New Member - Need Opinions

[Lefty]

Hello! Just joined the site, and am looking for some opinions. I just bought a brand new home, closing on Friday. Getting the garage professionally coated next week by Stronghold Floors and was planning on having them fill the "plus" shaped saw cuts in the concrete. That way when they epoxy, it will look like 1 large clean slab. I know filling the saw cuts technically can cause some future cracking issues, but I have also seen pictures of large garages with their floors coating and cracks filled.

Seems to be personal preference, but just wanted some other thoughts & opinions.

Garage is right about 410 sq. ft.

~Lefty

 

[kd3pc]

I would personally, and did in my garage, leave the cuts. It is a rare floor that can have the expansion joints filled - epoxied over - and NOT crack somewhere down the line. I prefer the SIKA flex or what ever you use, than a jagged crack or uplift of material.

 

[Shea]

Stronghold floors is a good company that puts down great floors. I'm sure they use the proper product to fill the contraction joints. That said, you still run a small risk of a possible coating crack down those joints later during the floor's life.

We found that that the risk is slightly greater with newer slabs that may still settle vs older slabs that have done most of their settling. It's entirely up to you. They can be repaired however and you may want to ask them what it would cost for the repair in the event that it ever happened. That should help you make up your mind. Either way, you will have a great looking floor.

Good luck!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Unheated garage in a freeze zone has potential to crack the coating if you go over (seamless). If it does crack, as Shea mentioned, it could be repaired.

If you are in a freeze zone and you are unheated, have them honor the cuts/joints and fill with a complimentary urethane caulk post floor coatings. It will at least keep from filling with debris and won't look terrible.

 

[Lefty]

^That's not a bad idea...

I think I've made up my mind to NOT have the cracks filled. It's a brand new home and I don't want to risk having them coming out for excessive repairs if they don't need to. Won't look bad either way I do it, just wanted some 2nd opinions.

 

[Lefty]

Had the floor coated by Stronghold. Did not fill the expansion slots...

Couldn't be happier with it. Just a few pictures. Can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can finish painting the walls and put some baseboard down.

Before the top coat:

After the top coat:

Tried to get a picture of the chip combo I had blended:

 

[12ozd]

Damn nice looking floor !!

Think you made the right decision regarding the joint(s)

 

[DeadSock]

Great looking floor and good choice on the cracks.

I'm actually surprised to see joints in a floor that size (guessing ~20x20).

P.S. You should consider adding a location into your profile.

 

[Lefty]

Great looking floor and good choice on the cracks.

I'm actually surprised to see joints in a floor that size (guessing ~20x20).

P.S. You should consider adding a location into your profile.

About right. It's a total of 420sq. ft. There's storage on the one side as room. I can fit a few motorcycles and 2 cars with some room. Wanted the extra space.