So, you're considering undertaking a garage addition to add space and convenience to your home. How exciting! Have you thought about what type of garage flooring you want to incorporate into the final structure? Generally speaking, short of leaving bare concrete with all of its likely issues, there are two relatively easy options that are available to you - coating or covering the floor. But, which of these two options are the best choice for your space and lifestyle needs? Here's a deeper dive into the options, including the pros and cons of both.
Let's start by looking at the difference between these two flooring options for your garage addition. A coating (as shown in the top left image, which although is not our project, is the perfect example) is applied as a liquid, such as an epoxy paint or concrete stain, and is usually rolled or brushed onto the surface of your garage floor, sealing it.
A covering, on the other hand, can be either a continuous piece of material or a number of separate, interlocking tiles that are laid in place on the surface of your garage floor. Both have benefits and drawbacks that you should carefully consider before you make your final decision for your garage improvement project.
A coating is harder to apply, but it also tends to be much more durable, which is important if you plan to bring heavy vehicles or equipment into your garage. To apply a coating to your garage floor, you'll need to do a serious deep cleaning to remove any oils, waxes, or other finishes that can prevent the coating from adhering to the floor properly. Though it is easily completed with a pressure washer, this preparation work is one of the reasons why people are turned off by coatings. It also requires a certain amount of curing time to set up, requiring items stored in the garage to be moved.
A covering, by comparison, is much easier to apply, as it's simply laid down on the surface. This is most commonly accomplished through the application of tiles that connect together. Not only is this process easier, it also doesn't require nearly as much cleaning as coatings do or a long cure time. By simply sweeping the floor well, your garage addition is ready for application.
It's important to remember that most coverings tend to be less durable than coatings. A heavy vehicle or piece of equipment can quickly tear up a covering flooring, especially if the steering wheel is turned without allowing the tires to roll at the same time. But, if you do choose covering for your garage addition, make sure you get a few extra tiles or patches to take care of any problem areas that develop over time.
Now that you have an understanding of the difference between coatings and coverings, you can make the right decision for your garage addition flooring! Need some help with crafting your new garage space? Our experienced team at Tilghman Builders are here to help. Feel free to reach out today with any questions or to get started on a quote for your project.
Need a little more convincing that we're the right partner to tackle your garage addition project? Check out our portfolio to see some of our recent work!