There are a variety of reasons to cover or coat your cement garage floor. Oil, salt, and other substances are often spilled in the garage, and can seep into the cement and leave permanent stains. Cracks and chipping can occur, leaving your cement floor susceptible to further damage. By choosing one of many garage floor coverings, you can extend the life and improve the looks of your garage floor.
One of the most versatile options in garage floor covers is the epoxy garage floor covering. Epoxy floor coatings are rolled or spread onto the cement in a two step process. They create an even, shiny floor surface that looks like a showroom floor. Epoxy floors hold up to weight, friction, and spills well, and are fairly easy to clean. They also last longer and look new longer than options such as paint. Epoxy can be tricky to install by an inexperienced home owner, but if the home owner has some painting experience they should be able to do it themselves with a little practice. One downside to epoxy flooring is the safety issue. Epoxy flooring becomes extremely slippery when wet, so if the garage floor is often wet, extra care and safety equipment must be used.
Another good option for the home owner looking to cover his garage floor is to install a vinyl garage floor covering. This is the easiest garage floor cover to install, and also the easiest to replace as it gets worn and ages. There are two main types of vinyl garage flooring. The first requires an adhesive to attach it to the cement, and the second is simply rolled out over the floor like a mat. Dealing with floor adhesives can be difficult, so most homeowners looking for an easy way to cover their garage floors themselves should choose the roll out vinyl flooring.
Roll out vinyl floor is made from tough and durable polyvinyl, and can be cut to fit any corner with a simple utility knife. It’s strong enough to hold up to daily use such as a vehicle driving over it, heavy objects being dragged over it, or regular spills. It cleans easily, and can be removed for more thorough cleaning without having to cut or reattach the vinyl. Care must be taken to correct folds or bends if they do occur, or the vinyl could crack when weight is applied. Vinyl flooring is less expensive than epoxy flooring, but may cost more in the long run, as it usually needs to be replaced more often than epoxy flooring needs to be reapplied.