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Epoxy Flooring Near Georgetown Square: Coatings for Older Downtown Buildings

Coated floors for older buildings around Georgetown Square and the downtown historic district: restaurants, shops, offices and nearby older homes. Old slabs, uneven floors, prep and planning. Open 24 hours, 7 days.

The square around the Williamson County Courthouse is the heart of downtown Georgetown, surrounded by older commercial buildings, restaurants, shops, offices and, a few blocks out, older homes. Older buildings make floor work more interesting. Slabs may be uneven, patched over decades, or hidden under several layers of tile, wood and adhesive. Basements and back rooms can hold moisture. And owners often want a floor that feels right in a building with real history. This guide covers coated floors for older downtown buildings and nearby homes: what we commonly find, how preparation changes, which finishes suit older spaces, and how to plan. It's written by Austin Epoxy Flooring Pro, serving Austin and Georgetown from our office at 2025 Guadalupe Street in Austin. We have a 5.0 rating on Google and we're open 24 hours, 7 days a week, with same-day response, at (512) 325-5434.

What Makes Older Buildings Different

Newer buildings usually sit on a single, flat slab poured at one time. Older buildings rarely do. In and around a historic downtown, it's common to find:

Several floor levels where additions were built at different times.
Patches from old plumbing, drains, stoves or equipment.
Layers of old flooring, such as linoleum, vinyl tile, ceramic tile, carpet or wood, each with its own adhesive.
Uneven or sloping floors from settlement over many decades.
Wider cracks that may have moved over the years.
Moisture in lower floors, back rooms and spaces with older drainage.
Unknown coatings, from paint to sealers to earlier epoxies.

None of these rules out a coating. They do mean preparation is a bigger part of the job, and that a careful site visit is essential before any firm price.

A Note on Historic District Rules

Downtown Georgetown includes a designated Historic district, and the city has review processes for some changes to buildings there, usually exterior work. Interior floors are often outside that review, but rules vary, and some work, such as anything visible from the street or affecting a storefront entry, may need attention. If your building is in the historic district, check with the City of Georgetown about what applies before you schedule. Your landlord or building owner may have their own requirements as well.

We don't advise on historic review. We can provide a written scope and product information if the city, a landlord or an owner asks for it.

Finding What's Under the Floor

The first step in an older building is to learn what's there. During a site visit, we'll look for:

Edges and thresholds where layers show.
Loose or damaged areas where old flooring has lifted.
Signs of moisture, such as staining, efflorescence (a white, powdery residue) or musty smells.
Height changes between rooms.

Sometimes it's worth lifting a small test area, with your permission, to see the slab and the adhesive. A few minutes of investigation can prevent a surprise on install day.

A caution about old flooring materials

Some older floor tiles and adhesives contain materials that require special handling when removed. If your building has old floor tile or black adhesive, it's sensible to have it tested before anyone grinds or scrapes it. Ask your landlord or building owner whether testing has already been done, and plan for it if not. We'll stop and discuss with you if we suspect anything that needs testing.

Preparing an Older Slab

Preparation in an older building usually involves several steps beyond a standard garage:

Removing old flooring and as much adhesive as practical.
Grinding to remove remaining adhesive and open up the concrete.
Repairing cracks, holes and spalls.
Leveling low spots or transitions, if needed, with patching or self-leveling materials.
Testing for moisture and choosing a base that suits the result.
Final cleaning before coating.

Each step adds time. In a restaurant or shop that needs to reopen quickly, we'll plan the sequence carefully, sometimes splitting removal and preparation from coating.

Dealing With Uneven Floors

Some unevenness is part of an older building's character, and many owners are happy to keep it. A coating follows the floor's shape. It doesn't flatten it. If you want a flatter surface, options include:

Grinding high spots where the difference is small.
Patching low spots with repair materials.
Self-leveling underlayments in areas where a flat surface is important.

Each adds cost, so we'll talk about which areas really matter, such as under display cases, at doorways or where carts roll, and which can stay as they are.

Moisture in Older Buildings

Older buildings often lack modern vapor barriers under the slab. Back rooms, lower levels and areas near old drains can be damp. Moisture is one of the most common reasons coatings fail, so it gets extra attention:

Testing before we finalize the system.
Moisture-mitigating bases where readings call for them.
Fixing the source where possible, such as a leaking pipe or poor exterior drainage, before coating.

