Covering a concrete garage floor makes it endure longer and improves the working surface. The simplest approach to protect your garage floor is with a mat, which you can simply roll out. You may find garage mats in many different designs, hues, and materials. Rubber and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymers dominate the market. There are mats that mimic rugs, textured mats, and even padded mats. Mats, much like garage floor tiles, require minimal preliminary work before being laid down on top of discoloured or cracked concrete flooring.
To protect or improve the beauty of your garage floor, garage floor mats are occasionally forgotten. People frequently overlook the benefits, good appearance, and functionality of a decent garage floor roll out the mat because there are so many other garage flooring options on the market today.
In a positive development, modern garage floor mats come in a wider variety of surface tread designs and are made from harder materials than ever before.
Mats are often disregarded as a viable solution for garage floors. Most people don’t realise that laying down a few garage mats does more than just protect your floor from damage; they also improve the floor’s appearance and add to its authenticity.
So, what is it that people forget about garage floor mats’ attractiveness, advantages, and usefulness? It’s understandable that garage floor mats are often overlooked, given the abundance of garage flooring options available today.
Although it may seem difficult to find a suitable garage floor mat, there are some positives to consider. New varieties of garage floor mats are now obtainable, as are a wider variety of high-quality surface tread designs and materials.
What to Look For
Garage floor mats can be mistaken for regular rugs or exercise mats, but their material is far more durable. To find the best garage floor mat, you need consider the following factors:
- Protection from oil and chemical leaks
- Anti-slip properties to reduce risks
- Foot and leg tiredness can be mitigated with the help of this padding.
- Constructed with ridges or striations to direct dirt and liquids
- Produced with simple-to-maintain materials
- Capability to Withstand Vehicle Traffic
- Heavy enough to prevent accidental slipping
- The ability to glide on a creeper with ease and durability are both essential if your line of work is auto repair.
The thickness of the mat should also not be overlooked. Thickness varies from roughly 1/2 inch for standard mats to 3/4 inch for heavy-duty mats. For light-duty use, a basic mat may suffice, however thicker mats may be more expensive and provide better performance.
The Benefits of Rollout Mats
Unlike tile floors, which can’t be rolled up and relocated, mats are simple to transport. In the event that you need to use a creeper on bare concrete, or if you have a particularly filthy task to complete in the garage and plan to clean the entire floor afterwards, you may wish to relocate the mat. In addition to being a breeze to clean, garage mats also prevent clutter. All you have to do is wrap them up, carry them out into the yard or driveway, unroll them, and spray them down with a hose. Before rolling them up and setting them back down on the garage floor, make sure both sides are completely dry.
Installing Mats
You may get garage mats in standard sizes or have one made to order. It is possible to cover a huge area with many mats. A standard utility knife will do the trick for cutting, and a speciality adhesive or some heavy-duty flooring tape will do the trick for seaming.
It’s important to remember that garage floor mats of many varieties will expand and shrink when the temperature outside changes. For this reason, it’s preferable to leave some space between the mat’s edges and the floor by not taping them down. To allow for the mat’s expansion in warmer weather, a quarter-inch gap should be left between the floor and the walls.
Costs
Garage mats of average thickness can be purchased for as little as $1.25 per square foot, while those of greater durability will set you back between $2.50 and $4 per square foot. That places garage mats’ price between between epoxy floor coatings (on the cheap end) and garage floor tiles (on the pricy end) (at the higher end). Mats and tiles are both portable and simple to repair if they wear out or become damaged.
Types of Garage Floor Mats
The garage mats you choose to employ will depend on its specific requirements. Garage floor mats come in a variety of styles, including confinement, cloth, and ribbed, each of which is best suited to a particular setting.
Containment Garage Mats
Having a containment garage floor mat is the ideal option if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow. When the bottom of your car looks more like a snowplough than your regular vehicle, these mats can store litres of water. The containment mat has raised edges that trap water and can be removed to facilitate squeegee cleaning or wet vacuum removal.
Fabric Garage Mats
If you only receive snow sometimes and don’t need to keep out huge volumes of water and debris, there are two more mats you should look into. These are great because they prevent slipping and can soak up liquids from melting snow. These mats’ waterproof, bonded backing ensures that snowmelt, road salts, and deicing fluids will not seep through and damage your flooring.
