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Have you thought about installing vinyl plank flooring in a garage? No matter where it’s installed, vinyl plank flooring is a beautiful and versatile option for any area of a home. It is affordable, great to look at, and homeowners absolutely love it.
Of course, that begs the question. Are vinyl planks an optimal choice for a garage floor installation? To answer that question, we should first discuss the general requirements for an ideal garage floor.
5 Requirements of Garage Flooring
A garage often serves as a catch-all for many things, including vehicles, chemicals, tools, extra freezers, washer/dryer combos, and lots of other stuff that doesn’t have a place in the house. Here are some fundamental qualities that every garage floor must have:
1. Corrosion-Resistant Durability
Garage floors are known to take some abuse. They get a lot of foot traffic. They’re subjected to humidity and unpredictable weather. It is where people often store their cars and random household chemicals, so this high-traffic area sees a ton of stuff that most floors don’t.
Consequently, garage floors must be able to endure humidity, climate changes, and the weight of cars.
2. Deep Cleaning Compatibility
The garage usually experiences lots of traffic from vehicles, people, and pets. Plus, it’s famously one of the places in every house where it’s considered okay to store excess junk. As a result, there’s a massive potential for unsightly dirt, mud, oil stains, and dust.
That’s why it’s essential to ensure that your garage floors are deep-clean-ready. It’s important to know that when you use a deep-cleaning chemical on your garage floors, that you’re not going to do irreparable damage.
3. Versatility
When you’re installing garage floors for the modern home, you also have to think about versatility. Garages aren’t just the space to store a vehicle and old tools. Many people may still use their garage that way, but some people don’t.
Garages now serve as multi-purpose rooms, like intricately designed storage areas and open spaces for construction projects. They may serve as a recreation room for the kids or a home gym with a ton of DIY workout equipment. The floors of a garage need to fit the lifestyles of the people who use it.
4. Installation Ease
No matter where you’re installing new floors, ease of installation is always a consideration. Since garages are essential rooms that get a lot of attention, this is especially important. You don’t want to close off the garage for too long, as it can really disrupt home life.
Your time is valuable, so don’t waste it on complex installations when there are easier and higher quality alternatives.
5. Aesthetic Appeal
There’s no need to settle for dull grey concrete floors anymore. Garages get a lot of daily use in the modern home. It’s now an area where families entertain guests and hang out with friends.
As a result, homeowners are opting for something more luxurious and aesthetically appealing. There are many beautiful and eye-catching choices for garage floors, with options like polished concrete, stone, epoxy, and vinyl planks.
Does Vinyl Flooring Fulfill These Requirements?
Vinyl plank flooring fulfills some of these requirements, but not all. They’re great for repurposed garages, like recreation rooms, storage spaces, and home gyms.
Installation is simple and affordable, which is always a huge plus. Beyond that, vinyl plank flooring is gorgeous, water-resistant, and durable.
Vinyl planks are easy to clean. However, stains from oil or other chemicals might be harder to remove, and vigorous deep cleaning may harm the vinyl. Beyond that, some of the adhesives used for vinyl planks don’t work well in cold temperatures and fluctuations in humidity.
Unfortunately, it’s not the best option for corrosion-resistant durability and longevity. Unless the garage is humidity and climate-controlled and there won’t be any cars parked in it, vinyl doesn’t fit all the requirements.
If you’re going to install new garage floors, it might be worth looking into other materials.
What is the Best Material for Garage Flooring?
If vinyl flooring isn’t the best fit – what is? Vinyl flooring materials range in price, aesthetic appeal, and ease of installation, but each option checks all or most of the boxes for garage floor requirements.
Epoxy
Epoxy floors are widely used in garages and hospitals, but they are also gaining popularity in other areas, including living rooms and kitchens. They’re incredibly affordable and easy to install. Since they’re stain-resistant, durable, and easy to clean, they are an ideal choice for garage floors.
Floor Mats
Floor mats are an optimal choice for garage floors because they’re cheap, durable, and cleaning them is a breeze. If you ever need to change them out or clean them, simply roll them up, take them out to the lawn or driveway, and wash them down with a hose. They’re relatively inexpensive, and installation is simple, so replacing them when they’re ruined or worn down won’t be an issue.
Tiles
Tiles are a sturdy and beautiful choice for any area of the home, including kitchens, living rooms, back porches, and garages. Featuring Cabot Slate Tile Montauk Blue in Natural Cleft SKU: 15188434
Stone
Stone flooring like graphite, flagstone, and sandstone are great alternatives for any garage floor. They are slip- and stain-resistant, durable, and hold up well under deep cleaning. It may be a more expensive option, but homeowners choose this flooring type for its longevity, ease of use, and aesthetic appeal.
Carpet Tiles
You might not ordinarily consider carpet for the garage. However, carpet tiles are safe for outdoor use and can stand up well to wear and tear. Beyond that, carpet tiles are cost-effective, so if you get a stain somewhere, you can simply replace the stained tile with a brand new tile. Carpet tiles are also aesthetically appealing, making them a perfect choice for garages that are for parking cars and hanging out.
Vinyl Flooring is Best for Foot Traffic, not Vehicle Storage
Vinyl plank flooring can work in a garage if the garage is humidity and climate-controlled, and you aren’t planning on parking any cars in it. It stands up well to foot traffic, and It’s extremely easy to clean. It looks fantastic, which means you can turn an ordinarily drab garage floor into something worth showing off. However, if the garage isn’t humidity or climate-controlled, or if it needs to store a vehicle, you want to go with something more durable, weatherproof, and stain-resistant like epoxy, floor mats, tile, stone, or carpet tiles.
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