Whether you have just had a nice new concrete floor laid in your garage or you have given your existing floor a facelift with paint or epoxy, the last thing you want is your floor being damaged by car oil, salt from icy roads, or other debris. In this article we text and review the 5 best garage floor mats.
Garage floor mats are an affordable option for covering your entire garage or just problem areas, such where you park your car. It can act as a barrier between your floor and oil drips, snow melts, and pretty much anything else.
There are a lot of products on the market, so we will take you through the best options and provide a full buying guide.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Rubber-Cal Diamond Plate Rubber Flooring Rolls
- Best Carpet Mat: Drymate Armor All Felt Carpet Mat
- Best Padded Mat: Rubber-Cal Fine Rib Corrugated Mat
- Best Winter Mat: TruContain Containment Mat
- Best for Garage Gym: Innhom Interlocking Foam Mat
Garage Floor Mat Buying Advice
Best Overall: Rubber-Cal Diamond Plate Rubber Flooring Rolls
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable
- Easy to install and maintain
- Non-slip
- Waterproof and fire retardant
Cons:
- Can be damaged by sharps
- Can be slippery when wet
If you are looking for a durable mat to protect your garage floor, then rubber diamond mats are an excellent choice. Made from resilient rubber, these mats are both waterproof and fire retardant to protect your garage floor under all circumstances.
While there are quite a few options available on the market, we think the options from Rubber-Cal are the best on the market. Made from premium grade styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), they come in diamond or coin print, and you can order either pre-cut rolls in eight lengths or custom cut rolls direct from the manufacturer.
They have a non-slip base to keep it in place on the floor, and they will use either a diamond or a coin grip surface to make sure it is also stable underfoot and under wheel, though water can create a slip hazard.
These types of mats are also both shock-absorbing and noise-reducing. This is ideal if you also use your garage as a workshop, as it will be gentle on your knees and joints, and it might even dim the noise of those power tools a little.
Standard mats of this variety are ⅛ inch thick and will come in rolls four feet wide with standard lengths of between one and nine feet. The material is easy to cut to the size you need, but this also means the floor itself does not always hold up well under sharps. The non-slip backing means it should be just a matter of rolling these mats out, but you can also secure them with tape if you want extra security.
The floor is simple to install as it is just a matter of properly cleaning the underfloor and following out the mat, cutting it down to size if needed. It is also easy to maintain with sweeping or vacuuming, and stains can be removed with mild soap and water.
Overall, this is the best option for a durable protective floor for a “working garage” where cars are coming and going and which also doubles as a workshop. It protects your floor, it is soft underfoot, it looks good, and it is easy to install and maintain.
Best Carpet Mat: Drymate Armor All Felt Carpet Mat
Pros:
- Affordable
- Absorbent carpet and waterproof layer
- Warm underfoot
- Easy to install and maintain
- Non-slip
Cons:
- Limited warranty
- Can leave residue on epoxy, painted, or sealed floors
An alternative to a rubber floor mat is felt carpet. While the idea of using carpet to protect your concrete floor against spills might seem counterintuitive, this carpet from Drymate Armor is not just any carpet.
It is a super-absorbent woven polyester fabric made from 80 percent recycled fibers and is designed to collect drips. It sits on top of a waterproof polyolefin backing to ensure none of the liquid seeps through the mat and onto the floor. If it becomes too wet, the mat can simply be wrung out.
Nevertheless, its waterproof layer makes it the perfect mat to put under your car to protect the ground from oil drips. However, the flooring also has a warmth to it, which means it can also convert your garage into a recreational space, like a home gym.
This flooring is incredibly easy to install and comes in a variety of different sizes, so you can find the combination that is best for you. If you do want to cover your entire garage in this carpet, you can cut pieces down to size to get it into every corner, the fabric is guaranteed not to fray. The carpet comes with Drymate’s own double-sided tape to allow you to secure it to your floor. It is guaranteed to be non-slip, even when your tires roll on top of it.
The carpet will look “wrinkled” when you first lay it, as it can take a while to settle. There is also a warning that some floors that have been treated with epoxy, paint, or sealers might stick to the underside of the mat, so you may find residue on your floor when you remove the mat.
It is incredibly easy to clean, as you can hose it off or wash it with a power washer. You can also just give it a quick vacuum for debris.
Drymate Armor mats come with a 60-day manufacturer’s warranty, which is about standard for this kind of carpeting.
This Drymate Armor carpet works well both to protect your floor from car spills and scrapes, and for warming up the garage space for other purposes. This means that it is an excellent choice for multi-use spaces. You can have the same flooring under your car and extend it into your small garage home gym.
Best Padded Mat: Rubber-Cal Fine Rib Corrugated Mat
Pros:
- Soft on the joints
- Suitable for temporary or semi-permanent installation
- Waterproof
- Anti-slip
- Affordable
Cons:
- Rolls are relatively thin
- Not 100 percent chemical resistant
If your garage doubles as a workshop, and you spend hours on your feet laboring, you might find that even standard rubber diamond garage mats start to feel hard underfoot and difficult on the knees after a while. When this is the case, you might consider a mat with a bit more give and bounce, like this corrugated rubber option from Rubber-Cal.