Ribbed Garage Floor Mat
While the ribs aren’t designed to keep snow or water in, they may hold a decent amount of liquid on a flat surface. The use of a wet vacuum or a mop helps get rid of water and dirt.
Roll-out Mats
This mat style dominates the market and may be the best long-lasting option for garage floors. These mats are constructed with a sturdy, thick layer of cloth meant to soak up just about any liquid. The material can absorb liquids, so they won’t spill onto the garage floor.
Interlocking Tiles
The mats you find in fitness centres and yoga studios are often constructed of a high-quality polymer foam that is both durable and flexible. Garage floors can be designed and built to your specifications by interlocking the individual foldable EVA mats. As you set up your do-it-yourself storage facility, they will prove to be useful and portable tools.
Are Garage Mats Worth It?
The topic of whether or not garage mats are worthwhile arises in light of the widespread interest in them. The short answer is yes; garage mats are money well spent. As a simple yet effective measure, laying down garage mats can prevent oil and grime from damaging your garage floor. These mats can also be used to cover up imperfections in the garage floor.
With this information in hand, consider the following advantages of installing garage mats in your space.
Keeps Your Floor Safe From Contaminants
Garage floor mats serve more purposes than only aesthetics, contrary to popular assumption. Despite how simple it may sound, garage mats really help keep various impurities off your concrete floor.
Reason being, most garage mats are impervious to oil, stains, and caustic chemicals, the most prevalent types of contaminants found in garages. Garage mats are durable enough to withstand the weight of heavy equipment and constant foot traffic when used as a work area.
Freeze-thaw contamination is another typical manifestation of the hazard. Water-resistant garage mats shield your concrete garage floor from road salt and freeze-thaw damage.
They Insulate Against Sound And Cold
Did you know that using garage mats can drastically cut the amount of noise travelling through the floor? Given that a garage is often a hub of activity, you probably wouldn’t want to annoy your neighbours with excessive noise. Further, you’ll want to give as little warning as possible if you want to convert your garage into a living space.
Polyvinyl structure means that garage mats absorb sound instead of reflecting it. The hollow sound that is common in spaces with concrete flooring will be eliminated by the mats.
In addition, garage mats shield your feet from the chilly concrete floor. It’s a good idea to invest in some garage mats if you spend a lot of time there in the winter, since they’ll provide insulation from the chilly concrete floor. Mats are also useful for making your garage a more comfortable environment to do laundry or work in.
It Protects Against Slipping
The garage is full of potential dangers. It’s not uncommon for individuals to underestimate the dangers of a wet floor, especially in a garage. Sleeping on a concrete floor, such as a garage, increases the risk of serious health problems.
If you live in an area that sees a lot of rain and snow, your garage floor may become a dumping ground. Garage mats are perfect for this situation. Garage mats’ finest benefit is their ability to prevent slips and falls, which can cause serious injuries.
It Hides Cracks and Stains on the Floor
You would like your garage to always look as good as your living quarters. But what can you do about a concrete garage floor that is stained and cracked?
However, it can be pricey to fix the fissures. Conversely, the effort and expense required to eliminate stains might be daunting. As a result, a garage mat can be rolled out to cover up any imperfections or spills. The best part is that you won’t have to do any work to prep your concrete slab. Simply unroll the mat and you’re ready to go.
Garage Mats Create An Ambient Environment
Your garage has several purposes, from vehicle storage to workshop space, so keeping it clean and odor-free is essential. After all, you can use this area for more than just storing things. Consider it an expansion of your current living quarters.
There are now scented garage mats available on the market. Putting down these mats on your garage floor will immediately get rid of any musty odours that may be there.
They are Easy to Clean
Putting down mats on a concrete floor is a good idea because they can be quickly swept or mopped. This is because polyvinyl, the material most commonly used to make garage mats, is both inexpensive and simple to clean.
If there is any oil on the mat, it can be removed by just wiping it away, rather than having to be scrubbed. While doing so, any dirt or filth on the mat can be easily swept up. A simple dust mop or household mop is all that is required to accomplish all of this.
It Minimizes Dirt That is Tracked Into Your Home
You undoubtedly already know that a concrete floor that has seen better days generates and accumulates a great deal of dust and dirt. The fundamental reason for this is the porous nature of concrete.
