Several coating materials can be used to coat garage floors. Commonly four basic types of materials are used to coat concrete garage floors. These materials include:

o Epoxy
o Polyurethane
o Acrylic Sealer/Stain
o Latex

Epoxy

It is widely used as floor coating. It is very resistant to chemical but gets yellow and less glossy upon long exposures to direct sunlight. It forms hard long lasting surface and binds strongly with concrete surface. It is available in solvent or water based formulations with ratio of 1 part or 2 parts. It should be applied between temperature ranges of from 60 to 80 degrees in less humid environment. Epoxy will get dry in few hours if it is applied in high temperature range. But you have to wait for several days to get hard enough for vehicle traffic. Curing time can be reduced by increasing application temperature to 90 degrees. Major problems which occur during application are bubbling, blush and color streaking. Air trapped with nap roller causes bubbling while other contaminants of flooring material and moisture results in color streaks. Blushes are formed as white greasy or waxy layer. They are formed due to reaction between atmosphere moisture and hardening material. If garage is extensively used you need to recoat after every 3 to 5 years.

Polyurethane

It is bit expensive coating material than all other materials. It is more resistant to chemicals as compared to epoxy and does not get fade too much upon exposure to sunlight. It is highly durable and gives fine glossy finish. But it is not suggested to directly use on concrete flooring. It can only bind properly when applied over primer coat of epoxy. It is used as protective coating and creates special effect. Besides its expensive cost one can use if he/she wants traditional look.

Acrylic Sealer/Acid Stain

Acrylic Sealer/acid stain adds unique and expressive finish in multiple tones and colors. You can recreate the appearance of your stone flooring. It will give you chance to experiment and diverse patterns and designs. Acid stains are translucent and make design with blemishes of concrete flooring. It is not a coating it chemically reacts with floor. That's why floor must be free of contaminants. It is kind of permanent finish and needs additional protective coating with acrylic sealer. This protective coating can be damaged with exposure to sun light and dragging of heavy objects across the floor surface. Sealer needs protective waxing one or more than one time in order to maintain its proper look.

Latex

It is least expensive material among all other coating materials. It is a synthetic polymer that resembles to latex obtained from rubber tree. There are many misconceptions that it is not a good floor coating material. It can be a good option of floor coating material. Performance mainly depends on the formulation of paint.