Picking the Correct Garage Floor Design for a Working Garage

from JNK Products

One of the questions we get asked most often is what type of pattern and what type of product people should use in a garage floor design that is used for more than just parking cars. Our customers want to know everything from what type of pattern they should use to if a garage floor mat or a garage floor tile or even an epoxy will best fit their needs.

We’ve used both garage floor mats and garage floor tiles without issues in workshop type environments. I think the choice between a mat and a tile is a matter of personal preference and I am hard pressed to find an absolute reason why someone should ALWAYS use one over the other.

I do believe picking the proper garage floor pattern when designing a garage floor, and the colors are important. First, the concept of white garage flooring is something that blows me away. Most people would not consider putting white carpet in their kids room yet they consider white garage flooring in the garage –probably not the best idea. Our experience shows that the silver and grey do the best job of hiding dirt and debris.

If you are going to be rolling a toolbox, a chair or sliding underneath a car I recommend the coin pattern as my first choice. You could go with a smooth tile or mat, but that would leave some questions as to traction. The diamond tile looks sharp and when it comes to appearance is by far my favorite. If, however, you are constantly rolling items with a small wheel base, the diamond pattern tends to be a little loud and provide a little more ‘friction’ then the coin pattern garage flooring products.

Residential Garage Floor Design

Garage Floor Design for the Do It Yourselfer!

from Garage Design Plans 101

Cluttered residential garages are not uncommon. However, you can get away from all the stereotypical designs by investing a little time, effort and cash. You will be glad to realize that there is actually more space and beauty in your own garage than you thought possible. Pick the right layout that matches your needs as well as throw in some creativity to eliminate eyesores.

Rules of Organization
Since the garage is one of the biggest areas in the house, it will be wiser not to underestimate the amount of time and effort you’re going to spend fixing it. Provide at least an entire weekend or two to work on the project. To start organizing, do a visual inspection of the entire area and check how much space you’re using up. It will help a lot if you get the dimensions specifically the total area and height so that you will know which furniture and storage fixtures will fit later on. You may want to ask someone you know to help you estimate the space you have.

When organizing, consider the biggest item you’re supposed to store inside the garage. Do you have a car? How many vehicles do you have? Do you own any power tools that occupy space such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, etc? Start making a list of all items you intend to store inside from the biggest to the smallest. Next, start cleaning out the place. Take away all items you no longer need to be sold, given away or stored in other areas in the house such as the basement or attic. Finally, design your layout that will effectively accommodate all items in the list while freeing up as much space as possible.

Planning the Layout
You can hire a professional or plan the layout yourself with the help of a friend who knows a little about layouts. Start writing down all options to make the design as efficient and convenient as possible. The best approach to save as much space as you can would be to keep all things off the floor if possible. This means you have to invest in fixtures like wall-mounted shelves and baskets, hooks and pins, overhead storage lockers, lofts and tool racks. You may also want to put a couple of large cabinets to keep clutter out of sight.

Use racks and hooks to mount bicycles and power tools. Small items such as nails, screws, bolts and other accessories should be placed in labeled boxes, crates or baskets to be stored in shelves or cabinets for easy access. Larger items can be positioned on lofts and overhead storage shelves if they fit. The rest can remain on the floor but make sure that you still arrange them well out of anyone’s working space and path. Drawers are very useful in storing items which you need to protect against external elements.

As for aesthetic purposes, think of one or two colors to use for the whole room. You may decorate with a few wall-mounted items like a clock, picture frames or framed posters. Be more creative and find the style that best interests you like placing a die-cast miniature Ferrari on one of the shelves or pinning a NASCAR flag on one wall. Lights and garage doors should also carefully be chosen to keep everything safe and easy to locate. A single fluorescent lamp is usually adequate for most residential garage designs but you may also use lamps if you have a certain working corner.

Garage Flooring - Flooring Fundamentals

from FlooringFundamentals

New Trends in Garage Floors
When it comes to garage floors, style and design are typically the last words that come to mind. Although these spaces in your home are critical for storing cars and often serving other needs that you or your family may have, they are often one of the most unattractive spaces in your home. For this reason, consider these new trends in garage floor design to make this necessary part of your home turn out to be a fantastic addition that will foster creativity and enjoyment for the entire family. One way to create this atmosphere is to look to different element of garage floors.
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Garage Rubber Flooring Options
Years ago, only the inside of the house got new flooring but we now see a wide range of options for garage rubber flooring. In addition to creating a nicer space to look at, this type of garage flooring is more comfortable to walk on and it provides a protective cover so dropped objects, spills, or just parking the car does not damage the concrete underneath, which would be expensive to fix or replace.
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Garage Floor Mat Eliminates Stains
If you are tired of your garage floor looking stained and ugly, consider installing a garage floor mat today. These great mats are available in many outlets and allow you to simply roll them out and cut them to size in order to fit the dimensions of your garage. Furthermore, a garage mat allows you to simply wipe up spills and stains so that your garage floor can look as good as new. If your garage is an embarrassment and you are looking for a way to keep it looking great, consider purchasing an easy to install garage floor mat immediately.
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Epoxy Paint for the Garage Floor: Protection and Beauty
Although having a painted garage floor was unheard of years ago, today we see many people turning to various solutions of protection to include epoxy paint for the garage floor. Considering that the garage receives the brunt of dirt, chemicals, cleaners, oil, and other substances, it only makes sense that it should be protected. After all, the cost of redoing a garage floor is high. By using something such as epoxy paint for the garage floor, you can protect your floor while enhancing the overall appearance.
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Garage Flooring Paint Overview
Are you tired of having an unsightly garage floor, one with stains and discoloration – if so, then perhaps garage flooring paint would help with a transformation? While you could purchase any number of flooring materials for your garage, you need to remember that most of these are expensive. For instance, garage tile made from rubber or vinyl works well but you pay for it. Instead, garage flooring paint is a great solution that can make the floor look better without costing a fortune.
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