If moisture is significant, we'll explain the options and the cost difference clearly before you decide.

Finishes That Suit Older Spaces

Owners of older buildings often want a floor that respects the building rather than fighting it. Some approaches:

Warm solid colors, such as soft grays, taupes and earth tones, which sit well with brick, stone and wood.
Subtle flake blends that read as a texture rather than a pattern.
Metallic epoxy in deeper tones for a polished, aged look in restaurants, bars and boutiques.
Satin rather than high gloss, which can feel more natural in an older interior and shows fewer imperfections.
Clear coatings over existing concrete, where the existing slab has character worth keeping and is in good enough condition.

In buildings with Victorian architecture or other period details, bring photos of trim, brick and fixtures to the site visit so we can suggest colors that work with them.

Businesses Around the Square

Restaurants and bars

Kitchens need slip resistance, chemical resistance and coved edges for washing. Dining rooms need a look that suits the space. Older kitchens often have the worst slabs in the building, after years of water, grease and equipment moves. Plan extra time for preparation.

Shops and boutiques

Appearance and easy cleaning lead. Display fixtures should go on pads. Entries take grit and water from the sidewalk, so texture and entry mats help.

Offices and studios

Durable, easy-to-clean finishes in reception and work areas. Rolling chairs need a hard topcoat or chair mats.

Galleries and event spaces

A neutral, satin floor often works well so the art or event takes center stage. Plan around event schedules.

Back rooms, storage and basements

Utility first: durable, moisture-aware systems that make cleaning easy.

Older Homes Near Downtown

Neighborhoods close to the square include many older homes, some with detached garages, carports and workshops. Common issues:

Thin or patched slabs in older garages.
Old paint on garage floors.
Settlement cracks.
Low headroom or narrow doors, which can affect equipment access.

Garage pricing starts at $800–$1,200 for a 1-car garage, $1,400–$2,200 for a 2-car and $2,000–$3,200 for a 3-car garage, with older slabs typically needing more preparation.

Access and Logistics Downtown

Working around a busy downtown square takes planning:

Parking and loading. Street parking near the square can be limited. We'll plan where equipment and crew vehicles go.
Event days. Downtown hosts events and busy weekends. Tell us about anything scheduled that might affect access.
Shared buildings. Upper-floor tenants and neighbors may be affected by noise and odor.
Working hours. Because we're open 24 hours, 7 days a week, after-hours schedules can often be discussed, subject to building rules.

Hypothetical Examples

A café in a century-old storefront

The café's dining room has vinyl tile over an older slab, and the kitchen has worn quarry tile. The owner wants a warm look in the dining room and a washable, slip-resistant kitchen. The plan might separate the two areas: a satin, warm-toned system in the dining room after tile and adhesive removal, and a textured commercial system with coved edges in the kitchen. Work could be split across two closures so the café is never shut for long.

A boutique with two floor levels

A shop occupies two connected buildings, with a step between them and different slab ages. The owner wants a consistent look. Both slabs are prepared separately, the step edge gets a durable nosing detail, and the same color system runs across both, so the transition feels intentional.

A back storage room with damp walls

A storage room behind a restaurant shows white residue near the walls and a musty smell. Before any coating, moisture is tested and the source investigated. If moisture is high, a moisture-mitigating base goes down first, and the owner is told clearly what the coating can and can't solve.

Phasing Work in a Busy Downtown Business

Many downtown businesses can't close for days. Phasing breaks the job into parts:

Removal and preparation on one closure, often overnight.
Repairs and leveling while the space reopens with temporary coverings, if practical.
Coating during a second closure.
Reopening once cure times allow.

Phasing adds some time and cost, because the crew mobilizes more than once, but it keeps your doors open. We'll talk through whether it makes sense for your business, or whether a single longer closure is simpler.

Caring for Floors in Older Buildings

Coated floors in older buildings need the same basic care as any coated floor, plus a few extra habits:

Watch for moisture signs such as white residue or blistering, especially in lower floors and back rooms.
Keep entry mats at street doors, since downtown sidewalks bring in grit.
Inspect transitions between old and new areas, where movement can show first.
Use mild cleaners compatible with the system.
Address chips early, particularly at steps and thresholds.

