Top Apps for Interior Design

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Top Apps for Interior Design

(Which ones are you using?)

 

5D Planner

5D is the most extensive free room-design tool on the market. It’s easy to design rooms down to the smallest architectural details, including windows, stairs and partitions. Don’t stop at interiors; it also lets you do landscaping.

 

RoomStyler

If you want to upload your own floor plan, or play around with preloaded floor plans, this program is for you. The Roomstyler 3D Home Planner (formerly My Deco 3D Planner) allows you to insert walls, doors and windows and select from a gallery of interior finishes.

The interface is relatively simple to use, and allows you to view your plan and 3D image at the same time. You can move the camera around the plan to see different views, and even paint the walls and ceilings from an extensive color selection.

 

Need Help?  Paint Ovations works with several Interior Designers.  Get in touch, we can give you a referral.

(972) 741-4995

Ikea Home Planner Tools

When you flip through the Ikea catalog, do you ever wish you could see how, say, a certain bookshelf and desk would look in your space? You can! Its free, easy-to-use home planner tools allow you to configure your floor plan, choose from the store’s gallery of furniture and decor, calculate the cost, and then print out and take the list to your local Ikea store.

 

Ikea Kitchen Planner

You can also use Ikea’s planner tool specifically for your kitchen; it allows you to preview appliances, cabinetry and other Ikea kitchen components all on your computer. This program also lets you itemize a shopping list of the Ikea components so you can see how much your new kitchen will cost.

 

By entering your current dimensions and openings (doors and windows), you can plan how the space will work and see which of the store’s cabinetry, appliances and organizational products will meet your needs.

 

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Design a Room

Do you hate having to take home dozens of material samples at several stores to try out all the combinations in your space? Problem solved. Armstrong has a nice 3D virtual program that allows you to see different color combinations of flooring, cabinetry, ceilings, walls and even countertops from the comfort of your home.

 

Design a Room allows you to choose a room in your home, pick a style (contemporary, traditional, global fusion) and play around with colors, textures and finishes. Choosing finishes in a room can be a daunting task, but this program allows you to choose from Armstrong’s entire inventory of finishes. You can even coordinate Sherwin Williams, PPG and Benjamin Moore paint colors to go with your cherry hardwood or onyx ceramic tile floor.

 

This design tool is for those of you who want to see the result before redesigning a room (and before paying a dime). The best thing about this free tool is the ability to learn about the products before you buy them. For example, when designing a bathroom, you might see a note saying hardwood flooring isn’t recommended. This ensures that your room will not only look cool, but also be functional.

The Home Renovator

For those who want to do it yourself, the next few programs are for you. After you have planned out how the spaces will look, you are ready to start buying the materials and getting started, right? The Home Renovator lets you choose from among insulation, drywall, paint, ceramic tile, ceiling tile and deck (design/build) projects.

 

You can use the site’s free worksheets to measure your space, enter your measurements and review your tool requirements. You’ll then get a report that tells you how much material is required for your project; a budget price that can be used to negotiate with local dealers; and illustrated instructions that show cutting and placement of materials.

 

Sweet Home 3D

This 3D software is ideal for those who want more customization options to the average room and decor space planning program. The online software is free (login and some information are required). A more advanced version of Sweet Home 3D can also be downloaded for saving, exporting and manipulation of your home plans.

 

The interface has four sections. The furniture catalog allows you to choose components by name, then drag and drop components directly into the floor plan. The home furniture list displays the dimensions of each piece by name and size.

 

The home plan shows you in a 2D format where the walls, windows, doors and furniture are placed (as viewed from above). The home 3D view shows your plan in three dimensions so you can visualize the plan as you design.

 

To bring in your floor plan, import it into Sweet Home 3D, scale it and trace over your plan so you don’t have any guesswork. This program can be simple, but it has advanced features for those who want more from their 3D virtual planning experience.

 

SmartDraw

Smartdraw is a suite of programs for visual graphics and presentations, including project charts, timelines, marketing charts and flow charts. Under the flow-chart application are floor plans and individual room plans.

 

This program allows you to design, customize and present drawings on a beginner and professional level. Use it to plan office space, apartments, individual rooms and even building elevations. SmartDraw is ideal for individuals or a business that doesn’t want to spend a lot for design software. It has a free trial period, and if you’re satisfied you can purchase the full program.

