Are garage floors typically sealed?

Author: Sierra Grady  |  Last update: Monday, November 6, 2023

Because garage floors are protected from outdoor elements, they don't generally need sealed as often as a concrete driveway. However, most garage floors are made from concrete, making them susceptible to cracking and moisture intrusion from oil spills, antifreeze leakage, and other household chemicals.

Does garage concrete need to be sealed?

They carry the weight of the vehicles and all other stored items in the garage. They are exposed to spilled oil, chemicals, and grease. They take abuse from falling tools. For these reasons professional concrete contractors recommend sealing concrete garage floors.

How often should you reseal your garage floor?

Topcoat & Sealer Maintenance

Acrylic sealers should be resealed every one to three years depending on the solids content. Acrylic urethane sealers should be reapplied every four to seven years. Once the sealer thickness is below two dry mils, a resealing is recommended in order to protect your garage floor coating.

Should garage floors be sealed?

Garages Are Not Just for Cars

Whether you're interested in protecting the garage floor against staining, pitting, crumbling, cracking, dusting, wicking water, or searching for a solution to high humidity levels and mold growth, the most important thing you can do is to seal it with the best penetrating concrete sealer.

What happens if you don't seal concrete floors?

An unsealed concrete floor is going to be more reactive and sensitive to changes in temperature. It will freeze in cold climates and expand in warm ones. This can cause crumbling, chipping, and cracking.

New Garage Floors for $100 dollars Eagle Gloss Sealer

Is it worth sealing a concrete floor?

Sealing your concrete floors prevents damage – no matter how regularly your floors are used. So, if you want to ensure your concrete floors look and stay great for longer, sealing them is definitely a wise choice.

Does sealing garage floor have resale value?

An attractive and expertly finished garage floor can greatly improve the aesthetics of your home's interior and add to the overall appeal. It not only increases the functionality of your property but also maximizes the resale value when you decide to sell your home someday down the road.

Should I seal or epoxy my garage floor?

Epoxy and urethane coatings tend to be more expensive than a simple concrete sealer, but they offer better protection.

Can water seep through concrete garage floor?

So, if the soil around or under your foundation is saturated with water, there could be tens of thousands of pounds of pressure pushing against your walls or slab. Concrete is already a porous material. This means that water could find its way through your concrete by itself.

How long does garage floor sealer last?

Acrylic Concrete Sealers: Acrylic sealers last 1-3 years before they need to be re-coated. Epoxy Coatings: Epoxy coatings last 5-10 years before they need to be re-coated. Urethane Coatings: Urethane coatings last 5-10 years before they need to be re-coated.

How long does a garage floor last?

Durable, Eco-Friendly Floors

Typically, epoxy floors last between 10 and 20 years; much longer than a painted concrete floor, which will chip and wear quickly in high-traffic areas.

Is it OK to not seal concrete?

Concrete should be sealed to protect from mold and mildew.

Because concrete is a porous material, it has a tendency to absorb moisture. When this moisture doesn't dry and the surface is left wet for an extended period of time, mildew begins to form and mold begins to grow.

What is the cheapest way to seal a concrete garage floor?

Acrylics and epoxy topical sealants are the least expensive, but do require prep work. They aren't as durable and long-lasting as penetrating sealants.

What is the best sealer for a garage floor?

Top 5 Garage Floor Coatings
  • Best Overall: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Kit.
  • Best Garage Floor Paint: KILZ One-Part Epoxy Acrylic Garage Floor Paint.
  • Best Epoxy Floor Coating: Colored Epoxies 1002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating.
  • Best Concrete Sealer: Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer.

What is the downside to epoxy garage?

5 Drawbacks of Having an Epoxy Garage Floor
  1. Temporary Solution. The biggest drawback of using epoxy for your garage floor is that it is a temporary solution. ...
  2. Easily Cracks and Chip. ...
  3. Very Slippery. ...
  4. Difficult To Install. ...
  5. Discoloration. ...
  6. Learn More About Alternatives to an Epoxy Garage Floor.

Does epoxy garage floor increase home value?

An epoxy garage floor can increase a home's value by up to $8 per square foot. That's a lot of money considering that an epoxy floor is a relatively fast and inexpensive upgrade.

What are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring?

Disadvantages epoxy floor
  • Epoxy floors are hard and therefore there is contact noise during walking. ...
  • Without underfloor heating an epoxy floor feels somewhat cold, similar to tiled floors.
  • If there are unevennesses or cracks in the substrate, ripples can become visible in the floor.

Why do people coat their garage floor?

Other than concrete dust, it also helps to keep the surface itself clean. Liquid spills from a vehicle that can stain concrete will be much easier to clean off from a coated surface. A coated garage floor is significantly easier to clean, helping maintenance be a much simpler process.

What garage floor coating lasts the longest?

Polyaspartic Floor Coatings

These floor coatings come with a lifetime warranty because that's how long they're expected to last you. Polyaspartic floor coatings are very damage resistant and strong. They won't chip, there won't be any hot-tire pick up, they're resistant to abrasion.

What is the most cost effective way to finish a garage floor?

Floor Paint for Garage Floor Coating

Floor paint is available in a variety of colors, so you can choose one that matches your garage's decor. It is also easy to apply; simply brush it on the floor and wait for it to dry. Floor paint is probably the least expensive garage floor coating.

What are the pros and cons of sealing concrete?

Advantages
  • It improves the appearance of the concrete driveway. ...
  • It's easy to DIY. ...
  • It improves the concrete's stain-resistance. ...
  • It protects it from sunlight and moisture. ...
  • It extends the life of the concrete. ...
  • Sealed concretes are easy to maintain. ...
  • It makes the concrete slippery. ...
  • You get exposed to harsh chemicals.

Does sealing concrete change the look?

Solvent base sealers tend to over darken concrete stain, looking as it does when saturated wet with water. Water base sealers such as Clear Shield, makes the concrete look as it does when damp with water, not saturated wet but not dry either.

Does sealing concrete keep it from cracking?

Can Sealing Prevent Cracks on Concrete Surfaces? Concrete sealing can stop most types of concrete fractures. This fact is especially true if the crack is a result of poor-quality work in the concrete mix or site preparation. However, sealing can prevent future damage that may start from the top layer of the concrete.

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