Brian Kelsey

How One Family Transformed Their Garage with Epoxy Floors

Floors

[HOUSECALLS THEME MUSIC]

BRIAN:

So many people these days are using their garages as extensions of their home, right? We want the garage to reflect the really nice interior of our house. One way we can do that is by upgrading our garage floors.We're gonna do that today. The transformation is gonna be incredible, and it's gonna add value to your home.

This is Leigh Ann, our homeowner, and her son, Daniel. Leigh Ann, what do you want to do here in the garage?

LEIGH ANN:

Well, this is the first place we arrive when we get home, and as you can see, it's not very inviting. We justwant to make it look so much nicer, and I think a floor would do that.

BRIAN:

So, I think the first step is to…

LEIGH ANN:

Get rid of everything.

BRIAN:

That's right, and Daniel has graciously volunteered, so let's get to work.

And just like that, Daniel and the guys from Scholar Painting and Restoration got to work and cleared everything out of the garage.

This is Vaughn, the owner of Scholar. Hey, Vaughn, thanks for helping us out.

VAUGHN:

Glad to be here.

BRIAN:

How are we gonna help out Leanne with this floor? What are we gonna do?

VAUGHN:

We're gonna lay down a nice industrial-grade epoxy to the floor.

BRIAN:

Epoxy, that's gonna be really super strong and last for a long time. So, it's probably a big process. How do we do it?

VAUGHN:

Yeah, like with building a house, I think a foundation is the most important thing. So, first we get all the tools and garbage out of the garage and put it into the pod, then we'll come back and profile the garage. Profiling is basically making a roughness of the surface.

BRIAN:

So, now in home centers, I've seen DIY versions of this. Can a homeowner do it? What's the difference?

VAUGHN:

Yeah, you definitely can. They sell a tremendous amount around the country, but most times they have an acid inside those kits. It's very harmful for the environment and for your skin, so, you have to be careful with applying this. You have to wear protective tools and suits when doing this type of installation.

BRIAN:

So, if you guys aren't using acid, what are you gonna use to like really rough up the surface?

VAUGHN:

We use industrial-grade grinders we have in the back. So, we bring our 32-inch grinder in. We'll profile theconcrete in about a couple hours, and we also have HEPA vacuums as well so there's no dust introduced to your house or to the environment.

BRIAN:

All right, let's get going!

All right, the fellas have gotten the big guns out here. This is their big industrial diamond grinder. This will take off a little thin layer of the concrete that will even and level the floor. Plus, it improves the ability of the epoxy to adhere to the floor as well as remove any contaminants.

Now, there are different blades you can put on these machines depending on the type of situation that you're in. Here, the guys have picked the blades they want and are installing them.

Well, now it's just a matter of going slow and steady, but look at the difference in the floor after the grinder has gone over it. It's pretty amazing.

Now, for the tight corners and around the edges, they're using this handheld grinder that's hooked up to a HEPA vacuum.

Now, it's time for some cleanup.

The next step is to put some blue taping around the edges so that epoxy coating doesn't get where we don't want it to go.

The epoxy itself is made up of two parts. It's a one-to-one ratio of glaze and epoxy.

So, this next step is to mix them up and apply the first coat on the floor, which is really just a moisture vaporbarrier. In other words, really just a sealer coat. We'll come back and put another coat on later. And you can see while one of them squeegees on the epoxy, the other follows up with the back rolling, which really evens everything out.

Now, they have to work pretty quickly because this will start to set. And if you're wondering how the guys aregoing to walk around the floor while they're putting on this epoxy, here's the answer. They wear these spikeshoes that have the least connection with the floor and ensure no footprints.

Now, it's just some finishing touches around the edges..and that's the first coat. See how that back rolling really just sort of evens out all that epoxy?

Now, here's my favorite part. It's time to spread these flakes on. The flakes come in all different colors and choices. Leigh Ann went with this kind of blue, gray, white that I think looks really nice.

