When you think of flooring in your home, your garage probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Sure, it’s a functional space, and it serves its purpose. But it can also be pretty drab and dismal—even, dare we say, ugly.
Still, you don’t have to neglect your garage. It is possible to add a little spice to your garage with a few of these simple flooring solutions.
Garage Floor Considerations
The number one factor to consider is, of course, durability and practicality. There’s simply no point installing a garage floor that gets easily scuffed, stained, or dented. That’s why so many homeowners just stick with good old concrete. It’s not much to look at, but it sure gets the job done.
But if you want to give your garage that little bit of something extra, you’re effectively left with two main flooring options: cover or coat.
Coat It!
In the coating category, there are two main options for you to choose from: paint and epoxy. For the most cost-effective solution, you’ll probably want to stick with a coating. This category includes substances applied to your garage floor with a roller that adheres directly to the concrete.
The coating is simple enough that anyone can do it by following the instructions, and buying the raw materials is much less expensive than purchasing custom garage flooring or mats.
Paint
Paint is an incredibly simple and effective way to dress up your dull garage floor. Not only can it add a pop of color to your space, but it can also cover a range of sins, from grease stains to oil droplets to unsightly rust patches.
Concrete floor paints often use a formula of latex or oil-based products and are specially designed to prevent slips and withstand the harsh conditions of your garage. Many concrete paints also include a small percentage of epoxy resin, an addition that makes the paint exceptionally hardy and stain-resistant. Regardless of the paint you choose, make sure that it is specifically designated for use on concrete floors, as standard interior paint will not hold up nearly as well in those rough and tumble conditions!
You can get a 1 gallon can of concrete garage paint for as low as $30, depending on the brand. You may also want to consider applying a sealant as a primer and base coat, which can help the paint adhere better to your garage floor.
Epoxy
Epoxy is a reactive polymer that is well known for its hardness and durability. These days, epoxy resin is used in everything from household fix-its to arts and crafts projects – but one of its better uses is as a coating for garage floors, in our opinion at least.
Although it is applied with a roller, much like paint, and looks like paint, right down to its versatile selection of colors, the two have significantly different chemical makeups. Unlike paint, which simply dries through air exposure, epoxy hardens via a chemical reaction between the resin and the hardener. The result is a tough, durable, and long-lasting coating. Epoxy is a much sturdier solution than paint alone. Even though garage paints can sometimes contain a splash of epoxy, this is not the same as a pure epoxy coating.
Cover It!
When it comes to covering, homeowners are once again presented with two options: floor tiles or mats.
Tiles
These floor tiles aren’t anything like the ones you’d find inside the house. They are designed to both cover unsightly and weakened floors, level uneven concrete slabs, and support the weight of vehicles and other garage contents.
Garage tiles are created with interlocking edges to strengthen and smooth the concrete surface. They are often rigid or semi-rigid and are made from various materials, including plastic, rubber, and wood composite. PVC plastic tiles are incredibly hardy, while rubber tiles, like the kind you might find in a kid’s playroom facility, are both strong and comfortable underfoot. Unlike indoor tiles, some don’t require grout or adhesion, as they naturally lock together.
Mats
Mats are the easiest method for floor coverage – just roll it out, and you’re ready to go. Much like the aforementioned tiles, these mats are usually made from rubber or polyvinyl plastic. The biggest difference is that they come all in one piece. They’re both resilient and ultra-convenient: what could be better?
Are you tired of looking at drab, cracked, and stained concrete floors? One of these solutions is sure to work for you. If you need help making your choice, the experts at J.T. McDermott can help answer your questions and create the perfect design for your garage. Why choose between fashion and function when you can have both? Connect with us today, and let’s talk about it.