 

With an almost infinite selection of furniture, cars, building materials and preloaded plans, SmartDraw offers a lot of bang for the buck. If you are computer-savvy and enjoy adding a multitude of content and specifications to your design, this program is ideal for you.

 

There are plenty of free online 3D virtual programs that will allow you to plan, design, draw and view your space. Depending on your skill level, objective and how you want to present your final drawings, there is a program perfect for you.

 

Whether you want to play around or start building a home to your personal specifications, this list of free online virtual programs and tools will help you get started.

 

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Done in a Day Home Painting Projects.

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Done in a Day Home Painting Projects

 

You want to make some changes around the house, but are not quite sure what you can do quickly and on a low budget.  Maybe a change of color on the front of the house with an entry door painting and matching garage doors.  Or Is it time the bathroom gets a fresh painting?  Is the deck or fence needing some protection and color?

 

Here are four “Done in a Day” projects and the average cost of each type of painting project.

 

 

 

Bathroom & Kitchen Painting

Whenever any remodeling takes place in these two rooms, you know you are adding value to your home.  If you are looking for a low-cost way to give these rooms a make-over, painting is the answer.

With the average bathroom remodel at $8,000 (Bathroom Remodel Cost)  and Kitchen Remodels costing $20,000 or more (Kitchen Remodeling Costs)

You can see why a couple of coats of paint are a budget friendly way to add some newness to your kitchen or bathroom.

Let’s look at the two options you have to getting these projects done.  You can do it yourself or you can hire it out to an established local painting contractor.   (Research the contractor before hiring them) 

 

 

DIY Do it Yourself Painting

To do a kitchen or bathroom you will need the following tools and equipment.  Some you may have, but we will price the cost as if you do not.

What you need:

  • Brushes, roller frame, rollers and a paint pail. ($15 to $50)
  • Drop clothes or plastic sheeting. ($10-30)
  • Masking tape ($5-$15)
  • Paint (Bathroom 2 gallons one for the ceiling and one for the walls. A kitchen may need as little as a bathroom, but 3-4 gallons is normal)  Paint costs vary by product quality and these two rooms you don’t want to go cheap.  Figure $70-80 for a bathroom and $120-160 for a kitchen.

 

Note: This does not include cabinets and trim.  The costs added varies.  Go here to see about cabinet painting.

For those choosing to go the DIY Do it Yourself direction, you will have about $100+ into a bathroom painting make-over and $200+ into a kitchen painting project.

 

 

Small price to pay when you compare it to a full remodel.

 

 

Hiring a painting contractor or painting company

Has its advantages, but they come at a cost.  Only you can choose what is right for you.  If you have the time, DIY may be right.  But, if you want to spend a day running and getting supplies and then actually doing the work.  Saving a couple hundred dollars to have it done for you, may be right.

 

Reasons to hire:

A painting company first off has the tools to get the job done in a fast manner.  This is what they do day in and day out so they will be faster, if they are good cleaner and cheaper in terms of time (life).

 

  • Painting Equipment
  • Expertise
  • Faster, cleaner and with the right product

 

Beginning of Summer Sale.

Get your Bathroom Walls and Ceiling Painted for $299.

Paint Ovations uses durable Sherwin-Williams Paint.

Call today to get your bathroom on our schedule.

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The next on the list is…

 

 

 

Epoxy is a durable surface coating. Not to mention it looks better than oil stains and tire marks.

Garage Floor Epoxy

Do you ever look down at your garage floor?  Have you wondered what you can do to make it easier on you?  Things like easier to clean, less smell (Concrete absorbs car fluids) and a nice to look at.

Garages are fast becoming man caves or extensions to the interiors as far as being used.

 

Note: We don’t recommend a homeowner do this project, because of the prep work and chemicals needed to perform the epoxy coating.

 

But, as far as “Done in a Day” projects, a reputable painting contractor can perform this project in a day.

 

The materials aren’t cheap either, with some coatings at $100 per gallon or more.

The contractors estimate will be based on three things. 

  1. How much prep work (This project can be labor intensive, based on the damage done from fluids, stains and clean up.
  2. The size. More square feet, the more work and materials.
  3. The quality of the product.

