Garage Floor Coatings That Are Built to Take a Beating—And Still Look Good Doing It

Serving Springfield & all of Central Illinois. Installed by me—TJ. No shortcuts. No sales pitch. Just floors that last.

Springfield | Decatur | Champaign | Urbana | Mattoon | Shelbyville | Clinton | Lincoln | Arcola | St. Joseph

Charleston | Sullivan | Monticello | Arthur | Tolono | Rochester | Forsyth | Mahomet | Tuscola | Taylorville

Why Most Garage Floors Fail

Here’s the truth—most garage floors fail because they were never installed right in the first place. I see it all the time around Springfield and Central Illinois: flaking paint, hot tire pickup, peeling corners, yellowing topcoats, and concrete that’s been wrecked by road salt, oil, or just time. And in almost every case, the root problem is the same— bad prep or cheap materials.

You know those epoxy kits you can buy at the hardware store? They look good on the box, but they don’t bond deep into the concrete, and they don’t hold up when the Midwest weather kicks in. They’re water-based, low-solids coatings—basically glorified paint. Same goes for a lot of the fast-talking installers who blow through town offering “garage floor coatings” for cheap. They skip the prep, roll on thin layers, and vanish before the first tire mark shows up.

Here in Central IL, your concrete takes a beating year-round— freeze/thaw cycles, salt from winter roads, moisture from the ground, hot tires in the summer. If your coating isn’t properly bonded, it’s going to fail. That’s why prep is everything. That’s why I grind every floor with industrial equipment, repair every crack, and build a system designed to stick with you for the long haul—not just the first few months.

So if you’ve had a coating fail on you before—don’t blame yourself. Blame the shortcuts.

And if you’re thinking about getting it done right this time? That’s where I come in.

How I Install Garage Floor Coatings

I don’t believe in cutting corners, and I don’t believe in “good enough.” Every garage floor I install—from Springfield to Decatur to Champaign—gets the full process, every time. That’s how you get a floor that actually sticks, looks good, and holds up under hot tires, tools, salt, and spills.

Here's how I install our signature flake epoxy/polyaspartic hybrid system:

1. Mechanical

Surface Prep

First thing I do is grind the concrete with a commercial diamond grinder. Not some rental machine—this is pro-grade equipment. It removes old paint, sealers, or stains and opens up the pores of the concrete so the coating bonds deep, not just on the surface.

2. Crack &

Surface Repair

If your slab has cracks, pits, or spalling (that flaky stuff), I fix it before anything goes down. I use industrial repair products—not caulk from a hardware store. If it’s not fixed right, the coating will crack right along with it.

3. 100% Solids

Epoxy Base Coat

This is the foundation. I use high-build, 100% solids epoxy—not that watery, thin stuff. It bonds tight to the concrete and soaks in deep. That’s what keeps it from peeling under pressure or moisture.

4. Full-Broadcast

Flake Layer

I broadcast decorative vinyl flakes across the whole floor—not a light sprinkle, but a full broadcast. That gives you texture for slip resistance, hides minor surface imperfections, and gives the floor a bold, finished look. I’ve got dozens of flake blends you can pick from.

5. UV-Stable Polyaspartic Topcoat

This is the top layer—the armor. I finish with a polyaspartic clear coat that seals the flakes and protects against UV rays, chemicals, salt, and hot tire pickup. It cures fast, stays glossy, and won’t yellow in the sun.

6. Optional Grip Additives

Want extra slip protection? I can add a traction additive to the topcoat to give you more grip without making the floor rough. Great for gym areas or homes with kids and pets.

The end result?

A garage floor that looks incredible, cleans up easy, and holds strong through years of real use—not just the first season.

Garage Floor Coating

Systems I Install

Flake Epoxy System (Most Popular)

This is the go-to. I start with a 100% solids epoxy base coat that bonds deep into the slab, then apply a full broadcast of vinyl flakes for strength, texture, and a sharp finish. I top it off with a

UV-stable polyaspartic clear coat to seal it in and protect against wear, chemicals, and sun exposure.

✔ Looks great

✔ Cleans easy

✔ Handles hot tires, salt, and oil

✔ Comes in dozens of flake blends


This is what 90% of my customers choose—and for good reason. It works.

Solid Color Epoxy System

Want a clean, no-flake look? I also offer solid color epoxy floors in garages. Same prep, same epoxy base, just without the flake layer. I finish it with either a clear polyaspartic topcoat

for gloss and protection or a tinted topcoat to match the color all the way through. These are great if you want something sleek, minimal, and super easy to clean.


