When choosing a garage flooring system in Phoenix, the base coat matters more than you might think. Many companies offering “1-day” systems use polyurea or polyaspartic coatings as both the base (the primer coat) and clear topcoat. But at GarageFloorCoating.com (Phoenix), we know garage floor epoxy is the real foundation of a long-lasting, durable floor.
The Bond That Lasts: Garage Floor Epoxy and Concrete Adhesion
Epoxy coatings have a slower cure rate than polyurea and polyaspartic coatings. When used as a base coat, epoxy’s slower curing time gives it the chance to deeply penetrate the concrete, forming a stronger mechanical bond. (We allow a full day for this to occur). Polyurea-polyaspartics, on the other hand, cure extremely quickly—and quicker still in the presence of concrete moisture. So quickly that they don’t deeply penetrate concrete. Knowing this difference is key to a floor that lasts.
Moisture Mitigation That Works
In Arizona, garage floors can face more than just surface spills. Moisture vapor can push up from beneath the slab (in a process called moisture vapor transmission). Over time, the moisture collects and creates an upward pressure (hydrostatic pressure) on the base coating. Epoxy’s strong bond with the concrete slab allows it to act as an effective moisture vapor barrier; a thick base layer that protects the entire coating system from bubbling or peeling due to high hydrostatic pressure. Conversely, a thin, poorly-penetrating polyurea-polyaspartic base coat simply can’t stand up to this kind of stress.
Built to Take a Beating
Unlike polyurea-polyaspartics that can only be applied thinly (due to their inherent chemical properties), a “high-build” epoxy can be applied thickly, giving your floor added durability. When used as a base coat (we save the polyaspartic for the clear top coat only), it handles everyday wear and tear better and simultaneously providing a thick, moisture-mitigating coat. A polyurea-polyaspartic’s thinner base coat application just doesn’t offer the same protection (which is why they won’t warrant moisture-related issues).
Why GFC Phoenix Stands Out
At GarageFloorCoating.com (Phoenix), we don’t cut corners. Our 2-day system uses:
- A slower-curing, moisture-mitigating, 100%-solids epoxy base coat for superior adhesion and moisture mitigation
- Two 100%-solids polyaspartic topcoats for UV stability and chemical resistance
That’s a system built to last—and one you won’t get from 1-day installers relying on inferior polyurea-polyaspartic base coats. (They’re excellent top coats; just poor direct-to-concrete base coats).
Ready to upgrade your garage with a professional-grade system? Contact GarageFloorCoating.com (Phoenix) for a garage floor epoxy solution that’s built for Arizona living.