Best bang for the buck?

[Ries]

So I’m now 6mo into my new home, which I built with a 1722sqft garage/shop (4 stalls wide ~ 2 stalls deep). The front half is 10’ ceilings with a loft above and the back half has 18’ ceilings so I could install a lift. Where I plan to install the lift I have two 5’x5’ pads that are reinforced with rebar and at 6” thick. The rest of the garage/shop is 4”.

Now I want to have a nice looking floor for years to come. I have 3 cars that are daily drivers and 2 project cars that are parked most of the time in this space. I wrench on the project cars as time permits and do basic maintenance work on the other cars as required. What would be recommended for a cost effective solution?

I’ve had a few places around here quote me in the $9300-15,000 range. This to me seemed eccessive, but I’ve never really priced this before. I’m one that likes to do things myself if I can. I see these “kits” selling from $350-2,000 for coatings/paints however I’m not sure if they are worth it and I’m concerned about trying to cover this large of an area by myself.

I looked into vinyl coverings but not sure of their robustness nor do they seem to provide a cost effective solution.

Any info/comments/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

BTW I’m near Minneapolis, MN so you have an idea of the climate.

 

[RPH]

Look into Ghostshield products. Cost is lower and the concrete protection is great for a working garage. Also great for the salt that comes from the melting snow. The vendors here carry it and give great service to the members. I used 4 colors of acid stain to give some color and the applied the Ghostshield products. The stuff just works.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Polyurea all the way!!


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[Ries]

I used 4 colors of acid stain to give some color and the applied the Ghostshield products. The stuff just works.

Do you have any pictures? Also where did you get the stain? I was looking at that too. Looks like Redi-Mix has some good selections.

 

[Ries]

Polyurea all the way!!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Is that something that I could do myself? I’m concerned with such a large area and trying to get it all finished in a timely manner. If you could perhaps shoot me a proposal/quote via IM for what your thinking that would be appreciated.

I can provide a snap shot of the blueprints to show you the area. However as stated it’s 1722sqft when you laser measure the actual space.

 

[James-W]

I don't think there is any one product that you could say gives the best bang for the buck. I think it depends on what you want for the floor and what you are willing to spend in time and in money.

For example, I put down Racedeck on my garage floor. I had thought about doing epoxy and I think I would have liked that a lot. But when I considered the time and the effort I would have to spend to grind the floor, then clean the floor really good, then installing the primer, the epoxy and the top coats, I decided that route was not for me. So in my case I figure the Racedeck was the best bang for the buck. Others will not doubt not feel that way, they will be willing to spend the time, the effort and the money to do an epoxy floor and it will look super nice when finished.

Personally, I like the Racedeck because all I needed to do was sweep the floor, then use my shop vac to pick up the dust the push broom didn't get. Only took a few hours and the tile floor was down and it really looks good. For me, the Racedeck flooring was the way to go. For others it may not be the right choice.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Is that something that I could do myself? I’m concerned with such a large area and trying to get it all finished in a timely manner. If you could perhaps shoot me a proposal/quote via IM for what your thinking that would be appreciated.



I can provide a snap shot of the blueprints to show you the area. However as stated it’s 1722sqft when you laser measure the actual space.

Email me... [email protected]

Our HellFire is available too and may be a better bang for the buck!!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Armorpoxy]

Our two most popular options are our SPGX one part Polyurea which runs around 60 cents/sq ft in clear/single coat.

For our www.armorcladepoxy.com 100% solids epoxy system with primer, epoxy and 2 part military grade topcoat pricing runs in the $1.25/sq ft price.

Please contact us directly at below (not PM) for detailed info and confirmed pricing. Thanks!

 

[Garage Flooring]

So I’m now 6mo into my new home, which I built with a 1722sqft garage/shop (4 stalls wide ~ 2 stalls deep). The front half is 10’ ceilings with a loft above and the back half has 18’ ceilings so I could install a lift. Where I plan to install the lift I have two 5’x5’ pads that are reinforced with rebar and at 6” thick. The rest of the garage/shop is 4”.

Now I want to have a nice looking floor for years to come. I have 3 cars that are daily drivers and 2 project cars that are parked most of the time in this space. I wrench on the project cars as time permits and do basic maintenance work on the other cars as required. What would be recommended for a cost effective solution?

I’ve had a few places around here quote me in the $9300-15,000 range. This to me seemed eccessive, but I’ve never really priced this before. I’m one that likes to do things myself if I can. I see these “kits” selling from $350-2,000 for coatings/paints however I’m not sure if they are worth it and I’m concerned about trying to cover this large of an area by myself.

I looked into vinyl coverings but not sure of their robustness nor do they seem to provide a cost effective solution.

Any info/comments/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

BTW I’m near Minneapolis, MN so you have an idea of the climate.

Purchasing a kit from a good vendor on the forum such as Legacy or Armorpoxy is a much better option than a big box store kit. We have some options for you as well:

Polyurea kits:
https://www.garageflooringllc.com/polyurea-garage-floor-coating-kits/

DIY Kits
https://www.garageflooringllc.com/garage-floor-epoxy-kits/

100% Solids Kits
https://www.garageflooringllc.com/high-performance-garage-floor-coating/


A full broadcast floor would be a very good option for you.