If you’re thinking about having your garage floor coated, one of the first things you’ll probably want to know is how long the project will take.
Most of us use our garages for a lot more than parking. They’re where we keep tools, lawn equipment, seasonal decorations, and all the other things that don’t quite have a place inside the house. Having to clear everything out for a flooring project takes some planning.
Fortunately, installing a professional epoxy garage floor doesn’t have to mean giving up your garage for weeks. At Lifestyle Garage, we use a two-day installation process, followed by the time needed for the coating to cure.
Here’s a closer look at what that means for homeowners.
Why Does Epoxy Garage Flooring Take Two Days?
You may have come across advertisements for garage floor coatings that can be installed in just one day. So why does Lifestyle Garage use a two-day process?
It comes down to the flooring system we install.
Our process uses 100% solids epoxy along with a 100% solids polyurea topcoat. The epoxy needs time to cure before the next part of the system is applied, which is why we spread the installation over two days.
Different coating products have different requirements, so installation times can vary from one company to another. For us, the focus is on following the process that works best with the materials we use.
What Happens During Installation?
A lot of the work involved in epoxy garage floor installation happens before you ever see the finished coating.
The first step is getting the concrete ready. This includes preparing the surface and addressing cracks or other imperfections that may need attention.
Once the concrete is properly prepared, the epoxy coating is applied. Decorative flake gives the floor its finished appearance, and the polyurea topcoat completes the system.
It’s a little more involved than painting a garage floor, but each part of the process has a purpose.
When Can You Walk on Your New Garage Floor?
Once the coating is finished, it’s tempting to start putting everything back where it belongs. After all, the floor looks done.
But looking dry and being fully ready for use aren’t necessarily the same thing.
Epoxy flooring needs time to cure, and the amount of time can depend on the materials used and the conditions during installation.
Your installer will let you know when it’s safe to walk on the floor and begin moving things back into the garage. Following those instructions helps avoid unnecessary damage to a freshly installed coating.
How Soon Can You Park in the Garage Again?
For most homeowners, this is the big question.
At Lifestyle Garage, our flooring system calls for 48 hours before vehicle traffic. Your installer can confirm when it’s safe to park on your new floor based on your specific installation.
It’s a relatively short wait when you consider how often you’ll be using the garage afterward.
Planning ahead for where to park and where to temporarily store your belongings can make those few days much easier.
Does Every Garage Take the Same Amount of Time?
Not necessarily.
Even garages that are similar in size can have very different concrete conditions.
Some floors are in great shape and need relatively little repair work. Others may have cracks, worn areas, or old coatings that need to be addressed before the new flooring system can be installed.
The condition of the concrete can affect the amount of preparation required and, in some cases, the overall project timeline.
That’s one reason it’s helpful to have your garage floor evaluated before scheduling the work.
Is a Two-Day Garage Floor Coating Worth It?
When you’re ready to improve your garage, it’s natural to want the project finished as quickly as possible.
But there’s more to choosing a garage floor coating than how fast it can be installed.
The quality of the materials, the condition of the concrete, and the preparation involved all play a role in the finished result.
At Lifestyle Garage, our two-day epoxy flooring system is designed to provide a durable, attractive surface that can stand up to everyday garage use.
And once the work is finished and the coating has had time to cure, you can get back to using your garage without giving much thought to the floor beneath your feet.
Give Your Garage Floor an Upgrade
A new epoxy garage floor can completely change the look of your garage without requiring a major renovation. And with a little planning, the installation process can fit into your schedule without too much disruption.
If you’ve been putting off a garage floor upgrade because you’re worried about the downtime, it may be easier to plan than you think.
Ready to get your garage floor project on the calendar? Contact Lifestyle Garage to talk about your space and what to expect from installation.
