Know the pros and cons of these popular garage floor materials before you commit.
Garages can protect more than your car.
Easily repurposed, they can become a storage space, home gym, or workshop for DIY projects.
Credit:Jay Wilde
The best garage floor options will depend on your garage’s intended use.
Ideal flooring choices can vary with factors like climate, budget for installation, and maintenance demands.
Popular garage flooring options include vinyl, epoxy, concrete, stone, and rubber tiles.
Here are some of the most popular garage floor options and their pros and cons.
They can withstand high pressure without giving way to wear and tear.
Whether polished,painted, orstained, concrete garage flooring is affordable and readily available for a fast turnaround.
However, it offers no cushion or insulation, so it’s best for attached garages and moderate climates.
Painted concrete is versatile and allows for a truly customizable look.
Some specialty paints can also reinforce the concrete andprotect it from fuel and oil spills.
However, painted concrete is prone to scuffing and chipping, especially common with daily garage use.
Vinyl Plank
Standard vinyl garage flooring includesvinyl plankand composite tile (VCT).
Vinyl plank, or luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), is fantastic for low-traffic garages.
It is available in different types, including engineered vinyl plank (EVP).
Available in various styles and wood-mimicking finishes, LVT is waterproof and easy to clean.
But vinyl plank is not climate-resistant.
If your garage is exposed to the elements, this may not be the best choice.
Similarly, it is not made to withstand the weight of vehicles and the stains they can leave behind.
It can also easily be stained by car tires or leaks.
Rubber tiles are available in different colors and can be customized with several patterns and borders.
Rubber tile flooring requires limited maintenance, is easy to clean, and is reasonably priced.
They can be installed on any subfloor and complement concrete floors well.
Epoxy is damage-resistant and can handle substantial weight.
The disadvantage of epoxy flooring is that it emits an unpleasant odor that is especially toxic during tool.
This flooring does not absorb moisture and, when wet, presents a significant slipping hazard.
Stone Flooring
This garage flooring includes higher-end options like sandstone, graphite, and flagstone.
These usually come in tile or pebbled (bound with epoxy).
They can have a sophisticated look when professionally fitted and installed.
The cost of installation is higher than other garage flooring, which can be a deterrent for homeowners.
Since stone flooring can become extremely cold in winter months, it’s not ideal for continued personal use.
And while this kind of flooring can withstand the weight of parked cars and vans, stone is porous.
This means any leaks or spills will likely stay unless the garage flooring is professionally cleaned.
The aesthetic benefits have to be weighed against practicality.
What is the average cost of installing garage flooring?
The average price of installing garage flooring is between $2 and $15 per square foot.
For example, concrete slab installation typically ranges between $4 - $8/ sq.
ft and epoxy between $5 - $9/ sq.
It can be permanently discolored or degraded by minor mishaps.
Wood
Wooden garage flooring is also an unconventional choice.
Wood can become a fire hazard, especially due to fuel and oil spills.
Also, it is not moisture and humidity-resistant.
Heavy objects can also damage wood floors.
Standard Indoor Carpet
Standard carpets are also a no-go for garages.
Specialized carpets made from polyester, nylon, and polypropylene synthetic fibers are strong enough to withstand garage use.
They are durable and fire-resistant.
They are also a major fire hazard.
