Top 5 Garage Floor Coatings

Best Paint Kit: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Kit Best Entry-Level: KILZ One-Part Epoxy Acrylic Garage Floor Paint Best Epoxy Kit: Colored Epoxies 1002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating Best Concrete Sealer: Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer Best Concrete Paint: Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield Concrete Floor Paint

Best Paint Kit: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Kit

Pros and Cons

✔ Is designed to accommodate flooring for a 2.5-car garage✔ Dries with a showroom-shine high-gloss finish✔ No hot tire pick-up ✘ The complete kit is expensive✘ Some customers thought that there was too little coating to fully cover their 2.5-car garage

What Customers Are Saying

The majority of customers who used this product to protect their garage flooring said that it was effective and produced satisfactory results. They also said that the high-gloss finish looked incredible. However, they mentioned that the necessary preparation was cumbersome and that the amount of floor coating didn’t go as far as advertised.

Best Entry-Level: KILZ One-Part Epoxy Acrylic Garage Floor Paint

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes in an easy, no-mix formula ✔ Resists hot tire pick-up✔ Produces a slip-resistant satin finish ✘ May require multiple coats for complete garage floor protection✘ Doesn’t cover as much ground on rough surfaces

What Customers Are Saying

Positively, customers who reviewed this garage floor coating said that it looked great, dried nicely, and provided even coverage throughout the floor of their garage. They added that that there was little to no smell. Negatively, the coating started to peel for some users after a matter of months or weeks, despite following the directions carefully. Some users also experienced hot tire marks.

Best Epoxy Kit: Colored Epoxies 1002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating

Pros and Cons

✔ Dries on clear✔ Comes in a three-gallon pack for ample coverage✔ Doesn’t produce a noticeable odor ✘ Takes 7-9 hours to dry, not including its 24-hour vehicle-safe dry time✘ Some customers complained about the coating’s thin color opacity

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers who used this garage floor coating raved that the finish was of high quality and that the manufacturer’s customer service was top notch. Conversely, unsatisfied customers experienced thin, nearly transparent coverage, wishing that the coating dried on thicker.

Best Concrete Sealer: Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer

Pros and Cons

✔ Can be used on exterior concrete, brick, and masonry✔ Protects surfaces against deicing salts✔ Offers a superior water beading effect with no appearance change ✘ Requires two coats to cover only 250 square feet✘ Some customers didn’t receive a full gallon of product, as advertised

What Customers Are Saying

The majority of users who reviewed this penetrating concrete sealer recommended it to others, citing that it was easy to apply, dried on color-free, and covered the amount of area as advertised without any issues. On the other hand, unhappy reviewers felt that the product information was incomplete online, and others said that the instructions were vague and unclear.

Best Concrete Paint: Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield Concrete Floor Paint

Pros and Cons

✔ Is manufactured in the United States✔ Is UV- and weather-resistant✔ The armor gray satin color is neutral and able to blend in with other surface colors ✘ Requires a careful and thorough application so it doesn’t dry blotchy or spotty✘ Some users still experienced oil spots after applying the epoxy shield correctly

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers thought that this concrete floor paint was easy to spread and apply. They also felt that the product was relatively affordable and competitively priced based on the other options available to them. Alternatively, several users damaged the floor coating just days after application by driving on it with wet tires, despite following the instructions carefully and waiting enough time for the coats to dry.

Types of Garage Floor Coatings

Garage floor protectants typically come in two different styles: coatings and coverings.

Garage Floor Coatings vs. Garage Floor Coverings

Garage floor coatings, typically available in either a paint or an epoxy, are more of a permanent solution than their floor covering counterparts. Garage floor paints give your floor a new look while protecting its surface from damages, oil spills, and moisture. Garage floor epoxy coatings, including the Colored Epoxies 1002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating, use a chemical reaction to harden and create a long-lasting and protective finish. To create a more durable finish, some garage floor paints like the KILZ Concrete and Garage Floor Paint add a small amount of epoxy to their formula. Garage floor coverings, offered in floor mats or tiles, are removable protective solutions that shield your existing floor from scuff marks and oil stains. Floor tiles like the GarageTrac Modular Garage Flooring Tile interlock to resurface and protect damaged garage floors. Garage floor mats like the Happybuy Garage Floor Mats are easy to install, rolling onto your existing concrete slab to create a durable and easy-to-clean surface. While garage floor coverings are more convenient, they aren’t as durable as their garage coating counterparts.

Buying Guide

Before investing in a garage floor coating, consider its installation requirements and coverage, among other factors.

Installation

The installation requirements for a garage floor coating will vary depending on the model. For example, the Rust-Oleum RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Kit paints on in a single coat that’s vehicle-ready within 24 hours of application. Other paints, including the KILZ One-Part Epoxy Acrylic Interior/Exterior Concrete and Garage Floor Paint, need to be applied in two layers and require a few hours of dry time in between coats. Although some paints require just one coat, most garage floor paints, sealers, and epoxies require two coats to deliver a long-lasting and even finish.

Garage Use

When deciding between a garage floor coating, consider how you use your garage. If you’re looking for a general protectant that can help your floor resist cracking and deter mold and mildew buildup, a simple sealer should work. However, if you perform extensive car repairs and maintenance work in your garage, a waterproof and abrasion-resistant epoxy like the Colored Epoxies 1002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating may be a better option.

Coverage

A coating’s coverage is measured in square feet. Most paints cover around 500 square feet on smooth surfaces, while sealers cover around 250 square feet. Because of their thick and heavy-duty consistencies, garage floor epoxies typically cover less than 200 square feet per gallon.

Maintenance

In general, both paint and epoxy are easy to clean because of their smooth finish and water-resistant properties. For example, the Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Concrete Floor Paint requires just soap and water.

How long will my epoxy floor coating last?

An epoxy floor’s lifespan depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of foot traffic and maintenance it receives. For most residential uses, epoxy floors will last between 10 and 20 years before needing to be replaced.

Are garage floor coatings worth it?

Garage floor coatings are certainly worth the investment if you wish to preserve the original condition of the floor. They’re also great for those who frequently work in their garage and spill liquids, such as oil, because the surface of the coating makes it significantly easier to clean the floor.

What is the benefit of an epoxy garage floor?

Applying a coat of epoxy on your garage floor has a variety of benefits, including its creation of an impact-, stain-, and crack-resistant surface. In addition to their durable qualities, epoxy floors are also moisture-resistant to prevent mold buildup and come in a variety of colors to match your garage’s design.

Should I paint or epoxy my garage floor?

It depends. If you’re looking for an affordable solution that can keep your garage floor protected from minor damage and stains, garage floor paint is a good choice. If you want a durable, heavy-duty garage floor that’s impact-resistant and lasts for years, epoxy may be a better option.

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