The garage is the workhorse of your home, housing tools, vehicles, lawn equipment, and other possessions. It is a space that needs to be functional and safe but has an aesthetic appeal.
You can easily improve your garage’s appearance through garage painting services. However, you should know a few things before starting your project.
Increased Value
Buyers are drawn to homes with fresh, updated paint. It’s one of the cheapest home improvements that add value and is easy to accomplish. Adding new paint to interior and exterior spaces gives your home a quick facelift, improving curb appeal. A freshly painted house shows potential buyers it’s well maintained and can help them picture themselves living there.
A newly painted garage floor gives potential buyers a good first impression and increases functionality. It makes cleaning up easier and protects cars from excess dust, allowing them to maintain or even prolong their lifespans. Paint protects boxes, tools, holiday decorations, and all other random items likely stored in a garage.
It’s important to consider the type of paint used since different types provide different levels of protection. For example, latex acrylic is inexpensive, available in various colors, and mildew-, water- and mold-resistant. Epoxy paint, on the other hand, is more expensive but provides superior durability. It can resist acidic solutions, which may be necessary in some garages.
Increased Comfort
The garage is often the last thing potential buyers notice, but an uninspiring exterior and drab floor could run them away before they even step inside. A new coat of paint on the garage can give a positive first impression and help sell the rest of the home.
To ensure a high-quality finish, primer is recommended before painting. The primer can be applied with a large paintbrush, roller, or sprayer. Wear a dust mask and ensure the area is adequately ventilated if using a sprayer. You may start painting as soon as the priming has dried.
The garage’s concrete floor might seem brighter and more appealing with a fresh coat of paint. Additionally, it may shield the floor from stains, chemicals, and oil spills. An epoxy coating is an excellent option for this project, as it provides a strong and durable coating resistant to many types of damage. However, this type of coating is typically challenging to DIY and will often require professional assistance from an epoxy flooring company Red Deer (or a similarly experienced company in your local area) to ensure that you get the finish you want. It’s also not the cheapest option, so you should carefully consider whether or not it would be worth it for your situation. If you have a lot of foot or vehicle traffic in your garage, for example, epoxy might just be the right solution for you!
Increased Durability
Painting is usually a less expensive and time-consuming option for home improvement projects that add value. A fresh coat of paint covers dings, scratches, and blemishes that occur over the years and is a great way to upgrade your house before selling it.
The garage is often used to store large machines like lawnmowers and motorbikes, which can cause damage over time if they need to be stored properly. High-end buyers may be turned off by a garage that needs to be in better condition, which can decrease the home’s value.
A simple can of paint can transform the garage into a clean and modern space that will catch the eye of potential buyers. If you can only afford to paint part of the space, prioritize the most visible areas. This will help to boost the home’s curb appeal and increase its resale value. Epoxy coatings can also be installed in the garage to provide a protective layer resistant to oils, grease, and other chemicals, making it easier to clean and maintain.
Increased Safety
A fresh coat of paint hides dings, scratches, and other damage, adding a clean look to the space. It also helps prevent dust from being tracked inside the home, which is particularly important if you use the garage as a living area.
The most affordable option for painting a garage floor is latex acrylic paint, which can be purchased for around $20 per gallon and comes in various colors. This type of paint is mold and mildew-resistant, water-resistant, and can withstand most automobile fluids (except antifreeze and gasoline) without staining.
Epoxy paint is slightly more expensive but offers a much better level of durability. It also resists oil and other automotive fluids and can be topped with a clear epoxy coat to protect the surface further.
Before beginning your project:
- Ensure your garage is well-ventilated, and wear a dust mask and safety goggles.
- Before applying the first coat, test your paint on scrap concrete to ensure proper application.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and prepping the concrete before painting.
- Increased Cleanliness
As any homebuyer can attest, a clean-looking garage is one of the biggest selling points for a house. A new coat of paint and decluttering the garage can make it feel cleaner, more organized, and more usable space.
Similarly, painting the garage floor can increase its cleanliness by providing a non-porous surface that resists oil stains, mildew, and impact damage. If you choose a light shade of concrete paint reflecting natural light, dust and grime won’t be as evident as they would on darker colors.
Be sure to select a tint designed for exterior surfaces that’s solvent-based, according to Lowe’s. This type of tint is less likely to crack or chip and will last longer than latex pigments. It’s also important to consider weather conditions because excess humidity can slow down the process and cause the tint to bind poorly with the garage door’s surface. Pressure washing the garage door before starting to paint can help to avoid this issue. Additionally, it’s recommended to use a tarp or drop cloth to protect the driveway and garage floor from any spilled paint.
