What is the best way to make a garage floor - 10 simple and affordable coating methods

Garage is a technical room for parking a car and carrying out repair work of any complexity.Therefore, the main load in it goes to the floor covering. The floor in the garage must support the weight of the car and be resistant to chemicals. There are 10 simplest flooring options that differ in technical characteristics, materials, and installation methods.

What should the garage floor be like?

It is recommended that garage floors meet the following specifications:

1. High strength. The car has a decent weight, which must be supported for a long time. You should not discount fallen tools, spare parts, or repair equipment.
2. Low abrasion of the coating. Although rubber tires reduce dynamic loads on floors, when rotating they are capable of removing a small layer of the floor surface in a short period of time, which will lead to a decrease in the strength of the entire structure.
3. Gasoline, technical oils and household chemicals are aggressive substances that can destroy the most durable material. This also applies to garage floors. Therefore, the floor covering must be resistant to such substances.
4. Easy to care for. After all, the floor built in the garage is essentially an extension of the street. Dust, dirt, street debris should be easily removed.
5. Regardless of what type of garage is being built - insulated or not - its floors must meet the required frost resistance parameters. Within F100-150.
6. The service life of the floor must be large. For example, if there is a concrete floor in a garage, then the reliability of the structure should ensure the duration of its operation. If this is not achieved, then there is a high probability that it will soon begin to collapse.

Taking all this into account, you need to choose the right building materials for your garage floor. Additionally, other factors are taken into account: the groundwater level on the site, whether the garage falls into a flooding area in spring and autumn, and the level of soil freezing.

An ideal option if the floors are laid during the construction of the garage.

Simple and Affordable Garage Flooring Options

According to the construction technology, all the proposed floor structures below are simple. But some of them cannot be called budget. After all, a garage covering is constructed from different materials, often from a combination of several. Therefore, such a floor will not be cheap in any case.

Dirt floor

This option can be called cheap and cheerful. Although it is better not to use such a floor in a garage.

The flooring for a garage made of earth is constructed using the following technology:

1. The completely fertile layer of soil is removed, regardless of its depth (to “clean” soil without roots. Its size can vary - from 10 to 60 cm.
2. The bottom of the pit is leveled and compacted.
3. Layers of soil are poured into it - either brought or taken from a hole near the garage, but without roots and other organic matter.
4. The thickness of each backfill is 5 cm. It is leveled and compacted.
5. Layers are poured until the floor is slightly higher than the street.

Two recommendations for installing garage floors:

1. Make a slight slope towards the gate.
2. You can pour crushed stone on top of the soil layer and compact it well. This increases the strength of the floor surface.

Backfilling with gravel

A gravel or crushed stone coating in a garage is another cheap option, both in terms of monetary investment and in terms of construction technology. Here, as in the previous case, it is necessary to remove the fertile layer. After that, gravel is poured into the resulting pit. It is leveled and compacted.

Recommendations:

1. Use gravel of small or medium fraction - 5-20 or 20-40 mm.
2. Gravel from durable rocks is used: granite, pebbles, etc.

Gravel cost

Average prices in Moscow and the Moscow region as of August 20, 2021 for crushed gravel GOST 8267-93 are shown in the table.

Asphalt crumbs

Essentially, it is crushed asphalt, which is removed from the road surface in use during road repairs. After crushing, gravel of different fractions is obtained, otherwise crumbs.

The technology for laying asphalt floors has a number of features. Sequencing:

1. The fertile layer is removed.
2. A gravel or crushed stone cushion is poured. Brick fighting can be used. For the base under the asphalt, you can pour a concrete screed.
3. The material is laid in layers 10 cm thick, each of which is compacted with a roller. The next one is laid on top of the previous one immediately after backfilling.

Recommendations:

1. The minimum temperature for forming a floor from asphalt chips is +10 ℃.
2. The surface of the freshly laid asphalt pavement must be covered with fine sand, which, after the floor has dried, is removed from the garage.

Price per crumb

The price for 1 square meter starts from 700 rubles.

Concrete floor

Ideal for floors that will be subject to heavy loads. This is why concrete floors are common in garages.

