Are you aware that yearly spending on home improvements has reached $420 billion? If you’re looking for a way to improve your property, consider starting with a garage makeover. Introducing new garage floors can offer an easy update that adds style and durability.
Read on to learn how to choose between different types of garage floor coatings!
Look into a Painted Floor
A painted floor is an inexpensive and attractive way to update garage floors. You won’t need any fancy equipment, but you will need to degrease your floor and repair any significant cracks. This critical step allows for better adhesion between the paint and the garage floor surface.
You can find garage floor paints in a range of colors to suit your style. But keep in mind that the paint won’t be a long-term solution. Think of it more as a short-term way to spruce up your space.
In the same vein, you can try a floor stain on the garage floors. With a stain, you can infuse your floor with color and conceal unattractive discolorations. Just be aware that you’ll need to add a sealer to protect your floor.
Try Tiles for a Budget-Friendly Fix
If you’re trying to do a garage makeover on a shoestring budget, tiles might be the right choice. Interlocking tiles are available in a range of colors and are easy to install during the weekend.
Understand that tiles won’t fix any problems with the concrete floor. If you have significant cracks or chips, it’s worth investing in repairs to avoid more expensive problems later. But for an easy cosmetic fix, you can’t go wrong with tiles.
Tiles can cover stains and add a pop of color if you use your garage as a workout space or workshop. In most cases, you won’t need to worry about using adhesive to install them, either, since the interlocking teeth will anchor the tiles in place. Look for tiles that are known to stay in place to help avoid shifting once installed.
Consider an Epoxy Coating
For a classic upgrade to your garage floors, turn to epoxy. When you apply this coating to your concrete floors, you’ll see a clean surface in a glossy or satin finish after it’s cured in a few days. Choose a flake finish in a muted or high-contrast color combination to give your garage design more style.
Epoxy offers an advantage over paint in that it tends to stick to your floors better, and it creates a harder surface. Best of all, epoxy floors are simple to clean. Just use a degreaser and power washer or mop during your annual spring cleaning.
Be aware, however, that you may need to upgrade your epoxy coating after five years. That’s because they are prone to peeling and flaking. You may also notice that the color looks muted or uneven over time.
Plan on applying epoxy in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate, too. And if you opt for a DIY epoxy project, plan ahead to ensure you use the coating properly for a positive aesthetic outcome!
Investigate Resurfacing
For another way to make a cosmetic upgrade, try resurfacing your concrete floor. With this process, you’ll apply a coating made up of cement, pigments, and polymer to the surface of your concrete.
You can stick with the gray base color of a resurfacer, or opt for something more colorful. Keep your garage floor style as subdued or inventive as you want with a resurfacer!
As for disadvantages, resurfacers aren’t as hefty as epoxy coatings. So, yes, you will see them break down over time. And if you have severe cracks, you shouldn’t apply a resurfacer until you’ve repaired them.
Choose Polyurea Coatings
For a durable coating, you can’t go wrong with polyurea, which is related to polyurethane. Polyurea coatings are hard, robust, and long-lasting. One of these coatings will outlast epoxy because of the more robust and deeper chemical bond when applied to a surface.
These benefits aren’t the only reason to give polyurea consideration, either. Polyurea is resistant to chipping and peeling. It’s also flexible and stands up to grease.
You can achieve a wide range of color options, too. And because polyurea can last over 15 years, you’ll want to choose a color you can be happy with!
Go with Floor Pads
For another low-cost way to upgrade your garage floors, invest in mats or rugs. They’ll help to keep floors safe, especially if you live in an area with cold weather and snow. When you pull your car into the garage on a winter day, you’ll drag in snow that a good mat can help absorb.
Floor pads provide coverage that can safeguard your garage floors from moisture. You can remove them periodically to drain water, but you’ll probably need some help lifting them. And you’ll want to watch for leaks beneath the pads.
Also, be aware that you may find yourself repositioning them frequently. For mats that sit beneath cars, they’ll move when your car enters and exits the garage. Look for mats that have grippers on the bottom to help hold them in place.
Learn About the Different Types of Garage Floor Coatings
When you know about the different types of garage floor coatings, you can make a more informed choice. Go with epoxy, paint, or tiles for solutions that will fit into a tight budget. But for longer-lasting solutions, turn to polyurea or resurfacing.
For more tips on keeping your home in good shape, check back soon for new articles!
