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From colorful paint to protective epoxy kits, garage floor coatings can help spruce up your garage floor and protect it from scratches and spills.
However, picking the right coating may be difficult for inexperienced homeowners, as there are a variety of products and coating styles to choose from. The This Old House Reviews team spent time reviewing the time garage floor coating options available to help you narrow down your purchasing decision.
Typically, DIY can cost from $30 a can to upwards of $400 for heavy-duty materials. The type, material, and quantity can influence costs, so it’s important to understand the differences before deciding on a product. Overall, we recommend the Rust-Oleum RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Kit as our top choice thanks to its crack- and peel-resistant polycuramine coating that’s extremely durable and resistant to chemicals. Read our guide below for more of our top picks.
Best Garage Floor Coatings: Our Top 7 Picks
- 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
- Best Polyurea Coating: MPC-275 Polyurea Coating System
- Best Adhesion: Rust Bullet DuraGradeConcrete Coating
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 |
| MPC-275 Polyurea Coating System | 2 gallons | 400 square feet | 48 hours |
| Rust Bullet DuraGradeConcrete Coating | 1 gallon | 300–350 square feet | 2–6 hours to touch and re-coat; 72 hours full cure |
| Product | Size | Area Covered | Drying Time |
Best Garage Floor Coating Overall
Rust-Oleum Garage Floor Kit
- $243.43
- $370.99
- 34% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the Rust-Oleum Garage Floor Kit?
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.
“ …This product is very shiny. Two days later, my son stopped by and wouldn’t step on it as he was convinced it was still wet. It’s a month later and it still looks wet. I went ahead and used the paint chips, which I typically don’t like. Actually looks much better than I anticipated. Glad I did it. The floor is slippery when, but the chips do add a little grip that otherwise would not be there. Time will tell on the durability of the product. I think it will do much better than the epoxy of the past. Very happy so far.” —Ken D via Amazon
“It takes too much product to give a floor a nice shiny finish. In a 700-square-foot garage, I ended up using five 2.5-car garage kits! Sanding in between cured coats is extremely difficult due to the toughness. Best to apply additional coats within a few days to avoid sanding.” —Johan Valentijn via Amazon
Best Garage Floor Paint Overall
KILZ Epoxy Acrylic Garage Floor Paint
- $35
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the KILZ Epoxy Acrylic Garage Floor Paint?
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.
“….It covered everything quite evenly in one coat, including some old oil spills, rust stains, and many irregularities in surface porosity. It hides a lot of ugly and seals the room from musty odors. Needed to put it on thicker in very rough areas, as you would expect. I can’t comment on the durability because it’s only been a month, and it’s not getting driven on. But for freshening up a musty old basement, it worked very well and was easy to apply. One gallon covered about 400 sqft for me. The whole job was easier than I expected it to go.” —Jason via Amazon
“I applied this paint carefully to my garage floor after a very good cleaning and drying. Followed directions. Applied two coats. Waited seven days during mild dry weather before bringing the car into the garage. But within a week, the paint under the tires came off. Pretty disappointed in the lack of resistance to tires.” —Jeff B. via Amazon
Best Epoxy Floor Coating
Colored Epoxies Clear Resin Coating
- $199.99
- $239.99
- 17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the Colored Epoxies Clear Resin Coating?
We noted that customers who used this garage floor coating raved that the finish was of high quality and delivered a shiny, durable finish, while others said 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.
“This was my first attempt at creating a metallic marbling effect using epoxy for flooring. As mentioned, the fact that this family-owned business answered the phone on a Sunday and spent probably close to an hour answering questions after I purchased their product is hands down the reason why I will continue to use them in the future! As for the finished product, I did battle with fish eyes, but the tips I received over the phone and through their YouTube channel helped immensely. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out, although I kinda was hoping the gold and copper metallic would have popped a little more. I attribute this more to user error though.” —Paul Rothenbuhler via Amazon
“I am pretty disappointed with the results that I am obtaining from this epoxy covering on a garage/basement floor. There are several problems I have faced. When I apply the epoxy with a roller, it is mostly transparent. The manufacturer claims that it covers 450 to 500 square feet per gallon, and while that may technically be true with a very thin coat, it is important to know that anything that thin will be mostly transparent. Yes, it has a slight tint to it (“beige” in my case), but it is mostly transparent. And, yes, I did stir up the cans with the pigment before mixing. I am applying this coating to a 130-square-foot room as a trial, and so far, I have put down four coats, and you can still see the floor through it, and that has used up over half of the three-gallon kit. I have decided that the fifth coat is the last because I’ve had enough of this. The long and short of it is that it will take about 3 times more epoxy and time than I planned for this project.” —Quartus via Amazon
Best Concrete Sealer
Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer
- $69.88
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer?
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.
