3 Best Garage Floor Epoxy Options for a Durable, Long-Lasting Finish
When a person enters your garage, the first thing he or she will see is your car. The second thing is the garage floor. As such, you need to impress yourself and others. There are a lot of coverings you can use, but here we will stay focused on the best garage floor epoxy. It is the most popular option, and it deserves full attention. Below you will see why.
The right moment to coat the garage floor is today
Of course, this refers to all garages that have old and damaged floors. The goal here is to make sure the floor stays intact and like new as long as possible. All you can do is to coat it with a solution that will look perfect and meet your wildest expectations.
Another question is, why should you do this today? The answer is simple. More you wait, more damages and dirt will accumulate on the floor. It will be harder to clean the surface and make the desired end result. If you start now, you probably won’t experience any complications or issues.
Epoxy garage floor coating is a better option than PU
PU stands for polyurethane, and it is another garage floor covering you may consider. However, epoxy is better, and now you will see why. This means that you will get more benefits and you will get better results. Below are the points that will make you understand why this is the case.
- PU has a higher level of Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC, while epoxy has a lower amount. This makes it a safer choice due to the fact VOC has been linked to cancer and dangerous fumes that should be avoided. This fact is confirmed by the EPA.
- PU is thinner, and it won’t be able to cover major gaps and cracks in the floor. Epoxy is completely opposite, and it can be used as a better solution for covering the damages and imperfections.
- PU is offer than epoxy, which suggests that it will get scratched easily, and you will have to repair it. Epoxy is much harder, making it a more durable alternative.
- Humidity is a big issue for PU, and it can cause all sorts of problems and issues. Epoxy is immune to humidity and, therefore, more suitable for garages.
3 Best Garage Floor Epoxy Reviews
Here is the comparison table showing how the selected floor epoxy compares one to another:
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Rust-Oleum 261845 EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating, 2 gals, Gray
The Rust-Oleum 261845 EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating is the best product here and the one we liked a lot. The first thing you will need to know is that it is water-based, making it safe for the environment. In the package, you get 2 gallons of epoxy, which is divided into 2 separate buckets. There I cleaner as well, which will help you prepare the surface for coating. Even if you are a beginner, you will appreciate this product. It includes a video with all the instructions on how to do this upgrade all by yourself.
In addition, the package includes decorative chips and a stir stick. These are small additions that make the difference and can make your garage look precisely as you like, and you need it. In general, the product is safe for the environment, easy to apply, and comes with all the essentials you will need. Applying it is probably one of the biggest advantages if you are planning to complete this upgrade by yourself. The epoxy won’t be slippery at any given moment. Just make sure to let it dry completely before using the floor. The only drawback we can see is the poor choice of colors. Yes, there are several options available, but all of them look similar or even identical, which isn’t something modern garage owners will appreciate.
Pros:
- Great packaging
- Cleaner solution included
- Great to coat by yourself
- No slippery
Cons:
- Poor choice of colors
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Rust-Oleum 238466 Professional Floor Coating Kit, Dunes Tan
The second product here is stunning and can be used by all garage owners. In a nutshell, durability and strength are impressive. This epoxy won’t make your garage floor slippery or peel after some period of time. We must include that applying epoxy is easier than ever before, and you can get the desired effect within hours. One gallon can be used to cover 200 square feet of area.
Before you apply the epoxy, make sure to repair bigger damages to the floor and to clean it properly. You will need this in order to allow for the coating to stick better to the concrete and remain there. The product is popular in the professional workshops and known as one of the most popular epoxy coatings of all time. The finish is semi-gloss, a desirable option for most of us. Keep in mind that there are 4 different versions, and each one should be considered. Instructions are not the best, so you may need additional online help. Make sure to read the article to the end and get the added tips and tricks on how to do this process by yourself. It is extremely easy, and it can be done by most of you without any major drawbacks or problems.
Pros:
- Great coverage
- Nonslippery coating
- Semi-gloss finish
- Easy to ally
Cons:
- Expensive
- Instructions
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Valspar (81020) Light Gray Garage Floor Coating Kit – 120 oz.
There are so many things we can tell you about this product. The first one is the low presence of the VOC. Then we can see that one gallon covers 250 square feet of space, which is better than with previous products. Then we can add that the latest technology is used for making the epoxy stand out from the crowd. In the package, you get the detailed instructions, and you will definitely be able to make the upgrade without any professional help.
There is one feature we especially liked. When you park a car in a garage after driving, the tires are hot, and they will pull the epoxy as they cool down, which causes it to crack and peel. Here we can see that the epoxy is designed to resist and eliminate this issue. In other words, tires are unable to stick to the epoxy and to pull it from the concrete. The product in question is water-based and extremely durable while being decent value for money.
Pros:
- Immune to hot tires
- Durable coating
- Coverage
- Instructions
Cons:
- Possible discoloration
- Poor customer support
3 things you need to consider regarding floor epoxy
When choosing and applying the epoxy to your garage floor, some things need to be taken into consideration as well. If you know which ones you can make sure that the coating will last longer and it won’t peel off or get damaged. Let’s see the three facts you will have to consider.
The first thing is the list of actions and activities that epoxy must withstand. If you are using a garage for parking a car only, you need a more affordable and thinner epoxy. If you are using your garage to make something, you need a more durable epoxy coating.
The next thing is the immunity to the hot tires. As we mentioned above, hot tires will pull the epoxy and cause it to crack and eventually peel. Your coating must be immune.
