Not All “Epoxy Flooring” Is Built the Same
In Upstate New York, your garage floor has to endure real stress—salt, snowmelt, moisture, and freeze-thaw cycles that test any coating. So when a contractor advertises “epoxy flooring,” it’s natural to assume you’re getting a thick, durable system that incorporates an epoxy at some point!
But if that installer offers 1-day turnaround, chances are they’re not using epoxy at all. Many of these systems are polyurea-polyaspartic-only and use the word “epoxy” purely for marketing.
Let’s break down the layers of a real garage floor—and why each one matters in a climate like ours.
Layer 1: Surface Prep (Most Get This Right)
Both GFC and many 1-day companies perform mechanical prep like diamond grinding. That’s essential. But it’s only the first step. The true test of quality comes in what happens after prep.
Layer 2: The Base Coat
What GFC Uses: 100%-Solids Moisture-Mitigating Epoxy
- Cures slowly (overnight) for strong chemical adhesion
- Forms a thick, impact-resistant foundation (epoxies are “high-build” coatings)
- Acts as a moisture-mitigating coating, preventing delamination during Upstate NY’s wet, cold winters
What 1-Day Systems Use: Polyaspartic
- Cures very rapidly—too fast to deeply penetrate the concrete
- Thin application (not a “high-build” coating) = low durability
- Poor at handling moisture-vapor transmission, which is common in concrete slabs exposed to snow and meltwater
Layer 3: The Top Coats
What GFC Uses: Two Polyaspartic Topcoats
- Dual 100%-solids UV-stable, abrasion-resistant, and easy to clean
- Locks in the moisture-mitigating epoxy base layer for a 4-layered, total system strength
- Handles temperature swings and heavy use with ease
What 1-Day Systems Use:
- Often a single polyaspartic top coat (and less than 100%-solids)
- No moisture-mitigating epoxy base means poor bonding and reduced longevity due to the absence of a moisture vapor barrier
- Vulnerable to wear and seasonal changes
Epoxy Flooring:Why It Matters in Upstate New York
Our climate isn’t forgiving. Floors that aren’t built layer by layer—with a real epoxy base coat for moisture control—tend to fail quickly. At Garage Floor Coating of New York, our 2-day, moisture-mitigating epoxy flooring system is designed for durability, not speed.
From prep to topcoat, every layer has a purpose—and every material is chosen for performance.
Contact us today for your free estimate. If it doesn’t start with epoxy, it’s not epoxy flooring—no matter what the ad says.