It’s possible that your home’s dust and filth will be tracked in once the concrete floor has been adapted to your living space. Even if you sweep and mop your concrete garage floor every day, dust and dirt will eventually find their way inside.
Installing matting on the concrete garage floor is the finest option. You may expect them to significantly reduce the amount of dust and filth in your home. This is due to the fact that these mats are simple to clean and eliminate the need to worry about dirt and dust being tracked inside your home.
Key Features
Material
It’s important to pick a garage mat that works for your specific needs. The persistent presence of leaks calls for a mat with exceptional liquid absorption capabilities. Many people’s resistance to fluid damage and seepage to the floor is limited. Garage floor tiles made of foam may not be particularly absorbent, but they are effective at containing small spills. Fabric mats offer a more uniform means of soaking up leaks.
Size
There is a broad range of mat dimensions available. You can check its length against the car’s to make sure it will fit under the whole vehicle. It’s possible you’ll want to put a mat down across the garage’s entire floor. It’s not impossible to accomplish, but it could be time-consuming or costly. If you need to cover a large area, foam garage floor tiles could be the way to go. Mats are typically more cumbersome and difficult to transport single-handedly.
Environment
Consider getting a garage floor mat that suits the climate you live in. If you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow or rain, you may want a mat with thicker fabric or more layers, so it’s more absorbent. If you live in a hot environment, you should think about getting a heat-resistant mat.
Protection Mats
First, it’s critical to comprehend that there are several kinds of containment mats available. As of December 2018, we would only suggest two of the ones we have tried and evaluated. The 50 Mil Park Smart Clean Park Containment Mat or the TruContain Containment Mat. The one we prefer is TruContain. It is an unpackable, single-piece mat that is reasonably light. The fact that it is folded and takes longer to relax in the winter is a drawback. However, it still functions wonderfully well, and tacking it down at the corners makes it even better.
The Park Smart Clean park product is the second choice. We only recommend 50 mils. There are no folds or creases to worry about because it comes on a roll. The drawback is that you do need to put it together, and if you’re not careful, the edges could shatter. Not the sides, but the ramp must be driven over. Though overall our customers prefer the TruContain product, it looks better (on day 1) than the TruContain mat.
Pros and Cons of Containment Mats in General
-
Can be pricey.
- A decision between creases and assembly.
- Can be secured at least at the front edge to prevent movement on a smooth floor.
- Loads of water capacity!
- Many gadgets are really simple to instal.
- No equipment
- Simple to clean up.
Vinyl garage floor mats
One of our most outrageously priced garage concrete floors is PVC floor mats. They typically weigh between 50 and 70 kg per square foot. They come in a variety of sizes, colours, and shapes. They are higher quality than flooring mats and more aesthetically pleasing than barrier mats. Although it still happens, vinyl mats are less likely to slide around. One major worry is that certain types of tyres may leave stains on PVC matting. In order to prevent expansion and downturn problems, essential attached needs to be employed when having installed wall to wall.
Water, dirt, and snow are all protected by the ribbed structure. Having said that, keep in mind that PVC matting lacks a protective edge. The ribbed mat is the only thing at the front and back of the garage to keep water from dripping through.
Resilient Carpet Mats
Absorbent carpet mats perform a fantastic job of absorbing both water and oil. Despite having a “passable” look, they are not very appealing and are not a good choice for wall-to-wall garage flooring. In addition to keeping light amounts of moisture off the floor, they are made to stop oil stains from entering the concrete. They should be fastened because of their little weight and the possibility of movement when parked on. A product like this might work better in snowy places like Grand Junction, Colorado, and Florida’s humid climate.
Which garage floor mat is ideal, then?
There isn’t such a thing. I would have suggested the TruContain HD containment mat given the customer’s location and the fact that containing moisture was the primary problem in this situation—in a region with a lot of snow. Every situation is different, so keep that in mind. Before choosing, thoroughly weigh the pros of each product.
Garage mats are beneficial in several ways. Whether your objective is to improve the aesthetics of your garage or the general comfort of your house, employing garage mats is unquestionably the best decision. They also cost little money and are easy to install.