✔ No flakes

✔ Seamless and smooth

✔ Easy to sweep and mop

✔ Can be satin or high-gloss

Not everyone wants flakes—and that’s cool. I’ve got solid color floors down to a science.

Garage Floor Coating

Systems You Should Avoid


🚫 Epoxy Paint (DIY Kits)

This stuff is everywhere—and it’s junk. Most kits are water-based and don’t bond worth a damn. They go down thin, wear out fast, and can peel under tires within months.

If you’ve tried this before and it failed, it wasn’t your fault. These coatings just aren’t made for real garage use.

🚫 Polyaspartic-Only Floors

Polyaspartic is awesome—as a topcoat, not a base. Some companies skip epoxy and go straight to polyaspartic for speed. The problem?

It doesn’t bond as well to concrete, especially in variable Midwest temperatures.

I won’t put this in your garage because I don’t want to come back and rip it out next year.

🚫 Grind & Seal

This is a basic system—grind the floor and seal it with an acrylic or poly finish. Looks nice, but it’s not built for tire traffic, spills, or heavy use.

Maybe fine for a basement man cave or patio. Not for a working garage.

What Makes My Garage Floors Different

You’ve got options when it comes to garage floor coatings in Springfield—but not all installers are created equal. Here’s what sets Miller’s Epoxy Solutions apart from the big box crews, fly-by-nighters, and cut-rate contractors.

  • I Do the Work Myself—Start to Finish

    When you hire me, you get me—TJ Miller. I’m not sending out some crew of random guys you’ve never met, and I’m not outsourcing your project to whoever’s available that week. I’m the one grinding the floor, repairing the slab, mixing every batch of epoxy, broadcasting the flakes, and sealing the final coat.

    I do it this way because I care about the result. This isn’t just a paycheck to me— it’s a reflection of my name, my reputation, and my craft. When I finish a job, I want you to stand on that floor and say, “Damn, this looks solid.”

    And that only happens when I’m hands-on from start to finish.

  • No Cheap Products, No Corner-Cutting

    I don’t believe in “good enough.” I don’t use water-based epoxies, low-solids coatings, or the cheap stuff that starts peeling when the seasons change. Everything I install is high-build, commercial-grade material designed to handle real wear and tear.


    That means 100% solids epoxy base coats for deep concrete bonding, full-broadcast flake systems for strength and traction, and UV-stable polyaspartic topcoats that won’t fade, yellow, or lift under hot tires. No thinned-out kits. No shortcuts. No compromises.

    It costs a little more, sure. But it lasts. That’s the difference.

  • Every Floor Is Built for Illinois Conditions

    We live in a part of the country where your concrete takes a beating— snow and salt in the winter, heat and humidity in the summer, and everything in between. Those freeze-thaw cycles can tear a slab apart if the coating isn’t bonded tight and built to flex with the concrete.

    That’s why I design every garage floor system to handle Central Illinois’s unique climate stress. From Springfield to Decatur to Champaign, I’ve seen what works and what fails. My coatings are resistant to moisture vapor, road salts, oil, gasoline, and hot tire pickup. They expand and contract with the slab instead of cracking and peeling like the cheap stuff.

    This isn’t a Florida system or a West Coast install. This is built for us. Right here.

    You Get a Real Warranty—Backed by Real Prep

    When I say 15-year warranty, I mean it. This isn’t one of those vague, “limited” guarantees that disappears in the fine print. My warranty is written, clear, and personal. And the only reason I can offer it with confidence is because

    I do the prep right.

    Every floor starts with industrial diamond grinding to create the proper surface profile. I patch cracks, test for moisture, and make sure that slab is ready to hold onto the system I’m installing. That’s the part most people skip—and it’s exactly why their floors fail.

    And if something ever does go wrong? You’re not calling some customer service line in another state. You’re calling me, and I’ll be there to take care of it.

  • I Don’t Disappear After the Job

    Look—I’m local. I live in Central Illinois. This is my business, my community, and my name on the line. I’m not a franchise. I’m not a middleman. I’m not trying to install 10 floors a day with a crew that doesn't care.


    I install garage floor coatings because I like the work and I’m proud of what I do. My customers text me photos of their finished floors months later. Some call me back when they move into a new house. That’s the kind of relationship I want to build.


