Homeowners tend to question themselves about what kind of sealer to use on epoxy garage floor. They desire one that is long-lasting and works well. Epoxy is strong and durable. It is even better when there is a good epoxy garage sealer.
It is resistant to wear, moisture, chemicals, and UV rays. The first one is selecting the appropriate product. This may involve putting up a new system or, after several years of use, putting down a new seal on your garage floor.
This guide is all about epoxy concrete sealers. You will know about resealing, waterproofing, prices, and the method of choosing the most suitable sealer for garage floors.
The Reasons Why You Should Have a Sealer on Epoxy Garage Floor
The garage floor is also sealed to provide a further protective layer on your epoxy coating. Whereas epoxy is hard, it is still capable of scratching, becoming dull, or wearing away with time due to:
- Hot tire pickup
- Oil and chemical spills
- Heavy vehicle traffic
- UV exposure
- Moisture intrusion
A quality epoxy garage floor sealer will make your finish last longer. It enhances durability and reduces the maintenance expenses over a period of time.
A proper sealant is essential in case there is sunlight, moisture, and rain in your garage.
What Kind of Sealer to be used on Epoxy Garage Floor?
The different sealers are not equal, and one can make a choice among the alternatives. Select appropriate garage sealer or epoxy depending on the usage, weather and finish required.
1. Polyurethane Sealer (Best Recommendation)
Polyurethane has been regarded as the more appropriate concrete sealer for the garage floor than epoxy. It provides:
- Very good scratch resistance
- Strong chemical protection
- UV stability (eliminates yellowing)
- Gloss or satin finish available
- Long-lasting durability
Polyurethane is often the best choice for homeowners asking about concrete sealers. It effectively protects garage floors.
It is a topcoat for cured epoxy. You can use it in residential garages or on concrete shop floors where durability matters.
2. Acrylic Sealer (Low-end Choice)
Acrylic sealers are less thick and cost less. They also dry fast and apply easily, thus being a favorite DIY option.
They might, however, have to be reapplied more often than polyurethane. Acrylic can be used as an entry-level sealer in the garage but may not perform well in heavy vehicle traffic over the long term.
3. Additional Epoxy Topcoat
Other homeowners put on top of the garage floor another thin layer of epoxy garage floor sealer rather than shifting to polyurethane.
Although this enhances thickness, it might not be offering the same UV resistance. Yellowing may take place with time, in case your garage is exposed to direct sunlight.
Epoxy Sealers for Concrete vs. Penetrating Sealers
There is often confusion between epoxy sealers for concrete and penetrating concrete sealers.
- Epoxy sealers for concrete form a protective film on the surface.
- Penetrating sealers soak into bare concrete and don’t create a top layer.
If your floor already has epoxy, you must use a compatible film-forming epoxy garage sealer. Penetrating sealers are only used on bare concrete surfaces.
Epoxy Over Sealed Concrete: Important Considerations
If you plan on applying epoxy over sealed concrete, surface preparation is critical. Epoxy does not bond properly to certain sealers.
Before installing epoxy over sealed concrete, you may need to:
- Grind the surface
- Remove old sealers
- Perform adhesion testing
Skipping preparation can cause peeling or delamination later.
Sealing the Garage Floor: Basic Process
If you’re sealing the garage floor yourself, proper preparation ensures long-lasting results.
- Clean and degrease the surface thoroughly.
- Lightly sand or abrade the existing epoxy.
- Vacuum and wipe clean.
- Apply the epoxy garage floor sealer evenly.
- Allow proper curing time before driving on it.
A properly sealed garage floor should feel smooth, glossy (if desired), and resistant to stains and moisture.
Waterproofing Garage Floor
There is great interest by many homeowners in garage floor surface waterproofing. Any coating is capable of withstanding large-scale flooding. Still, an installed epoxy finish with polyurethane significantly reduces water infiltration.
Good crack repair and drainage are effective in waterproofing the systems of the garage floor. In case you are concerned with moisture, then you should have a professional inspect the surface before applying any garage cement seal product.
Cost to Seal Concrete Garage Floor
The cost to seal concrete garage floor depends on several factors:
- Garage size
- Surface condition
- Type of sealer used
- DIY vs professional installation
On average:
- DIY sealing materials: $0.50–$2.50 per square foot
- Professional installation: $3–$7 per square foot
If grinding, crack repair, or moisture mitigation is needed, the total cost may increase.
Although DIY may seem cheaper, improper preparation often leads to early failure and the need for how to reseal garage floor repairs sooner than expected.
How to Reseal Garage Floor
Over time, even the best concrete garage floor sealers will show wear. Signs that you need to reseal include:
- Dull appearance
- Surface scratches
- Water no longer beading
- Visible wear patterns
To reseal:
- Clean thoroughly.
- Lightly abrade the surface.
- Apply a new compatible epoxy garage sealer layer.
Resealing typically needs to be done every 3–5 years depending on traffic levels.
Best Concrete Sealer for Garage: What to Look For
When selecting the best concrete sealer for garage protection, consider:
- Traffic load
- Climate conditions
- UV exposure
- Chemical exposure
- Desired finish
For most residential needs, polyurethane over epoxy remains the best concrete sealer for garage floor durability and appearance.
If your space functions more like a workshop, a heavy-duty concrete shop floor sealer system is recommended for extra chemical resistance.
Sealing the Garage Floor vs Bare Concrete Sealing
If you’re working with bare concrete instead of epoxy, concrete garage floor sealers differ from epoxy garage floor sealer products.
Bare concrete requires proper preparation and moisture testing before sealing. Once sealed, future epoxy installation may require grinding if you decide to upgrade.
Choosing the Right Professional
While many homeowners attempt sealing the garage floor themselves, professional installation ensures:
- Proper surface preparation
- Correct product selection
- Even application
- Long-term durability
Monarch Epoxy and Coatings can assist you in case you are a homeowner in Florida and require an epoxy garage sealer. It is also waterproof, durable as well as long-lasting. The company will remodel and install the durable sealed garage floor systems. They are designed to accommodate the arduous Florida weather. You can contact us now.
Conclusion
What kind of sealer to use on epoxy garage floor?
Polyurethane coating is the best topcoat that can be applied on concrete garage floors. It possesses a high level of endurance and UV protection. Acrylic suits lighter use. Epoxy garage floor sealers are superior in the instance of high traffic.
The good preparation should be considered to waterproof your garage floor, seal it or seal it later.
To be successful, it is necessary to choose an efficient epoxy sealer. Sealed garage floor is very appealing and will pay back in the long run.
FAQs
What is the best sealer on epoxy garage floors?
The uppermost coating is typically polyurethane. It is more sturdy and less likely to scratch, as well as less exposed to UV rays compared to acrylic.
Which is the most appropriate concrete sealer of the garage floor?
In the case of epoxy covered floors, polyurethane can be considered the most suitable concrete sealer to cover the garage floor.
Is it possible to use sealed concrete over epoxy?
Sealed concrete that is epoxy overlaid must be well prepared. Of incompatible sealers can also be removed or ground to facilitate adhesion.
Should I reseal my garage floor?
Most of the sealed garage floor systems are supposed to undergo resealing after every 35 years of usage and wear.