Garage flooring is something that many homeowners neglect. This floor often sees heavy machinery and impact from tools and may be prone to chemical exposure or moisture retention. This is why so many people choose to leave these floors unfinished with raw concrete – and no style.

This doesn’t have to be the case for your home! If you want your garage or basement floor to look a little more polished – but don’t want to spend a fortune renovating the space – here are a few affordable options:

Start with Smooth Concrete

No matter what kind of changes you want to make to your flooring, you will want to repair and smooth the concrete first. This may be as simple as cleaning the floor, or it might involve filling cracks, sanding, and smoothing the surface. Regardless, this will give you a clean slate to work with and a better and longer-lasting finished floor. 

Stain It

The easiest way to give your garage or basement flooring a new look without installing new floors is to apply a stain to the concrete. This can dramatically alter the color and overall appearance of your floors. The porous nature of concrete means it takes and holds stains well.

To prevent your stain from fading, your retailer might suggest that you seal it. This will prevent moisture and everyday garage chemicals from fading or altering your stain over time. 

Paint It

One drawback of choosing a stain for your garage flooring is that it might not look finished. This is especially true if you choose not to seal the flooring. After all, stained concrete flooring is just concrete of a different color.

To dial up the finished look of your flooring without ramping up the price tag too much, consider painting your garage floor. This will allow you to choose between hundreds of color and finish options that can change the look and feel of the room completely. 

Seal It

For many homeowners, the garage or basement is an area prone to moisture retention or flooding. In these cases, it might be best to opt for a sealant rather than paint.

An epoxy floor coating or covering is an excellent choice for garage flooring. It seals out moisture and is durable when properly applied. This makes it a good investment for floors that are both prone to spills and moisture retention and which may take heavy machinery or impact damage.

Epoxy coating will also generally last longer than paint and have a more finished look than stain. It does have a higher price tag than either of these options, but given its lasting good looks, it is little wonder so many homeowners prefer it. 

Install Affordable Flooring

If you would rather cover your concrete flooring with something to give it a finished look, consider an affordable option such as linoleum or inexpensive tile. Each of these has its merits; choosing the right one for your project comes down to which look and feel you prefer for your space.

Tile is a good option for spaces that are prone to moisture. It is also a flexible option. There is a tile to suit every taste and every budget, but some tiles can be expensive and difficult to install.

Linoleum is usually less expensive than tile and can be easy to install. It is suitable for most basement or garage areas, except those that experience a lot of impacts or heavy machinery use.

Ultimately, the best garage flooring is the one that suits your family’s needs and budget. For more information on each of these flooring options, speak to your local flooring retailer.