This product comes in three-foot-wide rolls that are ⅛ of an inch thick and you can simply roll out across your garage floor. They are made from waterproof Styrene Butadiene Rubber and reinforced with textured ribs for traction to keep you safe from slips.
The corrugated style is also designed to catch and contain debris, which means that you won’t bring anything from the garage into your house under foot. The floor is incredibly easy to clean with either a broom and mop, and simple soap and water can be used. It has a moderate level of chemical resistance, so shouldn’t be damaged by oil and other common garage chemicals as long as they aren’t left to soak in.
The mats are ideal for either temporary use or semi-permanent installation with double-sided tape.
This Rubber-Cal matting is ideal when you need something that is soft underfoot but is still appropriate for a working space, so it is non-slip and not easily damaged. It is also ideal if you want a temporary option that you can lay and pick up, as it is easy to roll out and up.
Alternative
If you prefer to put this kind of soft joint protection only in strategic spots in your garage, then you can get an anti-fatigue mat, which is usually about the size of a yoga mat or a bit smaller, which you can put in strategic locations, such as in front of your workbench. Check out these options from Sky Mats or this premium option from Hog’s Heaven.
Best for Winter: TruContain Containment Mat
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Comes with cleaning equipment
- Waterproof protection
- One-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Not available for full garage coverage
- Will feel less firm underfoot than some other options
If you don’t want to cover up your garage floor most of the time, but want to protect it when weather conditions get difficult, then check out this containment mat from TruContain.
Made from a heavy-duty commercial grade vinyl material, you can simply roll the mat out and fix it at the corners when the season to use it arrives. Place it where you park your car, and it will protect your floor from any snow, mud, ice, and other damaging liquids you bring in. It has a cell foam containment edge, ensuring that nothing spills out over the sides.
It will also protect your floor against oil and other spills if you want to roll it out to turn your garage into a temporary workshop.
The mat is simple to clean with soap and warm water, and it also comes with its own long-handled sponge squeegee to make the process even easier.
There are four different sizes available, 16 feet by 7.9 feet, 18 feet by 8.6 feet, 20 feet by 8.6 feet, 22 feet by 8.6 feet. It comes with a one-year limited warranty, which is actually quite good for garage flooring options.
If you are looking for top quality but temporary protection you can roll out when it starts snowing or when you do your annual car maintenance, then this option from TruContain is the perfect solution.
Best for Garage Gym: Innhom Interlocking Foam Mat
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to install and maintain
- Soft underfoot
- Noise dampening
- Non-slip
Cons:
- Not completely water-tight
- Not as durable as other options
If you are looking to transform your garage into a home gym or play area, but don’t want to invest in permanent flooring, then consider interlocking foam mats, like this option from Innhom. They are a fast and easy way to transform your garage into a safe space.
These are thick ¼ inch mats, but while they are shock absorbing and feel comfortable underfoot, they are also firm, so you will feel like you are walking on hard ground.
These mats, made from high-density, non-toxic EVA foam, won’t be damaged if you need to park your car on top of them and they won’t lose their bounciness (they are designed to stand up under very heavy exercise machines). But they are also incredibly easy to pick up and lay down if you need to change the use of the space.
The tiles, which are 23.6 inches by 23.6 inches, are incredibly easy to install as it is just a question of cleaning the floor and then putting them together like a puzzle. While the mats are waterproof, and therefore will not be damaged by liquids, the connections between the mats are not air-tight, so liquids can seep through if there is enough of it. They are also simple to clean with a damp cloth and mild soap.
The resulting surface is also non-slip and will dampen noise and vibrations – so they are also ideal for home band practice.
The mats come in sets of 12 that will cover about 46 square feet, making them yet another highly affordable flooring choice.
If you want to transform your space for a new purpose, whether it be leisure, working out, or a music room, these mats are an affordable and stylish way to do it. But, at the same time, they are durable enough to put up with the weight of your car, so you can still maintain your garage as a multi-function space.
