Your garage does not have to be just a place to keep your vehicle. Whether you need a part of it for a custom workspace, or you wish to renovate it into a play area, you should consider the kind of garage floor that’s best for your needs. Although standard concrete garage floors remain viable options, the number of garage floor alternatives may surprise you, both in variety and cost effectiveness.

Concrete Floors for Your Garage

While most homes come standard with concrete floors, few homeowners consider that they cannot leave this garage floor as is, even when they plan to use the garage only for their vehicles. Oil and other fluids can leak onto the concrete surface, staining it and creating slick spots that are slip hazards. Even the dust you bring in on your tires presents issues to allergy sufferers.

A simple solution to these problems is to cover concrete garage floors with something to protect it and your family. In general, you have three primary options:

• Carpet
• Mats
• Paints and sealants

Each type of flooring is appropriate for different situations, so always consider your intended purpose for the garage before you make a selection.

Garage Epoxy Floors and Paints

Although a simple concrete sealant will make it easier to clean stains from your concrete garage floor, it does little to raise the aesthetic value of your garage. This is fine when it’s little more than a storehouse for your car and lawn equipment. However, you may want something nicer if your garage doubles as your home office with visiting clients. Epoxy garage floors meet both these ends and remain an affordable option at under $4 per square foot.

On the other hand, epoxy floors have one distinct disadvantage in that they are time intensive. You must clean every inch of the concrete floors you intend to paint, in order to ensure no dust or dirt interfere with the bonding process. Keeping the rest of the garage clean is just as important: Any debris that hits the epoxy floor while it dries will stick and become a permanent part of the garage floor. As long as you have at least 48 hours after application before you plan to use the garage, you should have little problem handling this project on your own.

Garage Floor Mats and Carpet

An easier alternative to epoxy garage floors are durable plastic or rubber mats. You’ll pay a few dollars more per square foot, but you can typically unroll the mat and trim this garage flooring option to fit as necessary. Instead of waiting days, you and your family can enjoy your garage floors right away. Keep in mind that this type of flooring is most suitable for garage workspaces, not vehicle storage.

If you plan to use your garage as a game room or play area for small children, carpet is the most appropriate type of garage floor covering. Your cost will vary based on the carpet pad and quality of carpet you select. For best results, consider having a professional install these garage floors.