Flooring Options
Many garage renovations begin with a primary goal to improve the bare concrete floor. Fortunately, there are several solutions available in a wide price range.
- • Paint and epoxy
- • Rolled coverings require no adhesives
- • Snap together flooring
- • Wood floors are good insulators
Paint and epoxy
Paint provides the fastest and easiest floor upgrade for a garage. Latex concrete paint often called "porch-and-floor paint" offers a quick, inexpensive, and colorful solution. As long as you don't plan to share your garage shop with a car (hot tires can damage the surface) or otherwise abuse it, concrete paint may be right for you. Depending on brand, a gallon sells for about $30.
Epoxy-based coatings, extremely hard when cured, are among the most durable options. A one-part epoxy can be applied straight from the can, while two-part epoxies (resin and hardener) must be mixed thoroughly before use. A two-car-garage kit (500 sq. ft.) that includes floor cleaner and two-part epoxy and sells for about $120.
Whether you apply paint or epoxy, the floor must be clean, dry, and free of grease and oils, or you may find the coating will peel up with the first change in weather or humidity. Proper adhesion of most epoxy products also requires a thorough process to provide "tooth" for the epoxy to bond to the concrete. A chemical etching is the most common DIY approach.
Professionally applied epoxy coatings may cost in the range of $3.50-$5.00/sq. ft. for a two-car garage. The price is higher because industrial-grade epoxy is 100 percent solids (no fillers and therefore no odor during application) compared with about 20 percent solids for the DIY product. The industrial-quality epoxy wears longer and isn't subject to hot spots (DIY epoxy can bubble up) from hot auto tires.
After a thorough cleaning, professionals will roll on two or three coats, compared with one coat for the DIY products.
Shop for epoxy floor coatings at Amazon.com
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A question about the epoxy systems: How long must newly poured concrete cure before applying the epoxy?
1/19/2012 04:25:23 PM Report AbuseI installed the Dricore floor in my garage last fall. It not only makes the concrete easier on the back, but if i drop a board, it is somewhat forgiving. Also, the air space underneath provides a layer of warmth in the winter. They are very easy to install and cut.
8/6/2011 02:52:58 PM Report AbuseI'm thinking of a cheap laminent .60 to .80 cents a sq/ft. Any pros/cons?
8/5/2011 11:27:27 PM Report AbuseThere is no better floor surface for a shop (concrete floor) than the polyaspartic based products offered by Alternative Surfaces Co. I recently had my 700 sq ft shop floor done and it is beautiful, durable easy to clean. Concrete surface is machine ground and smoothed before the products are applied. Cost is about $2.75-$3.00 sq ft. and is guaranteed for a lifetime. Only problem is I can not see saw dust on the floor because of the color I chose. Check it out at alternativefloors.net
8/4/2011 03:44:57 PM Report AbuseI use the Horse stall mats for my shop floor...they insulate well and are stiff enough to vacuum and to roll even the heaviest tool on. My shop is not large enough (who's is?) for my tools to all have a permanent spot...so most are on wheeled carts or have casters.
8/4/2011 02:57:26 PM Report AbuseI had them and sent them back to the barn. Since they were not attached to the floor they would shift and leave spaces that would impede tool stand wheels. If you attach them permanently to the floor, that are comfortable and rubber tools wheels did roll well on them.
8/4/2011 10:44:15 AM Report AbuseI've been thinking horse stall mats might work well. Mini test indicated table saw wheels still worked. Anyone else? D2
8/4/2011 09:58:13 AM Report Abuse