Firstly, kudos to you for giving your garage floor the attention it deserves! After suffering years of neglect and abuse from both foot and tire traffic, garage floors start to succumb to cracks and stubborn stains. We test and review the best garage floor coverings on the market and pick our winners.
By the end of the article, you’ll know exactly which garage floor covering to pick! Let’s get started.
Our Top Picks
- Best Roll-Out Mat: Climatex Runner Mat
- Best Interlocking Tiles: RaceDeck Interlocking Garage Floor Tile
- Best Snap Together Tiles: Gladiator Tiles
- Best Peel and Stick Tiles: Nexus Peel and Stick Tiles
- Best Carpet Mat: Missstore Garage Floor Mat
Garage Floor Covering Buying Advice
Best Roll-Out Mat: Climatex Runner Mat
Pros:
- No adhesive required for installation
- Easy to clean
- Durable
Cons:
- Slippery when wet
- May curl at the ends after some time
- Collects dirt easily
A roll-out mat must be easy to install and trim when necessary. This Climatex roll-out mat ticks all the right boxes in this regard.
Simply roll it onto your garage floor, trim any excess material with a sharp blade, and that pretty much covers the installation process. Because the mat is on the heavy side, you can expect it to stay in place without further reinforcement.
Made up of heavy-duty, commercial grade rubber, your durability and functional concerns are taken care of. This is because the mat can withstand considerable foot and tire traffic thanks to the sturdy construction.
Alternative Roll-Out Mat Options
Absorbent Mat With Adhesive
This is another roll-out mat that doesn’t require taping or adhesives to install. But its most notable feature has to be the liquid-proof barrier designed to keep liquid stains at bay.
Oil Absorbing Mat
If you’re working on a budget, consider this inexpensive roll-out mat. Despite the reasonable price tag, the mat is still durable and functional. Plus, it’s a breeze to maintain.
Best Interlocking Tiles: RaceDeck Interlocking Garage Floor Tile
Pros:
- Non-slip
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Fast installation
Cons:
- Pricy
- One set doesn’t cover a lot of space
- Warp after exposure to direct sunlight
These RaceDeck interlocking tiles are super easy to install. No tools, glue, or tape are required for the installation task. You’ll like the diamond-shaped design that’ll provide you with ample grip whether the mat is wet or dry. This makes them safe to use in all environments. The tiles give off a high-end look making your garage floor look stylish.
The tiles are available in a wide range of colors. Simply pick your favorite! The fact that they’re durable and easy to clean makes them a winner.
Alternative Interlocking Tiles Options:
RevTime Modular Interlocking Dect Tiles
These heavy duty interlocking tiles are designed to last thanks to their sturdy construction. They are easy to install, weatherproof and UV resistant.The latter eliminates expansion and contraction when exposed to direct sunlight.They are slip-resistant and easy to clean.
iDing Interlocking Mats
If you’re not a fan of bright colors, opt for these chic interlocking mats that come in a subtle gray. Color aside, they are durable, abrasion-proof, easy to assemble, and simple to clean.
Best Snap-Together Tiles: Gladiator Tiles
Pros:
- Easy to maintain
- Slip-resistant
- Heavy duty construction
Cons:
- Expensive
- May pull apart if you bend them over too quickly
- Produces a “clacking” sound when stepped on
I’m drawn to the stylish design of these snap-together tiles. You have five colors to pick from, giving you a wider selection. Made of tough, impact-resistant plastic, the tiles are designed to last you a long time. They can withstand even the harshest garage usage, including heavily loaded vehicles and extreme temperatures.
The tiles are resistant to grease, oils and other household chemicals. Installation is pretty easy and fast. Simply snap them together and you’re done. To top it off, the tiles come with an impressive 10-year warranty.
Alternative Rigid Snap-Together Tiles Options:
Resilia Tiles
Pick this alternative if you’re looking for slightly cheaper snap-together tiles. These tiles are also easy to install and maintain. Best of all, they don’t produce a “clacking” sound when walked on.
HYSA Snap-Together Tiles
Here is another cheaper option if you want durable snap-together tiles that will spruce up your garage space. Aesthetics aside, they’re easy to clean, chemical-resistant, and non-slip.
Best Peel and Stick: Nexus Peel and Stick Tiles
Pros:
- Firmly attach and stay in one place
- Visually appealing
- Well-priced
Cons:
- Slightly thin
- Some tiles may arrive with imperfections
- Patterns may not align
These Nexus Peel-And-Stick tiles are designed for easy installation. No tools, glue, or adhesive are required for the installation job. Make sure you stick them onto a dry and flat surface.