How to make insulation, read the article “Insulating a garage floor: types of floor insulation + step-by-step instructions».

Step-by-step technology on how to make a concrete floor in a garage with your own hands:

1. The fertile layer is removed, plus the soil. The depth of the pit is 50 cm.
2. Laying geotextiles (inexpensive, accessible material).
3. A pillow is formed. This can be coarse sand, crushed stone, broken brick or concrete.
4. A reinforcing frame is laid in the form of a lattice of steel reinforcement with a diameter of 10-12 mm. The dimensions of the cells are 20x20 cm. The frame should not be laid on a pillow, but raised so that it is in the body of the concrete layer. To do this, use supports: bricks, stone, metal profiles or special linings.
5. Concrete mortar grade M300 or M400 is poured.

Recommendations:

1. According to the set of rules (SP) No. 29.13330.2011 entitled “Floors” in Table No. 2, there is a division of concrete floor bases according to the level of intensity of mechanical impact. The thickness of the poured concrete depends on this indicator. For significant intensity, the thickness is taken to be 30 cm. For moderate intensity, 25 cm. For weak intensity, 20 cm.
2. The level of concrete pouring is determined by the threshold of the garage. It is impossible to do it lower, because water from melting snow or rain will penetrate inside the building. Doing more means over-consumption of building materials.
3. The reinforced frame is made so that the ends of the reinforcement do not reach the foundation walls within 5 cm.
4. If the groundwater level at a construction site is high, then a waterproofing film must be laid under the concrete layer.It is laid so that its edges cover the foundation walls to a height of 20 cm. This is indicated in the above-mentioned set of rules “Floors”.

Cost of cement

Average price for a 50 kg bag of cement brand in Moscow and the Moscow region as of 020.02021:

• M300 – from 200 rubles;
• M400 – from 280 rubles;
• M500 – from 350 rubles.

Garage Flooring Options

An additional coating can be applied to the finished base, which will increase the strength of the structure, its performance characteristics and improve its appearance.

Bulk

It got its name because a liquid solution is made from a dry mixture and poured onto the floors. It spreads, filling the defects in the base, and spontaneously aligns horizontally.

Manufacturers today offer two types of self-leveling floors:

1. Based on a binder: cement or gypsum. Polymer components, filler (usually sand), and additives that improve the characteristics of the material are added to the mixture.
2. Polymer: epoxy or polyurethane.

In private small garages, the first option is more often used. It is cheaper than the second one and does not require special knowledge of pouring. Although you need to know some nuances:

1. Before you pour your garage floor, you need to prepare the base well. Usually this is a layer of concrete mortar grade M200 with a thickness of 15-20 cm - as indicated in SP 29.13330.2011 in paragraph number “8”. The screed is poured according to the principle of forming a concrete floor. That is, with filling the pillow and installing waterproofing.
2. After the concrete base has dried, its surface is ground to eliminate large defects that reduce the quality of the self-leveling layer.
3. Prepare a solution and pour it into the screed. Typically, the thickness of a self-leveling cement floor is from 1 mm to 10 cm.

Advantages of self-leveling floors:

• maximum smooth surface when using self-leveling mixtures;
• high strength and wear resistance;
• the process of forming a self-leveling floor is simple;
• good water resistance, with the polymer version it is 100%;
• the surface is not dusty.

There is only one drawback - not the lowest price.

Cost of self-leveling floor

Prices for popular options for dry mixes for self-leveling floors in Moscow and the Moscow region as of 08/20/2021 are shown in the table.

Paving slabs

Garage floors made from paving slabs are becoming more common today. The reason is an alternative to concrete bases, the top layer of which wears out less and therefore does not generate dust. Plus the decorative qualities of the coating.

If the technology for laying paving slabs in a garage is carried out correctly, then such floors have practically no disadvantages. The floor is formed like this:

1. The soil is removed.
2. Geotextiles are laid. Next comes a backfill of sand, which is leveled and compacted.
3. You can pour a 10 cm thick M150 concrete screed. But this is not necessary.
4. Laying paving slabs is carried out using standard technology.

