Protecting your garage floor with a concrete coating or covering comes with several benefits—from increased durability and slip-resistance, to ease of cleaning and added aesthetic appeal. But just because you’ve decided to spruce up your garage floor, doesn’t mean the process is over. There are many coatings and coverings to choose from, each with its own set of unique protective qualities.
To help you through this (often overwhelming) process, we’ve put together a list of different types of coatings and coverings, ranked from best garage floor coatings to worst.
Types of Garage Floor Coatings
1. Polyurea Coating
The premier option for garage flooring is, by far, a polyurea coating. It’s a layer that bonds to the surface of your concrete, creating a protective shell over your flooring. It’s applauded by industry professionals for its quick cure time, durability, and resistance to outside elements such as moisture and chemicals. It can last a lifetime if well-maintained, and can withstand abrasions, impacts, and general wear and tear without breaking down. Although it may initially seem like the more expensive flooring option, it will save you money over time as you won’t need to make any expensive repairs or replacements (as opposed to other types of flooring, which often need to be touched up every few years.) It comes in a wide variety of styles and colors, making it extremely customizable to your individual tastes.
2. Epoxy Coating
Epoxy is one of the main “go-to’s” for garage flooring. The process for epoxy is similar to polyurea, in the sense that it’s a protective layer that bonds to the surface of your concrete floor to protect it from threats. However, its durability differs from polyurea—on average, polyurea is four times stronger and lasts about three times longer than epoxy. Epoxy is less resistant to penetration from solvents and chemicals, and doesn’t hold up as well as scratches and hard impacts, making it more susceptible to deterioration over time. While it is the cheaper option, you will likely be spending the difference later on in repairs. However, it does offer the same range of styles, colors, and patterns as polyurea for easy customization.
3. Garage Floor Tiles
Instead of making physical changes to your garage floor, a less permanent option is garage floor tiles. These plastic or PVC tiles are often a temporary, in-expensive option while you figure out a more long-term solution to your floor. They’re great for renters, or those looking for a quick fix to a barren garage floor. While they won’t actually fix any issues relating to concrete degradation, they can help slow down further surface damage caused by wear and tear. Some require adhesives to assemble, while others have interlocking teeth that click in place together like a puzzle. They’re quick to install and easy to replace, but not a great option for those trying to preserve their garage flooring for years to come.
4. Garage Floor Covering
There are many options to choose from when it comes to garage floor coverings—there are mats, rugs, parking pads, and large trays that can be used to protect your concrete. While these options do technically offer your concrete floor some form of protection, like garage floor tiles, their ability to prevent deterioration only goes so far. They’ll help contain moisture that’s tracked in by your or your car but will need to be emptied or cleaned often so that the liquid doesn’t collect. They’re also susceptible to shifting and may need to be repositioned. Again, these should be viewed as a temporary rather than a long-term solution.
5. Floor Patching
If you’re seeing cracks or pitting on your garage floor, something you can do is patch the problem area over with a crack sealer or filler. This option does temporarily fix the problem with your concrete floor, however, it doesn’t typically last and will need to be re-addressed later on. They’re typically better for touching up smaller swatches of floor, and shouldn’t be used to make large, expansive repairs in your garage. Keep in mind that this option will likely be the least aesthetically pleasing, as it will make the surface of your concrete uneven and patchy looking, especially if it doesn’t exactly match the color of the floor.
6. Floor Stains or Paints
For those interested more in the decorative appearance of their garage flooring, a floor stain or paint is a quick, affordable option. Stains can add a natural tone to your floor, while paint can give a pop of color. Plus, they’re relatively affordable and easy to apply yourself with a paintbrush and a few coats. However, these options do very little to protect your floor. They barely penetrate the concrete, and will likely chip or crack quickly, requiring constant touch-ups. In a garage, where there is constant wear and tear, you’ll likely find this option deteriorating quickly.
How Cleveland Concrete Coatings Can Help
When it comes to protecting your garage floor, we have years of experience preventing deterioration while also adding aesthetic appeal. Although a polyurea coating may seem like the more expensive option, it will save you countless hours on repairs, maintenance, and cleaning. Protect your flooring, and the value of your home, with a durable polyurea coating. Installed by our experienced team of professionals, they’re built to withstand the daily demands of a garage.
Contact us today for a free quote, and get started protecting your garage today.