18 Questions Answered · Brevard County, FL
$2,000-10,000 depending on garage size and system. 2-car garage typical: $3,500-6,000 for chip-broadcast system. Plain-English answers from a contractor working in Brevard County every week.
$2,000-10,000 depending on garage size and system. 2-car garage typical: $3,500-6,000 for chip-broadcast system. Metallic epoxy: $6,000-10,000. Premium polyaspartic systems: $5,000-8,000. Chip: $4-7/sqft, textured non-slip surface, traditional garage look, hides minor concrete imperfections. Proper systems use 100% solids epoxy with chemical resistance ratings that prevent this.
Three reasons: (1) no diamond grinding of concrete (just etching), (2) no moisture testing, (3) thin material thickness. Brevard humidity finds every weakness. Professional installation with proper prep lasts 10-20+ years. Epoxy is rigid - if the concrete cracks, the epoxy cracks too.
2-day install for most garages: Day 1 grind, prep, base coat. Day 2 chip broadcast and top coat. Total downtime: 5-7 days before driving on the surface, 3 days before walking. Often used as a top-coat over epoxy base. Avoid pulling onto epoxy for 5-7 days after install while it fully cures.
Chip: $4-7/sqft, textured non-slip surface, traditional garage look, hides minor concrete imperfections. Metallic: $7-12/sqft, dramatic metallic-marble appearance, premium look, requires perfect prep. 2-car garage typical: $3,500-6,000 for chip-broadcast system. Chip-broadcast systems are naturally non-slip due to texture. $2,000-10,000 depending on garage size and system.
Common epoxy failure: cheap coatings literally peel off hot tires after parking. Proper systems use 100% solids epoxy with chemical resistance ratings that prevent this. We don't install systems that hot-tire-pickup. Hot tire pickup happens when heat from warm tires softens a thin or poorly bonded coating so it lifts with the tread. When comparing quotes, ask whether the concrete will be diamond ground rather than acid etched, how thick the coating is, and whether the system is 100% solids, since those details decide whether the floor holds up in a Brevard summer.
Florida doesn't have many basements but yes for commercial below-grade or homes that do. Same process: grind, moisture test, install. All cracks are repaired BEFORE epoxy install - epoxy doesn't hide them. Yes - we install commercial epoxy for restaurants, medical, warehouses, and showrooms.
Cracks under 1/8" we fill with polyurethane and grind smooth. Larger cracks need structural evaluation. All cracks are repaired BEFORE epoxy install - epoxy doesn't hide them. Epoxy is rigid - if the concrete cracks, the epoxy cracks too. Before the estimate, note any cracks that have widened, shifted in height from one side to the other, or reopened after patching, because those point to movement that filler alone will not stop. Fine shrinkage cracks are normal in garage slabs and are handled during prep, while moving cracks are the ones that need evaluation first.
Yes - daily driving, parked weight, no problem. Proper systems are rated for heavy vehicles. Avoid pulling onto epoxy for 5-7 days after install while it fully cures. Polyaspartic is a related coating - faster cure (back to driving in 24 hours vs 5-7 for epoxy), UV-stable (works outdoors), slightly less chemical resistance than epoxy.
Quality epoxy is chemical-resistant - oil, gas, brake fluid wipe up. Cheap systems stain. Spilled chemicals should still be cleaned promptly for best appearance. The usual culprits are oil drips, gasoline, brake fluid and pool chemicals stored on the floor, so wipe them up soon after they happen rather than letting them sit under a car. A mat under a leaking vehicle or a stored chemical container also helps, because long contact time is what dulls or discolors even a good top coat.
Standard epoxy isn't UV-stable - yellows in sun. For outdoor applications (patios, pool decks) we use polyaspartic or polyurea systems that are UV-stable. More expensive but appropriate for Brevard sun. Proper systems use 100% solids epoxy with chemical resistance ratings that prevent this.
Yes - we install commercial epoxy for restaurants, medical, warehouses, and showrooms. Different system types depending on use case (chemical resistance, slip rating, decorative needs). Quality epoxy is chemical-resistant - oil, gas, brake fluid wipe up. Polyaspartic is a related coating - faster cure (back to driving in 24 hours vs 5-7 for epoxy), UV-stable (works outdoors), slightly less chemical resistance than epoxy.
Polyaspartic is a related coating - faster cure (back to driving in 24 hours vs 5-7 for epoxy), UV-stable (works outdoors), slightly less chemical resistance than epoxy. Often used as a top-coat over epoxy base. Standard epoxy isn't UV-stable - yellows in sun.
Without texture: yes, slippery when wet. Chip-broadcast systems are naturally non-slip due to texture. We can add additional anti-slip aggregate if requested. This matters most at the garage door line, where rain and pool water get tracked in, and in garages that double as laundry or workshop space. If anyone in the household is unsteady on their feet, ask to see a sample board with the chip density or aggregate you are considering and test it with wet shoes before choosing.
Properly installed (with diamond grinding, moisture testing, 100% solids): 10-20+ years before any wear. Properly installed systems often last as long as the concrete underneath. Often used as a top-coat over epoxy base. The prep steps are what separate a long-lasting floor from one that peels early, which is why DIY kits that skip diamond grinding and moisture testing tend to fail in Brevard humidity. Sunlight through an open garage door, hot tires, and dragging sharp equipment are the main things that wear down the top coat over time.
Epoxy is rigid - if the concrete cracks, the epoxy cracks too. We address existing cracks before installing and use semi-flexible joint products at expansion joints. This is why joint treatment matters: the saw-cut control joints in a garage slab are where the concrete is designed to move, and bridging them with rigid epoxy invites a straight crack along that line. If a hairline crack appears later, it usually follows movement in the slab below, so the fix starts with the concrete rather than the coating.
Yes - custom logos, lane stripes, decorative inlays. More common in commercial settings. Adds $300-2,000+ depending on design complexity. Simple single-color logos and lane striping tend to sit at the lower end of that range, while multi-color designs, detailed lettering, or inlays that need masking between coats push it higher. Bring a digital file of the logo to the estimate, and place the design where vehicles will not drive across it every day.
5-year workmanship warranty on adhesion and surface integrity (most common failure mode). Material warranty per manufacturer (typically 5-10 years). Ask for both warranties in writing and read what voids them, such as moisture coming up through the slab or chemical damage. Adhesion is the item to focus on, since peeling and delamination are how epoxy floors usually fail, and it is worth asking how scratches, gouges, or impact damage from dropped tools are treated.
Sweep or vacuum, mop with mild detergent. Pressure wash on low if needed. No harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Reapply UV-protective top coat every 5-10 years if exposed to sunlight. Avoid acidic cleaners such as vinegar or citrus products, and soap-heavy cleaners that leave a film, since film makes the surface more slippery and dulls the gloss. A walk-off mat at the door also cuts down on the sand and grit Brevard yards track in, which acts like sandpaper on the top coat.
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