“This product was used on our basement and garage floors. It was easy to apply using a paint roller and dried quickly and evenly while stopping the concrete dust. The best part of using this product was no odor. I recommend this product for anyone wanting to block concrete dust without any terrible odor.” —Charles via Amazon
“Seems to be a quality product, but it may not be for amateur DIYers. The instructions are a little confusing as they are very relative. You are supposed to spray enough down on the first coat for it to stay wet for at least a few minutes. I honestly have no idea how to gauge that. Then you are supposed to spray the second coat on when the first one is still wet. But how long are you supposed to wait in between coats? Not sure. I lucked into a proper coating in a few places on my porch, but in other places, nothing happened. Water does not [bead] up, and it just soaks in. Oddly enough, the places I wanted it to work, the most worn places, were the places it did not work. The areas where the concrete is in good shape worked. I assume it’s an application issue as the product clearly works. I would avoid doing this on your own if you have never done it before.” —Josiah Augenstein via Amazon
Most Durable Garage Floor Coating
Rust-Oleum Concrete Floor Paint
- $56.85
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the Rust-Oleum Concrete Floor Paint?
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 claiming to follow the instructions carefully and waiting enough time for the coats to dry.
“The paint was a nice thick coat and a really nice gray color. To apply it was just as easy as painting a wall. It completely transformed my laundry room. So much so, I decided to buy more to paint the rest of the garage.” —Bookwood via Amazon
“I did all the recommended prep work and followed directions to a tee. This stuff started peeling up within a month. I won’t be buying again.” —Taxed Enough Already via Amazon
Best Polyurea Coating
MPC-275 Polyurea Coating System
- $219.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the MPC-275 Polyurea Coating System?
Of the positive reviews we found for this product, we noted that customers were impressed with its easy application, how quickly it dried, and how well it shined, noting that it held up well over time. However, a few customers did feel this product had a strong odor, and others found the application difficult.
“Easy to mix and apply. I just poured it around and used an epoxy roller to even it out. Looks great and is hard as a rock!” —Jayne McLaughlin via Amazon
“Good product overall. Pot time is great, it’s easy to spread out. Dries quick. The odor is very intense. Wear a mask and I would even say seal off your [main] door into your home. The smell is nauseating and will make your whole house smell.” —Jason Sager via Amazon
Best Adhesion
Rust Bullet DuraGradeConcrete Coating
- $189.99
- $241.99
- 21% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About Rust Bullet DuraGradeConcrete Coating?
Our team found that customers who gave this product a positive review were pleased with this product’s fast drying time, durable finish, and the accuracy of the color. However, there were some reviewers who felt this coating was challenging to apply, and others commented on the harsh smell it gave off during use.
“As this was a DIY project, I was looking for a garage coating that didn’t involve complicated preparation, such as acid-etching or grinding the concrete, as well as not requiring a two-part mixture, like an epoxy. After some online research, I went with Rust Bullet’s DuraGrade product. After a power wash and some simple treatment of a couple of oil stains, we applied two thin coats with a roller and a cut in brush and let it cure for three days. The product had a strong smell going on, but it dissipated quickly. I was very pleased with the result. The color is true to the sample and covered evenly. It’s only been down for a week or so, but no tire marks or lift at this point. Conclusion: Rust Bullet DuraGrade may seem expensive, but it is well worth it.” —Frank R via Amazon
“You’ve got to make sure you roll really thin coats or you will get solvent pops( bubbles), even on any roller overlap or roll lines from the edge of the roll cover. You might be tempted to roll a little thicker on those high-traffic areas, but this will result in a horrible finish…. This coating is flammable and smells really strong, and you should definitely be using a respirator. If you can smell the coating, your respirator isn’t working, and a dust mask won’t cut it.” —Right Choice via Amazon
Types of Garage Floor Coatings
Garage floor protectants typically come in two different styles: coatings and coverings. Coatings are typically thicker and are the type typically done by professionals, while coverings are more suited to DIY experiences. Read our guide below for more information on which is best for your home.
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.
Garage floor tiles interlock, creating a nonpermanent protective barrier and preventing damage to your garage floors.
Garage floor mats are installed easily by rolling onto your existing concrete slab to create a durable surface that’s easy to clean up.
What Do You Need to Know When Buying 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. You should also examine your garage’s main use, and the amount of foot and vehicle traffic it gets. Finally, look into the square footage of your garage to determine how much coverage you need. Read our buying guide below for more information on the biggest factors to consider when buying garage floor coating.
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.
Steps To Take Before Installing Garage Floor Coating
Without the proper preparation, garage floor coating could lead to poor adhesion, defects, or even possible safety hazards. Here are some important steps to take before you apply garage floor coating.
- Assess the surface condition: Examine your concrete floors carefully for cracks, pits, spalls or signs of damage that may need repair. You should also check for oil stains, wax residue, or any chemical contaminants that need to be cleaned before application.
- Make sure the environment is correct: Check the individual product description to see what the ideal conditions are for use. Generally, between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. If coating indoors, make sure the area is fully and properly ventilated.
- Check for moisture: Test your garage concrete for excess moisture that could interfere with coating bonding. Tape down a two-by-two plastic sheet for 24 hours before coating, and see how much condensation it has absorbed.
- Cover surrounding areas: Before using coating, protect the surrounding areas of your garage by covering them with painter’s tape, drop cloths, or other coverings to help ensure they won’t get excess splatter or spills.
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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