Hello! My name is Shea Walker, chief editor and writer to All Garage Floors.
With over 30 years of combined experience within the construction and floor coating industry, my associates and I have created this website to help educate you, the consumer, about the many garage flooring options available today.
We do not sell garage flooring — that’s right! Our goal is to make All Garage Floors your first resource when investigating which type of garage flooring upgrade you would like to make.
We answer some of the more common (and uncommon) questions, as well as provide a useful place to explore and get some excellent garage flooring ideas.
There is no doubt that the information available on garage floor products or lack there of, can make choices difficult and sometimes confusing. This is especially true when it comes to sealers, epoxy, and floor coatings. Worst of all is the misinformation that is created due to marketing tactics, what your neighbor said was “the only way to go,” and the new guy who just started working at your local home improvement store.
Our objective is to clear up this confusion and misinformation in order for you to make a good decision about what is best for you and your project.
We also include many product reviews that you can’t find anywhere else. These reviews are much more in-depth and provide the kind of information and analysis that you can’t find on a manufacturer’s sales page. And because we don’t sell product, our reviews are much more objective since we don’t have a brand to push.
For those of you who possess some DIY skills (and even those who don’t), we do include many garage flooring tips, “How To” articles, and more.
About those ads….
Due to the time and expense of providing a quality website for our readers, we do have to create a source of revenue somewhere. As a result, we have advertising to help cover these costs. This also includes our wonderful sponsors who provide more options for our readers to find quality garage flooring product.
Lastly, we do earn commissions by participating in various affiliate programs. Because our reputation and credibility is important to us, we strive to only provide recommendations for product that fits the needs of the consumer.
We just want to be candid with our supportive audience as we work to provide a good experience when using our website.
So please enjoy our site and feel free to add any comments or questions below. Want to ask us something directly? You can contact us here.
Your right, this site is a good resource. It really helped my wife and I figure out what we wanted to do for our garage. It was much easier than searching around everywhere trying to figure things out. Roll out mats for the win!
Just wanted to give kudos for this site. I had been looking around trying to figure out what I wanted and only became more confused. After reading about the different types of epoxy floors I was able to make an informed decision and feel much better about my choice. Thanks again.
Thanks PJ, it’s our goal to try and inform our readers in order to eliminate all the confusion that is created with a garage floor covering. We are glad you found us of service.
I don’t often make comments on websites, but this one was a tremendous resource for me when I decided to hire someone to epoxy my garage floor. I was able to choose a company that didn’t try to feed me a line of nonsense in order to get my business because I knew what to ask about.
Love your site! This is the most garage flooring information that I’ve found in one spot. It’s been a big help for my husband and I trying to decide what to do.
Thanks!
Shea,
I want to do the 100% solid epoxy flooring for my garage. The area that I have is about 1,200sqft. I want to buy a VERY good product (high durability and longevity).
Hi David. I recommend you read this article about epoxy systems first. There are numerous quality epoxy products to choose from. You can start by contacting Legacy Industrial, Alpha Garage, Amorpoxy, or Epoxy-Coat to start.
This site has more information than any I’ve come across regarding garage floors. I particularly liked the detailed info about the different kind of garage floor coatings. It really helped me to decide what I wanted to do for my own floor.
Thanks…
You’re welcome Jack, I’m glad we could help.
Greate site. Very informative and easy to understand. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Ali, we appreciate that.
Very informative site. I have a garage floor with chips/cracks, old paint and glue, and multiple concrete pours (e.g., for a garage extension and filling in a sewer line trench). I’m wondering whether there’s a relatively simple way to just smooth it out a bit and clean it up somewhat. I’m not looking for a perfectly even finish or to fill in the cracks. Is there an easy way to do a light grind/sanding that I can leave unfinished? I don’t want to add any additional coating or material on top – I just want to leave it unfinished. Appreciate any recommendations.
Hello David and thanks for the visit. Yes, you can grind your garage floor to rid yourself of the old paint, glue, and to smooth the surface out between the different pours. We would recommend renting a 10″ grinder like this one to get a job like that done. Keep in mind that by grinding you will open up the pores in your concrete inviting all kinds of soaked in stains and dirt. You really should apply at least a penetrating sealer to the floor to keep it from staining so easily. The cost to grind the floor is less than the sealer.
Thanks, Shea. Very helpful. Could someone like me, who knows nothing about this, do the grinding myself in a day? Or am I better off with a profesional?
You should be able to grind a standard 2-car garage in a few hours or so with that type of grinder. It’s not hard to do once you get the hang of the machine. If you have someone else do it for you, they will charge a minimum of $1 a square foot.