And basically what happens is these flakes get broadcast or basically sprinkled on the newly applied epoxy.And look at that. That's some great form, Leigh Ann.

Now, you can see they're putting on a heavy, heavy coat of these flakes because they want to make sure everything adheres to the epoxy. And later, they'll come back and when it's dry, they'll scrape all of the excess flakes off.

Boy, this is looking so good already. So we're going to let the epoxy dry overnight. We'll come back tomorrow and we'll finish it up.

So here we are, day two, everything is dry. The next step is the guys are going to come in. They're going to scrape off the extra flakes, clean it all up, put a finish coat on. And once that's dry, they're going to go the extra mile and do some painting. We'll paint the beams here, some of the concrete and finish the whole thing off with some nice baseboard trim. At that point, Leigh Ann can come in and get her garage back.

And now here comes that scraping I was talking about earlier. You can see with this tool, he's scraping upany of the loose flakes, which will then be followed up by good vacuuming. And then the next coat.

The next step, and we're almost done, is some painting, which doesn't normally come with this service, butlike I mentioned, they're going a little bit above and beyond for our homeowner, Leigh Ann.

Finally, the baseboard goes down and it's as easy as applying some adhesive and sticking it onto the wall. Itjust makes a nice, clean transition from the wall to the floor.

And look at that. What a transformation. It's clean, it's bright, and that floor will last at least 10 years.

What do you think?

LEIGH ANN:

Oh, my gosh, what a transformation. It is unbelievable. And what you don't know is my family, they all enterthrough my garage. Our good friends all enter through our garage. They're going to be so wowed. What a difference. It's just beautiful.

BRIAN:

Almost as beautiful as this donut.

LEIGH ANN:

Almost.

BRIAN:

Now the only thing left to do is to move everything back in the garage.

LEIGH ANN:

Hi, HouseCalls team. Just wanted to check in and say thank you so much. We love our new epoxy floor. It is gorgeous. I wanted to show you what it looks like now that we have everything in the garage. It is beautiful. It is stunning. And we get so many compliments on it. We just love it. So thank you guys so much. You did a fabulous, fabulous job.

The Garage as the New Extension of the Home

For decades, garages were seen as purely functional spaces—places to park cars, store tools, or stash seasonal decorations. But in recent years, homeowners have begun reimagining their garages as true extensions of their living space. Whether it’s a home gym, workshop, playroom, or simply a welcoming entryway, the garage is no longer an afterthought.

One of the most impactful ways to elevate this space is by upgrading the garage floor. In this episode, Brian visits a homeowner who desires an updated space to welcome her home. A dull, stained concrete slab can make the entire area feel unfinished and uninviting. By contrast, a professionally installed epoxy floor transforms the garage into a polished, durable, and stylish environment that reflects the beauty of the rest of the home.

Why Garage Floors Matter

The garage is often the first space you see when you arrive home. For Leanne, this was a major motivator: “This is the first place we arrive when we get home, and as you can see, it’s not very inviting. We just want to make it look so much nicer.”

A clean, bright, and durable floor sets the tone for the entire house. It communicates care, organization, and pride of ownership. Beyond aesthetics, garage floors endure heavy wear and tear—cars, bikes, tools, spills, and foot traffic. A strong epoxy coating not only enhances appearance but also protects the concrete beneath, extending its lifespan and reducing maintenance.

Benefits of Epoxy Garage Floors

Leanne’s experience highlights the many advantages of epoxy flooring:

Durability: Resistant to chemicals, stains, and abrasions.
Aesthetics: Decorative flakes and glossy finish create a high-end look.
Safety: Textured surface reduces slips.
Low Maintenance: Easy to clean with a broom or mop.
Longevity: Properly installed floors last a decade or more.
Value: Enhances resale appeal and homeowner satisfaction.

Beyond a Garage Floor

Upgrading a garage floor is about more than just concrete. It’s about creating a space that feels like part of the home. Epoxy floors also open up possibilities for a home gym with durable flooring, a workshop resistant to spills and scratches., a playroom with a safe, easy-to-clean surface, or a laundry area that feels fresh and modern.

