Whether you have just finished construction on a new garage or want to give your existing garage a fresh renovation, choosing the right floor coating for your garage is vital.
Garage floor coatings come in many different forms, each with its own unique benefits. The type of floor coating you select for your garage can have a long-lasting impact on your garage floor quality and durability, making it crucial to do your research before committing to one coating over the other.
In this article, we discuss why garage floor coatings are so important and what you should look for in a floor coating. Plus, we cover nine of the most common types of garage floor coatings, including their benefits and the best scenarios for each.
Keep reading to discover the perfect floor coating for your garage!
Why is Garage Floor Coating Important?
It’s safe to say that garage floors go through a lot during their lifespans.
Whether it’s from vehicles, foot traffic, or storage of home belongings, garage floors are subject to quite a bit of wear and tear over the years. If not maintained regularly and properly protected, garage floors can become stained, cracked, and worn down — but what does protecting a garage floor entail?
Garage floor coatings are finishing seals that give a garage floor greater durability, helping to preserve the floor over time and as normal damage occurs. These coatings provide a necessary layer of protection that can resist not only physical damage but also damage from chemicals, oils, and stains.
Here are three of the key benefits of adding a protective coating to your garage floor:
- Increased Longevity: When your garage floor has a protective coating, it can withstand typical wear and tear for a much longer period, often requiring fewer overall repairs as well. This increased longevity of your garage flooring ensures you can save money on maintenance costs and enjoy a high-quality garage interior for the longest time possible.
- Higher Property Value: Garage floor coatings inherently add value to your property. These coatings can give your garage a more finished feel compared to plain concrete flooring that can easily chip, crack, and stain. This is especially important if you plan on selling your home in the next five to ten years, as this added value can go a long way with potential customers.
- Easier Maintenance: Since garage floor coatings are resistant to a wide range of damage, substances, and debris, the maintenance process is greatly simplified. You can easily sweep or mop your garage floor without having to put in unnecessary effort or elbow grease to keep your garage interior looking clean and presentable.
The 9 Garage Floor Coating Types: Which Should You Choose?
If you are convinced it’s time to add a protective coating to your garage floor, your next crucial step is to decide which type of floor coating you want to apply.
Different floor coatings come with their own benefits and drawbacks, with each having particular scenarios in which they are the best option. Understanding the specifics of each floor coating type is the key to choosing a coating that is a good fit for your garage.
With this in mind, let’s look at the nine most common garage floor coatings:
1. Epoxy Garage Floor
Best For: Epoxy garage floors are incredibly budget-friendly without sacrificing quality or durability. Plus, epoxy floors come in a wide range of colors and design options.
Epoxy garage floor coatings are easily one of the most common and widely used options. This type of floor coating is highly durable and resistant to chemicals and is well-protected from stains and impacts.
With an epoxy garage floor, you can choose from a variety of different base formulas, including both water-based and solvent-based options. This gives you great flexibility when deciding which coating to add to your garage floor, as different bases are better equipped for specific scenarios.
For example, solvent-based epoxy provides a more durable and glossy finish, while water-based epoxy is lower in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which is crucial if you are subject to VOC restrictions.
Some companies also offer an option known as 100% solids epoxy, which contains neither VOCs nor water. This type of epoxy generates a thicker finish and is most commonly seen in commercial buildings.
2. Polyaspartic Floor Coating
Best For: A high-performance garage floor coating that can withstand heavy traffic and extreme weather conditions. Additionally, this coating is great for garages that are partially exposed to natural sunlight.
Polyaspartic floor coating is a polymer-based coating that is a popular choice for garage floors thanks to its exceptional durability, quick curing time, and UV-resistant characteristics. In addition to UV resistance, this floor coating is also well-protected against impacts, abrasions, chemicals, and heat.
The quick curing time of a polyaspartic coating is one of the coating’s biggest benefits, as it can be applied with speed and dries in seemingly no time. This is great for garages, as it means you can resume the use of your garage more quickly after applying the floor coating.
Additionally, polyaspartic coatings come in a fairly wide range of colors and finishes, making this coating a versatile option in terms of interior design. You can easily find a color that matches the overall color scheme and theme of your home which, in turn, can also add even more value to your property.
3. Garage Floor Tiles
Best For: A DIY-style garage interior that is made from few to zero chemicals. This type of garage flooring is best for minimal-use garages, as its durability is not as high as other options.
Garage floor tiles offer homeowners a unique alternative to traditional coatings. Unlike home interior tiles — which are often made from materials like clay or cement — garage floor tiles are typically made from a semi-durable plastic-based material such as PVC or polypropylene.
This type of garage flooring generally comes in large square units that interlock together to cover the entirety of a garage floor surface. Although these tiles can sometimes be easily damaged or stained, the simple interlocking installation process makes them easy to remove and replace as needed.
Additionally, this type of garage flooring can help provide better ground-level drainage and ventilation, which is highly beneficial for anyone using water frequently in their garage (for example, a professional car detailer working from their garage may opt for garage floor tiles to prevent moisture buildup).
