The garage flooring might be the most hardworking part of the house. It has to withstand the weather even when it’s inside. It must be durable enough to handle the weight of the car and any other items put within it.
It’s a good space for projects like woodworking or carpentry, according to 19% of homeowners with a garage. Around 23% work on their cars while others use them for sports, exercise, hobbies, and such.
It’s why your garage floor has to be tough. Keep on reading for some ideas on custom garage flooring materials.
1. Paint
The best way to customize your garage flooring is to paint it. It’s quite cheap and you’re likely to have the materials for it. All you need is to paint in the colors you want.
Take note, you have to buy paint specifically for floors. These are tougher than paint for walls.
The advantage of choosing paint for your custom garage flooring is you can do any design you want. However, it can be labor-intensive. You have to prep the floor first, repairing any cracks and then priming it.
It’s easy since there are no complicated steps even with DIY projects. However, it’s not a permanent solution. You may have to retouch it every two years or so.
2. Epoxy
Epoxy is one of the most popular options for custom garage floors even if they’re tricky to work with. You can create interesting designs, like marble or with color chips, or you can create a solid color. You can do more complicated designs, but you must have the skills for them.
Either way, the result has a nice glossy finish, transforming your garage’s look. It has great durability, and it’s easy to maintain. It’s why car dealers prefer epoxy garage floors for their showrooms.
3. Interlocking Flexible Tiles
This type of garage floor tile is easy to install as you only have to interlock them with each other. They come in various patterns and colors, so it’s easier to customize your garage.
The good thing about flexible tiles is they’re slip-resistant. Although they’re prone to staining, you can replace the affected tile without breaking a sweat.
4. Snap-Together Tiles
Snap-together tiles are plastic, allowing them to handle heavier loads than flexible tiles. They don’t expand or contract as much as flexible tiles.
Like interlocking tiles, they’re easy to install. You only have to line them up and step on them to lock them together. If you want garage flooring dealing with spills and snowmelt, you can also get perforated snap-together tiles.
5. Peel-and-Stick Tiles
Another easy option is the peel-and-stick tiles. These are usually made from vinyl, and they’re quick and easy to cut and install.
Like the other types of tiles, they have different patterns and colors. You can make custom garage floor designs by mixing and matching the tiles.
However, they don’t hide flaws well. The floor has to be level without big cracks and varying heights. Peel-and-stick tiles conform to the shape of the floor underneath.
6. Vinyl Composite Tile
Vinyl composite tiles are a popular option for people on a budget. They’re cheap, easy to install, and highly customizable. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to the design.
However, they’re not as easy to install as interlocking tiles or peel-and-stick tiles. There’s a lot of prep work, and you have to several layers of coating afterward.
7. Carpet
Carpet on a garage? As crazy as it sounds, there’s a specific carpet product out there you can use as garage flooring.
It’s easier to maintain than regular carpeting as it resists staining from car oil. It’s compatible with power washing, too.
They work like peel-and-stick tiles. It means you don’t need special tools or skills to install them. You’re free to customize the whole look as well.
8. Rollout Mats
If you want another floor covering option other than tiles, consider getting a rollout mat instead. It might be the easiest to install as all you need to do is to roll it out at your desired location.
When you need to fit it into space, cut it with a utility knife. You can also choose not to fill the floor with it. Put the mat where the car rolls into, for example.
Rollout mats for the garage are durable enough. However, chemicals and hot tires can stain them. Gravel, metal shards, and such might also damage them.
9. Concrete Sealers
You can also use custom garage floor coatings instead. Concrete sealers are similar to paint, but they’re tougher. They maintain a satin or semi-gloss finish, making your concrete floor look finished.
There are two types to look out for: acrylic or latex sealer and urethane sealer. The former bonds well with concrete, making it a good primer. It’s not as durable as epoxy, so it will need reapplication every few years.
Urethane sealer is much more expensive, yet it’s much more durable – even more so than epoxy. It doesn’t turn yellow in sunlight. If you buy the solvent-based versions, use a respirator during the application.
10. Concrete Stain
You can always make peace with the concrete flooring of your garage. You don’t have to put up with its dull look, however.
A simple solution to upgrade it in an instant is to stain it. It creates a natural stone look, giving your garage a seemingly expensive upgrade.
The stain itself doesn’t have protective qualities. It only serves aesthetic purposes. For protection, use two coats of urethane sealer afterward.
Get the Custom Garage Flooring of Your Dreams
Do you already have an idea of your desired custom garage flooring? This guide should help you achieve the design you want. The key is to remember your garage flooring has a lot of heavy lifting to do.
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