 

For example: a two-car garage or about 400 sq. ft. would run between $1200 and $1500.  With $600-800 being a good quality material and prep chemicals.

You can find out more here Garage Floor Epoxy Coating in Dallas

Paint Ovations is running a “Beginning of Summer” Sale on Epoxy garage floors.  Two car garage $1200, using high quality coatings.

Get your FREE estimate today.  Call 972-741-4995

 

 

 

Before and After front door. Bland to Bold.

Front Entry Door and Garage Door Painting

Are you looking for a way to add some curb appeal, but can’t figure out what to do?

Nothing makes a home pop more than an entry door and garage door painting.  You can either make a statement or tone it down with some color. The choice is yours.  How about those shutters?

An exterior remodel can cost $10s of thousands of dollars, but a day painting the front doors on your home will add value and curb appeal for far less cost.

 

DIY:

These costs can vary based on the type of doors, but for an entry door the costs to do it yourself maybe as low as $70 in equipment and supplies, while a garage door about $100.  It may seem like an easy project you may want to tackle, but here are some things to consider.

  • It is very detailed work. Painting next to a hard surface like brick, stone and stucco can be a challenge.
  • Using the right product comes with more than asking the rep at Home Depot. Have you every wondered what expertise in painting the Home Depot paint counter has?
  • Surface prep. This is an exterior, so it gets hit with more things weather wise.  Not counting that chalky film on most exteriors.  Is the paint going to stick?  For how long?  Primers may be needed.

 

Hiring a Painting Contractor

This is a perfect project that can be done before you get home in the evening from work.

The standard cost for these projects, $300 per door for entry doors and $250 a door for garage doors.  For less than a $1,000 and a day, you could change your curb appeal.

Leave for work, come home to a new look. Does it get any easier than that?

 

 

 

Photo by James Frid on Pexels.com
Photo by Stephen Niemeier on Pexels.com

Deck/Fence Staining or Painting

Even if you like the look of weathered wood, painting, staining or adding a protective coat to your deck or fence is a smart, small investment to make.

There are many options to choose from.  Solid, clear coatings, natural coatings, to paint colors.

It all starts with the prep work.  The deck is a horizontal surface that get traffic and stays wet longer than a vertical surface in most conditions.  You will want a durable, yet protective product.  Fences don’t need as much protection, yet they are more tedious to prep and apply the protection.

 

 

DIY Deck and Fence Staining

An average deck 16 x 16 will cost between $150 to $300 according to the prep and product.  A fence could be as little as $2 per foot to $10 per foot.  Based on type of fence, how long and high.  Both of these projects can be done in a day.

 

Hiring a home painting contractor.

The cost of a new deck or fence may not be in your budget right now, so to get more life out of your deck or fence hiring a painting company may be the best thing to do.  Adding more years of service for these two home projects.

Going off the 16 foot by 16 foot, deck, you can expect to contract with a painter for about as little as $2.50 a sq. ft.  or $640.  Comparing that to a new deck of the same size at $3,200 or more.  Getting a few more years may make financial sense.

 

 

Conclusion:

No matter if you DIY or hire out to a quality painting contractor, you can see from above that not only do you get value and protection for your home, you also get a new look on a low budget.

How you go about getting it done is your choice.  Either way, these are smart  project to spruce up your space.

 

Leave us a comment or if you would like to get a FREE estimate, please fill out the form below.

 

 

(C) 2019 Paint Ovations.

Written for Paint Ovations by Contractor Marketing Network

7 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Colors for Your Dallas Kitchen

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Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Plano Texas

A beautiful kitchen is inviting.

 

The kitchen is the heart of the home.

Sure, it’s where your family gathers together each day to cook and eat, but it’s also where you gather around the table to play games, complete homework assignments and hold long, in-depth conversations.

When you paint your kitchen, you want it to be something special, a place that will make you delighted to come home. Do you want to be sure that you’re choosing the perfect color scheme? Follow these seven steps to create the kitchen of your dreams.

 

Decide on Your Kitchen Color Palette

The best way to do this is to visit a home improvement store and select the paint chips that most appeal to you; then bring them home. These paint chips have colors that already go smoothly together, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not the colors you love will match when they’re in your kitchen.

