Up here in Montana, we’re no strangers to the cold. Even our summers are colder than other areas. Naturally, when you live in a state with lots of cold weather, like Montana, you need to take that into consideration with every service you schedule, including that garage floor coating you want to install. Since the cold can negatively affect certain products, you may wonder if you can have your garage floor coating installed when it’s cold, or if it’s better to wait until it warms up to get your dream floor.
In short, it depends on how cold it is. Here’s what you need to know about installing garage floor coatings in cold weather.
How Cold Is Too Cold To Install A Garage Floor Coating?
You can indeed install garage floor coatings in cold weather, as long as it’s no colder than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Some types of garage floor coatings can be applied in temperatures as cold as 45 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on whether or not they have special hardeners added to the mix. Any colder than this, and you’ll run into problems.
What Happens If You Try To Install A Coating When It’s Too Cold?
There are multiple reasons why it’s inadvisable to try to install a garage floor coating when the temperature drops down too low. Cold weather can affect everything from how the coating cures to how well it mixes.
Material Viscosity
When it gets too cold, your floor coating mix can thicken, which can cause it to not flow well and can result in issues with both curing and the finished product. The coating may end up having soft spots when it’s supposed to be perfectly solid and hard.
Cure Time
How quickly your floor coating cures depends on a number of factors, such as the temperature of the mix, the temperature of the air, and the temperature of the concrete slab it’s being applied to. When it’s too cold, it can cure far slower than it’s supposed to.
Aesthetic Issues
If you install garage floor coating when it’s too cold, they probably won’t look as nice as you’d hope for. Cold weather can result in aesthetic issues in your coating, such as bubbling or inconsistency.
What’s Different About Cold Weather Installation?
As you can see, there are a number of different ways in which the cold can negatively affect your garage floor coating. However, with an understanding of the product and the environment you’re working in, you can indeed install garage floor coatings in cold weather.
Garage floor coating installers can warm up an area both prior to and during the coating process in order to allow for installation. They take care to warm up the room and the concrete slab for optimal adhesion. They can also be careful to keep the products at room temperature in order to avoid the aforementioned issues with curing and mixing. Additionally, they can opt for a type of coating that is designed for cold-weather cure, like ones with special hardeners, as we mentioned before.
Bear in mind that the type of coating that you choose can affect whether or not it’s suitable for cold weather applications. For instance, epoxies cure very slowly, so it’s very important that you adhere to the temperature guidelines mentioned above. However, polyaspartic coatings can be installed at colder temperatures than epoxies – plus, they’re stronger, more durable, and longer-lasting, anyway.
Do You Have Questions About Getting A Garage Floor Coating?
Ask the experts! Here at Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Montana, we’re experienced with garage floor coating installations – and Montana’s cold weather. If you would like to learn more about our garage floor coating services, please do not hesitate to contact us in order to receive your free quote.
We can also answer any further questions you may have about cold weather installation and whether or not it’s too cold for you to have your garage floor coating installed. Our professionals take immense pride in providing each and every one of our customers with top-of-the-line floor coatings that are made to last.
We don’t cut corners and we ensure to clearly communicate with you every step of the way, from the instant you reach out for your free quote to determining the type of floor coating that you want all the way through to after the installation, and ensuring that you’re satisfied with the completed product.
Are you ready to transform your garage to the one from your dreams? We’re ready to help make that happen!
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