Best way to finish garage floor

[ls1 nova]

I moved into a house about 6 yrs ago that had a 32x40 detatched garage(just framed) I finished the garage but the floor drains are the highest spot in the garage(there are 3 of them) What can I do to finish concrete floors(that will withstand welding) and hold up to moving heavy objects across the floor plus drain water????

[Beegs]

This subject has been hammered to death over at: garagejournal.com
Check it out and search away!

[ZMAN1969]

I did U-Coat It in my new garage hold up pretty good but does show scratches - been over a year now but they told me welding splatter is bad- havent tried that yet , cleans easy and is very slippery when wet!

[syborg tt]

Okay here is my advise

I had my floor professionally expoy coated and it's really nice looking. It has one drawback - like very slippery in the winter.

-- which means don't pull in to fast with wet tires ( you'll slide )

So far my wife and both daughters have slipped and fallen on it

but other then that i love it.

[Silver69Camaro]

Originally Posted by ZMAN1969

they told me welding splatter is bad

Yes it is! On any epoxy floor (professional or not), you MUST cover the floor beneath your welding...the splatter and sparks will burn and discolor it.

I went with VCT tile for my garage. It looks great, very durable, cheap, easy to install, and simple to repair. Most big box stores sell the 12x12 tiles for $0.70, add $40 for glue and $10 for a notched trowel. I tiled 650 sq ft for less than $500 and only a weekends time.

The best part is the repair. If you chip an epoxy floor (and the concrete as well), there isn't a whole lot you can do about it. For a VCT floor, the concrete stays intact and you just lay down a new tile. Cheap and easy. Engine stands don't seem to hurt it at all, either. But maintenance is the same: Keep it polished and waxed, keep it clean, keep weld splatter off.

A pro finish epoxy is the ultimate solution, but if you don't want to lay down the big bucks go with VCT. You wont be disappointed.

[Mover]

Originally Posted by Silver69Camaro

Yes it is! On any epoxy floor (professional or not), you MUST cover the floor beneath your welding...the splatter and sparks will burn and discolor it.

I went with VCT tile for my garage. It looks great, very durable, cheap, easy to install, and simple to repair. Most big box stores sell the 12x12 tiles for $0.70, add $40 for glue and $10 for a notched trowel. I tiled 650 sq ft for less than $500 and only a weekends time.

The best part is the repair. If you chip an epoxy floor (and the concrete as well), there isn't a whole lot you can do about it. For a VCT floor, the concrete stays intact and you just lay down a new tile. Cheap and easy. Engine stands don't seem to hurt it at all, either. But maintenance is the same: Keep it polished and waxed, keep it clean, keep weld splatter off.

A pro finish epoxy is the ultimate solution, but if you don't want to lay down the big bucks go with VCT. You wont be disappointed.

Matt,

That’s a great idea for the garage floor. Can you post pictures?

[bama46fleetline]

the best thing to do is leave it alone

[fesler]

Check out our shop pics and look at our floors, they are etched and they last through the welding, sliding and its just the concreat. Nothing on top so you still have your same floor that will not scratch. they can do over 100 different themes on the floor so you have many options. I can get you the guys that did ours web site if they have one so you can see how its done.

Epoxy will not last if you are going to use your garage, you will see every weld splater on it. I know I have had two shops with epoxy and this time we searched for something new that would last and look sick. We have a big money home builder that we do work with and this is what they do on their floors and its cheaper in the long run.

[Derek Miller]

I am all for the etched concrete floor. I am an architect and we use it in a lot of our schools and commercial jobs. It looks great and holds up to a lot of abuse. You just have to make sure the concrete contractor knows that you want this finish, they will be a little more careful with their finishing work.

[brans72]

damn i love feslers floor!! best idea of anyone yet!