It is typical for homeowners to focus on all rooms in a house but leave the garage at the end of the priority list. This trend must be changed now! Just like the rest of the house, the garage flooring is something we must pay great attention to. Remember, it could very well be the most abused area of the house since it is basically where your car lives, chemical-based products are stored, and you do all the dirty repair stuff. Ready to resurface garage floors? Learn about the best materials and what the right match is for you.
Epoxy Floors
Probably one of the most durable materials ever to hit the flooring industry, epoxy has become an ideal option for commercial, industrial, and just about any setup that undergoes tremendous floor abuse.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Flexible
- Eco-friendly, in a way that it prevents additional concrete waste because it is applied on existing concrete
- Comes in a variety of colors
- Can be customized
- Dries clear, like weighted glass
- Easy to clean
- Comes with an estimated 1-year warranty before a reapplication is necessary
Cons
- Temperature-sensitive
- May discolor
- More difficult to install as it is a two-part material that requires preparation
- Not for DIY homeowners
Polyurea Polyaspartic Coatings
This is the best thing to happen after epoxy. It was originally developed for commercial and industrial applications but more and more contractors are making it available for residential use as well.
Pros
- Quick setting and drying time
- A lot more durable than epoxy
- Eco-friendly, in a way that it prevents additional concrete waste because it is applied to existing concrete
- Comes in 10 standard colors
- Unlimited customized chip combinations
- Comes with an estimated 3-year warranty before a reapplication is necessary
- Can be applied in any weather condition
- Would not discolor
- Damage-resistant
Cons
- Needs to be applied ASAP because of the quick drying time
- Patterns are not available
- Not for DIY homeowners
Tiles
Tile is one of the most common materials used on garage flooring. You can choose from Polypropylene, PVC, or peel and stick vinyl.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Comes in a wide range of colors and pattern options
- Repairs can be isolated to the damaged area
- DIY install available
Cons
- Since you will be paying for each tile, the price range could go up depending on how wide the space to be covered
Roll-out PVC/Vinyl
This type of material is popular because it is basically a sheet of PVC or vinyl laid out on an existing garage floor.
Pros
- Easiest to install
- Comes in a variety of colors and patterns
- Easy to clean
- Low-cost
Cons
- Cannot be customized
- Waves and bulges could be present right after installation and may last for a week or two
- Repair requires the whole sheet to be removed and replaced