    So yeah, I’ll be here tomorrow, next year, and whenever you need me. I’m not just showing up for the paycheck—I’m showing up to make sure it’s

    done right.

Custom Options to Match Your Style

(and Your Space)

Just because I build tough floors doesn’t mean they can’t look good too. Whether you want something bold, clean, subtle, or totally custom—I’ve got you covered. Every floor I install is fully customizable, and I’ll walk you through the options so it fits your garage and your style.

This isn’t some catalog of overpriced upgrades—I’m here to build you a floor that makes sense,

looks great, and holds up

Solid Color Epoxy Flooring in residential garage

Pick Your Flake Blend

Solid Color Epoxy Flooring in residential garage

I’ve got dozens of flake blends to choose from—everything from classic grays and silvers to tans, earth tones, multi-color mixes, and bold designer looks. Want something to match your cabinets? Your car? Your favorite sports team? We can do that.

If you’re not sure what works, I’ll show you samples right in your garage so you can see how they’ll look in the actual light. This is your space—it should feel like it.

Solid Color Options (No Flakes? No Problem.)

Some folks don’t want flakes—and that’s totally fine. I install solid color epoxy floors

too. Clean, minimal, easy to sweep and mop. These are perfect for people who want a

sleek finish, maybe with a subtle satin or full-gloss topcoat.

Popular colors? Charcoal, light gray, beige, sand, slate blue, and custom tints. If you’ve got a vision, we’ll find the right match.

Gloss Level: Matte, Satin, or Glossy

Want a floor that pops under your garage lights? Or something a little more understated and practical? I can dial in the gloss level of your topcoat to suit the look and the way you use your garage.

High Gloss: Reflective, showroom shine

Satin: Balanced and clean without being too flashy

Matte: Lower sheen, hides dirt better for daily-use garages

Optional Slip Resistance

Got kids? Pets? Planning to use your garage as a home gym or workshop? I can add traction control to your topcoat to help reduce slip hazards without making the surface gritty or hard to clean. It’s subtle, but makes a big difference if safety is a concern.

Seamless Cove Base (Optional Upgrade)

Want your floor to roll right up the wall, like in a professional shop? I offer seamless cove base installation for garages that need easy washdowns or extra moisture control. It’s also a sharp look—adds a custom finish and makes cleaning up way easier.

Bottom line? This isn’t a cookie-cutter floor. I’ll help you build a custom garage floor that fits your life— and looks just as good as it performs.

What It Costs (And Why It’s Worth It)

Let’s talk about price—because I know that’s the first thing on your mind after “How long will it last?” The truth is, garage floor coatings aren’t cheap if they’re done right, but they’re also not the kind of thing you want to pay for twice.

I’m not the cheapest guy in Central Illinois and I’m not trying to be. I’m the one you call when you want the floor done once, done right, and built to hold up through everything Illinois throws at it.

Garage Floor Coating Ballpark Pricing

Most of the garage floors I install fall between $5.50 and $7.50 per square foot. That range depends on:

  • Size of the garage (1-car, 2-car, 3-car, etc.)

  • Condition of the concrete (cracks, pits, previous coatings to remove)

  • Custom upgrades (seamless cove base, specialty flakes, traction additives)

  • Moisture issues or slab damage that require extra prep work

For a typical 2-car garage, that usually means $2,400 to $3,500 all in.

If your floor’s in rough shape or you want premium options, it could be more. But I’ll never nickel-and-dime you. You’ll get a straight quote up front with everything included—no surprises, no upsells.

What You’re Really Paying For

You’re not just buying a floor coating, you’re paying for:

  • Industrial surface prep (the part that makes it last)

  • Top-tier epoxy, flake, and polyaspartic products

  • Custom color, gloss, and traction options

  • A 15-year written warranty you can actually count on

  • And me—TJ—personally installing your floor start to finish

I’ve never had a client say they regretted spending the money.

I’ve had plenty call me after trying to go cheap the first time.

There are cheaper options out there. DIY kits. Fly-by-night “installers” who vanish after the job. But those floors fail, and when they do, you’ll end up paying twice.

My Promise to you

Look, I know how hard it is to find someone you can trust to work on your home. I’ve been there myself, waiting around for contractors who ghost, dealing with rushed jobs, or wondering if the warranty actually means anything once they drive off.

That’s not how I operate.

