How To Choose The Best Garage Floor Tiles?

Are you thinking about installing garage floor tiles? It’s indeed a good idea. Great-looking garage floor tiles can easily make your garage floor look super cool. After all, today, a garage has become much more than a place that’s used to store your car and other garage tools. 

Over the years, most homeowners have realized the value of good garage space. As a result, residential garages have become additional living or storage space. 

This is where you’d love to invite your friends and family over to watch a big game, play table tennis in the converted game room, or have a quiet home office. The possibilities are many. 

You don’t want your garage to have a boring (read sad-looking!) cold concrete floor. With so many garage flooring options, including tiles, on the market, you want this space to reflect your house’s charm and a bit of your personality. You can choose classic, checkered garage floor or striking interlocking garage floor tiles.

Advantages Of Garage Floor Tiles

When choosing garage floor tiles for your home, it’s best to read up on the pros and cons of each type of tile flooring and make an informed decision. Accordingly, you can choose PVC or rubber garage floor tiles, porcelain, and even peel and stick vinyl garage tiles. 

Thanks to advancements in technology, tiles are designed using different colours, textures, patterns, and durability. Besides the fact that garage floor tiles look fantastic, they provide many other benefits as well. The greatest advantage is that most tile flooring can be installed easily. In addition, they generally are as hassle-free to remove as they are to install. More often than not, the entire process is completed in less than a day!  

And, the durable tiles can be installed even over cracked or stained concrete floors. So, there might not be a need for you to repair the floor first. Another advantage is creating attractive tile patterns, including checkerboard, raised coin pattern, or diamond tiles on your floor. Plus, tiles are easy to clean too!

Disadvantage Of Garage Floor Tiles

The only major downside to having garage floor tiles is their high cost. Tile prices start at around $2.50 per square foot and can go high depending on the type you choose, your garage size, and zip code. In addition, tiles are more expensive than garage floor epoxy or garage floor paint.

Faqs About Best Garage Floor Tiles

Can I Put Tiles In Garage?

Tile and Permanent Garage Floor Coverings

Interlocking tiles can decrease the cost of installation, or high-end tiles can give an unmatched look to your garage. Floor tiles should be laid down right on top of your concrete so long as the concrete is in reasonable condition.

Is It A Good Idea To Tile A Garage Floor?

Adding tile to your flooring boosts your garage’s. Durability: Your garage floor is already strong, but adding under-car tiling can take its strength to the next level. If you routinely work on your car in your garage, adding tile can help your floor stand up to jacks and jack-stands more easily.

What Is The Difference Between Porcelain And Ceramic?

As stated above, the primary differences between porcelain and ceramic tile are composition and the manufacturing process. Porcelain is made using a mixture of finer clay packed at higher pressures and baked at higher temperatures in the kiln. … Ceramic tiles are more porous and often have a higher water absorption rate.

Does Porcelain Tile Crack Easily?

Porcelain tile is highly durable. Because it is extremely hard and dense, this tile resists wear, scratching, chipping, and cracking. That makes it an exceptional choice for homes with pets and active children.

What Is Pei Rating On Tile?

“PEI” is the abbreviation for Porcelain Enamel Institute. A PEI rating is given to a tile product based on the hardness of its glaze. This hardness is determined by the manufacturer using a standardized test. The results of this test will determine the proper usage of a product.

Popular Types Of Garage Floor Tiles

Interlocking Floor Tiles

Interlocking garage floor tiles are becoming hugely popular as one of the best options in garage floor coverings today. And, for a good reason. They are as easy as a breeze to install. They look good too. You can customize interlocking tiles and, as a result, your entire garage floor. With the latest online tools companies provide, you can even design your floor right on your computer before remodelling! You can opt for multiple colours or an all-solid colour; you can be unique with racing-style checkered flag themes, add interesting borders, mark space for your car parking and storage, and so much more.

