DIY vs. Professional Garage Floor Coatings: What Do You Pick?

Garage Floor CoatingEpoxy Floor Coating

As a Michigander, you know the climate isn’t easy on your garage. The freezing winters, road salt, and damp conditions can take a toll on your garage floor. Garage floor epoxy is getting quite popular around the United States, but when you start to do a little research, you’ll see quite a few options, including fairly cheap DIY kits. So that begs the question: Should you take the DIY route or hire specialists to install professional garage floor coatings? Let’s get into it.

Michigan’s Climate and Your Garage Floor

Michigan is known for its brutal winters and humid summers, both of which can wreak havoc on unprotected concrete. DIY garage floor paint or epoxy kits may seem like a cost-effective solution to make your garage look better, but they don’t always hold up well.

Road Salt: The Enemy of DIY Coatings – In winter, you’re probably bringing road salt into your garage. DIY coatings are often not built to resist the corrosive effects of salt, leading to early damage and deterioration. Professionals use high-quality epoxy and polyurea or polyaspartic coatings that can stand up to salt, keeping your garage flooring in top shape even during the toughest winter months.

Moisture and Its Challenges – Michigan’s humidity presents another problem. DIY epoxy floor coatings are vulnerable to moisture during application, which can cause issues like bubbling or poor adhesion. Professionals have the expertise and tools to deal with moisture effectively, ensuring a proper bond even in damp conditions. More dependable, seasoned professionals will offer moisture-damage coverage in their warranties too.

Advantages of Professional Installation

Professional-Grade Products – Professionals use better materials, like 100% solids polyaspartic floor coatings, which provide superior resistance to UV rays, chemicals, and moisture. Unlike concrete paint or DIY epoxy, these coatings are designed to last for years or even decades, even with a busy lifestyle or under the harsh conditions Michigan will throw at them.

Expert Surface Preparation – A successful garage floor coating starts with the right concrete preparation. Professionals grind the concrete floor to ensure the surface is ready for a perfect bond. This level of preparation is hard to achieve with DIY kits, which often lead to subpar results due to inadequate prep. You have to do more than sweep it clean and use basic cleaners—propane grinders are ideal, safer, faster, and more powerful. Inadequate concrete prep is exactly why so many DIY kits peel up like a sticker stuck on a dusty surface.

Is DIY Really Worth It?

While DIY might seem like a budget-friendly option, the reality is that poor preparation or low-quality materials can lead to costly failures. Hiring a professional means getting a durable, long-lasting finish that withstands Michigan’s changing seasons. You probably wouldn’t rely on a DIY kit for your roofing; we recommend the same mentality for your garage floor’s epoxy floor installation.