Let’s be honest: most of our garages in Regina aren’t exactly the crown jewel of the home. Between the slushy winters, the salt off the Ring Road, and the inevitable clutter of hockey gear and summer tires, the concrete floor takes a beating. It’s usually cracked, stained, and dusty.
We’ve all seen those DIY kits at the big-box stores, and they make it sound like a Saturday morning project. But if you’ve talked to anyone who’s tried them, you know the "peel-and-flake" horror stories that usually follow. At GR Flooring Inc, we believe in doing things once and doing them the right way. That’s why we partner with the pros at GlossWorks to bring you a professional polyaspartic coating that actually stands up to Saskatchewan life.
You might be wondering, "What actually happens when the crew shows up?" or "How long is my car going to be parked on the street?" We know that having workers at your house can be a bit of a disruption, so we want to pull back the curtain.
Here is exactly what to expect during the 2-3 day transformation of your garage floor.
Setting the Stage: Preparation and Expectations
Before we even turn on a machine, we like to make sure everyone is on the same page. A great floor starts with a clear space. We usually ask homeowners to have the garage cleared out before we arrive. We know, moving the fridge and the heavy shelving isn't anyone's idea of a fun Friday night, but it’s the only way to ensure every square inch of that concrete gets the attention it deserves.
Once the space is clear, our team arrives, usually bright and early. We aren't just here to slap some paint down. We’re here to re-engineer the surface of your concrete.
Day 1: The Heavy Lifting (Prep, Moisture, and the Base)
If there is one thing you should know about floor coatings, it’s this: The prep is 90% of the job. You could have the most expensive coating in the world, but if the concrete isn't prepared properly, it’s going to fail.
Step 1: Industrial Diamond Grinding
We don’t use "acid washing" like those DIY kits suggest. Acid washing is unpredictable and often doesn't open the pores of the concrete enough for the coating to "bite." Instead, we use heavy-duty industrial diamond grinders.
These machines are the real deal. They ground down the top layer of the concrete: removing old stains, sealers, and "laitance" (that weak, dusty top layer of concrete). This process creates a profile that feels like 80-grit sandpaper. It’s the perfect texture for our polyaspartic base coat to fuse with the slab.
Step 2: Crack and Spall Repair
Regina soil is famous for shifting, which means almost every garage floor has a few cracks. We don’t just coat over them. We use a high-strength mender to fill those cracks and any "spalls" (those little pits caused by salt damage). Once it cures, we grind it flush so the floor looks like one continuous, smooth sheet of stone.
Step 3: The Moisture Test
This is a step a lot of "weekend warriors" skip. Before we apply any product, we check the moisture levels in your concrete. If the slab is holding too much water, the coating won't stick. We want your floor to last for decades, not months, so we make sure the conditions are perfect.
Step 4: The Base Coat and "The Big Broadcast"
Now for the fun part. We apply the industrial-grade polyaspartic base coat. While it’s still wet, we perform a "full flake broadcast." This means we cover every single inch of the wet floor with decorative vinyl flakes. We don’t just sprinkle them; we toss them until the floor can’t hold any more. This adds thickness, durability, and that beautiful "showroom" look.
By the end of Day 1, your garage floor looks like a sea of colorful chips. We let that set up overnight to become one with your concrete.
Day 2: The Finishing Touches
When we return on Day 2, the floor is already looking a thousand times better, but it’s still a bit rough to the touch. This day is all about the "polish" and protection.
Step 1: Scraping and Cleaning
We use specialized floor scrapers to knock down any flakes that are standing on edge. This ensures the floor is smooth to walk on but still has enough texture to be slip-resistant. After a thorough scrape, we use high-powered vacuums to remove every last speck of loose flake and dust.
Step 2: The Top Coat
This is the "GlossWorks" signature. We apply a clear, UV-stable polyaspartic top coat. Unlike epoxy, which can turn yellow when the sun hits it, our polyaspartic stays crystal clear. It’s also much more flexible, meaning it can handle the temperature swings of a Saskatchewan winter without cracking.
Once that top coat is down, it needs time to cure.
Day 3: The Final Quality Check
Depending on the humidity and temperature, Day 3 is often the "handover" day. We don't just finish the work and disappear. We take pride in our craftsmanship, and we want to make sure you love the result.
Step 1: The Walkthrough
We’ll do a final walk-through of the space to ensure the edges are crisp and the finish is consistent. We check the "coving" (if we applied coating up the base of the walls) and make sure everything is clean.
Step 2: Understanding the Cure Times
This is the most important conversation of the project. Polyaspartic cures fast, but it still needs a little respect.
- 4-6 Hours: You can usually walk on the floor in socks.
- 24 Hours: You can start moving your light items back in (bikes, trash cans, patio chairs).
- 48-72 Hours: You’re clear to park the truck back in the garage.
Why We Do It This Way
You might see some companies promising a "one-day" install. While that’s technically possible with polyaspartic, we find that a 2-3 day window allows for better moisture checking, more thorough crack repair, and a generally higher-quality finish. We’d rather take an extra day to ensure your floor is perfect than rush it and have a callback a year later.
At GR Flooring Inc, we’ve built our reputation on trust and quality. Whether we're helping you pick out the perfect luxury vinyl for your basement or working with GlossWorks to transform your garage, we treat your home like it’s our own.
Maintaining Your New Floor
Once the 3-day process is done, you’re left with a floor that is incredibly easy to maintain. You don't need fancy waxes or harsh chemicals. A simple mop with water and a tiny bit of mild soap is usually all it takes to get the winter salt and grime off.
Because the surface is non-porous, nothing soaks in. Oil spills? Wipe them up. Muddy tire tracks? Hose them out. It’s the ultimate low-maintenance upgrade for a busy Regina family.
Beyond the Garage
While we’ve been talking mostly about garages, this 2-3 day process works wonders for other areas too. We’ve used this same system for laundry rooms, mechanical rooms, and even outdoor patios. And if you have an older home in Regina with original stone floors, remember that our partners at GlossWorks are experts in restoration services for terrazzo, marble, and granite. They can take a floor that's been hidden under carpet for 50 years and bring it back to its original glory.
Ready to Transform Your Space?
A garage floor renovation is one of those projects that you’ll wish you had done years ago. It stops the concrete dust from tracking into your house, protects your foundation from salt damage, and: let's be honest: it just looks cool.
If you’re tired of looking at that cracked, grey concrete every time the garage door goes up, we’d love the chance to chat. You can check out more of our work at glossworksonline.com or stop by our showroom at GR Flooring Inc to see the flake colors in person.
We believe that every part of your home: even the place where you park your car: deserves to be beautiful and functional. Let’s get you back on solid ground.
Have questions about the process or want a quote for your Regina home? Reach out to us today( we’re here to help!)