Interlocking garage tiles are available as rigid polypropylene plastic tiles or more flexible rubber, such as PVC garage tiles. These garage floor coverings are resistant to stains, chemicals, oils, and road salts. And they are non-slip.  

Moreover, the tiles are U.V. resistant; they won’t fade under sunlight. Plus, they are mould and mildew resistant. You can choose from a simulated diamond plate, free flow, ribbed tiles, or a coin garage floor when it comes to surface patterns. The best feature is that these free-floating tiles are easy to install. 

You have to snap them in place since they are not affixed to the floor. However, an average garage can be tiled in just a few hours. If you’re unsure of your DIY abilities, you can always hire a professional installer. 

• FYI: Interlocking garage floor tile installation costs is around $2 per square foot (polypropylene tile) and over $3 per square foot (PVC tile). When choosing your garage floor tiles, don’t forget to look at the warranties. Premium brands have warranties as high as 15 years. Some attractive tiles might be less expensive but may have a much shorter warranty.

Vinyl Composite Garage Floor Tile

Vinyl composite tile, aka VCT, is again fairly easy to install. These sturdy tiles are mostly found in grocery stores and school hallways but are a great choice for residential garages. They are buffed and waxed to a high gloss finish – giving your garage a nice retro vibe that’s quite appealing. As far as the installation goes, these tiles are glued into place. The traditional black and white checkered look is easily the most popular. They are generally 12″ x12″ x 1/8″ thick. Vinyl garage tiles are resistant to staining, automobile fluids, and road salts.  

The downside is that they can be a little slippery when wet. In addition, VCT can gouge from sharp objects. Therefore, it might be a good idea to place a board under your car jack stand if and when you work on your car. Also, its installation is not as easy as that of interlocking tiles. Before the process, the cement floor needs to be cleaned and prepped properly. Only then will the floor accept the adhesive.

As far as the costs go, vinyl tiles are the least expensive option in garage floor tiles. Thereby making them ideal for budget garage flooring. Their prices can go as low as 70 cents per square foot. Keep in mind that such a floor requires general maintenance, including waxing and the occasional buffing.

Peel And Stick Vinyl Garage Tile

Polyvinyl peel and stick garage floor tiles come with a pressure-sensitive adhesive on their backside. Just peel the release paper off and stick the tiles. So, when you install these stickers, you don’t need any additional glue on the concrete floor.

Moreover, these tiles are easy to maintain. They have a glossy, non-porous finish that doesn’t require any waxing or special treatment. Plus, they provide even better protection from stains and spills. You can choose your tiles either in a diamond pattern or a levant tread pattern that’s smoother.

FYI: The durable tiles are easily available in 12 different colours and two sizes: 12″x12″ and 24″x24″ and can be used to custom-design your floor. The installation cost is a little over $3 per square foot.

Porcelain Garage Floor Tile

Surprisingly, porcelain tiles are one of the most durable and beautiful flooring choices available on the market. They are both hard and slip-resistant. And, don’t get confused by their delicate name; they are extremely difficult to scratch, break, or even chip! In addition, since they stand up well to abuse moisture, oils, stains, and road salts – they are an ideal choice for professional garages or large garages that house more cars.

Also, if you live in a region with temperatures below freezing point, you don’t have to worry. The tiles do well in cold climates too. They are also easy to clean. Porcelain tiles are by far the best garage floor tiles you can have in terms of durability and resistance to staining. As far as sizes and colour are concerned – there’s a wide variety out there. The installation charges are about $1 per square foot. 

Should I Paint Or Tile My Garage Floor?

A garage floor covering isn’t the top flooring priority in a home, but putting one in has real benefits. You may not be concerned with creating a beautiful garage floor, but the fact is that it is likely to incur abuse, unlike anywhere else in your home. Automotive fluids can leak from your car, staining the floor and creating an unseemly smell. At the very least, snow and grime are probably going to begin to migrate into your garage.

