Most Americans renovate their homes every three to five years, with the garage being a prime candidate for renovation.
Every area of your garage should be able to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. This is why you must choose the right garage flooring for your space before you renovate. A durable floor will help keep your garage looking good for years to come.
With so many options, it’s difficult to choose garage flooring that is both strong and affordable. Read on for everything you need to know before replacing garage flooring.
Budget
You’ll need to determine how much money you can afford to spend on garage flooring. This includes the cost of the material itself, but also any repairs or maintenance costs associated with it.
It’s also important to consider if you want to do the job yourself or hire a professional installer. The latter option is more expensive.
Professionals will ensure that they level your floor and smooth it out. You may not be able to do this yourself if you lack construction experience.
Function
For garage flooring, the most important feature is durability. Your floor needs to withstand all the abuse of being in a garage. Common things like dirt and grime from cars, oil spills, and even chemicals need to be taken into consideration.
You also have to think about the weight of things being stored in your garage. Concrete flooring is known for being durable, but it’s also heavy and can be difficult to install.
If you do a lot of DIY projects where liquids may spill on the floor, then an anti-slip coating is essential for your garage flooring. It will also make cleanup much easier too.
Aesthetic
Choosing garage flooring should be a fun and creative process. You can move away from traditional concrete and explore other options for garage flooring.
Vinyl flooring lends a great sheen to a garage floor. It’s also easy to clean, durable, and comes in many colors.
If you have a large garage and want to make it look more like an extra room than an area for storing tools, consider installing hardwood floors. Wood can add a touch of warmth and style to the space.
Tiles allow you to customize the pattern on your garage floor and even add some bold colors. Companies offer a variety of shades and styles to fit your garage flooring needs. RaceDeck is an example of a contractor that offers unique tiling options that can stand up to your car tires.
Materials
The most common garage flooring options include wood, rubber, and concrete.
Wood is one of the most inexpensive. However, it can get scratched by car tires. Oil spills can also stain this material and make your flooring look unattractive.
You can avoid these issues by ensuring that your floors have a strong sealant.
Rubber is a good option if you’re looking for a surface that offers excellent traction. This type of flooring is often in at-home gyms.
Rubber will cost more upfront than other materials because it requires special tools, such as laser cutters. But there’s less maintenance involved than some other options, such as wood flooring.
Limitations
There are pros and cons to each material, so you should think about what’s most important to you. For example, if you have a lot of pets in your house, then rubber mats may not be the best choice for your garage flooring installation. Concrete would be more appropriate for these types of homes.
Other materials, like tile, can resist stains and chemicals better than others. Tiles are also more expensive than concrete flooring.
Wood flooring looks nice, but you risk serious water damage if the installer doesn’t seal it properly. Consider which cons you prefer to deal with and which are deal breakers.
Your Current Garage Floor
If your current floor doesn’t have any major cracks or holes, installing new flooring should be straightforward. However, if your garage floor is damaged, you may need to replace the entire surface before installing a new one. This process will be much more expensive.
To keep costs low, choose an affordable option like concrete or vinyl when you have to replace your entire garage floor.
You’ll must also consider whether there are areas of the garage that are prone to standing water, like next to the air conditioner. This will help determine whether you’ll need extra protection against water damage with something like epoxy paint or grit-blasting.
Compare Garage Flooring Costs
If you want to get an idea of costs, there are a few online tools that can give you ballpark estimates. But the only way to compare prices accurately is by getting a quote from various stores.
You’ll need to know the exact measurements for your garage and any modifications you want to make. A contractor can measure the space if you don’t have the tools to do it at home.
Contractor
You’ll want to choose a contractor that has experience installing the material that you’re planning on using. For example, if you’re interested in epoxy flooring, look for contractors who have installed epoxy floors before and know how they hold up in a garage.
You can visit Yelp or Homestars and read through some reviews to see if there are any recommendations for contractors in your area. You should also ask friends and family members if they can refer you to someone trustworthy.
Choose Garage Flooring That Suits Your Needs
We hope this article has helped give some clarity on how to choose garage flooring that’s perfect for you and your family.
Consider whether you want a shiny wood floor or a vinyl one that can withstand stains and spills. Keep in mind the maintenance involved with each option. Make sure you have the time and skills to keep your garage floor looking clean and beautiful.
If you’re looking for more tips on renovating your home, read our home and real estate section. Some of our blogs can help you get creative with all your home improvement projects.