A garage floor coating should hold up through changing seasons, moisture, and daily use. The easiest way to avoid premature failure is to ask the right questions before choosing an installer.
Below are six questions homeowners in Upstate New York should ask during the estimating process to better understand what they are really buying.
1. Can you do a 1-day polyurea-polyaspartic coating installation?
The correct answer is, “We can, but we would rather do it right.”
If moisture levels in your concrete exceed 1 percent, which is very common, installing a 1-day system directly to concrete without proper moisture mitigation can lead to blistering or delamination. Installers focused on longevity test moisture levels first and recommend a 2-day garage floor system when conditions require it.
2. What types of coatings do you use?
Your installer should have access to multiple coating types. Epoxies are commonly used as primers and build coats, while polyurea-polyaspartics provide UV stability, chemical resistance, and durability as color and topcoats. Material selection should be based on the concrete and how the space will be used.
3. How do you prepare the concrete?
Concrete preparation is critical to long-term performance. Proper prep requires professional diamond grinding to achieve the correct concrete surface profile. Cleaning alone or acid etching does not provide the mechanical bond needed for a durable garage floor coating.
4. Does your company use zero- or low-VOC products?
Some contractors still use older products with high levels of volatile organic compounds. Today’s premium garage floor coatings are available in zero- or low-VOC formulations. Your installer should be able to provide technical data sheets that clearly outline VOC ratings and product safety information.
5. Can your coatings be applied in extreme hot and cold temperatures?
Upstate New York weather can present challenges. But experienced installers select coating products designed to perform under varying seasonal conditions and should be able to work year-round.
6. What is your warranty?
A warranty often reflects how confident an installer is in their process. Look for clear explanations of what is covered, what is excluded, and how workmanship and materials are supported over time.
Ready to upgrade your garage with confidence? Contact Garage Floor Coating of New York (Upstate) to learn which option is right for your home.