What Type of Flooring Is the Best to Use for My Garage?

When you buy or build a house, there are numerous decisions to make, such as brick versus siding, paint colors, brands of appliances, and flooring. This can also apply to determining how you want your garage to look and function. Although most garages are built on a concrete slab, you do have options when it comes to placing a new floor over it. Whether you are simply storing your vehicles in the garage or utilizing the space as a home office or an entertainment center, it is important to consider the best type of flooring material to protect and maintain your property’s value.

Flooring Options

A garage floor has unique demands placed on it, so you want to make sure not to put any flooring material in your garage that could easily break or stain, but you still most likely want one that looks stylish or clean. Here are a few ideas for what to put down (with the help of a professional) as your garage floor:

• Roll-out vinyl flooring: This type of flooring is easy to install, and it hides dirt and stains well. Since it is one big piece, it is not as easy to repair as tile flooring, which allows homeowners to cut out and replace damaged sections. However, it can come in different color choices if you want to match wall color or even your cars.
• Interlocking tiles: Constructed of heavy-duty rubber or vinyl material, these types of squares can snap together as opposed to sticking directly onto the floor of a garage. They offer stability and hide cracks in concrete. One thing to note, however, is that a floor should be level to ensure that tiles fit together properly. Like peel-and-stick tiles, different colors of interlocking tiles can be combined to create unique patterns, such as a checkerboard.
• Peel and stick tiles: For level garage floors that do not have significant cracks or imbalances in height, peel-and-stick tiles may be an ideal solution. These tiles, which are usually made of heavy-duty vinyl, are easily cut and can be installed quickly. In addition, you can create customized patterns by utilizing different color combinations.
• Epoxy: Epoxy is a type of paint that contains hardening chemicals that are similar to latex. The epoxy paint is typically blended with a hardener and must be applied quickly while the mixture is still viable. If desired, color chips can be spread across the surface and then sealed using a clear coat to make a long-lasting, durable floor.
• Paint: Painting a garage floor is a simple and economic way to improve the look of it. Garage professionals can repair any cracks with concrete filler before painting, using materials designed specifically for covering floors. However, a floor will generally need to be repainted in a few years based on wear and tear, such as chips and scuff marks.
• Carpet: Certain types of carpeting are specifically designed to withstand multipurpose rooms such as a garage. Some stain-resistant carpets can even be power-washed.
• Concrete stain or sealer: The application of a thin coat of stain can allow the old floor to show through. As long as the concrete floor is in decent shape, it can present a natural stone appearance. Stain might last for a longer time than paint, since it becomes part of the floor’s material, eliminating the possibility of paint chipping off. Sealing leaves a subtle sheen that can make a dull, gray concrete floor newer and fresher. Sealers come as solvent-based or water-based.

Contact a DuPage County Garage Professional

There are many flooring options for homes as well as garages. Choosing the type of floor to install in your garage may depend on how you intend on using the space. The skilled Downers Grove garage specialists at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. have 42 years of experience creating custom garages of all shapes, sizes, and styles. To learn more about the services we offer and to schedule a free estimate, call us today at 630-852-8485.