Conclusion
Garage floor mats can be mistaken for regular rugs or exercise mats, but their material is far more durable. Mats require minimal preliminary work before being laid down on top of cracked or discoloured concrete. New varieties of garage floor mats are now obtainable, as are high-quality surface tread designs and materials. Garage floor mats come in a variety of styles, including confinement, cloth, and ribbed. Thickness varies from roughly 1/2 inch for standard mats to 3/4 inch for heavy-duty mats.
Mats and tiles are both portable and simple to repair if they wear out or become damaged. Garage floor mats are money well spent as they keep oil and grime off your floor. They can also be used to cover up imperfections in the garage floor. The waterproof backing ensures snowmelt, road salts, and deicing fluids will not seep through and damage your flooring. Garage mats are impermeable to oil, stains, and caustic chemicals.
Polyvinyl structure means that garage mats absorb sound instead of reflecting it. Mats are durable enough to withstand the weight of heavy equipment and constant foot traffic when used as a work area. There are now scented garage mats available on the market. Putting down these mats on your garage floor will get rid of any musty odours. Easy to clean and eliminate the need to worry about dirt and dust being tracked inside your home.
The material used is polyvinyl, which is both inexpensive and simple to clean. Garage floor tiles made of foam may not be particularly absorbent, but they are effective at containing small spills. Fabric mats offer a more uniform means of soaking up leaks. If you live in a hot environment, you should think about getting a heat-resistant mat. Garage mats are beneficial in several ways.
Before choosing, thoroughly weigh the pros of each product. In addition to keeping light amounts of moisture off the floor, they are made to stop oil stains from entering the concrete. Every situation is different, so keep that in mind.
Content Summary
- The simplest approach to protect your garage floor is with a mat, which you can simply roll out.
- To protect or improve the beauty of your garage floor, garage floor mats are occasionally forgotten.
- People frequently overlook the benefits, good appearance, and functionality of a decent garage floor roll out the mat because there are so many other garage flooring options on the market today.
- In a positive development, modern garage floor mats come in a wider variety of surface tread designs and are made from harder materials than ever before.
- Mats are often disregarded as a viable solution for garage floors.
- Most people don’t realise that laying down a few garage mats does more than just protect your floor from damage; they also improve the floor’s appearance and add to its authenticity.
- So, what is it that people forget about garage floor mats’ attractiveness, advantages, and usefulness?
- It’s understandable that garage floor mats are often overlooked, given the abundance of garage flooring options available today.
- Although it may seem difficult to find a suitable garage floor mat, there are some positives to consider.
- New varieties of garage floor mats are now obtainable, as are a wider variety of high-quality surface tread designs and materials.
- The thickness of the mat should also not be overlooked.
- The Benefits of Rollout MatsUnlike tile floors, which can’t be rolled up and relocated, mats are simple to transport.
- In the event that you need to use a creeper on bare concrete, or if you have a particularly filthy task to complete in the garage and plan to clean the entire floor afterwards, you may wish to relocate the mat.
- Before rolling them up and setting them back down on the garage floor, make sure both sides are completely dry.
- It is possible to cover a huge area with many mats.
- It’s important to remember that garage floor mats of many varieties will expand and shrink when the temperature outside changes.
- For this reason, it’s preferable to leave some space between the mat’s edges and the floor by not taping them down.
- To allow for the mat’s expansion in warmer weather, a quarter-inch gap should be left between the floor and the walls.
- Types of Garage Floor MatsThe garage mats you choose to employ will depend on its specific requirements.
- Having a containment garage floor mat is the ideal option if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow.
- Roll-out MatsThis mat style dominates the market and may be the best long-lasting option for garage floors.
- Garage floors can be designed and built to your specifications by interlocking the individual foldable EVA mats.
- Are Garage Mats Worth It?The topic of whether or not garage mats are worthwhile arises in light of the widespread interest in them.
- The short answer is yes; garage mats are money well spent.
- As a simple yet effective measure, laying down garage mats can prevent oil and grime from damaging your garage floor.
- These mats can also be used to cover up imperfections in the garage floor.
- With this information in hand, consider the following advantages of installing garage mats in your space.
- Garage mats are durable enough to withstand the weight of heavy equipment and constant foot traffic when used as a work area.