Maintenance Tips

To keep epoxy floors looking their best, sweep and mop regularly to remove dust and debris, avoiding harsh chemicals that may dull the finish. Use mats under vehicles to catch oil drips. Recoat as needed every 7–10 years to refresh shine.

Elevating Everyday Spaces

Leanne’s garage transformation demonstrates the power of epoxy flooring to elevate everyday spaces. What was once a dull, uninviting entryway is now a bright, stylish, and durable extension of the home.

For homeowners seeking to add value, improve aesthetics, and enjoy their garage as more than just storage, epoxy floors offer the perfect solution.

Step 1

Clearing the Space

Every transformation begins with a blank canvas. This step is essential: epoxy installation requires unobstructed access to the entire floor.

The team from Scholar Painting and Restoration moved all tools, boxes, and equipment into a storage pod. This not only freed up the workspace but also ensured that dust and debris wouldn’t settle back onto the floor during the process.

Step 2

Profiling the Concrete

Vaughn, the owner of Scholar, explained the importance of preparation: “Like with building a house, the foundation is the most important thing.”

Profiling the concrete means creating a rough surface texture that allows the epoxy to bond securely. While DIY kits often rely on acid etching, professional installers use industrial diamond grinders. These machines remove a thin layer of concrete, leveling the floor, eliminating contaminants, and opening up the pores of the surface.

For tight corners and edges, handheld grinders connected to HEPA vacuums ensure precision without introducing dust into the home. This step is critical—without proper profiling, epoxy may peel, bubble, or fail prematurely.

Step 3

Taping and Sealing

Once the floor is profiled and cleaned, the team applied blue painter’s tape around the edges. This prevents epoxy from spreading onto walls or trim.

The first coat of epoxy acts as a moisture vapor barrier. Mixed in a one-to-one ratio of resin and hardener, this sealer coat penetrates the concrete and blocks moisture from rising up and compromising the finish. The installers worked quickly, using squeegees and rollers to spread the material evenly before it began to set.

To avoid footprints, they wore spiked shoes—special footwear designed to minimize contact with the wet surface.

Step 4

Decorative Flakes

Here’s where the transformation really takes shape. Leanne chose a blend of blue, gray, and white flakes, which were broadcast across the wet epoxy. These flakes not only add visual interest but also provide texture, reducing slipperiness.

The team applied a heavy coat of flakes to ensure complete coverage. Once dry, the excess would be scraped away, leaving a uniform, speckled finish. The result is a floor that looks more like granite or terrazzo than plain concrete.

Step 5

Scraping and Cleaning

After drying overnight, the installers returned to scrape off loose flakes. This step ensures that only the flakes bonded to the epoxy remain, creating a smooth, consistent surface.

A thorough vacuuming followed, removing debris and preparing the floor for the final topcoat.

Step 6

Applying the Finish Coat

The finish coat seals the flakes in place, creating a glossy, durable surface that resists stains, chemicals, and abrasions. This layer is what gives epoxy floors their signature shine and long-lasting strength.

With proper installation, an epoxy floor can last 10 years or more, even under heavy use. For homeowners like Leanne, this means peace of mind and minimal upkeep.

Step 7

Painting and Trim

Scholar Painting and Restoration went above and beyond by painting beams and concrete surfaces around the garage. They also installed baseboard trim, creating a clean transition between wall and floor.

These finishing touches elevated the space from functional to polished, making the garage feel like a true extension of the home’s interior.

Step 8

The Reveal: A Stunning Transformation

When the project was complete, Leanne and Daniel were thrilled. “We love our new epoxy floor. It is gorgeous. Now that we have everything back in the garage, it is beautiful, it is stunning, and we get so many compliments on it.”

The garage was no longer a dark, dusty storage area. It had become a bright, welcoming space that reflected the care and style of the rest of the house.