Dirty garage floors can also contribute to accidents. If you use your garage as a workshop, you may need to install a floor covering to be safe and reduce the chance of slipping. Of course, you can always just lay down mats to fix this problem, but more advanced floor coverings will give you total coverage and a more permanent, reliable garage floor. Decided it’s time to upgrade the look of that garage? Revamping the garage floor will transform your garage from boring to beautiful. In addition, a bare concrete floor provides a space to walk and park on.

However, a little time and effort completely change the atmosphere of your garage. What was once a bland room hidden away becomes the room of choice for sports games and hangouts. Once you begin your search for different types of garage floor options, you’ll find there’s a lot more to it than you thought. Figuring out what product to cover your garage with is daunting to many homeowners.

Commercial and domestic garages need a hard-wearing floor surface. The floor is always exposed to spilt oil, water, grease and mud, so flooring should be quick to clean, slow to stain and reluctant to take damage! Unfortunately, you never find carpets, lino or wooden flooring in a garage, and for a good reason – these types of flooring aren’t up for the job. The common choice for garage owners are to paint a concrete floor or floor tiles, whether interlined plastic or ceramic.

Two popular and well-known choices are epoxy and garage floor tiles. Both products have their costs and benefits. Before purchasing a product, information on the pros and cons sets you and your floor up for success. Therefore, it is essential to compare these products to make a well-informed decision. 

Yes, we know: you could turn any space into a dream garage if you could park three Porsches in it, like the lucky owner shown above. But we’re not talking about the vehicles you put in your garage; we’re here to help you turn it into a happy place to house any set of wheels you happen to own.

You’ve put the pegboard up, the garage walls are freshly painted, and you’ve finally installed the bright lighting. You’ve just about turned your workspace into a proper shop for money-saving repairs on the family chariots or your special ride. What you need now is the finishing touch:

• A great garage floor
• Using either a garage floor coating
• A garage floor epoxy
• Some solid flooring

Common Garage Floor Covering Options

Interlocking Garage Floor Tiles

One of the cheapest options available, interlocking garage floor tiles, is commonly manufactured using rubber or vinyl material. Each garage floor tile includes interlocking weaves to make installation and replacement quick and easy. While primary installation is relatively inexpensive compared to alternative garage floor coverings, the low durability makes repairing and replacing the garage floor tiles expensive over time.

• Pros:
  • Relatively inexpensive compared to other garage floor coverings.
  • Easy to replace tiles as they wear.
• Cons:
  • Very low durability makes them unsuitable for garages that house cars, recreational vehicles or machinery.
  • Collect dirt and debris within cracks, making them hard to clean.

Vinyl Floor Covering

Vinyl flooring usually comes in rolls that you roll out and cut to fit your garage floor area. It makes installation very straightforward and relatively easy, requiring a quick clean of the surface area before installing the vinyl flooring.

Like the vinyl flooring installed in many houses, the durability of vinyl flooring is poor, meaning replacement and repair are somewhat frequent depending on use. This becomes more regular if used as a garage floor covering as tyres, machinery and oil splatter or leaks can severely damage the vinyl.

• Pros:
  • Easy to purchase and install.
  • Provides a timber look and feel, available in multiple colours and styles.
• Cons:
  • Damaged vinyl strips will need to be replaced regularly as the durability of vinyl is poor.
  • Short-term solution due to the low durability, requiring costly repairs in the future.

Garage Floor Carpet

Just like the rooms in your house, adding carpet creates a more comfortable and cosy room while not being the most common garage floor covering option. Before considering carpet as a garage floor covering, read through these precautions.

While carpet does provide a good anti-slip and easy to vacuum floor, vehicles, machinery, and recreational vehicles stored in your garage can easily damage the carpet. Carpet should only be used as a garage floor covering if the use of your garage is less mechanical, such as a home office, additional living room or storage.

• Pros:
  • Endless colour and design options.
  • Relatively inexpensive for the primary installation.
• Cons:
  • Easy to stain and damage when installed in frequently used areas such as mechanic workshops or home garages where vehicles may leak oil.
  • Requires routine cleaning and repairing to maintain, which can be costly over time.

