Epoxy Garage Floors in Dallas, Texas

December 5, 2018December 5, 2018Leave a comment

Protect what is protecting your car.

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. And 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.

“Dallas Cowboys stars are nice!”

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

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 snowy 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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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.

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.

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

Bargains Are Not Always Low Price.

July 24, 2018September 7, 2018Leave a comment

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Quality painting is more than having a brush and sum paint.

Bargain Paint Prices Are Not Always The Low Priced Estimates

I received some bad news from my lead painter earlier today. He told me about a cabinet project in different rooms in the home. After discussing the project, I gave him the pricing information between $4500 – 5000, explaining to him that 1 part of the stain process is extremely difficult and takes a lot of time. The other cabinets – prime and 2 coats of paint were easier.

Unfortunately, the client gave the project to the flooring guy to do, for the price of $2500.00.

That was 2 weeks ago.

This morning, we got a call from them being so upset with the project they had left with the floor guy while on vacation for 2 weeks. They told us that it was a mess, the prime coat was never sanded. The doors are rough and with paint runs.

The floor guy used the wrong kind of primer and paint. We do get calls from clients asking us to fix another painter’s mistakes and stuff. I explained to them that the cost would be about $7500-8000 range to fix everything as our labor hours would double. Needless to say, they weren’t happy.

The reason I am telling you this homeowner horror story is I want you to know some important things we deal with on a daily basis. I have a few questions to ask yourself.

How often do you deal with contractors?
How well do you know the products, the processes and the value of a finished project?
Do you know what the repercussions are for making the wrong choices?

I would like you to really think about, is vetting the company that is doing the work for you.

Check out their work.

Do they carry insurance?

What are their online reviews?

Our Facebook Reviews

Our pricing is set, in such a way where we know exactly how long it takes to do it right. Especially with staining difficult woods. Which maple is, plus, it’s a time consuming, complicated process. If you pick the low bid, you have to accept the results of the low bid work. It is a gamble at best. But, more times than not, we see the bad gambles.

The Paint Ovations team, focuses on top quality, in materials, methods and craftsmanship. That is how we work each project. We do our best for each and every client. We do not lower our standards to get the projects. We would rather do few jobs, get better reviews and meet our client’s expectations. Then have clients come home from vacation, see the headaches they are left and cost them more time, more money and more stress.

Our reviews speak for themselves, with over 160 five star reviews, we put quality above quantity every time.

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10 Reasons to Use High Quality Paints

June 19, 2018September 7, 20181 Comment

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10 Reasons to Use High Quality Paints in Dallas, Texas

While it’s nice to save money, there are a few things for which quality should not be compromised for a lower price. Paint is one of those items where you get what you pay for.

Here are 10 Reasons why high-quality paint is worth the money:

Easier application. High quality paints level better and tend to go on more evenly. Brush and roller marks flow out and become unnoticeable.
Spatter resistance. High quality paints are not as likely to spatter during application.
Concealing capability. High quality paints can usually hide the original wall color and imperfections in less coats, saving time (Labor) and money (Labor and Materials) from needing to apply additional coats of paint.
Touch-up capability. Touch-ups can be done easily and are unnoticeable with high-quality paints.
Stain resistance. Top-quality paints tend to have better grime and dirt resistance and keep dirt from sinking in, making for easier cleaning. You can wipe the walls, ceilings and trim without harming the finish.
Scrub resistance. These paints are tougher and usually can withstand scrubbing without the surface being damaged or effecting the finish.
Imprint resistance. Shelves, windowsills and other face-up surfaces can gather prints when objects are placed on them. This problem is significantly minimized with high quality paints (especially eggshell finishes).
Stick resistance. The smooth finish produced with high quality paints allows the paint to be less susceptible to sticking.
Mildew resistance. Mildew resistant agents are much better in high-quality paints. If you don’t want mildew, don’t compromise on paint quality. Think kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and in some cases garages and basements.
Fade resistance. To ensure your paint color stays just as you want it, use a high quality 100% acrylic latex paint. These paints maintain their fresh appearance for years.

