Installing a new garage door might motivate you to update the interior of your garage as well. Even if you haven’t converted your garage into a lounge, there’s no reason you can’t have an attractive finish on the floors, or a fresh coat of paint on the walls. There are vinyl flooring options, peel and stick tiles and carpet, but those options could be limiting if you’d like to maintain a multi-use space.
Paint
Painting the floor is an inexpensive option, and you won’t need many extra supplies. You’ll want to clean your floors well and repair cracks with concrete filler before you begin. Using a long-handled paint roller, apply primer and a latex acrylic paint specially made for covering floors. It is a labor intensive task (but a good ab workout). Just be sure not to paint yourself into a corner. This is the least durable option, and you might have to repeat every three years. This DryLok Latex Concrete Floor Paint at Home Depot is a good choice.
Epoxy
If you’d like to take it to the next level, epoxy is a durable option that resists oil stains and easily wipes clean. You will again have to make sure any cracks in your floor are filled and that the surface is thoroughly cleaned. You’ll also want to check the weather and work on a day where the temperature falls between 70 and 80 degrees, although most coatings can be applied when temps are between 55 and 90 degrees. Humidity should be below 85 percent. You’ll want to follow manufacturer’s instructions and be sure to use the proper tools and supplies. A detailed supply list and how-to guide can be found here: HOW TO APPLY AN EPOXY GARAGE FLOOR COATING – A DIY GUIDE First you will mix colored resin with a hardening solution, then apply immediately by pouring in ribbons across the floor and rolling out.
Concrete Stain
The downside to staining concrete is that it is not an opaque cover-all to hide oil stains and imperfections. The upside is that instead of sitting on the surface of the concrete like paint, stain seeps deep into the floor and is longer lasting. If you’re at the beginning of a build, there are fancier methods involving pigment being added to wet, uncured concrete, but most likely you will be staining cured, hardened concrete. Once again, you’ll want to clean the floor thoroughly, perhaps using a degreaser at medium strength. You might need to lightly sand the surface to open the “pores.” While you can apply the stain with a mop or roller, experts recommend using a sprayer similar to what you would use to dispense herbicides. The true color will take time to develop. You will need a concentrated enough solution for the chemical reaction to take place, which can take up to eight hours.
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