If you’re aiming to add some style and color to your garage, a great place to start is the floor. Standard concrete slab garage floors are functional but can be made attractive and comfortable with a bit of effort. There are numerous options for enhancing a garage floor, and most homeowners struggle to decide which one to choose.
An effective way to begin thinking about a new garage floor is to divide the choices into two categories: coatings and coverings. Garage Floor Coatings To make your garage floor look new, you can apply a different finish entirely. Coatings are applied in a thin layer with a roller or brush and adhere directly to the concrete floor slab. Paint and epoxy are the main options. Tip: If you live in an area where snow and ice might be on your vehicle when parked in the garage, consider paint or epoxy coating. Tiles and mats are more likely to retain moisture underneath them. Floor Epoxy Epoxy floor coatings are sometimes seen as a form of paint as both are applied with paint rollers and brushes. However, the materials are quite different chemically and in performance. Paint hardens through evaporation of its solvent, usually water or an oil-based liquid. True epoxy coatings harden through a chemical reaction between a resin and hardener (catalyst). Before starting an epoxy job on your garage floor, decide which style is right for you. Whatever you choose, garage floor epoxy creates a durable, long-lasting, and attractive coating. Tip: Genuine floor epoxy should not be confused with ‘epoxy paint’, a one-part latex paint product with a small amount of epoxy added to improve the hardness of its finish. Epoxy paint is generally not as good as a true epoxy coating in overall performance. Floor Paint If your garage floor is stained with oil, grease, and rust, you can give it new life by applying concrete floor paint. Concrete floor paints can be latex or oil-based. They are formulated with a satin, nonslip finish designed to be durable under heavy traffic and resist damage from solvents, salts, and other caustic materials. Some latex floor paints contain a small amount of epoxy resin to make the finish hard and stain-resistant. Ensure the paint you buy is listed for use on concrete floors as these perform better than standard paint in garages. Garage Floor Coverings The other option is to cover the garage floor with building materials that can be set on top and moved if necessary. Technically, you can use any kind of carpet or other covering. But for a surface that can withstand the demands of garage life, a product specifically made for garage floors is needed.Floor tiles and floor mats are suitable for garage floors. Floor Tiles: Vinyl floor tiles used in other living spaces can cover a garage floor, but rigid or semi-rigid plastic, rubber, or wood composite tiles are better. These products have interlocking edges and form a raised floor strong enough to support vehicles. They are a good choice when the concrete slab is badly stained or cracked. Options include plastic garage floor tiles (usually PVC or polypropylene), rubber tiles (similar to interlocking tiles and often used in sports facilities and playrooms), and wood composite tiles (used as underlayment and sold in 2-foot-square panels). Floor Mats: The easiest way to cover a garage floor is with rubber or polyvinyl plastic mats. Mats can be installed over slightly stained or cracked concrete floors without prep work. Some mats resemble rugs, others are textured or like padded gym mats. Easy-to-clean mats with enough thickness are the best choice. Repair and Preparation Concerns: Garage floor coatings and coverings should not be used to hide damaged slabs. Address underlying damage like cracked slabs, oil and grease stains, and moisture problems before coating or covering. If converting the garage to a living space or making it more comfortable, consider insulating the concrete slab by laying sleeper strips and rigid foam insulation and covering with plywood and chosen flooring.