The last thing is the type of concrete you are covering. Old concrete requires porosity, while the new one is different.
Two-part vs. one part epoxy
This factor refers to the elements of the epoxy. You can see that some have just one compound, while others have two. The ones that have one are more affordable and easier to apply. Basically, this is an effortless upgrade, and you can complete it in no time. But, they also last shorter, and they are more sensitive.
Two-part epoxy is more durable and more time consuming to apply. On the other hand, you get the best durability, and you can use the garage floor for anything you like.
Water-based and solvent-based epoxy
Here we can see another main difference between different products. Some of them are made on a water base, while others are solvent-based products. The first type is eco-friendly, and it can be used for indoor applications only. It is easier to apply, and it doesn’t contain VOC.
Solvent-based epoxy is a bit different. First of all, it will be more complicated to apply, and it can be used outdoors. The drying time is much shorter, and you can enjoy the enhanced durability as long as you want. Solvent-based epoxy is also more demanding when it comes to applying it. This means that you should wear a breathable mask, and you should make sure that there are no flammable sources around it.
It is up to you which type of epoxy do you need. We prefer water-based products simply because they are easier to use, and they are eco-friendly. At the same time, they last longer, and they don’t have dangerous chemicals that are labeled as VOC. When it comes to durability, both types are extremely durable and will meet heavy-duty requirements. Once again, we can add that the quality of the specific product should be taken into consideration. Be free to take a closer look at the products we tested above. They are very popular at the moment, and they are known to be very resilient.
Coating the garage floor by yourself or hiring a professional?
Here is the biggest question of them all. Are you going to apply the epoxy coating by yourself as a DIY project or hire a professional? There are pros and cons of both options so you should choose one that is more appealing for you.
Preparation
The garage floor has to be properly prepared in order for the epoxy to stick to the concrete. You must remove all the oil, dirt, and chemicals that are present, and you must wait for the floor to get dry completely. If you try to apply the epoxy on the wet surface, it will peel off in no time. All professionals know this, and they will do it properly. Just in case if you are planning to complete the process by yourself, make sure to follow this guideline.
Here is the video showing you how to coat the garage floor with epoxy:
Quality of the epoxy
You may be tempted to purchase the most affordable epoxy kit there is. Sadly, it will contain 30% or even less of solid particles. This will mean that the coating will be less durable, and it will crack easily. The goal is to look for a kit that contains around 90% of solid particles. Even more, it would be even better. Professionals know this, and they will coat the garage floor with the best kit, which will last the longest.
Time needed
On average, you will need around 7 or 8 days to complete this task. This refers to cleaning the surface, applying the coating, drying and etc. A team of professionals will do it within 5 days, and you don’t have to lift a finger. Of course, you will have to pay for their services, but you can do it for free, by yourself. The duration of this task will also depend on the size of the garage. If it is bigger, you will need more time, obviously. It is important to know that all the tools and items should be removed from the garage while applying the epoxy. It is a mandatory task that will prevent any issues or errors with the process itself and help you get the desired look of the garage floor.
Duration of the warranty
All epoxy kits should be paired with the best possible warranty. The goal here is obvious. When you purchase a high-end product that comes with a long warranty, you are certain that it will last for years, and the surface will be extremely durable. Always take a closer look at the warranty that is offered. Low-end products may not have any warranty at all, which is a severe issue and should be avoided. The situation is generally the same as with all other products. Better ones come with a better warranty and due to a reason. They can meet the warranty duration.
Price
Don’t get the cheapest epoxy kit out there. The chances are high that you will end up with a low-quality product that can’t withstand all the chemicals and issues present in the garage, and it will peel or crack after a short period of time. In other words, the price will determine the quality and the presence of solid particles. More of them are always a better choice due to the fact they can make the surface more resistant to literally anything.
Resistance
Resistance to the specific chemicals and issues present in the garage is a separate factor that needs to be considered before you purchase the epoxy. There are three separate points we will have to discuss at this point. The first one is water. The good thing is that most epoxy products you can find these days are immune to water, and they won’t peel off or get damaged after some time. Those products are the best and should be the first on your list.
Epoxy coating has to withstand all kinds of chemicals present in the garage. For instance, you will need a coating that is immune to gas and oil, alongside coolant and various cleaning chemicals. In a nutshell, you get a coating that can withstand anything literally, and you won’t compromise the look or appeal when you work on your car. Believe it or not, the worst thing you can pour on the epoxy coating is gasoline. It will damage the thin and sensitive types of coating, which are usually so cheap that you should avoid them precisely due to this reason. Oil won’t usually damage the surface, but it is a nightmare to remove.
The last type of resilience you need to consider is linked to moisture. Some, usually first epoxy coatings, were sensitive to moisture, and they will fail after a short period of time, and they should be avoided for this reason. The products we mentioned below are 100% immune to moisture, which is common in some garages. It would be a wise decision to solve any moisture-related issues you have in a garage and to make it dry through the year. Then apply the coating, and you are ready to get the best effect.
The final word
Best Garage Floor Epoxy coating is the best option for most homeowners, and it should be considered as the primary option. All you need to remember is that high-end product like the ones we listed above are the longest option. They will make sure the garage floor looks like new for a long period of time. As such, they are the best of the best. Don’t forget that if you are applying the coating by yourself, you need to do it slowly and to make sure you follow all the steps and guidelines mentioned by the manufacturer. Read more about garage flooring.
Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
