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Tested: The Best Garage Flooring of 2023
Looking to upgrade the fouled flooring of your secret sanctuary? We tested five different floors that can protect and transform your garage into a clean haven.
When was the last time you gazed upon your garage floor with the appreciation it deserves? Garage floors are subject to all kinds of wear and tear. Enduring screeching tires, relentless spills, and winter salt, the garage floor sees it all and asks for nothing in return. It supports your mechanical projects and protects your vehicles from the elements.
However, before you gift your garage a new flooring option, consider which one is best for you. Join us as we test and assess various garage flooring for all your automotive and household needs.
Our Top Picks
Things to Consider When Shopping for a Garage Floor
Many people just throw a piece of carpet or rug on their garage floor for comfort and protection—but that old piece of cloth isn't ideal. There are a number of garage flooring options on the market today that can provide comfort and protection, are easier to keep clean, provide a more secure grip, and are better suited for whatever goes on in your garage.
Climate
Extreme temperatures or high levels of moisture can affect your garage floor's performance. Keeping your flooring out of direct sunlight is advisable to protect it from UV damage, which can cause it to warp or break. Similarly, some floorings, most notably vinyl flooring, will not perform as well in extreme humidity.
Ease of Installation
For most products, you can complete your flooring with a straight edge, a measuring tape, and a utility knife.
Durability
Protecting your investment is important, so durability is a major consideration. While all garage flooring is designed to be driven on and withstand various spills (to a certain point), they do have their limitations. We did our best to test durability over two weeks of exposure to fluids, but only time can tell.
Maintenance
Just like any other surface in the house, your garage floor will require some maintenance. Regular upkeep such as sweeping, vacuuming, and occasional mopping will make your flooring last as long as possible.
Price
Depending on the size of your garage, covering your entire floor can get expensive. Budget is a major consideration, especially if you've got a large space.
How We Evaluated Garage Flooring
When preparing for our garage floor test, we tried to gather a variety of different floorings on the market. The evaluation process began with the big question: Why do people get new garage flooring, and what are they looking to solve?
Most people are looking for an easy-to-install, easy-to-clean, durable way to protect the cement beneath from contaminants such as oil spills and salt. To test these aspects, we ran the following tests and parameters:
- Vacuum Test: How easy is it to vacuum up kitty litter?
- Particulate Test: Does kitty litter get between the seams and beneath the mat?
- Mechanics Creeper Test: Does the mat affect the mobility of a creeper?
- Long-Term Fluid Exposure: How does the mat react with automotive fluids after two weeks?
IncStores Coin Nitro Roll Garage Floor Mat
IncStores Coin Nitro Roll Garage Floor Mat
Installing fancy garage flooring is a fantastic way to keep your garage a bit cleaner. Some products do this duty more elegantly than others, but a Coin Nitro Roll from IncStores is by far the easiest to clean.
The flexible vinyl construction has no absorbent properties, which, depending on your preference, can be a plus or a minus. However, during our long-term test, fluid did get underneath the mat via the seams and left some discoloration on the concrete underneath. There is a concern that fluid can get trapped under there if the seams aren't protected.
But when it comes to dry messes, we found a simple vacuum sweep does the job. Dust does reduce the grippiness but is easy enough to wipe away with a damp cloth or a mop. We also had no issues using a creeper on the mat.
Coin nitro rolls are available in multiple colors, texture patterns, and a plethora of sizes. Get a size close to what you need (or order direct from Flooring Inc. to get custom sizes starting at $1.98/sq. ft.), and cut out the fine adjustments with a razor. For ease of keeping your garage clean, this is the flooring to get.
AiBOB Oil Spill Mat
If you've got a vehicle or other toy that tends to leave pesky oil drips, consider one of these oil spill mats from AiBOB. They're highly absorbent and budget friendly—meaning it doesn't hurt that much to replace them.
However, they are only available in two sizes, which we found only really work under a vehicle or something with a larger footprint, like a riding lawnmower. It's not a bad idea to get the larger option and just cut to size. Leftover chunks can come in handy too.
