How Many Gallons of Epoxy Do I Need for my Garage Floor?

You have decided to upgrade your garage floor with an epoxy coating.  You have selected a color and have prepared your floor.  You are now ready to gather your tools and start applying epoxy to your garage floor.  But before you make a trip to your local industrial supply store and purchase the epoxy, you need to know how many gallons to buy.

The first step is to calculate the size of your garage.  Measure the widest and longest points of your garage, then multiply these two figures together to calculate the square footage of your garage.  If you have any nooks or other areas of significant size that extend beyond the rectangle that you just measured, measure these as well and add this square footage to your total.

Depending on the thickness of the application, one gallon of epoxy floor covering will cover between 300 and 500 square feet with one coat.  If the surface is highly porous and no primer is applied, the coverage could be less. 

For a typical one car garage, two gallons of epoxy should be more than enough for two coats after a primer has been applied.  Three gallons should cover the average two car garage, and five gallons will generally be needed for a three car garage.

As primers vary in purpose and coverage, please read the label on the primer you choose carefully to ensure proper application and coverage.  For clear top coats, the coverage per square foot is generally a little less than it is for epoxy - between 150 and 400 square feet per gallon.  However, only one coat is generally needed (unless you have large color flakes or a similar decorative treatment - to completely cover the flakes, two coats may be required).  As a general guide, plan to buy the same number of gallons of clear coat as you do of epoxy.

Remember that there are a variety of products on the market, and each product has slightly different specifications.  The condition of your floor and the climate in which you live can also have an effect on the amount of epoxy that your garage floor requires.  The quantities given above are a great starting point for planning and budgeting for your project.  Be sure to read the instructions and technical data sheet for your chosen product(s) carefully before purchasing a product or starting your project.

An epoxy garage floor coating will provide you with years of beauty and durability if it is properly applied.  Give your garage floor a well-applied epoxy coating today, and it will reward you with an attractive, rugged, and easy to maintain surface for years to come! 

Still have questions?  Unsure which or how much epoxy you should purchase?  Our professionals are here to help with all your epoxy coating needs!