Garages are the most valuable assets at home that serve a useful purpose and raise the value of your home. From storing your belongings to protecting your vehicle, it only makes sense to keep your garage in good condition. The floor is the only area in a garage that has to withstand the foot traffic and the weight of containers and vehicles. As time passes, the floor loses its appearance, or worse, starts to lose its durability and develops cracks.
Hence, coating your garage floor will enhance its appearance and ensure long-lasting durability while also making it resistant to tire marks and chemical spills.
This article explores garage floor coating options to help you find the right solution for your space.
Garage Floor Coating Types
When choosing among commonly used garage floor coating types, there are only five effective solutions you should consider. Each of them offers different qualities and long-term benefits, while others are rather a temporary aid to recover your garage flooring from wearing further.
1. Epoxy Flooring
| PROS | CONS |
| Versatile Durable Low-maintenance Longevity Affordable | Can be more costly than other optionsCan take multiple days to install depending on size of space |
Epoxy flooring is by far the best coating you can opt for in your garage. Epoxy is the coating applied on concrete, and it comes in versatile variations, ideal for home projects that require a unique and eye-catching finish.
From solid and flake flooring to metallic, your garage flooring will regain its beautiful appearance without sacrificing its durability. Besides its broad color palette, epoxy is quite easy to apply, as you need to roll it across the floor and let it cure.
The garage is the part of the house that should be low-maintenance; that’s why epoxy flooring is the ideal solution for the floor area. Once the coating is applied correctly by the professionals, you can expect it to serve you for around 7-20+ years.
Epoxy flooring is the most affordable solution on the list since it is applied directly to the existing flooring and doesn’t require an additional floor system. It gives an advantage when the coating starts to wear and needs replacements, which always fits small budgets because the concrete doesn’t have to be prepared for the solution.
Among the flaws with epoxy flooring, there are not so many. If applied correctly, you wouldn’t have to worry about replacing it in the near future. However, if there is moisture present in your garage at all times, the coating may lift off the floor. Another downside is that the epoxy may be slippery when it comes in contact with water.
Other than that, the advantages of epoxy floor prevail, making it an easy-to-clean, long-lasting, and highly resistant solution for your garage.
2. Polyaspartic Floor Coating
| PROS | CONS |
| Durable Long-lasting Low-maintenance | Expensive Thinner wear surface Comes in a few colors only |
Polyaspartic floor coating solution is a two-component polymer-based system applied on the floor in a single layer. Compared to epoxy, polyaromatic flooring comes in great variety and no worse durability. However, unlike epoxy, if you happen to have wood or steel in your garage flooring, polyaspartic coating might be the right option for you.
Polyaspartic flooring is a durable choice for those garages where there is a lot of foot traffic and heavy machinery, and it tolerates high and low temperatures, too.
As with any garage floor coating type, this one comes with its flaws. One of them is a color palette that is limited to a few solid hues. Polyaspartic flooring is costly, but it will last you for about 20 years. Finally, polyaspartic becomes slippery when wet, so you may need to apply slip-resistant additives.
3. Methyl-Methacrylate Floor Coating
| PROS | CONS |
| Resistant to extreme temperatures Rapid application Less slippery when wet | Very expensive Prone to peeling |
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a substance used to create plastic but it also found its uses in flooring, particularly for garages. The MMA flooring is incredibly resistant to heat or cold, and it is also quite durable. However, compared to epoxy, the flooring tends to peel faster.
On the good side, the installation takes a maximum of 48 hours, although it can only be successful on a clean, dry, or sanded floor. When it comes to a color palette, it’s very limited. Since it is a relatively new technology and quite a pricey one, homeowners living in areas with extreme temperatures should consider it.
4. Garage Floor Tiles
| PROS | CONS |
| Can cover up damaged areasDurable Versatile Can be slip-resistant | May get costlySusceptible to mold and mildew May snap when temperature changes |
Installing garage titles is a budget option for homeowners who cannot or don’t want to apply a durable coating. Although tiles may be as expensive as coating, you don’t have to cover the whole floor with them. It’s enough to cover the damaged area until you can finance a better solution.
Snap-together and vinyl tiles are fairly easy to install, and the floor doesn’t need to be pristinely clean before the application. There are versatile and unique-looking tiles available on the market, so you can DIY your garage project and create a nice living space out of it.
Snap-together tiles may be susceptible to mold and mildew, while it won’t be an issue with vinyl tiles. In addition, vinyl tiles are also slip-resistant and durable enough to withstand the weight of a vehicle.
5. Concrete Resurfacer
| PROS | CONS |
| CheapEasy to maintain | Not as durable as other solutions Doesn’t fix damaged concrete |
If you want to enhance the durability of your existing floor by a bit without investing too much money, concrete resurfacing may be a good option for you. Essentially, it’s the technique of applying a strong top layer on the concrete. The mixture is made of sand, cement, polymer materials, and some additives. It is possible to add a color to the mixture so the final look doesn’t end up being all grey.
Although the top coating adds to the durability of the flooring, it is still a much thinner layer than when applying epoxy, MMA, or polyaspartic solution. As a result, you refresh the concept but don’t fix bigger problems like cracks or pitting.
What Is the Best Garage Floor Coating?
The best garage floor coating will depend on your personal or commercial needs and on how long-term solution you want to choose. Here is a comparison table to help you decide:
| Types of flooring for garage | Longevity | Durability | Price |
| Epoxy | 7 – 20+ years | Very durable | $$ |
| Polyaspatic | Up to 20 years | Very durable | $$$ |
| Methyl Methacrylate | 15 years | Durable but prone to peeling | $$$ |
| Tiles | 7 to lifetime | Depending on the type | $$ |
| Concrete Resurfacer | 10 – 20 years | Somewhat durable | $ |
Why Is Flooring for Garage Important?
Foot and vehicle traffic take a toll on the condition of your garage floor, not to mention the spills, hot tires, and grease. No matter how well you clean the surface, it may crack and pit. Resurfacing the concrete is only a temporary solution.
Applying a floor coating will prevent your floor from degrading even further. However, it isn’t the only benefit of applying a protective solution on the floor:
- It fixes the uneven surface color or changes it entirely
- It prevents concrete from flaking and crumbling
- It protects the concrete from chemical spills, leaks, and grease
- It protects the floor from pitting
- It provides extra insulation
And the list goes on. A garage floor coating, as you can see, is the solution that protects the floor from everyday wear and tear and lasts you decades. It’s a long-term investment that can actually pay off if you ever plan to sell your house.
Final Word
Maintaining your garage, whether for personal or commercial use, is crucial if you want to use it over the years. The coating will protect the garage floor from temperature changes and moisture and give a nice touch to the room you can use to store your belongings or vehicles safely.
If durability and appearance are the priority, you will benefit the most from epoxy flooring. Despite the initial investment, epoxy flooring offers cost-effective maintenance and replacement options. Given its exceptional resistance and many color choices, it will seamlessly complement any garage interior, promising years of reliable service.
Get in touch with Atlantic Concrete Design, the #1 epoxy flooring contractor in New York and New Jersey, and have our professional team upgrade your garage floor with a stunning and durable finish.