The black-and-white design coupled with the shiny high-gloss finish will leave your garage floors looking modern and stylish. Maintaining these tiles is also quick and simple
Alternative Peel and Stick Tiles Options:
Permanent Adhesive Vinyl Sheets
If you’re not keen on glossy garage floors, opt for these matte, peel-and-stick tiles. These are also available in black and white.They are on the thin side, but regardless, they’re surprisingly durable, not to mention cheaper too.
Nexus Marble Granite Peel and Stick Tiles
If you want your garage floors to have a stone-like appearance, pick these marble granite tiles. They’re easy to install, durable, and feature an attractive glossy finish.
Best Carpet Mat: Missstore Garage Floor Mat
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Looks neat
- Versatile
Cons:
- Expensive
- May be too lightweight
- Bunches up if not taped down securely
Only sold on Amazon
This garage floor mat is easy to install, and you need only dedicate a few minutes to the task. Simply roll out the carpet onto your garage floor and that’s it!
These mats are made of absorbent, durable material, which can last you years. The waterproof backing prevents oils and other chemical substances from soaking through the mat.
The dark color is a nice touch because stains aren’t easily visible. Even so, cleaning the carpet is simple. Just vacuum or power wash it.
Alternative Garage Carpet Options:
Delooant Parking Garage Mats
The carpet is equally versatile and can be used on any surface. More than anything else, it protects your garage floors from oils, mud, or stains. The mat’s also tear-resistant, making it extremely durable.
Self-Adhesive Carpet Tile
Consider this option if you prefer a garage floor carpet in the form of tiles. The carpet tiles are easy to install—simply stick them onto your floors. Cleaning up is also easy, just vacuum on a regular basis.
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Climatex Runner Mat View on Amazon –> View on Home Depot –> | Best Roll-Out Overall: 4.7 | No adhesive required for installation Easy to clean Durable | No adhesive required for installation Easy to clean Durable |
 RaceDeck Interlocking Garage Floor Tile View on Amazon –> View on RaceDeck –> | Best Interlocking Overall: 4.5 | Non-slip Aesthetically pleasing Fast installation | Pricy One set doesn’t cover a lot of space Warp after exposure to direct sunlight |
 Gladiator Tiles View on Amazon –> View on Overstock –> | Best Snap-Together Overall: 4.6 | Easy to maintain Slip-resistant Heavy duty construction | Expensive May pull apart if you bend them over too quickly Produces a “clacking” sound when stepped on |
 Nexus Peel and Stick Tiles View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Peel and Stick Overall: 4.4 | Firmly attach and stay in one place Visually appealing Well-priced | Slightly thin Some tiles may arrive with imperfections Patterns may not align |
Missstore Garage Floor Mat View on Amazon –> Only sold on Amazon | Best for Carpet Overall: 4.2 | Easy to clean Looks neat Versatile | Expensive May be too lightweight Bunches up if not taped down securely |
The Complete Garage Floor Covering Buying Guide
Types of Garage Floor Coverings
Roll-Out Mats
In case you don’t have much time to dedicate to the installation process, you can purchase a roll-out mat to cover your garage floors. This is the kind of floor covering you pick if you want to cover up any undesirable cracks on your garage floors.
As I mentioned earlier, the best garage floor coverings are super easy to install. And a floor covering that allows you to simply unroll it onto your garage floor will save you a lot of time and effort. That’s exactly what you can expect from a roll-out mat.
You can expect such floor covers to leave excess material during installation, but it’s nothing a quick trim can’t fix.
However, don’t be fooled by the vinyl rubber material; roll-out mats are very durable and designed to last for a long time. But as durable as they are, the material can easily be stained by chemical spills.
You just need to keep in mind that, though roll-out floor covers are loved for their ease of installation, they aren’t the easiest to repair when damaged. But you could always cut up another roll and replace the damaged section when reparative work is needed. And that process won’t be necessary until after a very long time given their durability!
Also, bear in mind that roll-out mats can be quite slippery. The situation is made worse during snowy weather when shoes and tires are much more slippery. And roll-out mats tend to contract and expand in extreme weather conditions. I’d advise you to tape them to the floor during installation, so the mats don’t peel off when exposed to temperature fluctuations.
Interlocking Tiles
Keen to add some color in your garage space? Your garage floors don’t have to look bland and boring. It’s okay to add colorful floorings to spice up your garage space.
Interlocking tiles come in an assortment of bright colors. Simply pick a color that’s appealing to you or even one that matches your car! You can also choose a combination of colors for that added flair.
Easy installation when it comes to garage floor coverings will always be high up on my priority list. And interlocking tiles don’t disappoint in this regard.
