Resin garage floor: road salt, water from the wheels and dusting concrete in winter

What happens to garage concrete

Concrete is porous. Water with road salt penetrates its surface, freezes and thaws, and salt crystallises in the pores. Over time the top layer crumbles and starts to dust. Oil and car fluids soak in deeply and leave stains that will not wash out. On top of that comes ordinary wear from tyres and soles.

A resin floor solves these problems by forming a tight, non-porous coating on the concrete. Water, salt and oil stay on the surface, where they are easy to collect and wash away.

Which system for a private garage

We recommend the most commonly used and safest solution. An epoxy primer penetrates the concrete and strengthens its top layer. On it goes an epoxy layer with quartz broadcast, which gives texture and grip. A polyurethane topcoat, resistant to abrasion, salt, oil and sunlight, closes the system and gives the final colour.

A smooth epoxy floor without broadcast looks striking but can be slippery when wet, and without a polyurethane topcoat it yellows in sunlight over time. In a garage you drive into with wet wheels in winter, grip matters more than a mirror shine.

Ground moisture: the question you must ask

A garage often sits directly on the ground. If there is no damp-proof membrane under the slab, moisture rises from below and can lift a tight coating. That is why we measure concrete moisture before quoting and ask about the floor build-up. If moisture is too high, it must be dealt with first, or a moisture-tolerant system chosen. Laying resin on damp concrete is the shortest route to blisters and peeling.

Colour, look and lighting

Shades of grey are the most popular, because they hide everyday dirt well and suit most facades. A light floor reflects light and brightens the garage, which you will appreciate at four in the afternoon in winter. Decorative flakes can also be added to hide dirt further. While you are at it, think about lighting: even the best floor looks sad under a single bulb.

How long it takes and when to drive in

A typical schedule in a private garage looks like this.

• Day one: grinding, repairs and thorough dust removal.
• Day two: primer and the epoxy layer with quartz broadcast.
• Day three: removing excess quartz and the polyurethane topcoat.
• Following days: the resin cures. You can walk on it earlier, but driving in and full loading only after the time in the data sheet, usually a few days.

Winter with a resin floor

After driving in with wet wheels, squeegee away larger puddles, especially salty ones. Wash the floor with water and a mild cleaner from time to time to remove salt residue. A drip mat under the wheels where the car stands longest is a good idea. Avoid solvents and aggressive degreasers. Wipe up oil as you go, before it dries.

Movement joints, the door threshold and the drain

A garage slab usually has movement joints, cuts that let it move. We carry them through the floor and fill them flexibly instead of sealing them rigidly. We pay special attention to the threshold at the door, where the floor meets cold outside air and water running off the wheels. If the garage has a linear drain, the floor must be laid to it with a fall and its edge sealed.

What to prepare before we arrive

Good preparation shortens the work and keeps the schedule.

• Empty the garage, including shelving fixed to the floor.
• Plan where the car will park for a few days.
• Provide access to power and water and the ability to ventilate.
• In winter, heat the garage for a few days before and during the work.
• Show us old oil stains and the areas where the concrete dusts most.