What’s the Best Type of Flooring for a Garage?

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According to estimates by RAC Home Insurance, there are approximately 11m garages in the UK and more than half of them (5.7 million) are not used to park cars. Data gathered in their recent survey suggests that only 40% of drivers regularly park in their garage and 8% do occasionally. The rest of the homeowners who have a garage cite various reasons for not using their garage to park their car.

The number one reason, cited by 68% of drivers is the fact that they have too many other items stored in the garage. These items include DIY tools and materials, gardening tools and garden furniture, push bikes and scooters, welly boots and shoes and camping equipment.

The second most popular reason (39%) cited by drivers is because there is not enough room to comfortably get in and out of the car due to the small size of the garage. A further 30% state that their cars are too big to even fit through the garage doors.

So what are people using their garages for if not for parking cars? Well, 83% of those surveyed said extra storage, 47% use it as a workshop or DIY space, 9% as a home gym or exercise space, and 8% say they have converted theirs into another room.

Regardless of what you are using your garage for, you need to make sure it is fit for its purpose. That includes the flooring.

What are the Options for Garage Flooring?

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The best flooring for a garage is likely to depend on what you plan to use your garage for. Will it be used to store your car? Will it be used as a workshop? Perhaps an extra living area? So let’s explore a few different options for garage flooring materials and what they are best suited for.

Concrete Garage Flooring

Concrete is the most classic garage flooring material. It’s long-lasting and hard-wearing making it perfect for parking a car on or using workshop machinery. Concrete can be polished to remove its roughness and reflect light. Unfortunately, a polished concrete floor can come with a high price tag, so may not be suitable if you’re on a tight budget. But other than the cost consideration it is a great flooring for a garage.

Resin Flooring

Epoxy resin can be coated over the top of a concrete floor to create a smooth and hard surface. Resin garage floors typically don’t last as long as polished concrete. However, they‘re still very durable. They also cost far less to install than a polished concrete floor while still providing the same shiny quality. A resin floor could be great if you’re setting up a workshop or want to store vehicles in your garage. 

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a much cheaper option. It provides a smooth easy-to-clean surface that doesn’t echo like polished concrete or resin. You can buy vinyl in an array of different styles including imitation stone and wood designs. It can be good for garages that are being converted into living areas, but is not suitable for parking a car on as it will easily mark and tear. 

Garage Carpet

If you’re converting a garage into a living area, you could consider a garage carpet. The biggest benefit of carpet is that it is soft and warm, it absorbs sound and is a great insulator. Carpet is also not too expensive to install compared to some other options. Of course, carpet does have limited applications.

Carpet and spillages don’t mix which makes it inappropriate for workshops or kitchens, and you’re certainly not going to want to park your car on it. However, it could be ideal if you’re turning your garage into a lounge, home office, gaming room or guest bedroom. 

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are an excellent multi-functional surface option that can make your garage flooring look very sophisticated. Due to their resistance to pressure, porcelain tiles are suitable for parking a car on. At the same time, they don’t have the industrial look of concrete which can make them a more suitable hard floor option for a kitchen or a lounge area. The downside of porcelain? It’s not cheap. These floors also don’t offer much sound or thermal insulation. 

Plastic Tiles

Plastic tiles are a more rugged-looking surface option. They may not look cosy in a living area, but they can be ideal for functional spaces. This could include a garage used for vehicle parking, a workshop or a home gym. They’re easy to clean, they’re hard-wearing and they can help absorb sound. On top of this, they’re a very affordable option. 

So think carefully about the intended use before choosing the best flooring for a garage floor. Not all garage flooring materials are the same and you should choose the garage flooring option that best suits your needs.