Paving slabs are made using two technologies:

• vibration casting;
• vibration pressing.

In garages it is better to use the second option.It is stronger, has high wear resistance, and has increased moisture resistance due to the low porosity of the material.

Price of paving slabs

The average price of vibro-cast paving slabs in Moscow and the Moscow region as of 08/20/2021 starts from 350 rubles per square meter, and vibro-pressed paving slabs from 400 rubles per square meter.

Porcelain tiles

This material is an alternative to ceramic. It has higher technical and operational characteristics, which are achieved through the use of high-pressure pressing technology. For example, porcelain stoneware 3 mm thick can withstand a load of 200 kg/cm².

Pros:

• one hundred percent moisture resistance;
• low abrasion;
• non-flammable material;
• 100% hygienic;
• dielectric;
• ease of cleaning and maintenance.

Flaws:

• complexity of installation;
• does not withstand shock loads from a fallen tool or any other heavy object;
• If the car tires are equipped with spikes, then the attractiveness of the floor will quickly disappear.

Porcelain tiles are divided into five classes based on abrasion. For a garage floor you need a “V” class. It is better to make the floor from this cladding, which belongs to the category of materials with a high degree of anti-slip.

Porcelain tiles are laid only on a strong and solid base. Therefore, concrete floors are poured under it using the technology described above. The installation process itself is no different from laying ceramic tiles. Special adhesive compositions are used as masonry mortar.

You can begin laying porcelain tiles after the concrete floor has completely settled.

Tile cost

The cost of porcelain stoneware tiles depends on the manufacturer, area, and thickness of the material.One of the most affordable options for external and internal work is Estima Standard unpolished porcelain stoneware 30x30 cm 1.53 m². Its price starts from 380 rubles.

Rubber cover

Rubber floor tiles with dimensions of 50x50 and 100x100 cm and a thickness of 5-10 cm appeared on the market a relatively long time ago. It was rarely used in garages. The reason is the high fire hazard of the material. Although in other characteristics it is better than many floor coverings described above:.

Pros:

• low price;
• simple installation;
• withstands static and dynamic loads well;
• low abrasion;
• one hundred percent moisture resistance;
• inertness to many chemicals;
• has minimal thermal expansion;
• withstands vibration;
• the floor does not deform during operation.

Manufacturers offer rubber tiles that, in addition to synthetic rubber and polyurethane glue, contain fire retardants that increase the fire safety of the floor covering.

Rubber tiles are laid on a solid base. This could be a concrete floor or a thick screed. Installation is carried out using glue-free or adhesive methods. The second one is more reliable. The covering elements are connected to each other with a locking connection, which provides an almost monolithic structure. This, on the one hand, increases the strength of the floor, on the other hand, the complexity of installation.

There are other rubber coating options on the market. These are rolls of rubber, similar to mats. They are simply spread on the floor base and attached to it with glue.

Rubber material price

The price of rubber tiles for external and internal work starts from 950 rubles per square meter (Moscow and Moscow region, as of 08/20/2021). The cost of rolled rubber coating starts from 800 rubles.

Wood flooring

This is one of the more expensive options, where in addition to the price, other advantages can be noted:

• making wooden floors in the garage with your own hands is not a problem;
• 100% environmentally friendly;
• wood has good thermal insulation qualities;
• high maintainability.

Flaws:

• short service life, although if wooden floors are properly and promptly maintained and repaired, they will last for decades;
• high fire hazard;
• Over time, the boards will dry out and become deformed;
• Wood absorbs petroleum products and technical oils well, so there are always stains on the floor that emit odors.

It’s not difficult to make your own garage floor from planks. There are several options. One of them is by lags. The latter are installed with their edges on the foundation of the building and on intermediate support pillars located evenly along the logs. The supports can be brick, block, monolithic, metal profiles or lumber.

The following is the sequence of work:

1. They are placed in the same horizontal plane.
2. Edged boards 50 mm thick are laid on top.
3. Fastening is done with self-tapping screws.
4. The surface of the plank floor is treated with fire retardants and antiseptics, followed by painting.

