You are not alone. The soil should be dealt with before the wet autumn, before the snow comes and road salt is used, so it is not surprising that the internet forums are full of questions. People are concerned about which flooring is best, cheap and quick to install. However, a clear answer to this question is complicated.
There are many options, and the most common include paint, ceramic tiles and PVC tiles. Each of these variants has its advantages and disadvantages, and therefore also its supporters. Only some variants meet the actual requirements of a garage or workshop - a space that has to withstand high loads, water and chemicals. An equally important aspect is ease of maintenance.
If you want to save money, you usually opt for a cheap epoxy coat, which unfortunately involves a lot of work. The concrete floor must first be leveled, it would not be bad to vacuum and degrease the surface. This is followed by penetration with diluted paint and then the top coat. Nowadays, a wide range of colors are produced, and with the added decorative particles, an imitation of granite can be achieved. The paints look attractive, but they have some disadvantages.
If too thin a coat is applied, the paint will become brittle under the weight of vehicles. If the paint is not allowed to dry out or is driven over with hot tires, the paint may peel off. Another problem is that the garage floor or workshop floor is slippery, especially in winter. Chemicals leaking from the engine and road salt are also a problem - all of which discolor the paint.
Care is fairly simple, just sweeping and mopping the floor. A problem arises if something breaks, cracks and the paint comes off. Then the entire floor has to be renovated.
The second, but significantly more expensive solution, offers high-quality and resilient ceramic tiles. If you manage to find a really good variant, the defects will be minimal. Although tiles are expensive and difficult to install, they are resistant to surface water (e.g. spills) and chemicals and are easy to maintain. If you sweep or mop the tiles occasionally, they will have a lifespan of decades - if they are well laid.
But even with the best laid tiles, the worst case scenario can still occur. Almost every garage floor can withstand summer conditions, but difficulties arise in winter. With tiles, it is often the surface water that gets under the tiles, causes foul-smelling rot and attacks the surface.
Another problem with ceramic tiles is their brittleness. Often it is enough for a heavier tool to fall out of your hand and one of the tiles immediately cracks. Not to mention the risk of slipping. If you choose tiles with a shiny surface (glaze), you can be sure that these tiles will be slippery in winter.
With the aim of improving the properties of ceramic tiles, PVC tiles have also begun to be produced, which are particularly suitable for garages, workshops or industrial buildings. We produce the PVC tiles terramondi. However, these do not have much in common with ceramic tiles - in practice, the only thing is that they are also tiles that are connected. However, they do not need to be grouted; it is enough to join the joints together with a rubber mallet. The surface must first be leveled and swept, then everything will go smoothly. Installation in an average-sized garage takes about an hour.
The connections between the tiles are sufficiently tight, making it difficult for water to penetrate. If this happens anyway, the water can simply evaporate because the tiles “breathe”. They are resistant to chemicals and acids, and unlike ceramic tiles, they are non-slip (they have a non-slip pattern) anddon't jump. And if a tile is damaged, only the broken piece needs to be replaced.
As with normal tiles, a broom and sometimes a mop are sufficient. The only disadvantage is that PVC tiles are not suitable for outdoor areas. The external conditions are not good for the PVC tiles, they would change their color and shape.
This depends on each individual. Someone prefers a low price and decides to paint. Others prefer classic tiles and some people are not afraid of modern innovations and choose PVC tiles. We have already presented the advantages and disadvantages, now it just depends on you whether you choose the cheaper or the long-term and reliable option.
