Garage Floors & Epoxy Coatings
Transform your garage floor with durable concrete and protective coatings that resist stains, chemicals, and wear.
Why Your Garage Floor Deserves Attention
Your garage floor takes more abuse than almost any other concrete surface on your property. It handles vehicle weight, oil drips, antifreeze spills, road salt tracked in during winter, and constant traffic from people and equipment. Most garage floors are just plain concrete with no protection, which means they absorb stains, dust constantly, and deteriorate over time. A properly built floor with quality coatings changes all of that.
Here in Bartlesville, we work on garage floors for new construction and upgrades to existing spaces. Some homeowners want a brand new concrete slab to replace an old, damaged floor. Others have good concrete but want to protect and upgrade it with epoxy or other high-performance coatings. Either way, the goal is the same: create a garage floor that looks great, cleans easily, and stands up to years of hard use.
A well-finished garage floor isn't just about appearance. It protects the concrete underneath, makes cleaning up spills simple, brightens the space, and can even increase your home's value. Whether you use your garage for parking, as a workshop, or for storage, investing in a quality floor makes the space more functional and enjoyable to use.
New Garage Floor Slabs
If you're building a new garage or need to replace a failed floor, we pour garage slabs built to handle vehicle loads and heavy use. Here's what goes into a proper garage floor.
Proper Base and Thickness
A garage floor needs a stable, compacted base to prevent settling and cracking. We excavate to the proper depth, grade for drainage, and install a gravel base that provides support and allows water to drain away. The concrete itself should be at least 4 inches thick for standard vehicles, and up to 6 inches for heavier trucks or equipment. Thicker is better when it comes to garage floors because they see concentrated loads from vehicle tires.
Reinforcement and Control Joints
Steel reinforcement like rebar or wire mesh keeps the slab together even if minor cracks develop. We also cut control joints to guide any cracking to planned locations where it won't affect performance. The slab should slope slightly toward the garage door, typically a quarter inch per foot, so water drains out naturally. This keeps the floor dry and prevents water from pooling inside.
Finishing Options
For a basic garage floor, a trowel finish provides a smooth, dense surface. For better traction, a light broom finish works well. Many homeowners choose to apply coatings after the concrete cures, which we'll discuss in the next section. Whatever finish you choose, the key is a well-built concrete slab that provides a solid foundation for decades of use.
Epoxy and Protective Coatings
Coating your garage floor with epoxy or other protective systems transforms the space. These coatings seal the concrete, resist stains and chemicals, and create a durable, easy-to-clean surface. Here's what you need to know about coating options.
- •Epoxy coatings: True epoxy is a two-part system that chemically bonds to the concrete. It's extremely durable, resists chemicals and abrasion, and comes in various colors and finishes. Epoxy creates a thick, glossy surface that brightens your garage and makes cleanup easy.
- •Polyurethane topcoats: Often applied over epoxy, polyurethane adds UV resistance and extra durability. It prevents yellowing and provides a protective layer that extends the life of the coating system.
- •Decorative options: You can add color flakes, metallic effects, or custom colors to create a unique look. These decorative elements also add texture for slip resistance and hide minor imperfections in the concrete.
- •Surface preparation is critical: Coatings only perform well if the concrete is properly prepared. We grind or etch the surface to open the pores, repair cracks, and ensure the coating bonds permanently.
A professionally applied coating system typically lasts 10 to 20 years or more with proper care. You can drive on it, work on it, and spill on it without worry. Liquids bead up and wipe away easily, and the sealed surface won't absorb stains or dust like bare concrete does. For garage floors in Bartlesville, coating systems provide lasting protection and a significant upgrade in appearance and function.