest
go with the mats, much better.
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
Like me, I think you thought that OpenSky got epoxy from Lowes.ZeroLot said:
It's actually vinyl tiles... which should hold up better than any epoxy... and like OS said, can be repaired easily.
As for the stem walls, you can see they used a wall base like you see in commercial installations.
ZeroLot
New member
OpenSky said:
I don't know anything about VCT but what OpenSky said about epoxy is true. Epoxy needs expert installation for the grinds to bind properly to the concrete. The more pure the concrete slab is the BETTER the chance of a good epoxy install without problems down the road.
That's why new home construction is the BEST time to install epoxy because the installers don't have to do much prep work to the concrete slab. Otherwise that's an extra charge.
Like my example in my previous post ... a good epoxy is like a good facial ... got to get down to the pores.
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
If I had to choose, I would go VCT (much for the same reasons I would go with mats).
Less wait time, less prep needed, and I think cleaning would be easier. VCT is usually what's used when you see those checkerboard garage floors. I would spell out "I H O" instead.
Less wait time, less prep needed, and I think cleaning would be easier. VCT is usually what's used when you see those checkerboard garage floors. I would spell out "I H O" instead.