Which Type of Garage Floor Finish should I Use?

 

Garage flooring can be broken down into four main product types, resin or paint, interlocking floor tiles, specialist concrete finishes that incorporate reinforcement or hardeners and for lighter duty applications vinyl flooring.

 

Whether building a new garage or renovating and repairing an existing garage the primary objective is to end up with a floor that is practical, fit for purpose and cost effective. A well designed and installed floor system is essential to meeting these primary goals.

 

The floor is often forgotten about in the design process despite the fact that it is the surface that experiences the heaviest wear and tear. If the floor goes wrong it is one of the areas likely to cause the most disruption and cost in the event of repair or failure. The floor must resist mechanical, chemical and thermal stresses. It must also provide a safe work surface, look good, as well as offer durability and value for money.

 

Two factors are particularly important in the selection of a high quality, yet economical garage floor systems: a prioritized list of performance requirements, and analysis and preparation of a plan for the installation of the new surface in a manner that suits both your technical abilities (flooring installation skills) and the amount of time you have to complete the job. To select the right floor system, both of these factors must be examined in detail.

 

The following is a list of the most common criteria that you should consider

 

Primary requirements that must be considered on all projects:

 

Project specific requirements that vary widely:

 

The substrate is the basis of a floor system whether it is new or old. Thorough inspection and assessment are essential to determine the correct substrate preparation for a successful flooring system. If the substrate is new, damp, dusty, damaged or contaminated look at a loose lay interlocking tile system for example, alternatively you may have to consider installing a new screed over the existing substrate or investigate specialist surface preparation methods such as HCA (hot compressed air) or scabbling if you intend to use resin, paint or vinyl

 

Once your data is in hand, an educated selection of the best solution becomes apparent. Often this approach will lead you to one or two specific solutions that meet all of your requirements, both during the construction phase and after the floor goes in service. It is important to note that care must be taken to detail your requirements accurately; omissions or inaccurate assumptions lead to a flawed selection process. The result could be construction delays, additional cost, or, in the worst case, complete floor failure.

 

Remember, the most expensive floor in any project is the one that needs to be replaced prematurely. Good planning and execution will improve your odds of success.

 

The ecotile range is available from The Versatile Flooring Company Ltd (www.versatileflooring.co.uk) or through the IFDA network of independent flooring distributors (www.ifda.co.uk)