 

Choose Colors You Love

Your kitchen should make you happy every time you walk into it. Track trends, explore the most popular colors and examine your options, but ultimately, make a choice that will make you happy. Keep in mind that popular colors will be easier to find, especially if you’re looking for accessories and accents, but there are plenty of classic options that will last for a lifetime.

 

Consider the Big Picture

 

Your kitchen isn’t just about paint color. You’ll also have cabinet colors, countertops, the backsplash and the flooring to take into consideration. If you aren’t planning to replace or repaint cabinets, countertops and flooring, you’ll need to take the existing colors into consideration. If you are planning to replace, you need to tie together all the colors so that they’ll work for your kitchen.

 

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Begin with the Cabinets

If you’re replacing or repainting the cabinets in your kitchen, this is the place to start. Your cabinets are often the focal point of the kitchen. They cover more of the wall space than what’s left open for paint, so you’ll want to choose your cabinets carefully.

Then, examine the undertones of the wood to choose a color that goes well with your cabinets. Some woods lend themselves to warm colors, while others belong to a cooler color family. White cabinets are very pretty, but they do show dirt quickly in a busy kitchen. Make sure you choose your colors with long-term care in mind.

 

Keep Countertops Neutral

Your kitchen counters are one of the biggest surfaces in your kitchen, which means that color is the first thing many people see when they walk into the room. Choose neutral colors to help the paint and backsplash colors stand out. This will also allow you to extend the life of your counters even if you redecorate or repaint your kitchen later on.

 

Let Your Creativity Flow with Backsplashes & Paint Color

While cabinets and counters tend to be fairly basic designs, but your paint color and your backsplash are the areas where you can really get creative. Paint colors in bright choices can make you smile every time you walk into the room, while your backsplash can be as unique and creative as you are.

The options available are extensive on glass tile websites like Glass Tile Oasis. Because appliances and cabinets will mostly cover your walls, with only borders of your paint color showing throughout much of the room, you can use a brighter color than you would in a room where the color would take over the whole room. Also, consider the benefit of an accent wall, which will allow you to use a favorite paint color without it taking over the entire room.

 

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Consider the Lighting

Once you’ve chosen the color palette that you think will work best for you, bring the paint chips into the room where it will be used to make your final decision. Changes in lighting can make a big difference in the way the color is perceived.

Because of that, you want to make sure that you look at the paint chips at several times throughout the day. A color that is bright and cheerful in the natural light streaming through the windows at noon, for example, might seem dim and grim when it only has an artificial lighting source later in the evening. Even better, pick up a sample can of paint and paint a small portion of the wall so that you can see exactly how the color will behave in your room.

 

Wrapping it up.

Painting your kitchen can change your entire view of your house. Whether you’re considering a full renovation or just freshening up the paint, adding a fresh splash of color will improve your home and add to its appeal.

 

 

 

(c) 2019 Paint Ovations

Article written for Paint Ovations by Contractor Marketing Network

 

 

 

The Do’s and Don’t of Exterior House Paint.

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Exterior House Painting: Do’s and Don’t.

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The Dos and Don’ts of Choosing Exterior House Paint Colors

Ready to give your home a fresh new look? See how to dial up curb appeal with fresh color combinations. Use these simple tips to transform your home’s exterior with paint.
Eye-catching exterior color schemes boost curb appeal. Taking your home from blah to Instagram-worthy. Use color to emphasize special architectural features. Complement the surrounding landscape, or make a style statement. Switching up your home exterior can be a big commitment.

Don’t: Ignore Color Potential

There’s nothing wrong with classic neutrals. But, a hint of color might be the thing you need to take your home exterior from average to showstopping.
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Do: Play with Texture

A mix of flat and shiny finishes adds visual interest to a home. Providing contrast even if the base colors are in the same family. It’s best to use matte finishes on the walls of your home. Gloss finishes are to make decorative elements such as millwork stand out. Light reflects off high-sheen paint and draws the eye to architectural elements.

Do: Use Repetition

Repeat colors on a home’s exterior for a cohesive look. Light gray walls, with dark gray trim. For a touch of spark, add a colorful front door. Reds, blues and and even black can add contrast.

