confused newbie...check my prices

[cbr1000]

I stumbled across this forum while researching what flooring to go with for my garage. Originally (pre forum searches), I was planning on staining. Then after a few hours here I decided on epoxy. Then a couple hours later seems like tile is the way to go. Now I think I should polish because the feedback I'm getting from the tile installers in my area is that I'm crazy for putting tile in my garage. I do have tile reservations related to resale. The house is fairly new, and tile can have the appearance of covering up problems. I have a 700 sq ft attached 3 car garage, air conditioned, 8 years old, in Kansas City that's in very good condition (my inexperienced opinion), it has a shine to it, a few stains by the mower. Never sealed or any work done to the floor, or in the garage for that matter...it's a clean slate to work with! I will post pics later. Looking at doing a total renovation, adding windows, flooring, cabinets.

Whew, that's the history. Here's my question ...below is a copy of polishing costs...does this seem about right?

Poor mans polish for 700 sq ft = $2695?


http://kansascityconcrete.net/

o Stained Concrete (basement floors, garages, etc)
$3.85/sq foot(>500sq)
$4.50/sq foot(<500sq)
o Polished Concrete Flooring starts @
$2.50/sq for large newer concrete floors..no color. (3,000sq+)
$3.50/sq residential no color full polish
$3.85 "Poor Man's Polish"(semi-polished with color)($4.5/sq <500sq)
$5.75 full polish w/ color
o Concrete Sealing ; driveways start at $.60/sq foot, antique and sealing of stamped concrete starts at $1.25/sq foot
o Epoxy flooring (commercial grade) $4.05/sq foot
o Concrete overlays (for pool decks, patios, basement floors etc.)
o Knockdown textures starts at $5/sq foot
o Patterns and stamped overlays start at $8/sq foot
*Prices for overlays do not include grinding and prep

 

[Falcon67]

I had my slab dug, steeled and poured for less than $4.50 sq/ft. I have Epoxy Coat budgeted at .55 sq/ft DIY application on 960 sq/ft. I still have to get with our local Kelly-Moore dealer, but I think I can beat that with their industrial floor coat. Maybe.

 

[cbr1000]

So, seems high?.. I think so, but then again, this is my first estimate. I did not plan on it being $2700 to polish my 3 car garage.

 

[thegarageguy]

Polished concrete is beautiful when done, especially a colored one. But I don't think it's well suited for a typical everyday garage. It will not hold up well to vehicle fluids and will require constant maintenance to keep up the shine.

If that is the look you are going for, my advice would be to have it diamond grinded and sealed with polyaspartic.

The numbers you quoted aren't that far off....My area is a bit higher but then again, I'm in NYC area.

 

[cbr1000]

Polished concrete is beautiful when done, especially a colored one. But I don't think it's well suited for a typical everyday garage. It will not hold up well to vehicle fluids and will require constant maintenance to keep up the shine.

If that is the look you are going for, my advice would be to have it diamond grinded and sealed with polyaspartic.

The numbers you quoted aren't that far off....My area is a bit higher but then again, I'm in NYC area.

haha, thanks for your reply. Everytime I think I know what route to go theres another option!! The only fluids I will have in my garage are weather related, for example snow, condensation from AC... My mower leaves some streaks, but if the floors done I will likely park it on a rubber pad. Either way, that doesn't matter, your the expert and I appreciate your help...very much. So, if I diamond grind and seal ... is that basically what your doing in this post: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76446
I'm looking for a more earth tone, non-decorative look, but clean with a shine.. and some marbled like color.

 

[thegarageguy]

Well, salts and snow would wreak havoc on a polished floor as well.....a rubber pad will not allow your floor to breathe properly and you will begin to notice your floor change color when you remove the rubber pad, not a good idea.

The link that you posted was resurfaced with a special self leveling polymer modified concrete at 1/4 inch thick, then an application of designer epoxy was installed.

This is a clear epoxy sealed concrete;

This is another epoxy sealed and satin finish polyurethane;

Notice the color difference....natural concrete comes in many colors and hues...some gray, green gray and some have a beige tome to them.

Again, for a garage, my choice would be an epoxy poly or polyaspartic sealed floor

 

[jhutch]

So CBR, did you ever come to any conclusions on your garage floor?

I offer solutions in your area at better prices than you were quoted, check out my signature if you're still looking for something.

Good luck and I hope your happy with your new garage floor either way!