Not all floor covers need to be stuck onto your floors, which you’ll agree takes a lot of time and effort. The best garage floor covers are designed to easily snap together making installation a breeze.
Also, I never want to compromise on durability when picking garage floor covers. You can expect long long-lasting covers if they are made of sturdy materials. Interlocking tiles are set to alleviate any longevity concerns you may have, since they are mostly made of heavy-duty rubber.
Where do interlocking tiles excel? Such tiles are ideal if you want to cover up badly stained concrete garage floors and not necessarily cracked floors. Why? They usually work best on leveled surfaces. So, steer clear from this type if you’re working with badly damaged garage floors.
Snap-Together Tiles
Again, if you’re pressed for time and want tiles that can easily be snapped together for installation, pick these rigid snap-together tiles.
How do they differ from interlocking tiles? The key difference lies in the rigidity. As the name suggests, rigid snap-together tiles are much more firm compared to interlocking tiles.
This makes them the ideal pick if you park a large car with large tires in your garage. Such tiles can weather the storm because they are designed to handle much heavier traffic loads.
Aside from intense traffic, rigid tiles can adapt to extreme weather conditions. They won’t wear out prematurely due to endless expansion and contraction as a result of alternating weather extremes. If ever you want absolute value for your money, these are the tiles to pick.
The best tiles are always a breeze to clean. Cleaning rigid snap-together tiles is effortless. Maybe the fact that they don’t stain easily is one of the reasons behind this.
The only drawback to rigid snap-together tiles is they tend to produce a funny sound when walked on. But you can decide to make lemonade out of lemons by viewing this drawback as a security feature. You might just be able to hear when unauthorized parties are trampling your garage floors during ungodly hours.
Peel and Stick Tiles
If robust and durable tiles are what you’re after, you can consider opting for peel-and-stick tiles. Again, I’ll reiterate how the best garage floor covers are made of high-quality materials. And because these tiles are made up of heavy-duty vinyl, they fall under this category.
As you know, garage floors are subject to daily stress from both foot and tire traffic. You want a floor cover that can withstand the pressure.
If you love tiles that don’t limit your creativity and allow you to combine different color combinations and patterns, you might also love these tiles.
What’s even better is that you’ll find them easy to install. Just bear in mind that the floor cover installation process varies. While other tiles can be snapped together, some, like peel-and-stick tiles, need to be cut up into squares before sticking to your garage floors.
Granted, the installation process is still pretty easy; you just need to be prepared to dedicate extra time to the task.
Carpet Mats
This is an option for the open-minded folk who aren’t afraid to take risks with their garage floors. The general consensus is that carpets are only for home interiors. But yes, you can also add a carpet to your garage floor.
Of course, I don’t mean using your conventional shag rug on your garage floors. You’ll need a special kind of carpet specifically designed for multipurpose floors. Such carpets are very low maintenance. You’ll find it very easy to clean off any spills or oil leaks from the surface using a mild detergent. And that’s the kind of carpet you should consider putting in your garage if you decide to opt for this route.
Based on my research, you’ll need to purchase a product called TuffCarpet for this purpose. What I love about these multipurpose carpets is that they are also easy to install depending on the product you pick. You simply stick them onto your garage floors, much like what you do with the peel-and-stick tiles.
Because they also come in a wide range of colors, you can even pick your desired graphics and color combination to create eye-catching patterns.
The only major issue with carpet is that once one section is damaged, you’ll need to remove the entire carpet! But this can be prevented if you pick a carpet that’s installed in sections or squares, much like how you install tile flooring.
Benefits of Garage Floor Coverings
So, why am I advocating for garage floor coverings? My answer is best explained by highlighting the benefits of garage floor coverings.
Improve Your Garage Floor Appearance
First and foremost, adding a covering to your garage floors will instantly enhance the room’s aesthetics. Who said a garage can’t look chic and stylish?
Camouflage the Neglect!
Aside from improving the overall look of your garage, a floor covering hides any undesirable cracks, eroding surfaces, and hideous stains.
Layer of Protection
I absolutely love garage floor coverings, not only for their cosmetic appearance but also for their functional appeal. Floor coverings form an additional layer of protection and will safeguard your garage floors against moisture, traffic, and further deterioration.
And now for my top recommendations…
How We Ranked the Best Garage Floor Coverings
Now that you know the different garage floor coverings at your disposal, you need to know how to pick the right one for your needs. Remember these coverings aren’t one-size-fits-all.
Ask yourself the following questions.
What is the Intended Application?
