There are any number of different things you might be housing in your garage. Maybe you’re part of a family living that “two cars in every garage” dream. Maybe you’re a homeowner who has a lot of mementos to store, and your garage is ground zero for that.
One thing you don’t want stored up in your garage, however, is a possibility for trouble.
When you own a garage, you need to make sure that it is in good shape from top to bottom. That means ensuring that its very foundations are secure, which in turn means making sure that your garage floor is in good condition. There are many factors which come into play when it comes to maintaining your garage floor’s integrity, and one of the most important (if often overlooked) is painting the floor.
To that end, here are a few tips and tricks for finding the right painting options for your garage.
Those Labeled “Garage Floor Paints”
This would seem pretty obvious, but it’s still worth pointing out that your best bet for finding the right paint for your garage floor is to use paints which are specifically designed and labeled for that purpose. You can typically find “garage floor paints” at your local hardware store. These tend to be composed of either water-based latex or else acrylic paints, both of which are also commonly available for other, non-garage purposes.
The Right Paint for the Right Purpose
Whether, as advised, you buy paints which are specifically designated as “garage floor paints” or else decide to ranch out with other acrylic options, you are going to want to make sure that you are using the right paints for the job. That means avoiding paints which are thinner, cheaper, or chip or flake easily. These tend to be the kind of paints you’ll want to avoid anyway, but that is especially true when it comes to finding paint for your garage floor.
Epoxy Coatings
A good solution here is to look for painting options which are made with epoxy. These tend to be sturdier than some of those aforementioned thinner options on the market.
That said, you’ll, here again, want to take the time to actually read the label and make sure that you are actually getting “proper” epoxy. Sometimes, you’ll see paints which are labeled “1-part epoxy,” and while such paints do indeed contain epoxy, they typically do not contain it in high enough amounts for it to have the kind of effect you need it to have on your garage.
Paint with Traction
Last, but not least, you want to be sure that whatever type of paint you choose, it doesn’t leave your garage floor slick and lacking traction. Whether you are working in your garage, parking, storing materials, or performing any other action in there, you aren’t going to want it to be slippery. Finding paint that creates a surface with traction is, thus, essential.
With these factors in mind, you’ll be able to find the right paint for your garage floor.
Marc Poulos began his real estate and financial services career, but he soon realized that his true passion was beautifying homes. He started working with various small craftsman shops before serving an apprenticeship with the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago. His commitment to excellence won him Top Apprentice from Washburne trade school in Chicago – the country’s premier school of its kind.
