If you want to paint a concrete floor, garage, basement, or driveway, you need the right concrete paint. Not all paints work well on concrete. The wrong paint can chip, peel, or fade in just a few months. But the best concrete paint will last for years, look great, and protect your floor from water, stains, and wear.
This guide will help you pick the right concrete paint for your needs. We’ll look at performance, price, durability, brand trust, and what real users say. All of this is made simple so even kids can understand it!
Concrete is not like wood or metal. It’s rough, porous (means it can soak up water), and moves a little when the temperature changes. Normal wall paint will not stick well. It will crack and peel.
The best concrete paint is made to:
- Stick tightly to rough concrete
- Breathe (so water vapor can escape)
- Handle foot traffic, spills, and weather
- Resist chipping and fading
Let’s look at the 5 most important things to think about.
1. Performance – How Well Does It Work?
Performance means how well the paint does its job. Ask:
- Does it stick well?
- Is it easy to apply?
- Does it dry fast?
- Can you walk on it soon after painting?
Some paints are made for floors (like garage floors), and others are for walls or patios. Floor paints need to be tougher.
Epoxy-based paints are the strongest. They form a hard shell that resists scratches and chemicals. They are great for garages and basements.
Acrylic-based paints are easier to use and dry faster. They are good for patios, sidewalks, and indoor floors.
Latex paints are cheaper but not as strong. They may need more coats and won’t last as long in high-traffic areas.
👉 Tip: For heavy use (like a garage), pick epoxy. For light use (like a porch), acrylic is fine.
You don’t have to spend a lot to get good paint, but cheap paint often means more coats and shorter life.
Here’s a simple price guide (for 1 gallon, enough for 300–400 sq ft):
| Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Epoxy | $30–$60 | Garages, high-traffic floors |
| Acrylic | $20–$40 | Patios, basements, driveways |
| Latex | $15–$25 | Indoor floors, low traffic |
👉 Tip: A more expensive paint might save money in the long run because it lasts longer and needs fewer coats.
Durability means how long the paint stays strong and looks good.
- Epoxy paint can last 5–10 years or more if applied right.
- Acrylic paint lasts 3–5 years.
- Cheap latex may last only 1–2 years.
Weather matters! In places with snow, ice, and salt (like the northern U.S. or Canada), your paint must be tough. The best concrete paint for cold areas is usually epoxy or a high-quality acrylic.
Also, if your floor gets a lot of sun (like a patio), pick paint that resists UV rays so it won’t fade.
Some brands are trusted more than others. Here are top brands in North America:
- Rust-Oleum
- Known for strong epoxy paints
- Easy to find in stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s
- Good for garages and basements
- KILZ
- Great for fixing damp basements
- Their KILZ OverArmor is a top choice for waterproofing
- Works well indoors and outdoors
- Behr
- Sold at Home Depot
- Their Premium+ Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint is great for driveways and sidewalks
- UV-resistant and lasts long
- Sherwin-Williams
- Pro-grade quality
- More expensive but very durable
- Ask for Sherwin-Williams ConcreteSeal or FloorPro
- In The Swim
- Made for pool decks and patios
- Resists chlorine and slip hazards
- Great for backyard areas
👉 Tip: Big brands often have better quality control and customer help.
We looked at over 1,000 user reviews on Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s websites. Here’s what people love (and hate):
✅ Loved: – Rust-Oleum RockSolid: “Still looks new after 6 years in my garage!” – KILZ OverArmor: “No more damp smell in the basement!” – Behr Masonry Paint: “Easy to roll on, dries fast, and covers well.”
❌ Hated: – Cheap store brands: “Peeling after 3 months.” – Paints not made for concrete: “Bubbled up when it rained.” – Not cleaning the floor first: “Paint lifted because I didn’t clean it.”
👉 Tip: Always read reviews before buying. Look for people with the same use case as you.
Different places need different paints. Let’s match the best concrete paint to your project.
🏠 Basement Floors
Basements can be damp and dark. You need paint that:
- Blocks moisture
- Prevents mold
- Is safe to breathe while painting
✅ Best Choice: KILZ OverArmor or Rust-Oleum Watertight
🚗 Garage Floors
Garages get oil spills, tire marks, and heavy traffic. You need paint that:
- Resists chemicals and oil
- Is super tough
- Looks great
✅ Best Choice: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Epoxy or Sherwin-Williams FloorPro
🛵 Driveways & Sidewalks
These get sun, rain, snow, and salt. Paint must:
- Handle weather
- Resist cracking
- Stay non-slip
✅ Best Choice: Behr Premium+ Masonry Paint or In The Swim Pool Deck Paint
🏡 Indoor Concrete Floors
Living rooms, sunrooms, or finished basements. You want:
- A nice look (matte, satin, or glossy)
- Low fumes
- Easy to clean
✅ Best Choice: BEHR Interior Concrete & Masonry Paint
🌞 Patios & Pool Decks
Outdoors, near water, and bare feet! You need:
- Slip resistance
- UV protection
- Fast drying
✅ Best Choice: In The Swim Patio & Deck Paint or Behr Porch & Floor
Even the best concrete paint will fail if you don’t prep the surface. Follow these steps:
- Clean the Floor
- Use a degreaser for oil spots. Wash with TSP (trisodium phosphate) or a concrete cleaner. Rinse well.
- Fix Cracks
- Fill big cracks with concrete patch. Let it dry.
- Etch the Surface (if needed)
- New concrete or smooth floors may need etching (using acid or a grinder) so paint can stick.
- Let It Dry
- Wait 24–48 hours. No painting on wet concrete!
- Apply Primer (optional but helpful)
- Use a concrete primer for better adhesion.
- Paint!
- Use a roller (not a brush). Apply two thin coats, not one thick coat. Wait 4–12 hours between coats.
- Wait Before Use
- Let it cure for 24–72 hours before walking or driving on it.
- ✅ Match the paint to your project (garage, basement, patio, etc.)
- ✅ Pick epoxy for heavy use, acrylic for general use
- ✅ Buy from trusted brands like Rust-Oleum, KILZ, Behr, or Sherwin-Williams
- ✅ Read user reviews to avoid bad surprises
- ✅ Prep the surface well – it’s 80% of the job!
- ✅ Don’t go too cheap – good paint saves money over time
| Use Case | Best Concrete Paint | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Garage Floor | Rust-Oleum RockSolid Epoxy | Super tough, oil-resistant, lasts 10+ years |
| Basement | KILZ OverArmor | Seals moisture, prevents mold |
| Driveway | Behr Premium+ Masonry | Weatherproof, UV-resistant, easy to apply |
| Patio | In The Swim Patio Paint | Slip-resistant, safe for pool areas |
| Indoor Floor | BEHR Interior Concrete Paint | Low fumes, nice finish, durable |
Finding the best concrete paint isn’t hard when you know what to look for. Think about where you’re painting, how much traffic it gets, and your local weather. Choose a strong brand, read reviews, and always prep the surface.
With the right concrete paint, your floor can look great and last for years — whether it’s in your garage, basement, or backyard.
Happy painting!
- Rust-Oleum Product Page: https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/concrete-floor-paints
- KILZ OverArmor Info: https://www.kilz.com/products/kilz-overarmor
- Behr Concrete & Masonry Paint: https://www.behr.ca/concrete-masonry-brick-paint
- Sherwin-Williams Floor Solutions: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/floor-paint
- In The Swim Pool Deck Paint: https://www.intheswim.com/pool/paints-and-sealers