Garage floor tiles come in many styles and colors so you can match your tiles to your home’s aesthetic.
4. Concrete Resurfacer
Best For: Concrete resurfacer is a good option for any homeowner who wants to restore the surface and appearance of their existing garage floor, rather than investing in an entirely new coating.
Concrete resurfacer is a type of garage floor coating that is formulated to bond to existing concrete surfaces. A resurfacer can cover minor damage and discolorations, giving your garage floor a fresh new look and a smooth finish. This type of flooring can also work as a repair option for minor cracking and damage, though it should not be used to resolve major damage that poses a safety threat.
Most garage floors only need a concrete resurfacer applied every 10 to 15 years, though more frequent resurfacing may be necessary for heavily-used garages.
5. Garage Floor Coverings
Best For: Garage floor coverings are best for homeowners looking for a quick fix for an unsightly or minorly damaged garage floor. These coverings can also be good to use when hosting events in your garage, as they can provide an extra layer of protection from foot traffic, trash, and debris.
A garage floor covering typically comes in the form of a roll-out mat or carpet. These types of coverings offer a quick and temporary solution for protecting your garage floor, though they are not usually considered a long-term solution as a garage floor coating.
Generally speaking, garage floor coverings do not add a significant amount of extra durability or protection to a garage floor. Homeowners may also need to order custom coverings to fit the exact dimensions of their garage, or simply settle for a pre-made covering that covers the majority of the floor.
6. Garage Floor Sealer
Best For: Garage floor sealers are a good option for homeowners who want to stick to their existing concrete flooring but enhance its durability and appearance.
Garage floor sealers are transparent coatings applied over the top of a concrete floor. These coatings are most commonly used as a base layer before applying a finishing, such as epoxy or polyaspartic coatings, but can also work as a clear finishing for a garage floor as well.
Many homeowners opt for garage floor sealers before committing to a more intensive floor coating, as sealers are easy to apply and cost-effective. While sealers may not provide total protection and durability enhancements, they do help to strengthen and maintain concrete floors.
7. Garage Floor Patching
Best For: A garage floor patching is not so much a coating but rather a flooring repair solution. Floor patchings can be applied to damaged areas of the floor prior to applying a finished coating.
Garage floor patching is a method of repair that can be used on its own or in tandem with a complete floor coating. Several different materials can be used to create the patching substance, though epoxy is generally the most commonly used material.
During the patching process, the patching solution is applied over damaged areas of the floor and left to cure and dry. This process can be used to repair both minor and major damage, though major damage should be professionally assessed before patching as a safety precaution.
Covering a patched garage floor with a sealer and/or a final coating is recommended for ensuring greater durability for your flooring patches and repairs.
8. Garage Floor Stain
Best For: Garage floor stains are ideal for adding a final, decorative layer to your garage floor. A stain is great for adding a splash of color and a finished final look to your garage.
Garage floor stains are decorative coatings that come in a very wide range of colors. Unlike paint, garage floor stains can produce a semi-transparent marbled effect that gives your garage floor a more natural-looking finish (depending on the color you select).
In general, garage floor stains are designed to be a final decorative addition rather than the main event for a garage floor coating. As such, stains do not typically offer much in terms of extra durability.
9. Garage Floor Paint
Best For: Garage floor paints are best for a simple fix for a very minorly damaged or discolored garage floor. Most homeowners opt for garage floor paints as a temporary, budget-friendly solution.
Garage floor paint is the most basic and budget-friendly floor coating. These paints can come in a wide array of different colors and finishes, though lighter colors tend to show more dirt and debris over time. As the most basic form of garage floor coating, floor paints can be easily applied with a roller or brush.
Although floor paints can offer a quick solution for an unsightly garage floor, they should not be seen as a long-term solution — especially if you use your garage frequently.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Floor Coating for Your Garage
Adding the right kind of coating to your garage floor can bring a fresh look to the space and rejuvenate your garage floor’s surface durability.
Choosing the ideal floor coating for your garage comes down to three key factors:
- Your Budget & Aesthetic: Knowing your budget and aesthetic goals is vital when choosing a garage floor coating. By first determining how much you can and are willing to spend, you can make a better-informed decision when choosing a floor coating to purchase.
- Garage Floor Durability: Before selecting your ideal garage floor coating, you should determine your goals for your floor’s durability. If your floor is in great shape, then you can opt for a less intensive coating like a sealer, stain, or paint. However, if you need some extra durability added to your floor, epoxy or polyaspartic flooring is the way to go.
- Damage Assessment: For homeowners whose garage floor is currently damaged, you should always have the damage assessed by a professional before applying any coatings. A professional assessment can help you decide what degree of repairs are necessary and what type of coating can help to not only cover but repair the damage at hand.
If you are looking for a top-notch epoxy provider in Connecticut, check out the Garage Experience today. We offer custom garage enhancements, including not only epoxy flooring but also tailor-made cabinet systems, free consultations, and more.
Visit the Garage Experience website today to get started.
