Modern times have changed the role of home garages from just storing cars to becoming spaces where you can perform various leisure activities. You can fix your car, build a shelf, and make cider, all in the comfort of your own garage. But what is the best way to protect a garage floor during these activities? We've researched the answer to this question for you, and in this post, we will go over it.
Here are a few highly recommended garage floor coatings and protectants:
- Epoxy paint
- Concrete floor paint
- Urethane sealer
Whether you're interested in preventing your garage floor from becoming stained, pitted, or ruined from water, or you're just looking for a coating to give it a better appearance, you've come to the right place. We'll cover the best materials that you can use to keep your garage floor damage-free and looking its best. Continue reading to learn more about how to cover your garage floor so that it stays protected from damage.
What to Look For In A Garage Floor Coating
Appearance
If you prefer your garage door to have a beautiful shiny appearance, this is definitely something worth considering before laying down a new coating--especially if you plan to entertain in your garage. Do you prefer something that comes in multiple colors? Or do you prefer a shiny finish or something that has a decorative pattern?
You'll find that some coatings will offer superior shine in combination with great durability, while others may provide durability only, without all the bells and whistles from an aesthetic standpoint. Know what look you're going for upfront.
Installation Process
Another consideration is the installation process of the coating. Are you looking to do the installation yourself, or would you prefer to hire a contractor? It's also important to know what your budget is beforehand before purchasing any materials. If the coating requires any specials skills or equipment, it may be best to leave this job to the hands of a professional to prevent ruining your garage floor or doing a shotty installation. You'll also want to consider how long the installation process will take.
Durability
If you plan to transform your garage into a multi-purpose room where you are working on several different activities, durability is a must. And if you plan on doing any auto work, it's definitely something worth considering. Protecting your garage floor will come in handy when it's time to sell the home, and a good protectant can keep your garage floor looking its best even when it endures a mountain of abuse.
You'll want to look for coatings that offer features such as impact resistance, good abrasion, scratch-resistance, and waterproofing--especially if you plan to do a lot of home repair or auto work in your garage.
Maintenance
Unless you plan to clean out the garage frequently, it's important to know what type of maintenance will be required to keep the flooring looking its best. For example, will it require frequent sweeping or mopping on a weekly basis? Or will it only require hosing down with a water hose or squeegee once or twice a year? Also, will it require any touch-ups? If so, how often? Some flooring products work better at hiding dirt and preserving the look of your garage, while others may need more attention and care.
Best Garage Floor Coating & Protectants
Epoxy Paint
Epoxy paint is probably the most commonly used flooring protectant in garages. You can apply it using rollers, mops, or paintbrushes for a super resilient garage floor that will last a long time to come. Epoxy coating can prevent stains from gasoline, abrasive cleaning products, paint, and motor oil. It's also waterproof and is one of the most cost-effective and durable flooring options available.
Concrete Floor Paint
Another flooring consideration to consider for your garage is concrete floor paint. You can find concrete floor paint available in both oil and latex-based versions. One of the biggest benefits of this floor paint is that it's very easy to touch up areas that have been damaged. Installation can be done within an hour or two, depending on the size of your garage.
If you're using oil-based paint, you'll need to apply a primer beforehand for better adhesion. Overall, you'll find that concrete floor paint is very durable and it's resistant to chemicals such as oil, paint, road salts, and cleaning chemicals. Generally, you'll need to touch it up every one to two years.
Learn more about this paint on Amazon.
Urethane Sealer
If you're looking for something a bit tougher, you can also use a urethane sealer on your garage floor. Take note that you'll also need to apply primer to the floor, as this sealer won't bond to bare concrete. It does, however, provide a high-gloss and super resilient finish. Urethane sealer is typically used as a sealing coat over concrete stains and epoxy, which is why it's typically more expensive than an acrylic sealer. If you're looking for one of the most durable coatings for your garage floor, look no further.
Find out more about this sealer on Amazon.
What is the most durable garage floor coating?
Epoxy paint is typically considered the most durable floor coating, not only for garages but for floors in general. Once the paint dries, it's set as a very hard solvent, making it super resistant to stains, scratches, and dents. Because of its great resilience, it's often used on industrial floors and walkways.
You can buy epoxy paint at your local hardware store or online, but it's important to read the directions thoroughly before applying the paint to your floor. Most epoxy paint kits come with two ingredients and a hardener that must be combined to set the epoxy properly.
If you're looking to make your floors even more durable, you can also apply a urethane sealer over epoxy paint. The sealer will work as an additional waterproofing and dent-prevention coating.
What kind of paint do you use on a garage floor?
You can use concrete paint or epoxy paint on a garage floor. If you prefer something that's highly durable, epoxy paint is definitely a better option. Epoxy paint can help to make your garage floor waterproof, scratch-resistant, and stain-proof. However, if you'd rather have a bit of color on your garage floor, you'll generally find more options available with concrete paint.
What can I cover my garage floor with?
Interlocking Floor Tiles
Interlocking floor tiles are easy to install, durable, and a fairly inexpensive option to use on your garage floor. If you plan to transform your floor into a weight room or pseudo home repair shop, these can definitely make things easier. The interlocking tiles are available and rubber, steel, and PVC material. You can also find them available in several different colors.
For the most part, the tiles or easy to clean and maintain, though they may allow some water to evaporate on top of them. They may not be the best option if you're looking for a waterproof solution, however. That being stated, if you want something that feels comfortable on your feet and can stand up to high-impact drops, this option is worth considering.
Click here to see wood grain finish foam mats on Amazon.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles typically come in beige, gray, or off-white colors. They are very durable and can be highly effective when it comes to providing your garage floor with a long-lasting resilient covering. These tiles also stain resistant for the most part and hold up well to chemicals such as road salt, paint, and grease. If you're an avid DIYer, you can easily install these tiles yourself within a matter of hours. The tiles can be clean using a broom, mop, and common cleaning detergents when it comes to maintenance.
Rollout Mats
If you prefer a quick option that requires less dedication, consider tossing down a few roll-out mats. You can buy these roll-out mats online or at any local gym or home repair store. They are available in a wide variety of colors, lengths, and patterns. Cleaning them can be done by simply shaking them out or sweeping them to remove dirt and debris. You'll find that these mats are one of the most inexpensive options for covering your garage floor, even if you need to layer the mats for additional cushion.
Learn more about these roll-out mats on Amazon.
Wrapping Things Up
Before deciding which floor covering or protectant will work best for your garage, it's important to consider things such as maintenance, appearance, durability, and installation. If you plan to perform the installation yourself, be sure that you have a solid understanding of all the steps needed to install it properly. If not, it may be wise to at least consult with a professional beforehand.
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