Nowadays people are increasingly interested in having a bespoke garage. As well as being attractive it is also vital for a garage space to be practical. So, it is crucial to make the right decisions, particularly for your garage floor which has to be durable and resistant to high levels of wear and tear. This is why epoxy floors are an excellent alternative to more traditional types of flooring.
A few tips to help you make the correct choice. Always make sure that there is sufficient resin to cover your entire garage floor. Check that the drying time is suitable (you may not want your vehicle outside for days), and that the coating has anti-slip compounds, which are essential for traction. With a range of epoxy resins to suit everyone’s tastes and budget, here is a list of the best five brands currently on the market.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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1. Epoxy Floor Kit – Epoxy-Coat Full Kit Clear
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2. Rust-Oleum 238466 Epoxy Shield Esh-06 Professional Based Floor Coating Kit
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3. Rust-Oleum 238467, Dark Grey – Industrial Coatings
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4. Colored epoxies 10021 Mexican Red Gallon Kit Resin and Hardener
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5. KILZ L377711 1-Part Epoxy Acrylic Interior/Exterior Concrete and Garage Floor Paint
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1. Epoxy Floor Kit – Epoxy-Coat Full Kit Clear
Specification
| Size | 3 gallons |
| Material | 100% Solids Cycloaliphatic Epoxy |
| Coverage | 500 SF |
| Installation Method | Indoor floor coating |
Features
- Comes in a variety of colors
- Coverage of 500 sq. feet
- Quick drying time
- Includes an anti-slip additive
Comes in eight colors. Covers 500 sq. feet. 100% solid, non-shrinking formula. Drying time of 12 hours. Made from a high strength cycloaliphatic material. Includes an anti-slip additive. Heat and chemical resistance. High sheen finish. 100% self-leveling feature. Odorless. Kit includes etch, flecks, selection of brushes, roller cover, a paint mixer, and gloves.
WHAT WE LIKE
Able to cover an impressive 500 sq. feet, it is perfect for even the largest garages. Dries quickly due to its high adhesive qualities and guarantees excellent protection against heat, chemical and oil spillages. The anti-slip additive gives great traction. Incredibly it is also odorless, so there are zero nasty smells. The impressive comprehensive kit includes brushes, paint mixer, etch, roller cover, flecks and gloves! On top of that it comes with a life-time guarantee.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
As you would expect from a product of this quality, it comes with a hefty price tag which may mean that it is out of the price range for some buyers. Application instructions not included with kit – which can be problematic, especially if this is your first time laying an epoxy floor .
PROS
- Covers an impressive 500 sq. feet
- Dries within 12 hours
- Odorless
- Anti-traction additive prevents vehicle slippage
- Life-time guarantee
CONS
- Expensive
- Doesn’t include application instructions
2. Rust-Oleum 238466 Epoxy Shield Esh-06 Professional Based Floor Coating Kit
Specification
| Paint Type | Watercolor |
| Size | 256 Fl Oz |
| Coverage | 300-400 sq ft per kit |
| Finish | Semi-Gloss |
Features
- Color: dunes sand
- 2-part solvent based epoxy coating
- Optional decorative color chips
- Superior resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and water
Kit includes semi-gloss finish, solid base color, and decorative chips. Dunes sand color. Ideal for garages as it provides excellent resistance to abrasion, chemicals, wear, and even standing water. Covers 200 sq. feet per gallon.
WHAT WE LIKE
Kits gives a professional and attractive finish. Ready for heavy foot traffic in one-day. The decorative flakes are a practical, attractive, touch, providing extra traction to prevent slipping. Simple to maintain with an easy to clean surface. Kit includes comprehensive instructions.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Pot life is given as 90 minutes but some reports indicate that the mixture starts to harden after one hour. Etching is not included and needs to be purchased separately. Vehicles will have to be left outside for at least 4-days before the floor is ready.
PROS
- Professional and attractive finish
- Decorative flakes provide extra traction
- Easy to clean
- Detailed instructions included
CONS
- Short pot life
- Etching not included
- Long drying time
3. Rust-Oleum 238467, Dark Grey – Industrial Coatings
Specification
| Paint Type | Decorative |
| Size | 256 Fl Oz |
| Coverage | Approx 300-400 Sq Ft |
| Finish | Semi-Gloss |
Features
- Color: Dark grey
- Unit: 85% solid
- Optional decorative chips
- Tough and durable flooring
Semi-industrial strength epoxy with 85% solid. Kit includes epoxy coating, decorative chips, stir stick, and detailed instructions. Floor dries to a semi-gloss, dark grey finish. Provides excellent resistance to abrasion, chemicals, wear, and even standing water. Covers between 300-400 sq. feet.