Do: Trust Nature’s Color Combinations

Your landscape can give you a lot of clues about what will look good on your home. Whether it’s the rich shades of green in summer or the red, brown, and golden shades of autumn. Mother Nature knows a thing or two about coordinating colors.

Don’t: Try to match color for color.

Too much coordination will make your house look featureless and boring. To avoid this, pick a color for your front door that will contrast with your main siding color. Yet ties back into another element.

Do: Use Dark Colors with Purpose

Too much dark paint can weigh down the front of your house and make it look gloomy. Here’s the trick for achieving balance. Paint about two-thirds of the exterior in a dark hue and one-third in a lighter tone. A deep brown with lots of white accents keeps things light. While still providing plenty of contrast.

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Don’t: Underestimate Wood Finishes

Wood stains come in a huge range of options and can warm up or cool down other exterior colors.

Did you know Paint Ovations offers four different exterior painting options to choice from.  Guaranteed to fit any budget and two of the choices come with a manufactures lifetime guarantee.

Estimates are always FREE.  Call (972) 741-4995 today!

Bonus: Section

 

Exterior Painting Front Door Paint

Before and After front door. Bland to Bold.

 

 

 

The Dos and Don’ts of Choosing Front Door Colors

Ready for a front door refresh but not sure where to start? Look to these expert color tips and discover the perfect hue for your home.
Your front door color shouldn’t be an afterthought. It’s the first thing people see when they walk into your home. It should serve as a welcoming beacon to greet guests. You can paint your front door anything you’d like. But a few tips will help your door stand out or blend in, suit a design style or bend the rules, depending on your vision. If you live in an older home, repainting a worn front door is an inexpensive refreshing. Yet scores you major curb appeal points.

DO: Stick with the Classics.

Use a neutral hue such as brown, black, or gray for a look that will withstand the test of time. Even deep reds and navy blues are classic front door colors that act as neutrals. If your style changes or you alter your home’s exterior later, neutral hues will adapt with you. Another neutral option is to stain your door instead of painting it. A wood stain will emphasize the door’s natural material or grain pattern.

DON’T: Be Afraid of Color.

Some people are nervous about using bright colors in their decor. The front door is a smaller commitment than painting an entire house or room. Why not experiment? If you have that speaks to you, try it out! A splash of orange, yellow, or lime green makes a bold statement on your front door. If brights are too daunting, try a dark version of a color, such as burgundy, forest green, or eggplant.

Exterior Door Painting

Exterior Door Painting. Add some splash to the front of your home.

 

DO: Buy the Right Paint.

Since your door is an exterior elements. The use of the proper paint will prevent peeling and fading later. Latex exterior paints provide weather-resistant coverage. If your door is metal, look for one with built-in rust protection. No matter what you choose, you will need to go over the door with an exterior primer first. Exterior paints are available in a variety of finishes—matte, semigloss, glossy and flat. A glossy finish will bring out architectural details, if desired.

DON’T: Neglect Your Screen Door.

If your front door features a storm door or screen door, you can paint it’s frame. A contrasting hue for a second punch of color.

 

DO: Speak to Your Home’s Style.

Your home’s style can help you pick out a front door color. A bold, unusual hue is a nod to a modern exterior. Don’t be afraid to break the rules though. Using an unexpected color can add personality and liven up a traditional façade.

DO: Consider Your Surroundings.

If mother knows best, then Mother Nature knows best of all. If you’re stumped on a color for your front door, look around for inspiration. Greens, blues, browns, and other tones that appear together in nature will also work well on your house. Using natural colors has the extra bonus of making your home look like it belongs in the landscape.

DON’T: Pick a Paint Color Indoors.

To understand how a paint color will look, you need to see it in its planned environment. Colors can look very different in different lighting conditions. Tape paint swatches to an exterior door and observe the color throughout the day. If you want to get an even better idea of how it’ll look, paint a small swatch on the door.

DO: Make it Monochrome.

If you have a small house, this trick is for you. Expand your home by painting the door, trim, window frames, and exterior the same color. A monochromatic color scheme also provides a neutral backdrop for accessories to shine. Things such as the planters and sconces. Use it to highlight other architectural details.

DON’T: Ignore the Trim.

Your front door trim is also a candidate for painting. White is classic, but another option is to make the door pop with contrasting trim. Rich brown tones warm up a cool-colored door.