Paint Ovations only uses high quality paints. Why are there so many different paint choices? Why do the paints range from $20 per gallon to $89 per gallon?

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What’s the difference between the $20 paint and the High-Quality Paint?

Longevity

When you decide to use a high-quality paint, you are not only paying for the quality now, you are paying for not having to paint as frequently in the future. A high-end paint will extend the lifespan of your paint job by up to two or three times. With Sherwin-Williams Emerald, you get a lifetime warranty.

Pigment

Two types of pigments are in your paint. First are “prime” pigments. These provide color and hide. Second are low-cost “extender” pigments. They add bulk to the product, yet add little value.

Higher-quality paints have more prime pigments, which provide easier application, greater durability and better color retention.

Binders

There are a variety of binders in paint. Latex paints contain either 100 percent acrylic, styrene-acrylic or vinyl acrylic binders. Oil paints typically contain linseed oil, soya oil or alkyds. The type, quality and amount of binder affect everything from stain resistance, gloss to adhesion and crack resistance.

Higher-quality binders adhere to surfaces better and provide enhanced integrity and longer-lasting performance. This makes them more resistant to cracking, blistering and peeling.

Liquids

The liquid provides no added performance benefits. It’s simply the vehicle that allows you to get the paint from the can to the surface. Top-quality paints have a greater ratio of solids – pigments and binders – to liquids.

Additives

Additives are ingredients that give paint a specific benefit that it might not otherwise have. Common additives in higher-end paints include:

Rheology modifiers to provide better hide through flow and leveling of the coating.

Mildewcides to keep mildew in check.

Dispersing agents to keep pigments evenly distributed.

Preservatives to prevent spoilage.

Cost per year of service

Before you specify paint based on price, consider this: Lower-quality paints require more coats to cover and, because they aren’t as durable, need maintenance much sooner. This is especially true with exterior coatings. Paint Ovations only uses Durations and Emerald for a high quality paint.

So, to get a true idea of costs, look beyond the initial price tag and compare the cost per year of service. For example, say you’re painting a home that requires 20 gallons of exterior latex. You have two options:

Buy a lower grade paint at $20 per gallon with an expected life span of six years.

Buy a high-quality 25-year paint at $65 per gallon.

In the first scenario, your out-of-pocket cost would be $400. Since the paint is expected to last six years, the cost per year is $67. In the second scenario, your material cost is $1,300. But because the paint has a 25-year lifespan, your cost per year is only $52. Plus, the labor savings of applying the paint 4 times. Which is why Paint Ovations estimates may be a little higher than competitors. We look at the long-term investment.

On some estimates we may be a few hundred to a thousand higher in our initial bid. But, when we look at the bids, we aren’t comparing apples to apples. Those lower bids may be using cheaper product, which in the long run ends up costing you more down the road.

Even if you plan on selling your home before the paints life cycle is up, it pays to go with a high quality paint as it can be cleaned easier, blended if damages easier and makes for a faster, selling home.

By choosing the higher-priced, higher-quality paint, you actually save $15 per year in paint. And that’s just the material cost add labor into the equation and the money you save in the long run increases significantly.

When it comes to selecting paint, quality does matter. Whether you’re looking at interior or exterior paint, and whether you’re considering adhesion, durability or hiding properties, a better-quality paint will give you better service – both short and long term.

Have any questions about paint, give Ron Bledsoe and the Paint Ovations team a call and his years of expertise will guide you into making the right decision for your painting applications.

Give the educated painting professionals at Paint Ovations a call today!

(972) 741-4995

Think Value!

paintovations.com

Dallas-Plano Premier Painting Contractor

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Epoxy Garage Floors in Dallas, Texas

Epoxy Garage Floors in Dallas, Texas

“Dallas Cowboys stars are nice!”

WHAT IS GARAGE FLOOR EPOXY?