I am building a new home. What kind of protection would you recommend on new concrete, epoxy, poly, or?
Hello Steve, we are assuming you are referring to your garage floor? If so, you have many options. The best value in the long run is to apply a multi coat epoxy floor system with a polyurethane or polyaspartic top coat. This type of floor coating will last 20 years or more with little maintenance other than cleaning. Scuffing up the top coat once every 8 to 10 years and applying another coat of clear makes it look brand new again.
Hi Shea,
I’m preparing to paint the garage floor, however have some concerns that popped up. The floor is pavement – not cement. I was going to paint with RustOleum pavement epoxy paint. My issue is the following. I presently have some rubber mats along the 2 garage foundation edge & these sections have tracks of effloresces & in some of those areas the cement is granulating into powder. Is this occurring because of the rubber mats which do not allow the pavement & foundation to breathe? If this is the case, what will happen if I paint the floor & foundation edge with the sealer. please advise your thoughts, I can also send you a picture to clarify, thanks, Mike
Hello Mike. Since your floor is pavement/asphalt, we are assuming that the product you want to use by Rust-Oleum is their EpoxyShield Blacktop Coating as epoxy paint cannot be used on blacktop. Keep in mind this product is designed to be used on asphalt only. You don’t want to try and coat the concrete foundation edges with it.
You are correct about the rubber mats trapping moisture on the surface of the concrete and causing the efflorescence. We recommend applying a mild acid etch to the concrete to clean up the efflorescence. After that, seal the concrete with a penetrating sealer. This will stop the efflorescence and concrete dusting that you are experiencing.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by all the information on your site. It’s hard to find data on garage flooring that is not printed on a sales page. You are right about the home improvement sales people. I got some bum advice before from someone who thought they were being helpful.
Where can I get high quality industrial strength epoxy for my 400sf garage? I want to do it myself because most places are asking for 1500-2400. I don’t want the crap HD sells either.
Thanks
Marc
Hello Marc. There are many sources available. Legacy Industrial, The Epoxy Super Store, Armor Garage, and Epoxy-Coat to name a few. Your local Sherwin Williams has product as well, but they don’t sell their commercial products to the public. The key is to find a company with good customer service who can advise you and help you with any questions that you have. We know from experience that Legacy Industrial is very good with that for example.
We suggest you read this post about choosing the best epoxy system as well as this one about epoxy floor application. The links in both should provide you with enough information to help you with your project.
Hi Shea,
Your site is fantastic. It’s an AMAZING resource and the level manner in which it presents things is brilliant! I feel like I’m not being steered in any particular direction, but am getting everything laid out in front for my own digestion as it pertains to my personal situation. Thank you!
Question: I’m considering porcelain tile after reading your website. But I have an old DIY epoxy coating I used 10 years ago on the floor. It’s lifting in enough spots that I started looking at what my options were and came to find your site. My question is: Does the previously installed epoxy coating have to be removed for proper installation of the tile? I am worried the epoxy may prevent the tile/thinset from sticking to the garage floor, resulting in random tiles popping loose? Thanks and keep up the great work!
Wow, thanks for the great comments Stan. We’ve worked hard to try and provide a site that gives good info on the various garage floor options. We are glad you like it.
As far as your question goes you are right on the money on all counts. Your tile will only adhere as well as the surface it is attached to. Your best bet is to remove the inferior epoxy to get down to the bare cement. Don’t worry if there are some small stubborn patches that don’t want to come all the way up. If it doesn’t want to be removed via grinding it wont come up with thinset.
I want to make my garage into a family room–can I use Polymeric sand to make the floor at the garage door opening a little higher so the rain/water does not come into my new family room. I wanted to use the Polymeric to raise the level of the floor so it not sloping towards the garage doors. Can I do this myself–I am trying to keep the cost down on this project, Thanks for your help–this is a great site for information.
Hi Mary Ellen. Polymeric sand is used outdoors to fill the joints between pavers, it is not a concrete substitute or floor leveling compound. What you need is polymer modified self leveling concrete. You would need to build forms at the opening of the garage first to contain the self leveling compound in order to level out the floor. It’s possible to do yourself, but keep in mind that many counties require a permit before turning a garage into an enclosed living space.
Hi Shea,
My compliments on your site. Very informative. I had epoxy coating applied to my garage floor 2 years ago. It still looks great, but I can see a couple of hair-line cracks. Is this typical? Can they be repaired? I haven’t contacted the company yet. I thought it would be good to have resonable expectations by doing a little research first.
Thanks much!