Painted Garage Floor

Garage floor paint is one of the most common and widely used options for residential garages. Available at most home and hardware stores, the application will require a few coats to ensure a durable and visually appealing garage floor covering.

While relatively easy to install (while also very labour intensive), garage floor paint is prone to wear and tear and has limited abrasion and chemical resistance. Regular recoating will be required over time. And unless thorough, time-consuming preparation is carried out each time, subsequent layers will flake and damage easily.

• Pros:
  • Purchasable from your local home and hardware store.
  • Low product cost and minimal skill required to apply.
• Cons:
  • Long turnaround time as most applications require multiple coats with long drying times.
  • Easily damaged, and regular recoating is required.

Garage Floor Epoxy Covering

Deciding to install an epoxy garage floor will provide a sealed coating that protects from light abrasion and mild chemicals. The coating is formed by mixing a resin and a catalyst before applying it to a clean and flat surface.

• Pros:
  • Waterproof – easy to clean spills.
  • Wide range of colour options and finishes.
• Cons:
  • Requires up to a week before the garage floor coating can sustain vehicle traffic.
  • Not U.V. stable – will experience yellowing when exposed to sunlight, making it less ideal for outdoor applications or garages and sheds with windows/Skylights.

Polyaspartic Floor Coating

For the highest strength and most durable garage floor covering on the market, look no further than Polyaspartic coatings.

A Polyaspartic coating penetrates the substrate, which provides unrivalled durability against abrasion and chemical damage. Being U.V. stable, it is suitable for all types of outdoor, residential and commercial applications. Cracks are filled before the application process. The finished result is a level and sealed garage floor making that is easy to clean and looks great thanks to a wide variety of colours and finishes, including standard colour, quartz granule and flake colour chips. The non-slip additive can also be added to improve the slip rating of the surface. Polyaspartic has the fastest turnaround time of any coating and is installed by trained technicians, so you can rest assured that your garage floor will be protected for many years to come.

• Pros:
  • Very high resistance to abrasion, chemicals and wear and tear, out-classing other garage floor covering.
  • Fast turnaround – walk on within 3 hours, vehicle traffic in 24 hours.
  • Available in a variety of U.V. stable colours, finishes.
• Cons:
  • Require installation by experienced technicians, ensuring high durability and longevity of your garage floor covering, perfect for home garages and commercial flooring.
  • Slightly higher upfront installation cost than inferior coatings; However, durability and strength, reduce the need for ongoing maintenance and costly repairs.

Conclusion

Now that you’re aware of all the tiling options you have, we’re sure you can turn your garage into a showplace while withstanding the toughest of environments. The tiles will help you transform your garage and how! You can’t go wrong with garage floor tiles, no matter which type you choose. They add class and a solid character to your space while providing you with a floor that’s easy to maintain and stunning.

How much does it cost to epoxy garage floor?

Epoxy garage floors cost between $1,447 to $3,006, with the national average at $2,227. If you’re tired of the plain concrete flooring in your garage, you may be interested in long-lasting epoxy flooring. Epoxy is a rugged and durable finish that will transform dull garage flooring into a gleaming surface.

Is it worth it to epoxy garage floor?

Epoxy flooring protects the underlying concrete from moisture, stains, grease and cracks. In the long run, this can save you a great deal on cleaning and maintenance costs by eliminating the need to clean carpet or grout. It’s also very reasonably priced for the duration and level of protection that it offers.

Why you should not epoxy your garage floor?

Steer Clear of Epoxy on Your Garage Flooring

• #1: Epoxy has Weak Adhesion. Compared to paint, epoxy has far stronger adhesion. …
• #2: Epoxy Takes Multiple Days to Fully Cure. …
• #3: Epoxy Fades. …
• #4: It Can Stick to the Wrong Places! …
• #5: Poor Flexibility. …
• #6: Cooler Temp Applications Are Tough.