 

 

(C) 2019 Paint Ovations

Written for Paint Ovations by Contractor Marketing Network

Epoxy Floor Paint by Paint Ovations

Epoxy Garage Floors in Dallas, Texas

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Epoxy Garage Floors in Dallas, Texas

One of the toughest and most durable finishes that you can apply to a garage floor today is an epoxy coating.

Not only does it protect your garage floor, it can instantly transform your boring or ugly cement into a professional looking floor of beauty and function.

Since the garage is fast becoming more than just a place where you park the car, the benefits of garage floor epoxy have quickly made it one of the top choices for garage flooring today.

 

Used for both residential and commercial applications, epoxy will give your garage or shop floor that showroom shine that says “look at me”!

Depending on which application you choose, you can select from a variety of understated solid colors and hues, to custom colors and blends of color flakes that match your style or even your favorite sports team.

 

Paint Ovations Epoxy Garage Floor Pricing.

One car garage $650.00

Two car garage $1200.00

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So let’s examine briefly what an epoxy coating really is, what the benefits are for you, learn how it’s applied, and some of the costs involved.

 

WHAT IS GARAGE FLOOR EPOXY?

We’ll start by ending some confusion about epoxy right now. An epoxy garage floor coating is not paint.

Paint for garage floors is a latex acrylic product. Some paints will have a small percentage of epoxy added to the mix to make it more durable than standard paint, but it is still paint. These are known as epoxy paints or 1-part epoxy paint.

 

Epoxy is an actual thermosetting resin that is applied as a coating. It is formed when you mix one part epoxide resin with one part polyamine hardener. The hardener acts as a catalyst and is what gives epoxy its strength.

 

Unlike paint that has to dry, epoxy actually cures.

When the two parts are mixed, a chemical reaction is started which creates an exothermic curing process. This curing process produces polymer structures that are closely cross-linked giving epoxy its superior strength and durability. The end result is a coating that is much thicker than paint and bonds tenaciously to a properly prepared surface.

 

BENEFITS OF A GARAGE FLOOR EPOXY COATING

  • Durable
  • Repairs/Fixes Surface Imperfections
  • Easy to Clean
  • Doesn’t Soak up Fluids

So, what makes an epoxy coating one of the best finishes for your garage floor? Besides looking nice, the hardened and thick application that you get from epoxy creates a coating that is very durable and resilient to impacts, chipping, chemicals, stains, and surface abrasion. You don’t have to panic about damaging the floor if you drop a wrench or a bicycle falls over.

The thicker coating also does a great job of covering over minor imperfections such as small spider cracks and flaws in the concrete. Because epoxy is a topical sealer, it is also anti-dusting.

Much of the dust in a garage is created from the powder that a cement floor can shed. Normal traffic on bare concrete can kick up this dusty powder that has a tendency of collecting on cars, tool benches, and storage items, as well as being tracked into the house.

 

As a topical coating it is also naturally moisture resistant. This is a great benefit for people who live in wet climates. It makes for easy cleaning of icy brines and road salts that can collect on the floor during the winter. Just a little mild soap and water is all it takes. Dust and debris can be collected with a dust mop or soft broom when the floor is dry.

 

Depending on whether you added colored acrylic flakes to the floor and the type of topcoat used, some surfaces can be slippery when wet. For people who live in drier climates this usually isn’t an issue. If you want some extra grip however, you can add slip resistant aggregate to the final coat that will create a non-skid surface.

 

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Paint Ovations applies Epoxy Garage Floors

Starting at $3.00 square foot.

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Epoxy coatings receive high reviews from the home mechanics and hobbyists as well.

Since it is both chemical and stain resistant, oil, brake fluids, anti-freeze, gasoline, and other caustic car chemicals can easily be wiped up without worry – even if it sits for a while. Rolling tool boxes, jacks, and jack stands will not damage the floor either.

It also brightens up the garage environment because it is very light reflective depending on what type of finish you choose.

 

Drawbacks of Epoxy Garage Floors

As tough as this type of garage floor covering is, it’s not resistant to everything however. Welding is hard on epoxy because it can create burn marks from the hot slag that falls on it. It’s also not a good choice for garage floors that have moisture issues. The rate of moisture vapor transmission from underneath the slab can cause epoxy to delaminate if it is too high.