Hello Bev and thanks for the compliment. It’s hard to give advice about epoxy cracking without knowing what kind of system you have and what is underneath the epoxy crack. Generally epoxy will not develop cracks unless it was applied over an existing crack or crack repair that has expanded or moved. If the cracks are along a contraction joint then this makes sense. Concrete can move while the epoxy cannot. If the concrete has developed a crack underneath then it will cause the epoxy to crack. The good news is that epoxy can easily be repaired for what you describe. The question however is what caused it? We recommend contacting the company to have them take a look.
My garage floor is asphalt and it is porous please advise what to use can I use the epoxy for asphalt floor? looking forward for your advise
Hi Wen. Unfortunately epoxy will not adhere to asphalt. However, Rust-Oleum does make an acrylic asphalt sealer that will renew the look of the floor and seal it at the same time. You can find more information on it here. You can find reviews for it and purchase it from Amazon here
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Thanks so much for this site. This information is very hard to find. I feel better about the decision I made.
Great web site Shea. Thanks for talking about our products. I just took a call from Bev in NC. She purchased based on your info. How can I thank you more?
New # 850-332-6150 in Pensacola, FL
Thanks for the kudos Tamryn.
I live in Houston, Texas, do you have a list of recommended professional installer’s (I am looking to get a premium multi-coat epoxy system.)
Hi Cedric. Unfortunately we don’t have a list of recommended installers, but thanks for checking with us.
Was looking for some advice… I have a garage that is on an incline and I experienced some slipping, while backing in, after a storm recently. Any ideas on a non-permanent solution to increase the grip. Appreciate any info you cam an give. Thx
Hi Eliu. We would recommend a DryMate garage floor mat. They are available in sizes to fit your vehicle and will prevent the slippage you are experiencing. You can use it in the winter time and store it away for the rest of the year. They absorb quite a bit of water and should not slip when driven on. A cheap option, though somewhat messy, would be to broadcast clean sand over the area you drive on. The sand will provide grip for the tires.
This really is a brilliant site. You guys have helped clear up so many conflicting and confusing issues with epoxy flooring !
Thanks Barbie, that’s our goal! We are glad it has helped you.
Thanks for the info, great website. My issue now is just finding a place to buy the garage tile I want! I cannot seem to locate a place that sells what I’m looking for.
I just want porcelain tiles, pure white/black/red for a racecar style garage. I would prefer flat shiny tiles of even size. But I’m totally failing to locate a place that sells what I’m going for. Any suggestions?
The type of tile you are describing is rectified porcelain tile Edwin. Those color combinations would look sharp in a garage. A problem may be the red tile however. You don’t see that color very often and it’s not going to be cheap. We suggest that you go visit some stores in your area that specialize in floor tile and tell them what you are looking for. One of them should be able to find a manufacturer for you or point you in the right direction. It will take a little bit of work, but you should get the answers you are looking for.
Hello,
I am an art teacher for K-6th. I was given a large baggie of these “Color flakes” from a family that just finished their garage floor, thinking I might be able to use them in the classroom. However, I have a few questions.
First, are they non-toxic? Are they safe for my kids to use? Does it require a mask when using them?
Second, how might I use them and how to apply them?
Thank you for your help.
Kim
Hello Kim. Color flakes are made of an acrylic vinyl resin. There are not any toxic chemicals in the flakes, but as with most product of this nature it’s always good to refer to the MSDS sheets. Here is an example of an MSDS sheet from Torginol who is one of the largest manufacturers of color flakes. One thing to consider is that there is always a very fine dust in the container of flakes that may cause a small percentage of people to develop a little skin irritation.
The flakes can be used in a variety of ways. They are typically placed on paint, coatings, glue, or any other type of medium that will allow them to stick. It’s really up to your imagination how you could put them to use. Think of them as the much larger brother of glitter.
Where are you based? I see pictures of cars with Utah license plates.
We are not a brick and mortar business, Doug. All Garage Floors is an informational website only. The license plates you may see in images are from all over the U.S.
Good, informative website.
We have a concrete entryway that is about 8′ by 17′ with a rise of about 8″ in the 8′ direction. We would like to have a durable non-slip decorative treatment, and your products look appealing. Can you refer me to someone in the Pasadena, CA area who could give me an estimate?
Hello Ward. Just to avoid any confusion, we do not sell or manufacture product. We are an informational website only. Regarding installers, we are not familiar with anyone in the Pasadena area. What we would recommend is doing an internet search with terms “concrete coating companies Pasadena” or “garage floor coatings Pasadena”. This article here discusses how to choose a good contractor.