When you hire Miller’s Epoxy Solutions, you’re hiring

me, TJ Miller. I’m the guy who shows up to your estimate, installs your floor, answers your calls, and stands behind the work. I’m not chasing big commercial jobs or trying to grow some massive crew. I just want to do really solid work for homeowners in Central Illinois who want something built to last.

Here’s what I promise:

  • I’ll show up when I say I will.

  • I’ll walk you through the process in plain English—no sales pitch.

  • I’ll give you a clear quote up front with zero hidden fees.

  • I’ll do the prep right, use the best products, and build the floor like I’m doing it for my own garage.

  • And if anything ever goes wrong, you call me—not a call center—and I’ll take care of it.

Honest work, fair pricing, and floors that hold up.

That’s the way I do business. Always have. Always will.

FAQs About Flake Epoxy Flooring

How long does the whole process take?

For a typical 2-car garage, it takes 1 to 2 days, depending on the condition of the concrete and the system you choose. I do the prep on day one, and if we’re using a fast-curing topcoat like polyaspartic, you can usually walk on it the next day.

When can I drive on it after installation?

Most floors are ready for light foot traffic in 24 hours, and vehicle traffic in 48 to 72 hours. I’ll let you know your exact timeline before I leave.

Is it slippery when wet?

Not if we do it right. I can add anti-slip traction additive to the topcoat that gives it grip without turning it into sandpaper. Great for home gyms, workshops, or households with kids and pets.

Can you coat over old paint or sealer?

No, but they are not a problem. I use an industrial grinder to remove old coatings, stains, or sealers before I apply anything new. Prep is what makes the coating stick.

Do I need to move everything out of the garage first?

Yep. The garage needs to be completely empty so I can grind and coat the entire surface properly. If you need help figuring that out, I’ve got some tips that’ll make it easier.

Will you fix cracks or pitting in the concrete?

Absolutely. I repair cracks, spalling, and minor surface damage as part of the job. If your floor needs heavier resurfacing, I’ll let you know up front.

What kind of warranty do you offer?

Every garage floor I install comes with a 15-year written warranty against delamination, peeling, and other failures. If something goes wrong—you call me, and I’ll make it right.

How do I clean the coated floor?

Just sweep or hose it off. For deeper cleaning, a mild soap and water does the trick. No waxing, resealing, or complicated upkeep needed.

Will hot tires ruin the coating?

Not mine. I use 100% solids epoxy with a polyaspartic topcoat—built specifically to resist hot tire pickup, which is a common problem with cheaper coatings.

Can you match colors to my cabinets or décor?

Definitely. I’ve got dozens of flake blends and solid color options to choose from. Want something that complements your cabinets, car, or workspace? We can make it happen.

Can you coat garage steps too?

Yep. I can coat concrete steps, curbs, or stem walls to match the floor so everything looks clean and seamless.

Do I need to reseal it every few years?

Nope. Once it’s done, it’s good to go for the long haul. No sealing, no touch-ups—just rinse it off when it’s dirty.

Will it stain from oil or chemicals?

Not if you clean it up within a reasonable time. The topcoat I use is chemical- and stain-resistant, designed for garages, shops, and real-world messes.

Do you install epoxy floors in basements too?

Yes—but garage coatings and basement coatings aren’t always the same. If you’re interested in basement work, just let me know and I’ll tell you the best system for the job.

What’s the difference between your floors and the kits at the hardware store?

About 10 years of lifespan. Store kits are water-based paint, thin, and weak. I use professional-grade, 100% solids epoxy and polyaspartic with real prep work.

What happens if moisture comes up through my concrete?

I test for moisture before I coat. If your floor has a vapor issue, I’ll use a moisture mitigation primer to prevent bubbling or failure.

Do you use subcontractors or salespeople?

Nope. When you call, you talk to me—TJ. When I show up, it’s me doing the work. No middlemen, no sales pitch, no guessing who’s at your house.

Can you do custom logos or designs in the floor?

Yes—for the right project. If you want to add a logo, stencil, or custom pattern, let’s talk. I’ll let you know what’s realistic and how it’ll hold up.

Can you coat garage floors in the winter?

I can work year-round as long as the garage is enclosed and temps stay above 40°F. Cold slows down cure times, but I’ve got systems that can handle it.

Are your coatings safe for pets and kids?

Once cured, yes. Everything I use is low-VOC, non-toxic after cure, and safe for families. During install, I keep the area ventilated and secure.

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