The Dreaded Garage
Unfinished garage floors are predominant not only throughout new home construction but with older homes as well. Most people don’t look to finish their garage floors for one reason or another.
But if you want to improve your home’s overall outlook or spend a lot of time in the garage, you might want to consider getting a good garage floor covering. Not only will the finished product look awesome, but it should be able to protect your concrete garage floor from all that it comes in contact with, including dirt and oil.
But for most, over time living in your home, the garage becomes a dreaded place simply because it gets dirty, and you stockpile everything that doesn’t or won’t go in the house anymore out in the garage. Well, people, I’m telling you that’s wrong, and you shouldn’t do that.
The garage can be a very nice addition to your home, and there’s no need to let it go to waste. Plus, this is not a job that’s above a do-it-yourself type and can typically be done on a weekend.
Garage Floor Epoxy Paint
Painting your garage floor with epoxy paint is a great little home improvement project. Not only will it make your garage look great, but it’ll also keep your floors from deteriorating and protect them from staining. Depending on how fancy you get with this little alternative, you could have a far superior sheen that looks straight from a dealership’s showroom.
Protecting your garage floors with epoxy paint could also be financially beneficial as it might reduce any repair work that may need to be done to the floor after years of use and abuse. Next time you go to an automotive dealership or repair shop, take a look around, I bet you’ll be surprised to see that their floors are also covered in this same manner.
Garage floor epoxy paint is a strong protective finish that you paint on top of a concrete garage floor. It is intended to defend against all those harsh oil and grease chemicals that would typically ruin standard paint. It is relatively simple to maintain and is offered in many diverse colors.
Most homeowners are extremely satisfied with the appearance of their garage floor once it has been applied and given the appropriate amount of time to dry. The finished floor will remain beautiful for many years to follow.
It is important to note that not all garage floors will accept a coat of epoxy garage floor paint. Testing it for moisture is an easy way to see if your garage floor is a likely candidate. This is fairly uncomplicated, just set a mat down overnight (or for at least 24 hours) and then check to see if any condensation has formed underneath.
You cannot apply epoxy paint on your garage floor if there is. If you don’t have any moisture issues, continue reading on; otherwise, you might want to skip a bit ahead.
Prepping your garage floor for epoxy is fairly straightforward but will require a little elbow grease. First, you must ensure that the floor is clean of debris or oil spots. Sometimes you’ll even need some mild acid to eliminate all the oil. Just make sure you scrub it thoroughly and rinse it well.
Once it’s clean and dry, fill in any remaining cracks you may have and give it time to dry. After that, you are off to the painting. A double coating may be required, but you can be the judge of that.
The only other thing that you’ll need to keep an eye on is the weather. Just like any other outside painting job, you’ll want to pick days that are nice and not too cool and have no rain in the forecast. That type of moisture can wreak havoc on a paint job.
Garage Floor Tiles
Garage floor tiles are an excellent alternative to painting or using epoxy on your garage floor. The maintenance of having to repaint a garage floor every couple of years is something that nobody looks forward to. There are many different garage floor tiles on the market today, each with unique circumstances. Most of them are interlocking tiles that make a smooth floating floor across your garage.
That’s right, they don’t have to be fixed or glued down to the floor. Some of them are even made from 100% recycled materials. Even still, most of these tiles are made from impervious vinyl, allowing them to effectively defend against gasoline, oil, ammonia, acetone, and whatever destructive elements may end up on your garage floor.
They are fairly straightforward to install with simple tools like a utility knife and rubber mallet. You start at the garage door opening and work across the front, connecting the pieces like a puzzle and using the mallet to set them in place. Once you’ve covered the opening, start working to the back of the garage.
This way, all your cut pieces, that’s what the utility knife is for, are along the sides and back of the garage, making the installation look much cleaner and nicer. Like any other floating floor installation, you will want to leave a little spacer gap along the sides to allow for expansion and contraction.
As far as maintenance goes, cleanups are a breeze. Because they are made of heavy-duty and thick vinyl, you only need a simple water-based solution mixed with a tad bit of ammonia. That should be all the cleaner you’ll ever need. It would be best never to use waxes or sealants on garage floor tiles.
You could use a power washer to blow those stubborn little spots off the floor. Other than that, that’s all there is to it. They come in a whole host of colors, from beiges to yellows to reds and blues, heck you can even get them in a checkered flag pattern if you’d like.
Don’t get confused by the big words they’ll try to throw at you, like “interlocking garage floor tiles.” You only have to think of it like a big jigsaw puzzle. That’s all that means. As far as options go, there are hundreds for you to choose from. The MotoFloor garage floor tiles and Race Deck tiles are pretty sweet if you want that finish-line appeal, just like standing in the winner’s circle.
Rubber Flooring
I’ve got to tell you when it comes to covering my garage floor, rubber flooring is my absolute go-to choice. Let me explain why it’s such a fantastic option.
First and foremost, rubber flooring provides unbeatable cushioning and insulation. It’s like walking on clouds! Whether you spend a lot of time in your garage or use it as a workshop, the natural elasticity of rubber gives you a comfortable surface to stand on, reducing fatigue and discomfort.
But that’s not all – rubber flooring is seriously tough. It can handle all the heavy-duty action that goes on in a garage. Think about it: tools, equipment, and even vehicles can strain the floor greatly. Rubber flooring laughs in the face of impact, scratches, and abrasions. It’s built to last.
Now, safety is crucial, especially in a garage. That’s where rubber flooring truly shines. Its slip-resistant surface ensures you can confidently move around, even when wet. No more worrying about accidental slips or falls. And the best part? Rubber flooring absorbs shocks and noise. So, dropping tools won’t cause a heart-stopping bang, and the vibrations from machinery will be significantly reduced.
When it comes to maintenance, rubber flooring is a breeze. Spills and stains? No problem. Just a quick wipe, and you’re good to go. Plus, it comes in a range of colors, patterns, and textures, allowing you to customize the look of your garage to your liking. Talk about versatility!