Get matched with top epoxy flooring pros in Salcha, AK

Whether it's better to stain or paint concrete depends on your budget, desired aesthetic, and DIY skill level. Generally, staining is a more durable option because the stain soaks into the concrete's surface and won't wear away like a topical paint coating. Painting concrete can trap moisture underneath the paint layer, which may cause the concrete to deteriorate over time. However, concrete paint offers a wider variety of colors, is typically easier and less expensive to apply, and is effective at covering up existing stains or blemishes on the surface.

Exterior paint finishes come in a variety of options, but for concrete, your best bet is to go with an eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss latex paint. All three options are more durable than matte finishes and should help hide imperfections on your home’s concrete surface.

Generally speaking, epoxy is the best garage floor coating. There are two main types of garage floor coating you can consider: epoxy and polyaspartic. Epoxy coating comes at a more affordable price but loses when it comes to durability and long-term use. Polyaspartic coatings cost more and don’t offer as much traction, but they withstand accidents better and don’t tend to fade. Most homeowners choose an epoxy coating.

Epoxy coatings for garage floors offer a variety of finish and design options, including:

• Decorative colored flakes: $10 per 250-pound bag

• Metallic epoxy: $5–$12 per square foot

• Rock or stone epoxy: $100 per gallon

• Acrylic and poly-acrylic sealants: $0.85–$1.15 per square foot

• Polyurethane sealant: $0.95–$1.10 per square foot

• Polyurea sealant: $150 per gallon