Older buildings move a little over time. If a crack reappears through the coating, it doesn't necessarily mean the floor has failed; often it reflects slab movement. Let us know and we'll take a look.

Respecting the Building

Working in an older building means taking care with more than the floor. We protect walls, trim, doors and fixtures during preparation, control dust with vacuum-attached grinding, and avoid damaging original details. If there are features you want us to be especially careful with, such as original wood trim, tin ceilings or tile thresholds you're keeping, point them out at the site visit.

Coatings vs Restoring Original Floors

Sometimes an older building has an original floor worth keeping, such as old wood, terrazzo or decorative tile. A coating isn't always the right answer. Consider:

Is the original floor restorable? Wood can often be refinished, and terrazzo can sometimes be polished. If the floor is a defining feature, restoring it may be the better choice.
Is it partly damaged? Some owners restore the visible areas and coat the back rooms, kitchens and storage areas where durability matters more.
Is it already covered? If an original floor sits under later layers, uncovering it is a separate project with its own specialists.

We coat concrete. If your building has an original floor that would be better restored, we'll say so.

When Concrete Itself Has Character

Old concrete can be beautiful: aged color, past markings, worn texture. If you like that look, a clear or tinted coating can protect it while keeping it visible. This works well when the slab is in reasonably sound condition. Heavy patches, adhesive stains and large cracks will show through a clear finish, so a test area helps you decide.

Working With Building Owners

Many downtown businesses lease their space. Building owners often care about how work affects the structure and other tenants. Typical requests include proof of insurance, a written scope, product information, an agreed schedule and a plan for protecting shared areas such as hallways and stairs. We're happy to talk directly with your building owner or manager if that helps. Getting everyone aligned before work starts is the surest way to avoid delays, especially in older buildings where surprises are more common and decisions may need the owner's input partway through the job. A quick call between the owner, the tenant and the installer before the first day usually settles who decides what.

Costs for Older Buildings

Commercial floors typically run $2–$5 per square foot, polyaspartic systems $3–$7 per square foot, and metallic epoxy $6–$12 per square foot. In older buildings, expect separate line items for:

Old flooring and adhesive removal.
Material testing, if needed (arranged separately).
Crack, patch and leveling work.
Moisture mitigation.
Coved edges in kitchens.

We'll provide a written estimate after a site visit, with each item listed, so you can decide which work is essential and which is optional.

Questions to Ask Before Starting

What's under the current floor, and how will you remove it?
Does any old material need testing before removal?
How will you handle uneven areas?
How will you test for moisture?
Which finishes suit this building?
What do the city, landlord or owner need before work starts?
Can you work around our hours and downtown events?

Contact

Austin Epoxy Flooring Pro serves Austin and Georgetown. Office: 2025 Guadalupe Street, Austin. 5.0 rating on Google. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, with same-day response: (512) 325-5434.

Request a Free Estimate

Call or text (512) 325-5434 (open 24 hours, 7 days a week) or use the free estimate form. Send the approximate square footage, how the space is used, photos of the current concrete, and your timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you coat floors in older buildings near Georgetown Square?

Yes. Older buildings usually need more preparation, such as removing old flooring and adhesive, repairing patches and testing for moisture.

Do I need city approval for a new floor in the historic district?

Interior floors are often outside historic review, but rules vary. Check with the City of Georgetown and your landlord before scheduling.

Will a coating level my uneven floor?

No. Coatings follow the floor's shape. High and low spots can be ground or patched, and self-leveling materials can be used where flatness matters.

What if old tile or adhesive contains hazardous materials?

Older tile and black adhesive should be tested before removal. We'll stop and discuss with you if we suspect anything needs testing.

Which finishes suit older buildings?

Warm solid colors, subtle flake blends, deeper metallics and satin finishes often work well with brick, stone and wood.

Can you work after hours downtown?

We're open 24 hours, 7 days a week, so after-hours work can often be arranged, subject to building rules.

What does it cost?

Commercial floors typically run $2–$5 per square foot. Older buildings often add line items for removal, repairs and moisture mitigation.

Do you serve older homes near downtown Georgetown?

Yes. We coat garages, carports and workshops, starting at $800–$1,200 for a 1-car garage.