What Is Better Than Epoxy Garage Floors?
“Epoxy floors are great… until they’re not.”
That’s what one of my customers told me after his DIY epoxy kit peeled up in less than a year. He had spent weekends prepping, painting, and sealing his garage floor, only to see hot tire marks and bare concrete showing through after one summer. Ouch.
Epoxy has been the go-to garage floor coating for years. And for good reason: it’s strong, durable, and looks sharp. But here’s the truth most people don’t realize — epoxy by itself isn’t always the best option.
The Limitations of Epoxy Alone
Even though epoxy is tough, as a stand-alone garage floor coating it has some weak spots.
Hot Tire Pickup
When you park your car after a drive, the heat from your tires can soften epoxy. Over time, you’ll notice black tire marks or even full chunks of coating lifting up.
UV Sensitivity
In Florida, if you leave your garage door open, the sun beats down. Standard epoxy can yellow or fade under UV rays, leaving your floor looking worn before its time.
Stains and Chemicals
Motor oil, brake fluid, or household cleaners can leave permanent stains. Epoxy isn’t always chemical resistant.
Short Lifespan
DIY kits or builder-grade installs may look nice at first, but they usually last 1–3 years. After that, it’s back to peeling, re-coating, and spending more money.
So, What’s Better Than Epoxy?
The answer: a system that combines epoxy with modern technology.
At Refresh Concrete Coatings, we install a 3-layer system that takes the strengths of epoxy and solves its weaknesses.
Epoxy Basecoat — Strong Foundation
We start with a 100% solids epoxy basecoat. It anchors deep into the concrete, but only after we diamond grind the surface for proper adhesion. This step eliminates the peeling problem.
Full-Broadcast Polymer Flakes — Strength + Style
We add a full layer of polymer flakes across the entire surface. These flakes aren’t just for looks — they create texture for slip resistance, add thickness, and hide imperfections.
Polyaspartic Topcoat — The Game Changer
This is where epoxy gets outperformed. A commercial-grade polyaspartic topcoat cures harder than epoxy, resists UV rays, doesn’t yellow, and is formulated to prevent hot tire pickup and stains.
Why Prep and Products Matter
Here’s the truth: even the best products will fail if installed poorly.
The Problem With Cheap Installers
We’ve been called out to countless new construction homes in Lakewood Ranch and Parrish where builders went with the cheapest flooring option. The installers skipped grinding, used watered-down epoxies, and left homeowners with peeling floors in less than a year.
Why DIY Usually Fails
Homeowners often grab a kit from a big-box store and rent a grinder. The issue? The kits are low-grade, water-based epoxies, and the grinders aren’t industrial strength. Without the right prep, failure is almost guaranteed.
The Refresh Difference
We diamond grind every floor, use 100% solids epoxy, and finish with a commercial-grade polyaspartic topcoat. This isn’t “just epoxy” — it’s a system designed to last 10–15 years.
The Bottom Line: The Best Garage Floor System
So, what’s better than epoxy garage floors?
👉 Epoxy reinforced with flakes and sealed with polyaspartic.
It’s stronger. It lasts longer. It resists peeling, hot tire pickup, stains, and UV yellowing. And when installed professionally with the right prep, it’s one of the best long-term investments you can make in your home.
If you’re considering upgrading your garage in Lakewood Ranch or Parrish, don’t settle for “just epoxy.” Get the system that’s designed to outperform it.