WHAT WE LIKE
Rust-oleum produces multiple epoxy kits but this one stands out due to its strength. The unit gives 85% solid content and with a thickness of 17mm, your floor is well-protected. The coating’s durability means it can withstand heavy foot and vehicle traffic as well as having increased resistance to tire marks and oil stains.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Etching is not included and needs to be purchased separately. Due to the thickness of the coating, drying may take longer than similar kits on the market. As the product is semi-industrial strength, some users find the mixture a little more difficult to apply.
PROS
- Professional industrial-grade epoxy flooring
- 85% solid content
- Durable and thick floor coating
- Able to withstand heavy vehicle and foot traffic
- Resistant to tire mark and oil stains
CONS
- Etching not included
- Longer drying time
- Application of the mixture can be a little difficult
4. Colored epoxies 10021 Mexican Red Gallon Kit Resin and Hardener
Specification
| Compatible Material | Wood, Fiberglass, Concrete |
| Size | 3 Gallon Kit |
| Material | Water based |
| Finish | Glossy |
Features
- 100% solid content
- Impact resistant and zero voc
- Odorless
- Kit contains detailed application instructions
Non water based, super flexible, professional grade epoxy flooring. Comes in three tins: two resins and one hardener. 100% solid content. Odorless. Covers an area between 125 and 170 sq. feet. Mold and mildew resistant. Impact resistant. Super high gloss finish. Zero voc and vohap free and UV resistant. Comes in 18 colors. Detailed application instructions included with the kit.
WHAT WE LIKE
Due to it being 100% solid content, it provides a tough protective barrier which will not peel, crack or mark. Garage is ready to use within 24-hours as this odorless resin dries quickly. As the flooring is mold and mildew resistant, it is perfect for damp garages. This superior flooring gives an attractive super gloss finish and is a great value for the money.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
This kit can only cover a maximum area of 175 sq. feet and may not be ideal for larger garages. The flooring can also become cloudy if exposed to direct sunlight. Not suitable for surfaces which are damaged or flawed due to its high gloss finish.
PROS
- Durable, solid, and odorless
- Dries within 8-24 hours
- Mold and mildew resistant
- Attractive finish
- Good value for the money
CONS
- Low coverage per gallon
- May get cloudy if exposed to direct sunlight
- Not suitable for damaged or flawed surfaces
5. KILZ L377711 1-Part Epoxy Acrylic Interior/Exterior Concrete and Garage Floor Paint
Specification
| Paint Type | Acrylic |
| Size | 1 Gallon |
| Coverage | 300-500 sq. ft. |
| Finish | Satin |
Features
- Acrylic based one part epoxy garage floor paint
- Fast drying time
- Durable and tough
- Contains anti-slip properties
One part epoxy garage floor paint. Acrylic base. Fast drying time. Ready to walk on in 2-hours and 24-hours for cars. Covers between 300 and 500 sq. feet, depending on the floor’s condition. Paint viscosity of 90-100 KU. Resistant to scuffs, cracking, scratches, chemical stains, erosion, and tire marks. Contains anti-slip properties. Satin sheen finish. Comes in either silver gray or slate gray.
WHAT WE LIKE
This is an attractive, quick and easy to apply garage floor paint. The flooring is hardy, providing protection against spillage, marks, and cracking. As it is only one part, there isn’t a strict working time restriction, meaning you can do one section of the floor and come back and finish the next day. This is great if you are short on time.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
As this is a water based paint, it has a low percentage of solid content (approximately 35%) resulting in less durability than other products on this list. As paint is thinner it is not suitable for vertical surfaces. The product comes with a limited warranty, which should be checked before purchase.
PROS
- Quick and easy to mix and apply
- Great protection against wear and tear, stains, and spillage
- Flexible application time
- Attractive finish
- Hardens quickly, within 8 to 24 hours
CONS
- Not for use on vertical surfaces
- Limited warranty
Conclusion
The decision to use epoxy on your garage floor, is not one to take lightly. Prepping and application can be time-consuming. That is why we recommend Epoxy Floor Kit – Epoxy-Coat Full Kit Clear. Although it is expensive, it is a quality product. The kit contains everything that you need, to do a thorough job and to have a garage floor that will be the envy of everyone. The lifetime warranty means that you will not need a new floor in ten years. It is a one time expense that is well worth the hefty price tag.