- Water-resistant garage mats shield your concrete garage floor from road salt and freeze-thaw damage.
- They Insulate Against Sound And ColdDid you know that using garage mats can drastically cut the amount of noise travelling through the floor?
- Further, you’ll want to give as little warning as possible if you want to convert your garage into a living space.
- In addition, garage mats shield your feet from the chilly concrete floor.
- It’s a good idea to invest in some garage mats if you spend a lot of time there in the winter, since they’ll provide insulation from the chilly concrete floor.
- Mats are also useful for making your garage a more comfortable environment to do laundry or work in.
- It Protects Against SlippingThe garage is full of potential dangers.
- It’s not uncommon for individuals to underestimate the dangers of a wet floor, especially in a garage.
- Sleeping on a concrete floor, such as a garage, increases the risk of serious health problems.
- Garage mats are perfect for this situation.
- It Hides Cracks and Stains on the FloorYou would like your garage to always look as good as your living quarters.
- But what can you do about a concrete garage floor that is stained and cracked?
- However, it can be pricey to fix the fissures.
- As a result, a garage mat can be rolled out to cover up any imperfections or spills.
- Simply unroll the mat and you’re ready to go.
- Consider it an expansion of your current living quarters.
- There are now scented garage mats available on the market.
- Putting down these mats on your garage floor will immediately get rid of any musty odours that may be there.
- They are Easy to CleanPutting down mats on a concrete floor is a good idea because they can be quickly swept or mopped.
- While doing so, any dirt or filth on the mat can be easily swept up.
- It’s possible that your home’s dust and filth will be tracked in once the concrete floor has been adapted to your living space.
- Even if you sweep and mop your concrete garage floor every day, dust and dirt will eventually find their way inside.
- Installing matting on the concrete garage floor is the finest option.
- You may expect them to significantly reduce the amount of dust and filth in your home.
- This is due to the fact that these mats are simple to clean and eliminate the need to worry about dirt and dust being tracked inside your home.
- It’s important to pick a garage mat that works for your specific needs.
- The persistent presence of leaks calls for a mat with exceptional liquid absorption capabilities.
- It’s possible you’ll want to put a mat down across the garage’s entire floor.
- EnvironmentConsider getting a garage floor mat that suits the climate you live in.
- If you live in a hot environment, you should think about getting a heat-resistant mat.
- Protection MatsFirst, it’s critical to comprehend that there are several kinds of containment mats available.
- Pros and Cons of Containment Mats in General Can be pricey.
- Vinyl garage floor matsOne of our most outrageously priced garage concrete floors is PVC floor mats.
- Having said that, keep in mind that PVC matting lacks a protective edge.
- The ribbed mat is the only thing at the front and back of the garage to keep water from dripping through.
- Despite having a “passable” look, they are not very appealing and are not a good choice for wall-to-wall garage flooring.
- Which garage floor mat is ideal, then?There isn’t such a thing.
- I would have suggested the TruContain HD containment mat given the customer’s location and the fact that containing moisture was the primary problem in this situation—in a region with a lot of snow
FAQs About Garage Mats
When it comes to garage mats, how thick is ideal?
Heavy-duty mats can be up to three-quarters of an inch thick. For light-duty use, a basic mat may suffice, however thicker mats may be more expensive and provide better performance.
Why do we need garage mats?
They are a simple and efficient way to protect your garage floor from the elements, such as snow, mud, water, and grease. The risk of falls due to wet floors is also mitigated by a water containment mat.
How effective are garage floor mats?
The quick response is “yes.” Oil stains and chemical deposits from vehicles can be avoided on concrete garage floors with the use of garage floor mats. In addition to shielding your garage floor from the cold, they can also conceal unsightly cracks and stains in the concrete.
How can you best prevent damage to your garage floor?
Rubber or PVC mats are the most convenient option for covering a garage floor. Mats, like garage floor tiles, require no prep work before installation and can be placed directly over concrete floors that have been stained or cracked.
What material is ideal for a garage floor?
Garages benefit most from polished concrete floors. Hard and long-lasting, concrete floors are a popular choice. Their effectiveness is unaffected by stress. If you’re on a tight budget, you can still have the floor of your dreams because concrete floors are less expensive and more widely available.