Garage Floor Covering

With Father’s Day coming soon, you may be on the search for a gift. A great gift idea would be a new garage floor covering! Over time moisture, oil, salt, and chemicals can deteriorate your garage floor, resulting in unattractive cracks and peeling. Adding a garage floor covering can protect your floor from further damage, and make it easier to clean. What dad doesn’t want that? There are many options available, and with our help you can have a unique, updated garage space that fits your style and budget.

Interlocking Tiles:  Interlocking tiles come in a variety of cool colors and styles, and are made from heavy-duty vinyl or rubber. They snap together and sit on top of the garage floor. Rigid tiles are stiffer and can handle heavier loads and floor jacks. They are better in our extreme cold weather because they don’t expand or contract as much. Perforated versions drain snowmelt and spills and control mold growth under the tiles. Flexible tiles are more comfortable underfoot and are better at reducing liquid seepage. Both can be easily installed and cost between $2.50 and $5.00 per square foot.

Roll-Out Vinyl Flooring:   Roll-out garage door covering is a large, rubbery mat that comes in a variety of sizes, patterns and colors. It is simple to install – all you do is cut it to fit your garage and you are done! It is great at covering up flaws in the cement floor. It’s easy to clean and move. Roll-out vinyl flooring is very durable but can be damaged by sharp objects and gravel. It is by far the most popular garage floor covering and is very economical costing $2.50 to $4.00 per square foot.

Peel & Stick Tiles:  If you want to create custom patterns using different colors, Peel & Stick tiles are your best bet. Made from heavy-duty vinyl, these tiles work well to cover cracks in the cement. This garage floor covering is also easy to clean and install. The prices range from $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot.

Carpet:  Many garages are used not only to park vehicles but also as a multi-purpose room. If this is you, then carpeting your garage floor is a great idea. There are companies who make carpet specifically to be used in garages. This product usually comes in peel and stick squares. It is petroleum-resistant, so it won’t stain, and can even be power washed. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, giving you the freedom to create fun designs. An 18″ x 18″ square will run you from $3.00 to $6.50.

Paint:  Paint is the most inexpensive and has the biggest variety of color. Garage floor paint is a tougher version of the paint that goes on walls. Once you have repaired all cracks and cleaned the floor, just roll it on. Latex paint is easier to clean and leaves a flat finish, while oil-based paint needs a primer and dries to a high gloss. Garage floor paint is not as durable as other coverings and can be damaged by road salt and chemicals. The process will most likely need to be repeated every 3 years.  The cost will average about $30 per gallon of paint used.

Epoxy:  For the toughest and most durable garage floor covering use epoxy. It is a two-part formula that you mix before applying the floor. With epoxy it is critical that you do the proper floor prep. You have to work fast because it will dry and harden within 2 hours. Once the epoxy is dry you will need to apply a sealer. For extra durability add a second layer. DIY kits are available at a price of 30 cents to 1.50 per square foot. It may take up to a week before you can drive on it. Depending on the amount of use your garage floor receives, you may need to re-coat after 5 years. It wipes clean and resists stains. Epoxy garage floor covering is the favorite product for most car enthusiasts!

Concrete Sealer and Stains:  For a more attractive garage floor, concrete sealer leaves a pretty sheen on the gray cement. For a glossy look use a solvent-based sealer. Acrylic/latex sealers adhere to the floor better but aren’t as durable, and would need to be reapplied every few years. Urethane sealers are tougher but don’t bond as well. At 25 cents to 50 cents per sq. ft., it is a very inexpensive way to give your garage floor a cleaner look. Concrete stain soaks into the cement and when applied properly gives the floor the look of natural stone. Stain lasts longer than paint because it actually becomes part of the concrete. Once it is dried a sealer will need to be applied. It resists chipping and only needs to be touched up every few years. The stain is affordable, costing about 85 cents per sq. ft. (not including the sealer).

If you want to jazz up your old garage floor and give Dad a long-lasting Father’s Day surprise, try one of these garage floor covering options. Most of the items can be found at local hardware and flooring stores. For help with your next garage door project, contact Anderson Garage Doors!