When it comes to garage floor coatings, longevity is a huge factor. Everyone wants a garage floor that not only looks great but also holds up against the rigors of daily life for as long as possible. When done right, epoxy flooring will typically outlast all other flooring options by a significant margin—especially when installed using a 2-day system. More than any other coating system, our 2-day-install Detroit floors are durable! We’ll explain why.
1-Day vs. 2-Day Systems: What’s the Difference?
The market offers two main options for garage floor coatings: 1-day systems and 2-day systems. The 1-day system sounds like a dream: quick, easy, and done in a single day. But there’s a hidden downside. These systems often skip key steps like applying a moisture-mitigating primer, which is essential to ensure the floor doesn’t peel or crack over time (especially considering moisture is enemy #1 for any floor, but especially garages). Since 1-day systems use thin layers of polyurea-polyaspartic coatings without this protective layer, they tend to deteriorate faster.
Cutting Corners
The quick installation of a 1-day system is enabled by using quick-curing polyurea-polyaspartics as both the primer coat and top coat. However, using them as (direct-to-concrete) primers is a problem. In the presence of moisture, polyurea-polyaspartics cure even quicker…in well under an hour! This simply doesn’t provide the necessary time to deeply penetrate and bond with the concrete substrate. Moisture vapor in the concrete (and resulting hydrostatic pressures) push upwards on the thin, poorly penetrating primer coat. This is why these coatings have a propensity to peel. Even the 1-day installers recognize that moisture is a common culprit. Which is why they include warranty exclusions for moisture-related problems. So when your floor starts to fail due to moisture, you’re likely on your own for repairs.
Our Detroit Floors Are Durable: Why a 2-Day System is the Best Choice
In contrast, a 2-day system gives you the kind of durability you’re looking for. And that’s what we do! On day one, we apply a 100%-solids moisture-mitigating epoxy primer that bonds deeply with the concrete. It’s a moisture vapor barrier that creates a solid foundation, mitigating moisture from rising up and damaging the coating. On day two, we apply two layers of polyaspartic topcoats (not just one!), which provides superb resistance to UV rays, chemicals, and hot tire staining. This double layer of protection doesn’t just make your epoxy floor look great—it helps it last for decades.
Moisture Problems
Moisture is the most common cause of coating failures. Without proper moisture mitigation, floors become vulnerable to bubbling, cracking, and peeling. Even if your garage doesn’t seem wet, moisture often seeps up through the concrete, wreaking havoc over time. This is why the moisture-mitigating primer in a 2-day system is crucial for ensuring long-term durability.
Eco-Corflex
At GatorGuard, we use Eco-Corflex products which have been developed and perfected for over 28 years. These products have been field-tested in a variety of extreme environments, throughout the US, ensuring they provide some of the best protection available. The Eco-Corflex system has been engineered for longevity, meaning your floor is designed to withstand heavy use — sometimes for 20 years or more. Our 2-day systems guarantee a thick, durable coating, unlike the wafer-thin 1-day installs.
Detroit Weather
Detroit presents unique challenges when it comes to garage floor coatings. Winters bring harsh freeze-thaw cycles, and summers can be hot and humid. This fluctuating weather can take a toll on floors that aren’t properly protected. With the 2-day system, you get a floor that’s resistant to moisture—critical in an area where dampness can seep into the concrete. Additionally, our UV-resistant topcoats will keep your garage floor from fading or deteriorating in the summer sun, making it a solid investment for Detroit’s tough weather conditions.
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