Do you want to use the flooring on concrete or polished floors? This will determine the type of floor covering you choose. Certain floor coverings, like laminated tiles, work better on concrete floors than polished floors.
While you’re at it, consider what you’re trying to cover up. Is it stains, cracks, or an eroded surface? Tiles are designed to better cover level surfaces. If you can’t afford to repair the floor first, then a mat or carpet will suffice in that regard.
Is it Easy to Install?
No use picking a garage floor covering that’s a nightmare to install. Pick an option that has clear installation instructions. If you can buy one you can install yourself, that’d be even better. Think of the money you’ll save by not hiring a professional contractor.
Is it Low Maintenance?
Opt for a garage floor covering that’s easy to clean and maintain. This way you won’t have to worry about cleaning up your garage every other day or endure endless hours of scrubbing.
What Material is it Made Of?
I’m all for durable products that are designed to last. That’s exactly why you need to pick garage floor coverings made of sturdy materials that guarantee longevity.
Aside from durability, the material the product is made of also determines whether it’s stain-resistant or produces any noises when walked on, so keep that in mind.
How Much Does it Cost?
Your budget will determine the garage floor covering you go with. These coverings are available at different price tags depending on factors such as thickness or grade of material used in their construction. As a result, in some cases, the lower price tag may reflect low product quality.
But either way, garage floors are a more cost-effective way of giving your garage floors that much-needed facelift. They are much cheaper than remodeling your entire garage floors.
Is it Customizable?
If you’re one of those people who love to have full control of how your garage floor looks, opt for a customizable option. Such floor coverings usually come in a wide range of colors, and you can mix and match different prints depending on your preferences.
How to Prep Your Garage Floor Before Installing a Floor Covering
With most garage floor covers, you need to prepare the floors first before placing your covers.
Prepping your floors will make it much easier to install the covering. I’d advise you to do the following:
- Start by a good old-fashioned sweep to remove any dust and debris.
- Spot clean stains using an effective cleaning solution such as a degreaser. Alternatively, you can place a layer of sawdust over the area, as it’s known to effectively absorb grease stains.
- Perform a deep clean or power wash.
- Make sure you leave the space to air dry. Never cover a damp garage floor.
- Cover any cracks with a concrete sealer if possible because some floor covers can only stick well on a flat and level surface.
- Go ahead and install your floor covering using the instructions stated by the manufacturer.
FAQs About Garage Floor Coverings
If you’re to consider installation, durability, and aesthetics, mats are the best garage floor covering. They are super easy to install, and you can skip the prepping process before installation if you want, which saves you a great deal of time.
How Can I Make My Garage Floor Look Better?
Don’t wait till your garage floors are in an extremely bad state. Repair any cracks as soon as they occur. Wipe off spills as they occur and consider deep cleaning your garage floor now and again.
Or, for a cost-effective method, depending on how damaged the surface is, a fresh coat of paint may be all you need to restore your garage floor to its former glory. When all else fails, you can go ahead and pick one of our floor coverings.
What Kind Of Flooring Is Best To Put Over Concrete?
Lucky for you, you have multiple flooring options you can place over your concrete floors. Laminate and engineered wood flooring are excellent examples. Both options are affordable, easy to install, and designed to resist moisture.
How Much Does It Cost To Cover A Garage Floor?
The amount you pay will depend on the type of flooring you pick, materials used, contractor’s labor fees, and space to be covered. But, on average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $4,500.
How Can I Cover My Concrete Floor Cheaply?
There are a couple of ways you can cover your concrete floor without spending large amounts of money. Simply covering with a rug is your first option. Just be sure to avoid fancy, high-maintenance rugs that are difficult to clean.
Alternatively, you can paint your concrete floors as mentioned earlier.
What Is The Easiest DIY Flooring?
While all my recommendations are somewhat simple to install, carpets and mats are by far the easiest DIY flooring options. Simply roll out the carpet or mat over your floors and your work is done! If you’ve got the time, penny floors are also quite easy to install and the DIY experience is unbeatable!
Final Thoughts
When choosing a garage floor option, you need to prioritize durability over anything else. Why pick a floor cover that’ll start peeling off after a couple of months and start compromising your garage floors again?
From our list of recommendations, that’d be the rigid, snap-together tiles. These garage floor covers are tough, durable, and made of high-quality materials. They are designed to handle immense tire traffic and adverse weather conditions.
And the best part is, they are super easy to install. If one part gets damaged, you don’t have to remove the entire flooring; simply deal with the damaged section.
Sounds like the total package to us. What’s your take? What is the best floor covering for your garage in your opinion? Please help the community by sharing your experience and thoughts in the comments below or via social media.
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