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Garage Floor Coverings Versus Other Options

November 28th, 2009 Gabriel Flores No comments

Garage floor coverings, such as mats or garage floor tiles, are quite popular in modern garages. Although paint is probably a more comprehensive solution, there are many reasons why people would want to use a garage floor covering instead. In case you were trying to decide which way to go with your floor, we’ll cover a few of the reasons why someone might choose garage floor coverings over paint. For the sake of this article, garage floor coverings will include anything that is not permanent, like paint would be.

Garage Floor Coverings Install Easier

There are mats available in sizes for both the entire garage or for smaller contained areas. The mats that are used in specific areas of the garage are called garage compartment mats since they do only cover one actual compartment. The garage floor mats, rather they cover the entire floor or just one or a few compartments, are easy to install compared to tile or paint. For the entire garage floor one would simply cut the mats down to the proper size. Although compartment mats cannot usually be cut, they come in a variety of sizes and can be snapped together to form a liquid proof seal or even stacked upon each other. If one had the inclination to cover the entire garage floor with the compartment mats it could be done, but at a cost considerably higher than the approximately $100 for a paint kit. Keep in mind also that the compartment mats move easily, regardless of many manufacturers claims to the contrary, and car tires cause them to bunch and bend.

Garage Floor Coverings Means Simple Replacements

Coverings are also a lot easier to replace. A damaged or stained epoxy garage floor coating means either living with it, or replacing it, which may include sanding down to the concrete. A garage floor mat can just be tossed in the garbage, or recycled. Convenient but, again, expensive. Both paint kits and mats claim that they cannot be stained and are not easily damaged, but what is advertised and what actually happens may or may not be the same. Tile are also easily replaced, provided you can get replacements that match and that your old ones are not too faded.

Garage Floor Coverings Are Pleasantly Squishy

In comparison to a bare concrete garage floor, epoxy paint is probably a lot nicer to walk around on, which is what they advertise. However, compared to garage floor coverings that are made of thick rubber, epoxy will probably feel like concrete. This also applies if you are laying or sitting down to work on a car. The ideal solution would be a comfy mat on top of a painted floor but, again, money is often the limiting factor.

Garage Floor Coverings Might Be Cheaper

For many cases, garage floor mats are going to be a cheaper solution. If you are planning to cover your entire floor, right now, and are able to apply a paint kit yourself, then epoxy will be cheaper. In any other case, it will not. Paying someone to apply epoxy is expensive, but there aren’t many people that can’t throw down a garage floor mat without help.

Check out Gabriel’s garage floor coverings site for more garage floor information.

Doing Garage Flooring Yourself

November 23rd, 2009 Gus Fredericks No comments

Are you intending to apply your garage flooring yourself? This is a great way to save some money, and simultaneously improve your home, but I bet you’re wondering what, exactly, applying your own garage flooring will consist of. Since this is an investment, after all, you’ll want to use a method that will be both cost efficient and effective. This article will give you a quick review of what all will need to be done for all of the different types of garage flooring.

Epoxy Garage Floor Paint: The Most Comprehensive Of The Options

For most people, epoxy is going to be the best solution. After all, epoxy paint is basically an additional layer of stain resistant material that bonds directly to the concrete garage floor. When you do it yourself, it’s also generally the least expensive. There is, however, a cost in time spent installing. Compared to any other solution, an epoxy garage floor coating will take you a long time, and you can only install when conditions allow. You will have to be able to give the various coats time to dry, per the instructions that come with your kit, and the weather must be perfect. You will also have to clean the floor very thoroughly before you begin.

Garage Floor Tiles: Garage Flooring That Is Almost As Good As Paint

Paint sound like a daunting project, but still need a good, thorough solution? Tiles will protect the concrete garage floor just as well from any stains. Not only are they almost as durable but, if needed, they can be individually replaced if they ever become damaged, providing you can find tiles of that design later on. When installing, you can take breaks whenever needed, though the install will take around as long as paint. As the tiles don’t really have to dry or anything, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about weather, although there may be some extremes that you will need to avoid, as per the directions. Since the tiles are going to stick to whatever happens to be on the floor, the cleanliness is just as important as when painting, if not moreso.

Garage Floor Mats: The Alternative Garage Flooring

If neither tiles nor paint sound like the best idea for you, then you may want to consider a full garage floor mat. The install for these generally includes just cutting and placing the mat. You don’t even have to clean the floor if you don’t want to since it’s not going to be sticking to anything. If you have a heavily damaged floor, this may be your only option. However, a big mat is going to be the most expensive solution, and something as simple as driving upon it can sometimes mess them up, depending on the quality of the mat.

Compartment Garage Floor Mats: Garage Flooring For One Area

Compartment mats are generally only the best option when a small area of the floor needs to be covered. They work exactly as you would think: just throw the mat wherever you expect that the garage will become dirty, such as underneath a car or where you are going to be working. Single mats generally run about the same in cost as a paint kit, and they can be dragged outside for cleaning. You can even begin covering the entire floor with just one mat as most of them overlay or snap together to create a seal, but that is a very, very expensive way to cover your garage since all mats would have to be purchased separately.

For more information on garage flooring, visit the garage floor information site.