In Low-Cost Garage Flooring Options, Look For Options That Provide Good Value

Feb 3

Many of our readers have asked us for recommendations for low-cost garage flooring. Cheap and excellent, on the other hand, aren't usually synonymous with good. However, just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't get the most bang for your buck with a little work on your side.

It's also worth noting that "affordable garage flooring" is a subjective term. To put it another way, what one person considers to be too costly for their budget may be considered cheap by another. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of garage flooring alternatives for you to consider, all of which are reasonably priced in their respective categories.

Paint

Concrete garage floor paint is, without a question, the most cost-effective solution. Cleaning and priming the concrete before painting it just takes a little time and work.

Though paint is one of the least long-lasting garage flooring solutions, it may provide the most noticeable improvement in the appearance of your floor for the least amount of money. However, keep in mind that the line between inexpensive and decent might be blurred in this case.

Make sure you buy acrylic 1-part epoxy paint from the many painting supplies available. 1-part epoxy paint lasts longer and adheres better than ordinary latex acrylic concrete paint for just a few dollars extra per gallon. It costs about $35 per gallon and covers 300-400 square feet, depending on the brand. Our top picks for garage floor paint may be found here.

Sealant (Acrylic)

Acrylic sealer is an economical garage flooring choice if you have a largely blemish-free garage floor.

Acrylic sealers are a kind of topical treatment that uses a transparent, thin acrylic layer to emphasize your naked concrete floor. This topical layer protects your floor against chemicals, oils, road salts, and fluids, as well as preventing concrete dusting and efflorescence.

Acrylic paint may be applied using a garden pump sprayer or a paint brush and roller. Most come in a satin or glossy finish, with water-based or solvent-based formulations to choose from. The cost varies according on the brand and the quality of the product. A simple water-based mixture should cost roughly $35 per gallon and cover 250-300 square feet. Solvent-based acrylics or MMA acrylic sealers, such as this one, are the finest performing acrylics available.

Epoxy

When it comes to low-cost garage flooring, epoxy coating is one of the best options. We're not talking about multi-coat commercial garage floor coatings here; we're talking about single-coat DIY epoxy garage floor kits that you can get at your local home improvement store or online.

In terms of surface preparation, an epoxy coating necessitates the greatest labor. In order for the epoxy to form a mechanical connection, it is usually necessary to etch the concrete to provide the right surface profile. If your concrete has been sealed before, grinding may be required.

These low-cost epoxy kits are a big hit. Compared to garage floor paint or acrylic coatings, they provide higher coverage and protection. When compared to commercial grade products, they are an excellent value for the money, but you must have realistic expectations for their performance. To discover more about these easy-to-install epoxy garage floor kits, we recommend reading this article.

Mats

Nothing beats the simplicity of garage floor mats when it comes to flooring solutions.

They hide defects, oil stains, and other ugly areas in your garage without requiring any floor preparation. Installation may take as little as one hour to cover the complete garage floor since they just roll out over the concrete.

While a complete floor covering may be more than some people wish to spend on a limited budget, you can always get lesser sized parking mats. Garage floor mats are simple to maintain and may be hosed off in the driveway.

Vinyl Composite

If you're handy around the house, vinyl composite tile is a popular garage floor alternative that offers a true personalized appearance at a reasonable price. They come in a variety of colors, with the classic black and white checkered pattern being the most popular.

If you hunt around, these tiles, also known as VCT flooring, may be found for as little as.79 cents per square foot. This is one of the greatest garage floor deals available. VCT offers excellent floor protection and is easy to maintain. Just keep in mind that the floor will need to be waxed on a regular basis, and that your concrete may need to be prepped prior to installation.

Tiles That Connect

Finally, if you want the personalized appearance of a tiled garage floor but don't want the installation and maintenance hassles of VCT, interlocking garage floor tiles may be the answer. They need little to no floor preparation and may be placed in as little as a few hours, depending on the size of your garage floor.

These sturdy tiles are made of polypropylene plastic and can endure the abuse that most garages can dish out. They're stain-resistant, simple to maintain, and provide excellent weather protection for your garage floor.

Last Words On

Penetrating sealers are one product category that we didn't mention. Despite the fact that bare concrete sealers are inexpensive and effective at maintaining your garage floor, we chose not to include them since they provide no aesthetic value to the surface and are technically not flooring. More about penetrating sealers may be found here.

If you're looking for garage flooring online, keep in mind that you may save money by using coupon codes. It might sometimes be beneficial to contact the merchant directly to inquire about discounts or forthcoming deals. Many of these businesses are eager to earn your business and may provide a bonus to get you to buy.

While some of these garage flooring solutions may not be inexpensive for some, the majority of them provide fantastic value for money if you are on a tight budget. Just remember that the cheapest garage flooring is usually the least lasting.

Regardless of your choice, your garage will be transformed. It will make cleaning simpler, protect your concrete from spills, and preserve your concrete from the numerous elements that a garage floor endures.