When most people think about garage floor coatings, the word epoxy comes to mind. Search for “epoxy garage floor company” and you’ll see countless businesses marketing epoxy floors as the go-to option. However, experienced contractors and savvy entrepreneurs are discovering a better way to build a successful coatings business without relying on epoxy at all.
At Fortress Coatings, we specialize in a polyurea base coat with a polyaspartic topcoat. This system is stronger, more flexible, and far more reliable than epoxy, which is why it’s quickly becoming the standard for professionals who want to stand out in a competitive market. If you’re thinking about starting an epoxy garage floor company, here’s how and why you can succeed without ever touching epoxy.
Why Avoid Epoxy in Your Garage Floor Business?
Epoxy has been around for decades, but it comes with serious drawbacks:
- Brittleness: Epoxy hardens rigidly, which means it can crack as the concrete beneath expands or contracts with temperature changes.
- UV Instability: Over time, epoxy yellows and discolors when exposed to sunlight, leaving customers dissatisfied.
- Long Cure Times: Traditional epoxy systems can take several days to cure, limiting productivity and extending job timelines.
- Moisture Issues: Epoxy struggles to bond properly in damp or humid conditions, a common challenge in many garages.
By contrast, polyurea and polyaspartic coatings solve these problems. They are flexible, UV-stable, and cure in just one day. That means faster turnarounds, fewer callbacks, and happier customers. Exactly what you need to scale a successful floor coatings company.
Step 1: Understand the Market
Before you start your epoxy garage floor company, take time to research your local market. Homeowners and businesses are increasingly investing in garage coatings not just for durability but also for style. With garages being used as home gyms, workshops, and showrooms, people want spaces that are functional, attractive, and easy to maintain.
By positioning your services around polyurea-polyaspartic coatings, you immediately differentiate yourself from competitors still relying on epoxy. This unique selling point gives you a strong marketing advantage.
Step 2: Get the Right Training and Products
Running a coatings business isn’t just about applying product, it’s about applying it correctly. Poor installation leads to failure, no matter how strong the system.
Look for a supplier that offers:
- Hands-on training in surface preparation and application.
- Proven product systems designed specifically for garages and exterior concrete.
- Ongoing support to help you troubleshoot and grow.
At Fortress Coatings, for example, we train contractors nationwide in our one-day installation process and provide access to premium polyurea-polyaspartic systems that outperform epoxy in every category.
Step 3: Invest in Equipment and Tools
Starting an epoxy garage floor company requires some upfront investment, but it’s less than most construction trades. Essential equipment includes:
- Concrete grinders for surface prep.
- Industrial vacuums for dust control.
- Mixers and rollers for applying base and topcoats.
- Safety gear for your crew.
The beauty of polyurea-polyaspartic systems is their fast cure time. Instead of waiting days for epoxy to set, your crew can complete a garage in a single day, maximizing your efficiency and profits.
Step 4: Market Your Business the Right Way
Once you’re ready to launch, your marketing will determine how quickly you grow. Focus on:
- SEO and Local Search: Optimize your website (like FortressCoatingsWI.com) for terms such as “epoxy garage floor company” so homeowners can easily find you.
- Before-and-After Photos: Showcase the dramatic transformation of coated garages.
- Customer Reviews: Build trust with authentic testimonials.
- Social Media Advertising: Target homeowners who are remodeling or upgrading garages.
Your message should highlight how your floors are better than epoxy. Customers don’t always know the difference until you explain that your system is more flexible, UV-stable, and built to last.
Step 5: Deliver on Your Promise
The long-term success of your coatings business depends on customer satisfaction. Provide warranties, show up on time, and deliver professional results. Fortress Coatings, for instance, offers a lifetime warranty on discoloration and a 15-year warranty on chipping, peeling, and delamination. This type of guarantee builds confidence and drives word-of-mouth referrals.
Build a Strong Business Without Epoxy
Starting an epoxy garage floor company doesn’t mean you have to rely on epoxy itself. By choosing polyurea and polyaspartic coatings, you can position your business as a premium provider in a fast-growing industry. With faster installations, superior performance, and longer-lasting results, your company can grow quickly while keeping customers happy.
If you’re ready to explore a proven system for launching your coatings business, Fortress Coatings can help you every step of the way.