Garage Floors (Epoxy & Coatings)

Why Coat Your Garage Floor

Bare concrete garage floors absorb everything that drips on them. Oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, and other automotive fluids soak into concrete and create permanent stains. The surface dusts constantly, leaving that fine gray powder on everything in your garage. Spills are difficult to clean because the porous concrete absorbs liquids before you can wipe them up. A quality coating system solves all these problems while making your garage look dramatically better.

Coated floors turn your garage into usable space you actually want to spend time in. The clean, professional appearance makes the garage feel like an extension of your home rather than just a place to park cars. Spills wipe up easily because nothing soaks into the sealed surface. The floor is easier to sweep and keep clean because dust and dirt sit on top instead of embedding into porous concrete.

Protection is the other major benefit. Midland Concrete Company applies coating systems that shield your concrete from chemicals, moisture, and abrasion. This protection extends the life of the concrete itself by preventing deterioration from the harsh environment garage floors endure. The coating is much easier and cheaper to maintain than bare concrete, and it can be recoated years down the road if needed.

Types of Garage Floor Coatings

Several coating options exist for garage floors, each with different properties and price points. The right choice depends on your budget, how you use your garage, and what appearance you want. We help you understand the differences so you can select the coating that makes the most sense for your situation.

Coating Options

• Epoxy coatings for maximum durability and chemical resistance
• Polyurethane topcoats that add UV protection and gloss
• Polyaspartic coatings that cure quickly for fast project completion
• Decorative flakes that create custom colors and hide imperfections
• Solid colors for clean, uniform appearance
• Clear sealers that protect while showing natural concrete

Epoxy is the most popular garage floor coating because it provides excellent durability and chemical resistance at reasonable cost. Two-part epoxies cure by chemical reaction to create a hard, tough surface that stands up to vehicle traffic and fluid spills. We use commercial-grade epoxies, not the thin box store kits that fail quickly. Proper epoxy application creates a floor that lasts 10 to 15 years or more with normal use.

Polyaspartic coatings cure very quickly, allowing faster project completion. These single-day systems let you park on your floor the same day we apply them. They resist yellowing from UV exposure better than epoxy, making them ideal for garages with windows or doors left open. Polyaspartic costs more than epoxy but offers advantages that make it worthwhile for some customers.

Our Coating Application Process

Surface preparation determines coating success. We start by grinding or shot blasting the concrete to remove any existing sealers, contaminants, and weak surface material. This also opens the pores of the concrete so the coating can bond properly. Thorough preparation takes time but is absolutely necessary. Coatings applied over dirty or sealed concrete will fail, usually within months.

Crack repair happens before coating application. We fill cracks with flexible filler that moves with the concrete and prevents the coating from cracking along those same lines. Control joints get filled as well to create a smooth, uniform surface. Any surface defects need addressing because the coating will not hide them, it will highlight them.

The base coat goes down after preparation is complete and the floor is perfectly clean. We mix coating materials according to manufacturer specifications and apply them in proper thickness. For epoxy systems, we often broadcast decorative flakes into the wet coating to create texture and visual interest. Once cured, we scrape off excess flakes and prepare for the topcoat.

Topcoat application provides additional protection and creates the final appearance. Polyurethane or polyaspartic topcoats add gloss, chemical resistance, and durability. We typically apply two topcoat layers for maximum protection. The final surface is smooth, glossy, and extremely easy to clean. Most systems are ready for light foot traffic within 24 hours and vehicle traffic within three to seven days depending on the coating type used.

Appearance and Design Options

Color choices for garage floors are nearly unlimited. Solid colors create clean, uniform looks. Popular choices include gray tones that hide dirt, tan and beige that look warm and inviting, or darker colors that create dramatic showroom appearances. We can also create custom colors to match your preferences or coordinate with home colors.

Decorative flakes add texture and visual depth while hiding minor imperfections in the concrete. Flakes come in many colors and sizes. Light broadcasting creates subtle accent, while heavy broadcasting can completely cover the base color. Multi-colored flake blends create interesting looks that hide dirt and tire marks better than solid colors do. The texture from flakes also provides some slip resistance.

Metallic epoxies create unique three-dimensional effects that look like marble or flowing liquid. These premium coatings use metallic pigments that shift and move as the epoxy cures, creating one-of-a-kind patterns. No two metallic floors look exactly alike. This option works great for show garages or spaces where the floor is a design feature, not just a functional surface.

Border strips and designs can be incorporated into garage floors. A different color border around the perimeter frames the space nicely. Parking lines or designated areas for different uses can be built into the coating design. For shops and workspaces, we can create specific zones with different colors or patterns. These design elements add function while making the space more visually interesting.

Maintaining Coated Garage Floors

Maintenance for coated garage floors is simple. Sweep regularly to remove dirt and debris before it gets ground into the coating. Mop with mild cleaner and water when the floor gets dirty. Spills wipe up easily with a rag or paper towels. The coating prevents liquids from soaking in, so quick cleanup leaves no stains. This ease of maintenance is one of the main reasons people coat their garage floors.

Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners that can damage the coating over time. Brake fluid and battery acid should be cleaned up promptly because they can etch some coatings if left to sit. Hot tire pickup, where tires peel the coating, happens occasionally during extremely hot weather. This is more common with thin coatings or when vehicles park in the same spot immediately after driving. Using floor mats in parking areas prevents this issue.

Watch for wear in high-traffic areas over the years. Where you walk most and where vehicle tires track, the coating gradually thins. This is normal and does not mean the coating has failed. When wear becomes noticeable, usually after many years, we can apply a fresh topcoat to restore appearance and protection. This maintenance coating extends the system life indefinitely.

Winter brings special considerations. Road salt tracked in on vehicles can dull the coating over time. Rinse or mop the floor periodically during winter to remove salt buildup. Snow and ice melt should be cleaned up rather than letting them sit in puddles. These simple steps keep your floor looking good through harsh winter conditions that would destroy bare concrete.

Common Questions About Garage Floor Coatings