Interlocking Tiles
Made from heavy-duty vinyl or rubber, these colorful squares snap together to provide stability rather than sticking directly to the garage floor. They’re great for hiding cracks in a concrete floor, although they’ll work best when the floor is level. As with peel-and-stick tiles, you can combine several different colors to create unique patterns and borders.
Roll-Out Vinyl Flooring
Without a doubt, roll-out flooring is the best garage flooring ideas. Not only is it easy to install, but it hides a multitude of sins). It works just as the name suggests: You simply unroll it on your garage floor, cut off the excess, and your work is done! Although easy to install, it isn't as easy to repair as tile flooring, which allows for cutting out and replacing damaged sections. It also doesn’t lend itself to the creation of custom patterns.
Peel-and-Stick Tiles
If you have a level garage floor without severe cracks or height imbalances, you can cover the surface with peel-and-stick tiles. Typically made from heavy-duty vinyl, these tiles are easy to cut and quick to install, and because they're tiles, you can make custom patterns by combining different colors. Be sure to clean the floor thoroughly and let it dry before laying down your tiles.
Paint
While most garage flooring ideas require special installations and equipment, this chore is simple enough to execute using supplies you probably already have on hand. Painting a garage floor is an extremely inexpensive way to improve its look, although the task is labor intensive. Before beginning, be sure to repair any cracks with concrete filler and clean the floor thoroughly. Then prime and paint using materials designed specifically for covering floors. Paint is the least durable of all garage flooring options, and you may need to repeat the process in approximately three years.
Carpet
Carpeting your garage floor might seem like a crazy idea, but there’s a product called TuffCarpet that’s specifically designed to hold up to the rigors of life in this multipurpose room. It can be power-washed and resists staining from petroleum products, so even if your car leaks oil, you should be able to just wipe the surface clean. The carpet is installed as a series of peel-and-stick square tiles, so it’s super easy to install and it allows the flexibility to create eye-catching patterns.
Epoxy
Just like painting with latex, applying epoxy—a type of paint containing a built-in hardener—requires that you patch, clean, and etch the floor if necessary. Then you blend your epoxy paint and hardener, and apply it to the garage floor—quickly, because the mix is viable for only two hours. Scatter color chips across the floor’s surface and seal with a clear coat to create a durable, long-lasting floor that resists oil stains and wipes clean easily.
Concrete Sealer
If your budget is tight, your garage flooring options are limited. Luckily for those with concrete garage floors, simply sealing your floor might be enough. The slight sheen that sealing can add to a plain gray concrete floor will make it look more attractive, and the sealer will ward off stains, ensuring that the floor keeps looking fresh. Opt for a solvent-based sealer, which can create a wet look and offer exceptional floor protection, or a water-based sealer that might not last as long but is less harsh to breathe in.
Concrete Stain
Unlike epoxy and paint, concrete stain can be applied in a thin coat that lets the old floor show through. This is one of the cheapest and easiest garage flooring options if your concrete is in good shape; you can wind up with an attractive watercolor or natural stone look. It’s not so great if your floor is spotted and splattered, because those imperfections will show through. Stain tends to last longer than paint, because it actually becomes part of the concrete, so it doesn't chip off as easily.
For More...
For more smart garage ideas, try:
15 "Neat" Garage Storage Solutions
3 Steps to a Successful Garage Makeover
Creating the Ultimate Garage Workshop
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