If you’re considering a garage floor coating for your home in Fort Wayne or the surrounding areas, you probably have some questions: How quickly can you get a consultation? What do you need to move? Will installation be dusty? BOS Garage Floors are here to help.
At BOS Garage Floors, most installations follow a two-day process from start to finish. That gives our team the time to properly prepare your existing concrete, install each layer of the floor system, and allow the finished floor to cure before you put it back to work.
Here’s what you can expect, from your first phone call to the day you drive your car back into the garage.
Getting Started Is Simple
The process starts with a phone call or by submitting a form to BOS Garage Floors. From there, we’ll work to get your consultation scheduled as quickly as possible. This can often happen the same day or the next day.
During your consultation, we’ll review your existing concrete, discuss what you’re looking for, and determine your garage’s needs. We’ll also help you figure out what needs to be moved before installation and answer any questions you have about the process.
For most projects, we can provide a quote the same day as the consultation. If your garage has unique circumstances, extensive repairs, or an unusual layout, it may take a little longer to put everything together. Our goal is to keep things moving so you can get your project on the calendar without unnecessary delays.
Preparing Your Garage
One of the biggest questions homeowners have before installation is: What do I need to move?
The answer depends on your garage. We’ll determine what’s necessary during your consultation so you don’t have to guess how much preparation is required.
If you have a lot of belongings stored in your garage, BOS Garage Floors can provide a trailer for temporary storage during your installation. Homeowners who prefer to handle the loading themselves can typically have the trailer delivered the weekend before installation, giving them time to move their belongings. Prefer to have our team handle the loading? We can bring the trailer and load it on the day of installation. Once the project is complete, your belongings can generally be unloaded within a day or two.
You also don’t need to worry about getting the concrete perfectly clean before we arrive. We’ll evaluate the condition of your floor during the consultation and handle the necessary preparation as part of the installation process.
Day One: Preparing the Concrete
Installation typically starts around 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., and the first day usually takes about four to five hours.
It’s easy to think of a garage floor installation as simply putting a coating on the concrete. In reality, proper preparation is one of the most important parts of the entire process.
The existing concrete needs to be properly prepared so the coating can bond to the surface. This means mechanically diamond grinding, cleaning, and addressing imperfections before the coating system is installed. This is also when cracks and saw cuts are addressed. Taking the time to do this correctly creates the strong foundation and bond needed for a durable, lasting finish.
Why Does BOS Fill Concrete Cracks?
Filling cracks isn’t just about making the floor look better, although it certainly contributes to a more finished appearance. Cracks and joints can collect dirt and debris, making your garage floor harder to keep clean. They can also allow moisture and road salt to enter the concrete. Here in the Midwest, winter road salt is a reality, and keeping those areas sealed can help protect the concrete from moisture and salt exposure.
Addressing cracks and joints during preparation creates a more uniform surface that’s easier to clean and helps give your finished floor a more complete look while lasting for years to come.
Will the Installation Be Dusty?
Concrete grinding does create some dust, but our team works to minimize it as much as possible.
Our team takes steps to contain and mitigate dust throughout the preparation process while keeping the jobsite as clean and controlled as possible. You may notice some dust during installation, but excessive dust shouldn’t be a concern.
Day Two: The Floor Comes Together
Day two is typically shorter, taking about three to four hours.
This is when the remaining layers of the garage floor system are installed. Rather than simply applying one coat, BOS Garage Floors uses a multi-layer system to create a durable, finished surface.
Each layer has a purpose, from creating a strong bond with the concrete to providing the decorative finish and protective topcoat.
By the end of the second day, you’ll be able to see the full transformation. What started as worn, stained, or unfinished concrete is now a clean, finished garage floor designed for everyday use.
But there’s one important step left: curing.
When Can You Actually Use Your New Floor?
This is probably one of the first things you’re wondering once installation is complete.
The good news is that you won’t have to wait long. You can typically walk on your new floor the day after installation and begin moving your belongings back into the garage.
For vehicles, you’ll need to wait a little longer. Cars can typically be driven onto the floor two days after installation is completed. That extra curing time matters. A floor can look finished before it has fully cured. Giving it the appropriate amount of time before putting a vehicle on it helps protect your new investment and ensures the coating performs as intended.
The BOS Difference
A garage floor isn’t something you want to rush. While you may see companies advertising one-day installations, BOS Garage Floors believes proper preparation and installation are worth taking the extra time to do right. A durable floor system starts with properly prepared concrete, and that preparation can’t be rushed without potentially compromising the finished result.
BOS Garage Floors has been serving Fort Wayne since 2006, giving our team nearly two decades of experience installing garage floor systems. That experience has taught us that the details matter, from preparing the concrete to addressing cracks and joints to giving the finished floor enough time to cure.
Our goal isn’t simply to make your garage floor look good on installation day. It’s to create a floor that continues to look and perform well long after the installation is finished.
Keeping Your New Garage Floor Looking Its Best
Once your floor has fully cured, maintenance is relatively simple. Regular sweeping and occasional mopping can help keep the surface looking clean and fresh. BOS Garage Floors will also provide specific cleaning and maintenance recommendations for your floor so you know exactly how to care for it.
With the right care, your new garage floor can continue looking great while standing up to the everyday traffic, dirt, and messes that come with using your garage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need two days?
For a proper multi-layer garage floor installation, two days allows time for the concrete to be properly prepared and the floor system to be installed correctly. The goal isn’t to get in and out as quickly as possible. It’s to make sure each step is done right.
How messy is the preparation process?
Concrete grinding does create some dust, but our crew takes steps to minimize and contain it throughout the job. There may be some dust, but we work to keep the jobsite as controlled and clean as possible.
What if my concrete has a lot of cracks?
That’s not necessarily a problem. We’ll evaluate your concrete during the consultation and determine what repairs are needed. Cracks and joints are addressed during the preparation process to create a cleaner, more finished surface.
Do I need to empty my garage fully?
Not necessarily. We’ll determine what needs to be moved during your consultation. If you have a large amount of storage, we can also discuss options such as a temporary storage trailer.
When can I put everything back?
You can typically begin moving belongings back into the garage the day after installation. Vehicles should wait two days after the floor is completed.
Ready to Get Started?
If your garage floor has been on your to-do list for a while, the process may be more straightforward than you think.
From a quick consultation and same-day quoting to a two-day installation process, BOS Garage Floors is here to make upgrading your garage simple. We’ll help you understand what your space needs, properly prepare the concrete, and install a finished floor that’s ready for everyday life.
Ready to transform your garage? Contact BOS Garage Floors to schedule your consultation and get a quote for your space.