Garage floor coatings are becoming increasingly popular across the country, and it’s no different here in Phoenix. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your garage or protect your floors from the intense Arizona sun, you’ve probably come across two main options: systems that take one day to install and two day installations. So, which one should you go with?
Quick Rundown of Both Systems
- 1-Day Systems: These coatings use polyurea-polyaspartic coatings as both the primer coat (direct-to-concrete) and the clear top coat. the two coating sandwich a full flake broadcast in between. Because these coatings dry extremely fast (and faster still in the presence of moisture), the installation can get done in the promised “1-day”. You can get back to using your garage almost immediately. Sounds great, right?
- 2-Day Systems: A little more involved, this process starts with a slower-curing 100%-solids epoxy primer on Day 1, followed by a full flake broadcast. The primer is allowed to cure overnight. On Day 2, two separate application of 100%-solids polyaspartic topcoats are applied. It takes longer to apply and cure, but each step serves a specific purpose in ensuring long-term durability.
The Big Debate: Which System is Better?
There’s been plenty of talk about which system is superior. Some folks are drawn to the quick, easy appeal of a 1-day installation, while others swear by the more comprehensive 2-day system. So, what’s the verdict?
Pitfalls of a 1-Day System
While a 1-day system might seem convenient, there are a few reasons why it doesn’t hold up over time:
- Thin Coats: A single, thin layer of polyurea as the primer and single polyaspartic top coat just don’t offer the same durability. Over time, these systems are more likely to peel, crack, or fail under the intense Arizona heat.
- No Epoxy Primer: Without a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer, moisture can seep up from the concrete, creating a hydrostatic pressure, causing bubbles and delamination of the coating.
- Limited Bonding: The fast-cure nature of 1-day systems doesn’t allow enough time for the primer coat to properly penetrate and bond to the concrete substrate. Yet, the coating system is only as strong as its primer coat!
Two Day Installations: Why They’re Superior
The 2-day system may take a little longer, but it’s far more effective in the long run:
- Thicker Layers: With a 2-day system, you get multiple thick layers of coating, starting with the high-build, moisture-mitigating epoxy primer. The slower curing epoxy deeply penetrates and bonds with the concrete substrate (it acts as a vapor barrier). The dual 100%-solids polyaspartic topcoats protect the coating from UV, chemicals, impacts, and staining (from automotive fluids and hot-tire transfer).
- Moisture Mitigation: That 100%-solids epoxy primer does more than just bond with the concrete—it blocks moisture from rising through the floor, preventing the kind of issues that lead to early coating failure.
Phoenix Weather and Your Garage Floor
Here in Phoenix, we deal with some pretty extreme temperatures. The desert heat can do a number on your garage floor, especially when combined with the impact of hot tires and the occasional rain. The UV resistance and moisture-blocking properties of a 2-day system make it an ideal choice for this climate. If you want your garage floor to withstand the blazing sun without cracking or peeling, it’s worth investing in a coating that’s built to last.
Call the Pros
At GarageFloorCoating.com Phoenix, we take the time to get it right. Our 2-day system ensures your garage floor coating will stand up to everything Phoenix throws at it. Give us a call today for a free quote and let’s get your garage looking brand new.