Not many people think about garage floor covering ideas. However, it is just as important to take care of this area as it is for the rest of the house. Due to all the heavy duty work that takes place in the garage, it is important to make sure that the floor can handle all of the abuse. This article will help you find the best flooring options available for your garage.
10 Garage Floor Covering Ideas
1. Interlocking Tiles
These square tiles come in various colors and patterns and can be interlocked together to create any custom design you want. The flooring is typically built of sturdy vinyl or rubber tiles that connect together to provide stability rather than adhering directly to the garage floor. They’re fantastic for disguising cracks in a concrete floor, but they’ll be most effective when the floor is level. The standard size for most interlocking plastic garage tiles is 12″ x 12″ by 1/2″ thick, though many can be found as thick as 18”x18”.
2. Roll-Out Vinyl Flooring
This is made of durable vinyl, and comes in a roll. It is easy to install with double-sided tape or adhesive tabs. The flooring does not easily crack or peel, and it can be used in garages that are usually damp. Roll out vinyl garage flooring comes in a range of colors and patterns, though popularly sold in shades of black, gray and orange. The installation process is quick and the flooring can be put in by even novices. The only minor difficulty is that the vinyl flooring is not very easily cut and roll-out is harder to repair when compared to tiles.
3. Peel-and-Stick Tiles
These tiles are made of thick PVC in various patterns and colors. They are sold with adhesive on the back, so you will not need any extra glue or tape for installation; just make sure the floor is clean and dry before you start the process. Similar to the options above this is also easy to install and a good option for those without much experience, however unlike for them this option requires the base to be flat and smooth. Another point to note is that as these are available in tiles and not a solid sheet like roll out, it offers the opportunity to play around and create a unique design and color pattern according to your preference.
Also read: 7 Gorgeous Garage Floor Tile Ideas That You Must Try
4. Paint
If you like to work with your hands and don’t mind the extra effort, consider painting the floor of your garage. Priming and painting using materials designed specifically for covering floors is an inexpensive option. If there are any cracks in the floor covering, repair them with concrete filler, let it cure and clean it before you use or paint the garage. There are many paint colors available so it’s easy to find a shade that suits your taste. If you want to change the color of your garage floor in a few years, it is just a simple matter of painting over the existing floor.
5. Carpet
Carpet is another popular flooring option for the garage. It provides padding, absorbs sound and can cushion your feet. There are some carpets that are specifically designed for garages and come with a special rubber backing which raises it above moisture. They are available in many different colors, are easy to clean and do not wear out quickly. A slight drawback is that they can sometimes be difficult to install and may require professional assistance.
6. Epoxy
If you are looking for something that will provide a smooth, solid surface, consider epoxy. It is a type of clear paint containing a built-in hardener. Clean the floor and prepare it for application if required. Once you’ve mixed your epoxy paint and hardener, you have to apply it to the garage floor fast, because the mixture has a two hour time limit before it sets. The result is a hard, durable and smooth surface that won’t peel or crack. For application first scatter chips across the floor and follow up to seal it with a clear coat to create a long-lasting, resilient floor that can resist oil stains and is simple to clean.
7. Concrete Sealer
This is a cost-effective flooring solution. Once the concrete is clean and dry, you can apply sealer to protect its surface. It is a long-lasting and easy to clean option. The slight sheen that sealing may provide to a bland gray concrete floor will make it seem more attractive. The sealer will also prevent stains from attaching to the surface. Choose either a solvent-based sealer, which can create a wet appearance and provide excellent floor protection, or a water-based sealer that won’t last as long but is less harsh to breathe in, whichever you wish.
8. Concrete Stain
If you like and prefer the natural look of concrete, consider applying stain to give your garage floor its own unique appearance. Stain is a more economical option than other types of fancy flooring choices, especially if you want to have a colourful floor. Concrete stain may be applied in a relatively thin layer that allows the old floor to show through revealing an attractive watercolor or natural stone look/effect. As the stain becomes incorporated into the concrete, it doesn’t chip off as paint does, thus lasting longer than the latter.
9. Rollout mats
Rollout mats are rubbery with a range of lengths, widths, colors, and designs available. You may cover an entire garage with several mats. The mats are simple to clean and move about. To install them all over the garage floor, simply sweep the floor, unroll the flooring, and butt the edges together or overlap them, lastly cut off any excess material if needed. If the flooring becomes damaged, it is a simple matter of pulling up a mat and replacing it with a new one. The mats are robust, but they may be permanently stained by hot tires and chemicals in the same way that other coverings can. These flooring are also more difficult to cut and install if you have a lot of angles or curves.
10. Stone Flooring
Stone flooring is an extremely attractive way to cover a garage. However it is quite an expensive choice too. There are many brilliant options to choose from such as sandstone, graphite, and flagstone. Stone floors can get highly cold in the winter, so evaluate your budget and local weather conditions before making your decision. However if you don’t have to worry about temperatures and expenses, you can’t go wrong with a stone floor. Stone is very durable and long-lasting, but difficult to install. If you don’t want to hire a professional, you will need to rent expensive equipment and mix the mortar yourself. Depending on your skill level it can prove to be a challenging project.
Frequently Asked Questions:
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68830856/1120_FEA_Idea_House_Fairfield_Farmhouse_08142020NR_0078_v3.0.jpg "10 Best And Affordable Garage Floor Covering Ideas 2")
Can you just paint a garage floor?
With epoxy paint? Yes. In fact, epoxy paint can make cleaning the surface easier and also serve as a barrier against grease and oil stains. Just make sure your floor is prepared before you apply the paint, which includes filling in any cracks and using an etcher, if needed, on the concrete floor. Using a primer before painting will also ensure that you get as much of a bond with the flooring material as possible. We recommended applying 2 coats of the epoxy paint with a gap of at least 24 hours in between.
What is the cheapest flooring for a garage?
Stained or bare concrete is the cheapest flooring choice for a garage. However, you may also choose to apply a sealer or a clear coat to protect the concrete. Either way, you’ll have an easy to clean floor that shows off your garage’s natural beauty without causing you to make a significant investment for it.
What is better than epoxy for the garage floor?
Epoxy and polyurethane are excellent for keeping your garage floor clean, preventing stains, chemicals, oils, and damage. Both are light-reflective, easy to maintain, and durable. They also have their own set of benefits depending on the application order. Polyurethane has more scratch, UV and chemical resistance when compared to epoxy, but it’s downfall is that it isn’t able to bond properly with concrete flooring. If you truly wish to have the best option we recommend using both together. First use epoxy, for a durable well stable base and then use polyurethane as the clear top coat. This way you are getting all of the benefits from both with no drawbacks.
Conclusion
There are many different garage floor covering ideas to choose from. They range in price and installation difficulty. Before making your choice, you should consider the climate and the amount of traffic you expect to have in your garage. You should consider which material will provide the best protection, durability, and appearance according to those factors.
We hope this article has been helpful and provided you with a list of options. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any other suggestions or questions.
