If you have owned your home for a while, or maybe just purchased yourself an older home, you may have noticed some cracking in the garage flooring. This is completely natural, but fixing it can be a hassle. You have seen the DIY videos on television about sealing your garage floor, but how easy is it and where do you even get garage floor sealer?
Garage floor sealer can also go by the names “garage floor coating” and “garage floor epoxy”. So as you do your search online or in-store, be aware of those different names. Garage floor sealer comes in a variety of options as well. You can get a showroom quality finish sealer, acrylic sealer, or even a simple concrete seal. Depending on how you plan to use your garage that should determine the surface you choose. If you are planning on storing boxes, tools, and possibly a car, there is no point in paying the high price of showroom quality sealant. If you actually plan on storing your rebuilt 1950’s ford, then perhaps a showroom quality garage floor sealer would be perfect for you. Many garage floor sealers even come in different colors, though the primarily colors available are white, gray, and a particle finish.
Some garage floor sealers come with a primer and final sealer, while others are an all-in-one. Depending on the condition your garage floor is in, you may need to do the separate two steps. Garages with heavy cracking or oil stains will need to use the primer/degreaser option first, prior to doing the final coat. May garage floor sealers range anywhere from $20.00 to over $100.00. This depends a lot on brand name, type of sealer, and ease of use. Some of the best brands to look for when it comes to garage floor sealers are Valspar, Quikrete, Weatherbeater, and even Rustoleum. These are all high-quality products that have product warranties as well. Many of these manufacturers also have detailed instructions on their website for those of us new to garage floor sealing DIY projects.
You can buy garage floor sealers in just about any hardware store. Visit your local ACE, Sears, or even Lowe’s for a garage floor sealer. Many of these retailers will have team members trained on these products and they are there to educate you on the type you will need for your particular flooring issue. Just remember that you always have the option to purchase your sealant online as well. After you visit the store and receive some helpful tips, take a look online at stores like Amazon, EBay, or even JC Whitney to see if you can find a better deal. Always factor in the cost of shipping and the time it will take to arrive. Sometimes shipping can make the final price similar to that in the store. If you are looking to seal your floor the next day, then saving $5.00 may not really be worth it if you have to wait a week to receive your product.
Sealing your own garage floor is relatively simple and finding a quality garage floor sealer could never be easier. Always read reviews on products online for DIY users who have purchased and tried out the products. Often times they can have tips that even the hardware store staff will not know. After all, if you use the product you can encounter situations that are always good to share tips on. If you end up sealing your garage floor and realize you don’t like the finish, do not worry because you can always place a different sealer over it. Always search for a quality product, but more so garage floors finish that is right for the use of your garage floor. In the end, you will be the one that walks, drives, and stores on it.