 

A common question that pops up about epoxy garage floors is hot tire pick up. This is caused when the hot tires from your car can soften lessor quality coatings. The tires then cool down and contract after driving which causes the tire tread to literally grab and pull at the surface of the still soft coating. This process will actually cause the epoxy to delaminate as the tire pulls it up off the floor.

 

Hot tire pick-up is a problem that is associated more with the lesser quality products such as store-bought epoxy paint kits.

These are usually water-based coatings that are 50% solids at best and only 3 mils thick, as compared to 100% solids epoxy that is 10 mils or more thick. These thicker coating are generally found in quality commercial grade product or professionally installed coatings.

 

Because the thicker, multiple coat epoxy floors wear so well, warranties of up to 15 years or more for installation by professional installers is becoming common.

Many manufacturers of 100% solids epoxy warranty the product against defects for the life of the floor.

 

 

 

Paint Ovations uses these products.

H & C Shieldcrete-Waterbased 

Tile Clad Epoxy

 

 

HOW GARAGE FLOOR EPOXY IS APPLIED

Epoxy garage floors require good floor preparation which is critical for a successful coating. This usually involves some form of either floor grinding, shot blasting or acid etching of the floor to profile the concrete for the epoxy. It’s very critical that it is done right or the epoxy coating will not adhere properly. Patching or repairing any cracks or other damage to the concrete before the epoxy is applied is required as well.

 

Quality epoxy floor systems usually involve multiple coats to insure a very tough and resistant coating that will last for years. Many times, this will involve an epoxy primer which is applied first.

 

The primer is what binds to the concrete to provide adhesion for the subsequent layers and provide for a higher build. Some primers will also act as a moisture barrier for those cement floors that are somewhat susceptible to moisture vapor that moves up from the soil through the concrete to the surface.

 

The next coat is the color coat or base coat. This may sometimes be applied without primer depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. This coat will also receive the application of colored acrylic paint chips to add density and texture if so desired. The final coat is the clear top coat. This is what gives the finish that glossy look and depth that these floors are known for.

 

One option would be a system that includes a polyurethane top coat. Epoxy will yellow or amber, as the industry calls it, when exposed to sunlight over a period of time. Polyurethane is a two-part polymer that hardens just like epoxy and is used as a sealer and protectant. When used in the color coat and top coat with epoxy, it will resist the yellowing effect that happens when exposed to sun.

 

 

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Epoxy is a durable surface coating. Not to mention it looks better than oil stains and tire marks.

 

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GARAGE FLOOR EPOXY COSTS

The least expensive method to achieve a quality coating is to apply the garage floor epoxy yourself. This isn’t too difficult for the ambitious “do it yourself” person. A quality single coat 100% solids epoxy kit that will cover a standard 2-car garage can be purchased for less than $300. This doesn’t include any expense for floor prep or additional tools however. Expect to pay approximately $200 more if you want to add a clear top coat.

 

A professional installation generally starts around $3.50 a square foot depending on the competition and area you live in. This usually includes a minimum of 3 coats and the cost goes up from there depending on the amount of top coats involved and how much color flake is applied in the base coat. A typical 2-car garage is approximately 400ft² to get an idea of cost.

 

Because of the curing time needed between epoxy coats, total time to complete the job and be able to park your car is approximately 3 to 5 days. There are now newer polyaspartic and polyurea floor coating systems that are fast curing that can be applied all in one day and driven on the next. Professional installation of these systems start around $5.00 a square foot. Because of their fast cure rate, they should not be applied by the average DIY person who is not confident in their abilities.

 

When reviewing the different epoxy options available, the best garage floor epoxy is going to be a 100% solids multi-coat system. Though it is the more expensive option for a floor covering, it is arguably one of the most economical of installations when compared over the duration of the floor.

Whether you are turning your garage into a show piece for storage and cars or just want something to protect your garage for years to come, a good system such as this will last years and give you one of the best returns for the dollar.

 

Conclusion

No matter if you have a interior floor, garage floor or own a auto repair garage, Paint Ovations can turn your boring, porous concrete into a protected work of art.

 

Contact us today!

(972)741-4995

Paint Ovations, A Premier Painting Company 

 

 

 

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Written by Contractor Marketing Network