Is it worth it to epoxy our driveway?

[VApeople]

Some time ago, there was a discussion about things that should be done to a new house and everyone agreed it is a good idea to epoxy the garage floor.

A person at CDD told me he used a water-based epoxy and it only lasted a couple years. Then he had an oil based epoxy put down and it was much better.

He also suggested having the driveway epoxied. Is this a really good idea or is it not necessary?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[Villageswimmer]

I wouldn't hesitate to epoxy the garage floor. However, due to the intense Florida sun, I've seen driveways fade significantly in two years. I don't like that look. Just MHO.

[villagetinker]

I have heard about potential problems with epoxy on driveways. We had ours painted, 2+ years ago and it looks great. In fact we had it widened, and the original painted was able to match the design and colors, NO fading. We used Driveways by Jay, 877-713-2902, he also includes shark grip so you do not end up with a skating ring when it rains. Minimal maintenance, a clear coat after 5 to 7 years, otherwise, just the occasional power wash.
Hope this helps.
PS jay has done around 30 driveways in this area, Village of Pinellas.

[Bjeanj]

I agree with villagetinker. We had our driveway, garage floor, back stoop and patio painted (albeit by Cliff Rider of Decorative Concrete) using sharkskin paint and it looks as nice as it did the first day. Is it necessary? No. I think it enhances the value of the property, makes it easier to keep the garage floor clean, and improves the curbside appeal.

[bluedivergirl]

We also used Cliff of Decorative Concrete. He also recommended a sub who deep cleaned and sealed the work a year later. No problems.

I dislike the hot tire marks untreated concrete gets in this climate. The epoxy coat eliminates that problem. DH enjoys the cleanability of his garage.

[VApeople]

Thanks to all of you. These answers have been very helpful.

[ColdNoMore]

I wouldn't hesitate to epoxy the garage floor. However, due to the intense Florida sun, I've seen driveways fade significantly in two years. I don't like that look. Just MHO.

:agree:

[OldManTime]

According to Sherman Williams, there is no product that stands up to gas, ATF, and oil. My carport driveway is a mess, after using an epoxy.

[RickeyD]

According to Sherman Williams, there is no product that stands up to gas, ATF, and oil. My carport driveway is a mess, after using an epoxy.



Vinyl tile is a much better choice inside the garage.


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160730/07a752b0700b368c460de543a4260376.jpg

[biker1]

My garage floor with epoxy and a clear coat is pristine after a couple of years. Oil and gas are never a problem. I have had some drips of brake fluid (leaking clutch slave cylinder) that have had no impact.

According to Sherman Williams, there is no product that stands up to gas, ATF, and oil. My carport driveway is a mess, after using an epoxy.

[Villageswimmer]

According to Sherman Williams, there is no product that stands up to gas, ATF, and oil. My carport driveway is a mess, after using an epoxy.

ATF? Duh, I only know that to be Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms?

[Bjeanj]

RickeyD, really nice garage floor!

[Schaumburger]

ATF? Duh, I only know that to be Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms?

ATF may be the acronym for automatic transmission fluid.

[Nucky]

Vinyl tile is a much better choice inside the garage.


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160730/07a752b0700b368c460de543a4260376.jpg

I think that is the most beautiful garage I've ever seen. Great taste in decorating.

[RickeyD]

ATF may be the acronym for automatic transmission fluid.



In this context, it is.

[RickeyD]

I think that is the most beautiful garage I've ever seen. Great taste in decorating.



Wish I could claim it to be mine, it's not. Just an illustration that tiles are nicer than epoxy and not expensive at all.

[VApeople]

My carport driveway is a mess, after using an epoxy.

Wow, that is very interesting! Thanks for the post, YoungMan.

[Topspinmo]

Wow, that is very interesting! Thanks for the post, YoungMan.

I suspect it wasn't cleaned and sealed properly. Fluids, battery acid, and deterioration make had something to do with it?

[biker1]

I looked into the snap together vinyl tiles for a previous house. I sent away for some sample tiles and the edging that goes along the front edge of the garage. I also looked at a couple of installations. If you have a garage floor with significant damage that would make epoxy (or other epoxy like coatings) difficult to apply then I think the vinyl tiles are a reasonable choice. The tiles do expand and contract with temperature so there will be some movement. The cost of the vinyl tiles is roughly $2-3 per square foot which makes it more expensive than epoxy. Properly installed epoxy on a garage floor in good condition is pretty hard to beat. The vinyl tiles in the picture are snap together tiles that "float".

Vinyl tile is a much better choice inside the garage.


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160730/07a752b0700b368c460de543a4260376.jpg

[VApeople]

The tiles do expand and contract with temperature so there will be some movement.

Thanks for pointing that out. We had vinyl tiles in the kitchen in our previous home, and they did move around some. I think the garages in TV probably face more temperature extremes than our kitchen did in Virginia.

[Dan9871]

Check out racedeck dot com for tiles made for garages.


I looked into the snap together vinyl tiles for a previous house. I sent away for some sample tiles and the edging that goes along the front edge of the garage. I also looked at a couple of installations. If you have a garage floor with significant damage that would make epoxy (or other epoxy like coatings) difficult to apply then I think the vinyl tiles are a reasonable choice. The tiles do expand and contract with temperature so there will be some movement. The cost of the vinyl tiles is roughly $2-3 per square foot which makes it more expensive than epoxy. Properly installed epoxy on a garage floor in good condition is pretty hard to beat.

[villagetinker]

Regarding vinyl tiles, I have had the "peel and stick" tiles shrink and move, even when applied over concrete. On the other hand, I have never had the 'commercial grade' vinyl tiles shrink or move. You need to get a quality product, and the correct adhesive. Also, if you decide to go with tile, purchase extra tiles, incase you have some damage in the future. I have heard of racedeck before, and will need to check them out again.

[biker1]

I had received samples of their tiles and looked at a couple of installations. For concrete floors in good shape, I still believe epoxy is a better way to go. For concrete floors in bad shape, the vinyl tiles are probably the only choice.

Check out racedeck dot com for tiles made for garages.

[biker1]

Vinyl tiles such as Racedeck do not use adhesive. They snap together and "float". There are number of essentially equivalent vinyl tiles on the market under different brand names. You will see them in professional garages and their waiting rooms.

Regarding vinyl tiles, I have had the "peel and stick" tiles shrink and move, even when applied over concrete. On the other hand, I have never had the 'commercial grade' vinyl tiles shrink or move. You need to get a quality product, and the correct adhesive. Also, if you decide to go with tile, purchase extra tiles, incase you have some damage in the future. I have heard of racedeck before, and will need to check them out again.

[biker1]

These are different tiles. They snap together and "float" on the garage floor surface. They will move a bit with temperature change.

Thanks for pointing that out. We had vinyl tiles in the kitchen in our previous home, and they did move around some. I think the garages in TV probably face more temperature extremes than our kitchen did in Virginia.

[Jcm80]

Your garage looks beautiful! How do you think that tile will hold up with cars and golf carts? I am an wood worker and DIY guy. Will it stand up to tools and spilled solvents?
John