A garage can be many things, depending on who’s in control of the room. It can be storage space, a rec room or a place to build and work on cars — for the latter, it might be a good idea to upgrade your garage floor, both to protect it and to make it easier to work on your favorite car.
What are the best garage flooring styles available if you’re going to be working on cars in your garage? Here are four examples.
1. Floor Paint and Epoxy
Garage floors might look great, but they’re usually made of rough, unsealed concrete. Concrete is porous, so spilled oil or other car chemicals can soak into the floor, damaging it and leading to pits and cracks over time.
Two-part epoxies and floor paint can be a great way to protect your garage floor, but they can be difficult to apply. You need to have the floor adequately prepared before you start to mix your epoxy. Once it’s mixed, you have to act quickly, or it will harden before you get it on the floor. If you get it done correctly, it can create a hard surface that will protect your floor for years to come, but it can be tricky to get it done right.
2. Concrete Stain
If you like the look of stone but still want to protect your garage floor, a stain can be a great way to seal the floor while preserving the look. It soaks into the concrete and creates a marbled appearance on the floor. You do have to top it with a urethane topcoat, though — the stain itself doesn’t protect the concrete on its own. It looks great, but you will need to refresh the top coat periodically — especially if your garage floor sees a lot of oil, coolant and other car chemicals.
3. Polished Concrete
This is probably one of your best options for protecting your garage floor — though you will need to call in a professional to get the job done. Concrete polishing uses a chemical compound to harden the concrete itself, making it stronger and more durable over time. It also creates a smooth and easy-to-clean surface that will keep your floor safe for years to come.
This is one type of floor coating you won’t be able to do on your own. Make sure you call a professional to get this job done.
4. Non-Permanent Coatings
If you’re renting your home, permanent floor coating isn’t always an option. You’re not without options, though. Roll-out mats and interlocking tiles can be laid out to protect your garage floor but don’t have to be permanent. This can be a great option for renters — if you’re going to work on your car, the last thing you want to do is sacrifice your security deposit because of oil stains on the garage floor.
Whether you’re permanently protecting your garage floor or simply want a temporary solution, there are plenty of options available, many of which you can do yourself. Whatever floor covering you choose, make sure you’re prepared to either do it properly yourself or call a professional.