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
 Rubber-Cal Diamond Plate Rubber Flooring Rolls View on Amazon –> View on Home Depot –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.7 | Affordable Durable Easy to install and maintain Non-slip Waterproof and fire retardant | Can be damaged by sharps Can be slippery when wet |
Drymate Armor All Felt Carpet Mat View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Carpet Mat Overall: 4.6 | Affordable Absorbent carpet and waterproof layer Warm underfoot Easy to install and maintain Non-slip | Limited warranty Can leave residue on epoxy, painted, or sealed floors |
 Rubber-Cal Fine Rib Corrugated Mat View on Amazon –> View on Home Depot –> | Best Padded Mat Overall: 4.7 | Soft on the joints Suitable for temporary or semi-permanent installation Waterproof Anti-slip Affordable | Rolls are relatively thin Not 100 percent chemical resistant |
 TruContain Containment Mat View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best for Winter Overall: 4.7 | Affordable Easy to install Comes with cleaning equipment Waterproof protection One-year limited warranty | Not available for full garage coverage Will feel less firm underfoot than some other options |
 Innhom Interlocking Foam Mat View on Amazon –> View on Wayfair –> | Best for Garage Gym Overall: 4.5 | Affordable Easy to install and maintain Soft underfoot Noise dampening Non-slip | Not completely water-tight Not as durable as other options |
The Complete Garage Floor Mat Buyer’s Guide
When To Use Garage Floor Mats
Garage floor protection mats are a good solution when you only want to cover part of your garage floor, for example, the area where you park your car or when you are looking for a temporary solution before embarking on a more significant renovation.
These mats are generally designed to sit in the area under your car, protecting the floor from oil spills, and it catches moisture that comes off the car and tires so it doesn’t soak into the floor. In this way, they are a tool for protecting your floor, just like mats in other areas of your home.
But these mats can also be a solution for your whole floor. They can be a good option if your budget is tight or if you are only looking for a temporary solution, for example, as you wait for your concrete to cure. They are ideal for this because they are inexpensive and they don’t require any prepping of the floor beyond giving it a good clean.
Garage Floor Covering Alternatives
If you are looking for a more permanent floor covering for your garage floor, you are better off looking at plastic tiles, which are a more durable and long-lasting solution. You can choose between hard plastic and flexible plastic options depending on what works best for you.
Both varieties are made from durable plastics, such as PVC, and will come as click together tiles that are incredibly easy to install. Again, there is no need to prepare your floor beyond giving it a good clean before laying them.
The resulting floor will protect the concrete underneath from water damage, fire, and also scuffs and scrapes.
Hard tiles are the most durable option, and they are also the most stable option, as they do not expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. This can be an issue in garages as they are not insulated the same way as the rest of the home. However, the seals between these tiles do not tend to be watertight, so they can let a bit of water seep through to the cement underneath.
Flexible plastic tiles are watertight and they are softer underfoot, so they are a good option if you spend a lot of time on foot in the garage. However, unlike rigid tiles, they are more prone to expansion and contraction, which needs to be taken into account during installation.
Both rigid and flexible garage tiles tend to come in 12×12 or 24×24 inch tiles and in a variety of colors, so you can create quite an attractive look. You can expect to pay between $2.50-$5.00 per square foot for these tiles, so they are quite a bit more expensive than mats. But in general, they come with a 10-year limited residential warranty, so they are designed to last.
Ceramic tiles aren’t a good option for your garage floor, as they just aren’t quite durable enough to stand up to garage conditions.
FAQs About Garage Floor Mats
The best garage floor mat depends on what you need, but if you are looking for maximum durability, look for rubber diamond floor mats.
These affordable rubber mats are durable, and the diamond pattern provides grip and ensures they are firm underfoot. These mats will protect your floor underneath from oil spills, water damage, tire marks, and much more. These rubber mats tend to last longer than alternatives, such as felt carpet mats.
Are Garage Floor Mats Worth It?
Garage floor mats are an affordable and effective way of protecting your concrete, which can easily become permanently stained by oil and other chemicals. If you want to protect the resale value of your home and you don’t want to spend hours scrubbing, garage floor mats offer good value.
Mats can also be an effective method for dampening noise or making the floor a little bit softer underfoot. If this is important to you, and you don’t have the budget for a major garage floor renovation, then garage floor mats are a good choice.
How Do You Install Garage Floor Mats?
Garage floor mats are incredibly easy to install, as it is just a matter of rolling them out over a clean and dry hard floor. They usually come with a non-slip backing, which means they will stay in place once laid, but you can secure them with tape if you want extra security.
If you need to get the mats into unusual corners, they are easy to cut, so even a DIY job can look like a professional installation. Anyone should be able to install these mats themselves.
What Is The Best Color For Garage Floors?
The best color for your garage floor depends on your personal preference. But bear in mind that darker colors will better cover oil stains and skid marks, while light colors will make the space look bigger.
Final Thoughts
Garage floor mats are a great way to protect your concrete or epoxy garage floor from staining and damage. They are the ideal option if you only want to cover a small part of your garage, such as where you park your car, while showing off your original floor elsewhere. They are also easy to roll up and move out of the way if you have a party.
Mats are also very affordable, which means they are a good temporary solution if you are looking for a way to protect your garage floor before selling or before a more serious renovation. They will keep your floor clean and in good condition without breaking the bank.
There are a variety of different garage floor mat options on the market and they are appropriate for different situations. But if you are looking for the best overall option, we suggest you go with rubber diamond floor mats. These mats are durable, easy to lay, and can provide noise dampening as well as protecting your floor. They work well, both as a full floor covering or as a spot mat.
Have you ever used garage floor mats? Share your experience with the community in the comments below or via social media.
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