9 Garage Floor Coating Myths (What's True & What's Not!)

Updated December 2023

So, you're finally ready to tackle your garage renovation project. You want to declutter, organize and rearrange it so it's no longer the ”junk drawer of the house.” That's great, but before you start looking at garage cabinets and storage, you'll need to do something about the floor. After all, it doesn't make sense to paint the walls and put up a pegboard and hang tools when your garage floor is cracked, pitted and stained, right?

Unfortunately, there are a many types of garage floor coatings to choose from and even more garage floor coating myths to navigate. But, fear not! The Hello Garage team is here to debunk those common myths about garage floor coatings so you can feel confident about upgrading your floors.

So, before you start your garage remodeling project, let's take a closer look at those pesky myths and discuss why they’re just that — myths!

Refinishing your garage floor doesn't have to be a hassle. Read these common garage floor coating myths before you renovate your space!

9 Common Myths About Garage Floor Coatings

1. All you need to do is put down a coat of paint. This is one of the most common garage floor coating myths. So common, in fact, that many people do just that — slap down a coat of paint on their garage floor and call it a day. The paint may even claim to be “super-durable” and “professional-grade.” But regardless of what it says on the label, there's simply no way a coat or two of paint can stand up to the day-in, day-out abuse that a garage floor takes.
   
   Beyond simply having to put up with the weight of your vehicles and the constant abrasion of their tires, your garage floor will have to handle dropped tools and chemical spills, not to mention years of daily foot traffic. So, yes, you could simply paint your floor, but it will likely start to deteriorate almost immediately.
2. Coatings are only for new concrete floors. While some believe garage floor coatings are exclusively designed new concrete floors, that’s simply not true. Contrary to this garage floor coating myth, coatings can be installed regardless of whether or not it’s freshly laid concrete. Polyaspartic is one of the biggest busters of this myth.
   
   Polyaspartic coatings are an ideal choice for revitalizing older concrete floors due to their exceptional adhesion, flexibility and rapid curing properties. These coatings effectively bond with existing surfaces, accommodating minor imperfections and seamlessly adapting to the unique profile of aged concrete. The quick curing time not only streamlines the installation process but also minimizes downtime, making polyaspartic coatings a practical and efficient solution for transforming and protecting existing garage floors.
3. A DIY epoxy kit will do the trick.
   

   Professional preparation is key to a lasting garage floor coating. That's why we use industrial grinders at Hello Garage.

   While epoxy garage flooring is certainly more durable than paint and they do sell epoxy kits at your local big-box DIY store, this approach is not without its drawbacks.
   
   The main problem with any DIY garage floor approach is the key to a successfully installed coating — one that will last for many years to come — is surface preparation. That means meticulously cleaning the floor of your garage, sweeping and mopping it, scarifying the surface with an industrial machine and finally removing virtually every particle of residual dust. Without this crucial first step, any garage floor coating will be subject to premature delamination. In fact, most professional installers say that their job is about 80% surface prep.
   
   Similarly to paint, DIY epoxy garage flooring just doesn't stand up to the normal wear and tear in your garage. Epoxy flakes, chips and peels. It even turns yellow from UV exposure. Epoxy coatings can also delaminate easily with moisture, temperature changes and any abrasion from hot tires or salt and sand. So even if the epoxy kit says it's "durable" or "lasting," trust us when we say that it isn't going to last like other garage floor coating options.
4. Professional garage floor coatings are expensive. This is one of the leading garage floor coating myths. While it's true that the initial cost of a professionally installed floor coating may be higher than that of a DIY approach, when you factor in the likely need for a DIY surface to be redone every few years, the costs actually aren't that different over the life of the floor. Then there's the hassle and time of having to pull everything out of the garage and re-prepare the surface.
   
   Another thing to consider when comparing costs is the warranty. A reputable installer will offer a long-term warranty on their product. This will protect your investment for years to come. And, finally, your vehicles likely weren't cheap either. Don't they deserve to be presented on a floor that reflects their value?
5. All professional garage floor coatings are the same.This garage floor coating myth couldn't be further from the truth. Most professional garage flooring companies offer one of three coating technologies: epoxy, polyurethane or polyaspartic.
   
   Epoxy and polyurethane coatings are generally less expensive, but they also present multiple disadvantages. Epoxies are very temperature sensitive when it comes to application and can yellow over time due to UV exposure. Polyurethane coatings are more UV resistant and less temperature-sensitive but are susceptible to delamination due to bonding issues with concrete.
   
   Polyaspartic coatings, however, are easier to apply, durable, UV resistant and present the lowest chance of future delamination. Keep in mind polyaspartic coatings cost a bit more than the other two and generally require professional installation.
6. Garage floor coatings need to be redone every few years.
   

   If you want a garage floor coating that is beautiful, durable and long-lasting, choose a polyaspartic coating from Hello Garage.

   This is one of the garage floor coating myths that actually has some truth to it. That's because so many people try the DIY route when redoing their garage floors.
   
   As mentioned earlier, DIY coatings — whether paint or epoxy — are at risk for chipping, peeling and delaminating over time due to poor abrasion resistance (paint) or inadequate surface preparation (paint and epoxy). But when a polyaspartic coating is professionally applied, there is no reason it won't last for decades. So, when you consider that kind of lifespan, the initial cost of installation is quite reasonable.
   
   The bottom line is, there are many different approaches when it comes to renewing your garage floor. And though you can do it yourself, if you want a floor that looks as beautiful in ten years as it does the day it's installed, we recommend you go with a professionally applied polyaspartic coating.
7. Garage floor coatings are only for aesthetics. While garage floor coatings are aesthetically pleasing, the benefits go beyond looks. Polyaspartic coatings, in particular, are known for their exceptional durability — in fact, they have been used in industrial and commercial settings for decades, protecting floors in warehouses, airports, hospitals and more.
   
   Unlike traditional paints or epoxy coatings that may chip, peel, yellow or break down over time, polyaspartic coatings create a resilient surface that stands up to the harshest conditions. Whether it’s the constant movement of vehicles, heavy equipment or exposure to chemicals, polyaspartic floor coatings maintain their integrity, ensuring a long-lasting garage floor.
8. Garage floor coatings can’t be installed in the winter.
   

   It's always garage floor coating season with Hello Garage! Our polyspartic coating can be installed rain, snow or shine!

   Although this is true for some garage floor coatings, it’s not true for all. Epoxy, polyurea and floor paint are all sensitive to temperature extremes during application. As a result, the coating may not adhere correctly to the concrete surface or cure properly, causing it to flake, peel, delaminate or deteriorate quickly. For that reason, these floor coatings are better suited to installation during mild temperatures.
   
   Polyaspartic, on the other hand, is not limited to seasonal installation. Unlike polyurea and epoxy coatings, polyaspartic exhibits a remarkable temperature tolerance, is resistant to humidity and moisture and has a quick cure time.
   
   Whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter, polyaspartic garage floor coatings can be successfully applied, providing year-round flexibility for installation.
9. Garage floor coatings are only for garages. Sure, we’re here to talk about garage floor coatings, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight the uses of floor coatings beyond the garage. Renowned for their strength and durability, polyaspartic floor coatings are ideal for a wide variety of interior and exterior spaces, including laundry rooms, basements, patios, driveways, walkways and commercial spaces like restaurants, retail spaces, warehouses and showrooms.

There you have it: 9 garage floor coating myths, debunked! Now that you know what’s true and what’s not, you can make an informed decision about the best garage floor coating for your home.