If you’re researching garage flooring in Tucson, you’ll encounter a range of technical terms, some used correctly, some used loosely, and some used to gloss over missing steps. This essential dictionary breaks down the terminology that actually matters, giving you a clear, homeowner-friendly reference guide for choosing the right system in Arizona’s hot, dry climate.
Epoxy Coatings
Epoxy is a two-part material made by combining a resin with a hardener. Once mixed, it cures into a dense, highly adhesive layer that bonds deeply to concrete. In a professional garage flooring system, a moisture-mitigating epoxy is typically used as the direct-to-concrete primer coat because it provides protection against future moisture issues—a key advantage in Tucson’s with its seasonal monsoons.
Moisture Mitigation
Even in the desert, concrete emits moisture vapor. Without proper moisture mitigation, coatings can bubble, peel, or delaminate. Moisture mitigation requires the application of a thick, 100%-solids moisture-mitigating epoxy primer coat. It cures slowly, deeply penetrates the concrete slab, and blocks future vapor transmission. 1-day installers often skip this step (in order to get the job done in 1 day). 2-day systems include it to ensure long-term adhesion and durability.
Concrete Paint
A thin, cosmetic product designed only to color the surface. It does not chemically bond to concrete and cannot handle hot tires, desert heat, or long-term wear. Although inexpensive, concrete paint is not a true coating and will not perform like professionally installed garage flooring.
Polyaspartic
A fast-curing, UV-stable clear topcoat used to protect the underlying flake and epoxy layers. Polyaspartics excel at resisting abrasion, chemicals, and sunlight—critical in a climate where garage doors stay open and UV exposure is intense. While some companies advertise all-polyaspartic systems, polyaspartic is most effective as the clear topcoat in a hybrid multi-layer system that includes a moisture-mitigating epoxy base coat and polyaspartic top coats.
Polyurethane
A clear coating used in some systems. While durable, polyurethane generally offers lower UV stability and chemical resistance than polyaspartic. For sun-exposed Tucson garages, polyaspartic is the superior long-term protective choice.
Flake/Full-Flake
In a flake epoxy floor system, colored polyvinyl acetate (PVA thermoplastic) and/or mica mineral flakes are broadcast into the wet epoxy layer to add traction, color, and depth. A full-flake system covers the entire floor, creating a thicker, more uniform finish that enhances durability—a major benefit for high-use garages.
Garage Floor Coating
A multi-layer installation that combines a moisture-mitigating primer, epoxy coat, full-flake coverage, and a polyaspartic topcoat. These layers work together to form seamless, long-lasting garage flooring built for both beauty and resilience.
Want garage flooring designed for Tucson’s climate? GarageFloorCoating.com (Tucson) installs premium systems engineered for long-term performance. Request your free quote today.