Options for making a garage floor look good

[Hnines]

I am currently building a 40x50 pole barn. Concrete floor should be done next week some time. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before I can put a coating on the new concrete floor?

I would also like to hear if there are other options for making a concrete floor look good other than epoxies? I may end up going with an epoxy in the end, but would like to know what other options might be out there.
Definitely want something that is going to be durable and long lasting.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Yes, you definitly need to wait a certain time before coating. How long depends on a number of factors. Read the manufacturers reccomendations for the product you are using. Poured in place moisture monitors are available, you might look into using some; they are very useful.

Personally I think a well done hard trowel finish looks great and makes a very useable floor. You can put a penetrating sealer on later.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Penetrating Sealer (no surface film)
Thin-Mil Epoxy Sealers topped with Urethane
Epoxy Coating Systems topped with Urethane or Polyaspartic Clear
Single Component Polyurea Systems

All are easily completed by DIY users. Good luck with your project.

 

[benjy]

I am currently building a 40x50 pole barn. Concrete floor should be done next week some time. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before I can put a coating on the new concrete floor?

I would also like to hear if there are other options for making a concrete floor look good other than epoxies? I may end up going with an epoxy in the end, but would like to know what other options might be out there.
Definitely want something that is going to be durable and long lasting.

Look at color hardeners if the concrete isn't placedyet, I'm happy with mine, needs to be troweled into the concrete surface, then sealed

 

[Shea]

I am currently building a 40x50 pole barn. Concrete floor should be done next week some time. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before I can put a coating on the new concrete floor?

I would also like to hear if there are other options for making a concrete floor look good other than epoxies? I may end up going with an epoxy in the end, but would like to know what other options might be out there.
Definitely want something that is going to be durable and long lasting.

You have all kinds of options to make it look good. The big question is, how do you plan to use it? That can determine what type of products you use. For coatings, you need to wait at least 30 days after the concrete is placed. Longer if it's thicker than 4". I would suggest starting here to learn about the variety of options you have.

 

[RPH]

Shea nailed it. You have to set the science for the building. Big difference between car repair, wood working, or dealership show room.
Is animals are involved it’s another game. The most important thing to do is figure that use out and then find products that meet those specifications.
Good luck!

 

[Swisstrax_Official]

Take a look at some garage floor designs using Swisstrax tiles for a few ideas on what is possible with garage floor tiling: https://www.swisstrax.com/garage-flooring-ideas.html

We also have page comparing the advantages our floor tiles have over epoxy, including durability and longevity: https://www.swisstrax.com/swisstrax-vs-epoxy-floor-covering.html

If you have any questions, send us a message through our website and one of our designers can help you with your garage flooring.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I am currently building a 40x50 pole barn. Concrete floor should be done next week some time. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before I can put a coating on the new concrete floor?

I would also like to hear if there are other options for making a concrete floor look good other than epoxies? I may end up going with an epoxy in the end, but would like to know what other options might be out there.
Definitely want something that is going to be durable and long lasting.

At a minimum, you must wait a month before coating it.

There are a lot of different options for floors. We have tiles, Polyurea coatings, epoxy coatings, clear coatings etc. It all depends on the budget, the look you want and how the area is used.

 

[Hnines]

The pole barn will kind of be multi-use. I plan on finishing off the interior with insulation and interior walls at some point, and it will be kind of a mancave/hangout area. I also intend on installing a 2 post lift on one side at some point, and I can't rule out the possibility of getting back into a muscle car. If so, I would do occasional work on that. It not's going to be a full fledged auto shop where I am turning wrenches all the time though. Will probably have a boat and ATV'S parked inside it as well.

 

[Garage Flooring]

The pole barn will kind of be multi-use. I plan on finishing off the interior with insulation and interior walls at some point, and it will be kind of a mancave/hangout area. I also intend on installing a 2 post lift on one side at some point, and I can't rule out the possibility of getting back into a muscle car. If so, I would do occasional work on that. It not's going to be a full fledged auto shop where I am turning wrenches all the time though. Will probably have a boat and ATV'S parked inside it as well.

If it was my garage I would either do a flow through tile or full broadcast polyurea

 

[Hnines]

If it was my garage I would either do a flow through tile or full broadcast polyurea

Looking over your website I like the idea of the High Solids DIY Epoxy kits with full broadcast and topcoat, or the Poyurea 3 coat full broadcast kit. Which of those would be more durable and long lasting in your opinion?
With a new concrete floor can I get away with etching the floor with either of these kits? I would prefer to not have to grind the floor if possible.
Pretty sure I'm gonna want to stay with some kind of coating vs a tile.

 

[RaceDeck1]

check out our Garage Photo Galleries, 100's of cool garage floor ideas RaceDeck Photo Gallery

 

[Garage Flooring]

Looking over your website I like the idea of the High Solids DIY Epoxy kits with full broadcast and topcoat, or the Poyurea 3 coat full broadcast kit. Which of those would be more durable and long lasting in your opinion?
With a new concrete floor can I get away with etching the floor with either of these kits? I would prefer to not have to grind the floor if possible.
Pretty sure I'm gonna want to stay with some kind of coating vs a tile.

I would go with the 3 coat Polyurea in that case