Hello Garage technician explaining pricing guide to customer

How much does garage floor coating cost?

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Let’s examine the cost of garage floor coating.

Much like walking into a furniture store and asking, “How much do chairs cost?” or the grocery store and asking, “How much is food?”, the cost of garage flooring will depend on the details.

Here are the four details that matter most:

  • A concrete floor is porous, like a giant hard sponge.
  • Floor coatings made of larger molecules, like epoxies, don’t soak in; they sit on top. Hot tires parked in the same spot day after day can cause these coatings to de-bond and peel off.
  • Coatings made up of smaller molecules, like polyaspartic, really soak in, so they stick better and last longer.

  • A concrete garage floor will contract and expand slightly as the temperature changes.
  • Floor coatings that are too hard and brittle will crack as the slab expands and contracts or when heavy items are dropped on them. This allows moisture to penetrate underneath the coating.
  • As that moisture evaporates, it can cause the coating to de-bond.

  • Sunlight’s ultraviolet rays can damage many materials, including paint, fabric, wood and concrete coatings.
  • Most floor coatings are not UV-resistant and will yellow over time.
  • UV rays will also cause unprotected coatings to break down and become brittle.
  • A 100% polyaspartic floor coating is UV-resistant and won’t yellow over time.

  • Proper surface preparation is the most important step when applying a concrete floor coating.
  • If surface grinding is not done correctly, the coating will eventually peel.
  • If cracks, pitting and flaking are not repaired correctly before applying the coating, imperfections will show through.
  • Even the highest-quality coatings will not perform long-term if applied by less skilled installers or if corners are cut to save cost.
  • A 100% polyaspartic floor coating requires expert installation by an experienced team.

Garage floor coating cost options to consider:

Least Expensive:

DIY Coatings From a Big-Box Store

  • Almost always epoxy-based.
  • Epoxies are made up of larger molecules that don’t easily penetrate concrete.
  • Epoxies won’t stick to the floor long-term.

Still Pretty Cheap:

Professional Epoxy

  • Epoxies are made up of larger molecules that don’t easily penetrate concrete.
  • Epoxies won’t stick to the floor long-term.
  • Won’t be able to have a strong bond, so as your concrete settles, it will crack.
  • Won’t stand up to the test of time — will yellow and fade.
  • Easier to install than other options.

More Expensive

Polyurea

  • Very thick and fast-hardening, reducing the bond with the concrete below.
  • Very flexible when new.
  • Highly susceptible to UV damage. Becomes brittle when exposed to UV over time.
  • Professional installation is required.

Also More Expensive:

Blends

  • Some companies use the best product — polyaspartic — for the top coat only to save money. They still use epoxy or polyurea for the base coat.
  • Epoxy base coat with polyaspartic on top: This adds flexibility to the top layer, but the adhesion issues epoxies have will still be present.
  • Polyurea base coat with polyaspartic on top: While the polyaspartic top coat is UV-resistant, it still lets UV radiation through to the non-resistant polyurea layer, so it will degrade over time. Polyurea coatings also have trouble adhering to the concrete surface, so applying a polyaspartic top coat does nothing to help that.

Polyaspartic

  • Small molecule with excellent surface penetration and adhesion.
  • Moderately flexible, resistant to cracking.
  • 100% UV-resistant (unless blended with common polyurea — check materials data sheet for 100% aliphatic composition).
  • Professional installation is required.

“Can you break that down for me?”

DIY
Big Box
Store Product		Professional EpoxyEpoxy /
Polyaspartic Blend		PolyureaPolyurea /
Polyaspartic Blend		Polyaspartic
by
Hello Garage
Cost
StickinessTerribleBadBadBetterBetterBest
FlexibilityNoneNone

Good
top coat only

Excellent
when new

Excellent
only initially

Best
UV ResistanceNoneNoneTop coat onlyNoneTop coat onlyBest
Install ExpertiseAre you an expert?Compare WarrantiesCompare WarrantiesCompare WarrantiesCompare WarrantiesBacked by industry leading warranty

Other Specifics that Affect Your Price:

  • The size of your garage

  • The condition of your garage floor

  • The moisture level in your concrete

  • Options like coating the stairs, foundation walls or the exterior apron

  • How long you want your floor to last

  • The expertise and equipment of the installation crew

“OK, but I want a specific price for my garage.”

Great! That’s what your very own Garage Guru can get for you. Click below or give us a shout at 1.888.59.GARAGE to schedule a free quote. You’ll get an exact price, and we promise to make it fun!

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technician showing customer garage floor coating color swatches | Hello Garage