The second option is without lag. If the base of the floor is concrete, the surface of which has practically no defects, then the boards can be laid directly on it. In this case, metal dowels are used as fasteners:

1. For them, through holes are made in the boards every half meter.
2. The board is laid at the site of future installation.
3. Through the holes, marks are made on the concrete floor, in which holes are drilled for dowels.
4. The latter are inserted into holes in the concrete floor and unscrew the nuts and washers.
5. A board is put on them so that the threaded element fits into the hole in the board.
6. Place a washer on top and screw the nut until it stops.

And in this way all the boards are attached to the concrete floor.

What do you think, is wood suitable for the floor in a garage where a car will be stored? Or is it completely impractical?

Price of floorboards

Average prices for floorboards in Moscow and the Moscow region as of 08/20/2021 are shown in the table.

Acid resistant tiles

One of the varieties of ceramic tiles, which is made from refractory clays with the addition of special materials and substances. One of them is stone flour. The manufacturing technology is similar to the production of porcelain stoneware - molding under pressure, plus firing at a temperature of +1300 ℃.

Advantages:

• high strength and hardness;
• inertness to aggressive media: alkalis and acids;
• fire safety – 100%;
• large operational resource.

Today, manufacturers offer material with a thickness of 25, 30 and 35 mm. Any one is suitable for your own garage.

The process of laying tiles is no different from installing ordinary ceramic or porcelain tiles. Therefore, it will be difficult for a beginner to lay tiles on the floor in a garage with his own hands.

Tile cost

The cost of 1 square meter of acid-resistant tiles in Moscow and the Moscow region (as of August 20, 2021) starts from 620 rubles.

Modern garage floor options

It cannot be said that some of the options proposed below can be classified as “previously unused, that is, “modern”. For example, metal floors. They were often built in garages, but only in large hangars of manufacturing enterprises. Even today they are rarely found in private buildings.

Causes:

• the complexity and labor intensity of constructing a base for iron sheets;
• considerable price of the materials used.

There are quite a lot of advantages, which has recently begun to attract owners of private garages:

• highest strength;
• wear resistance – 100%;
• floors do not generate dust;
• simple cleaning;
• service life is practically unlimited;
• the floor covering does not crack or deform;
• Under the sheet covering you can organize an underground space.

To form metal floors, a frame is assembled under the sheets. To do this, they usually use large metal profiles: a channel, an I-beam or an angle. They are installed on supports at the required height and aligned in a horizontal plane. Here it is important to lay the frame so that the sheet lies on three elements at once: two at the edges, one or two in the middle.

Instead of a metal frame, you can use monolithic concrete structures that are poured in the form of a strip foundation.

For garages where a passenger car will be stored, the thickness of the material used must be at least 8 mm. A corrugated sheet is used, which provides a high anti-slip index.

In any case, it is necessary to carry out calculations based on the weight of the car, the thickness of the sheet metal used, and the span between the elements of the frame system.

Polymer tiles

This material can be called modern. It has a four-layer design:

• the bottom one, also known as the base, is a plate made of polyvinyl chloride;
• fiberglass mesh providing protection against thermal expansion;
• decorative coating;
• a protective coating that protects the material from mechanical stress.

Some manufacturers add another layer - anti-slip.

Advantages of tiles:

• high wear resistance and strength;
• inertness to aggressive environments;
• ease of installation and repair;
• one hundred percent moisture resistance;
• attractive appearance.

The tiles are laid on a solid and level base, usually polished concrete. A special adhesive composition is used for fastening. For a garage, the coating thickness is 5-8 mm.

Garage Floor Comparison Chart

When comparing the proposed materials, not everything is clear. For example, porcelain stoneware is not inferior in its characteristics to concrete. And it may be the best option. But it increases the cost of the floor structure, which discourages this option. That's why many people choose concrete. And it's not just that such a floor is traditional.

Which option do you think is better? Perhaps you have already built a garage and installed a floor in it? Share your personal experience in the comments. Save useful information in bookmarks so as not to lose it.