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From colorful paint to protective epoxy, garage floor coatings can help spruce up your garage floor and protect it from scratches and spills. Since picking the right coating may be difficult, we researched the best garage floor coatings on the market to help you make an informed purchase.
Here are our top recommendations for protecting concrete garage floors.
Top 5 Garage Floor Coatings
- Best Overall: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Kit
- Best Garage Floor Paint: KILZ One-Part Epoxy Acrylic Garage Floor Paint
- Best Epoxy Floor Coating: Colored Epoxies 1002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating
- Best Concrete Sealer: Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer
- Most Durable Garage Floor Coating: Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield Concrete Floor Paint
Compare Top-Rated Garage Floor Coatings
| Product | Size | Area Covered | Drying Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rust-Oleum RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Kit | 1.4 gallons | 450-500 square feet | 8-10 hours; vehicle-ready in 24 hours |
| KILZ One-Part Epoxy Acrylic Garage Floor Paint | 1 gallon | 450-500 square feet | 24 hours |
| Colored Epoxies 1002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating | 3 gallons | 850-900 square feet | 7-9 hours; vehicle-ready in 24 hours |
| Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer | 1 gallon | 250 square feet | 4-6 hours; water-repellant in 7 days |
| Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield Concrete Floor Paint | 1 gallon | 300-400 square feet | 12-16 hours; vehicle-ready in 3 days |
| Product | Size | Area Covered | Drying Time |
Best Garage Floor Coating Overall
Rust-Oleum Garage Floor Kit
- $370.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ One kit covers up to 500 square feet
✔ Dries with a showroom-shine high-gloss finish
✔ Resists hot tire pick-up
✘ The complete kit is expensive relative to alternatives
✘ Heavy application will cover less than the advertised 2.5-car garage
What Customers Are Saying
We found that a 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, we saw that some also mentioned that the necessary preparation was cumbersome and that the amount of floor coating didn’t go as far as advertised.
Best Garage Floor Paint Overall
KILZ Epoxy Acrylic Garage Floor Paint
- $35
Prices taken at time of publishing.
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 floor protection
✘ Rough surfaces require more KILZ per square foot
What Customers Are Saying
We noticed that customers who reviewed this garage floor coating positively said that it looked great, dried nicely, and provided even coverage throughout the floor of their garage. They added that there was little to no smell. Negatively, we saw that 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 Floor Coating
Colored Epoxies Clear Resin Coating
- $302.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Dries on clear
✔ Comes in a 3-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
We noted that 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, we also saw that unsatisfied customers experienced thin, nearly transparent coverage, wishing that the coating dried on thicker.
Best Concrete Sealer
Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer
- $64.88
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can be used on exterior concrete, brick, and masonry
✔ Protects surfaces against ice melt and rock salt
✔ Offers a superior water beading effect with no clouding effect
✘ Requires two coats
✘ Gallon only covers 250 square feet
What Customers Are Saying
We noticed that 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, we also saw that some unhappy reviewers felt that the product information was incomplete online, and others said that the instructions were vague and unclear.
Most Durable Garage Floor Coating
Rust-Oleum Concrete Floor Paint
- $61.94
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Made in the United States
✔ Offers UV- and weather-resistant
✔ Neutral armor gray color blends 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 customer reviews that we saw indicated 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, we also saw that 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
Our research shows that 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 epoxy or paint, are more permanent solutions than non-adherent floor coverings.
Garage floor epoxy coatings use a chemical reaction that bonds to the concrete and hardens to form a long-lasting and protective finish.
Garage floor paints give your floor a new look while protecting its surface from chemical spills, dings, high traffic, oil spills, and moisture. To create a more durable finish, some garage floor paints 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. Although garage floor coverings are more convenient and forgiving than coatings, they don’t offer the same level of durability.
Floor tiles interlock, creating a nonpermanent protective barrier and preventing damage to your garage floors.
Garage floor mats install easily by rolling onto your existing concrete slab to create a durable and easy-to-clean surface.
Buying Guide to Garage Floor Coating
Before upgrading your garage by investing in a floor coating, we highly recommend considering the installation and maintenance requirements of each option to help you find the right product for you.
Installation
The installation requirements for a garage floor coating will vary depending on the model. Polyurea and polyaspartic floor coatings go on in a single coat and cure faster than epoxy-heavy coatings. One such example we found is the Rust-Oleum’s Polycuramine coating, which is vehicle-ready within 24 hours of application.
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, plus a few hours of dry time between coats.
Learn more about how to apply epoxy paint to your garage floor to help you decide whether epoxy resin, acrylic, or temporary flooring is the best choice for your needs. You can also check out the video below for step-by-step instructions on how to epoxy coat a garage floor.
Garage Use
When deciding between a garage floor coating, our team finds that you should 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 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
We find that it is significantly easier to clean a coated garage floor than it is to clean concrete that’s untreated. In general, both paint and epoxy are easy to clean because of their smooth finish and water-resistant properties. Weather- and corrosion-proof coatings require nothing more than soap and water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garage Floor Coating
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, our research shows that epoxy floors will last between 10 and 20 years before they need remediation.
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. We recommend them 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 a coated garage floor?
Applying a coat of epoxy or durable paint to 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, we think garage floor paint is a good choice. If you want a durable, heavy-duty garage floor that’s impact-resistant and lasts for years, then our team recommends upgrading your garage floor with an epoxy coat instead.
How We Selected the Best Garage Floor Coatings
To provide our readers with the best garage floor coating and concrete sealer recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of garage floor coatings with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home improvement space, from ceiling fans and floor coating to doorbell cameras and garage door openers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
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