In our long-term test, it easily absorbed various liquids without leaving any residue or discoloration behind. We were also able to use a creeper on the mat without any issues.
The mat is vacuumable, but we found it struggled with finer particles as they got stuck in the fibers, much like other types of carpet. But if you're trying to keep your garage tidy on a budget, these are the garage flooring mats to get.
Armor All Original Garage Floor Mat
We really love the wide range of size selections available for Armor All's garage floor mats. Paired with the ability to cut to size easily, it's a really versatile option to protect your garage floors from messes.
It's also highly absorbent and didn't leave much residue or discoloration, but we feel bigger spills would be more noticeable. Installation is quite easy, as it adheres to your garage's floor with double-sided tape.
This is also the go-to choice for a full garage makeover. If you want to design an extra living space, throw these mats down for a walkable type of carpet.
Directly compared to the AiBOB, there are far more size choices, but the Armor All mats are much more expensive to replace. We recommend you choose between the two based on your needs.
Big Floors GarageTrac Diamond
To truly transform the look and feel of your garage, you'll need something beefier than a mat. This is where Big Floors' GarageTrac comes in. Setup and installation is a larger task than a simple roll of flooring, but the end result is worth the effort.
Sets of these one-square-foot tiles come in packs of 12, 24, and 48 with a wide array of color choices—meaning you can really get creative with your designs; checkers are a popular idea. Installation is straightforward, but it takes a few times to get the click-and-connect method down (we used a rubber mallet to tap them together).
The tiles are made with a copolymer and are rated to withstand 40,000 rolling pounds. Once they're installed, they'll be there for a while. We did find that sand and kitty litter find their way between the tiles' cracks, which can potentially cause issues down the line.
The cost of these tiles can add up quickly, which is why we didn't award them Best Overall; most people probably don't need this level of garage floor protection. Still, the quality is undeniable. We couldn't find a better way to customize your garage's floor while protecting it this well.
TruContain Containment Mat
In snowy climates all over the country, the battle between wintery slush and garage floors is legendary. If you fight this phenomenon every year, this containment mat from TruContain might be your MVP.
Built with a lip around the edge to prevent water from running everywhere, it's a great option to keep the mess isolated from the rest of your garage floor. While this sounds nice, it is worth noting that the mat does not have a drain—the liquids just sit and evaporate over time.
During our long-term test, we noticed some slight discoloration when liquids got trapped and weren't allowed to evaporate. This could be an issue if tires sit in the same spot for too long. Also, because of the lip, getting a creeper onto the mat is challenging.
But if you do indeed fight the salty slush every winter, this is worth a second look.
How We Tested Garage Flooring
Garage floors and mats are quite a large category. In an effort to test across the board and appeal to the greasy-handed type and the aesthetically driven sort, we decided to keep it broad and test the variety for the masses.
Our main focus was on items you may come across when turning a wrench on your vehicle. For our vacuum test, we poured a measured cup of kitty litter (an oil-absorbing classic), then rolled over the mats several times with a set of tires to rub it in. Afterward, we used a wet-dry vacuum to observe how easy it is to clean pick up particulate and debris.
We used another cup of kitty litter for our particulate test, sweeping the mats vigorously. Afterward, we looked beneath the flooring and took notes on whether or not there was debris beneath the mat itself. For our mobility test, we took our favorite mechanic's creeper and rolled around on top of the flooring to determine whether or not it would hinder movement while you're working beneath your vehicle.
Lastly, we cut a 1-foot by 1-foot square off each flooring option for our long-term fluid exposure test. Sectioning off each square, we poured four liquids (brake fluid, motor oil, brake cleaner, and water) onto respective corners and left them for two weeks to observe how the materials would fare.
FAQs
What are some common materials used for garage flooring?
There are many different types of flooring available for your garage. The most common materials include epoxy coating applications, interlocking tiles (resin, plastic, or foam), and vinyl flooring.
Does a professional need to install my garage floor?
No! Depending on your level of DIY skills, some folks may consider hiring a professional. But rest assured, every flooring we tested can easily be installed independently, as long as you have simple measuring and cutting skills.
Are garage floor mats resistant to stains and chemicals?
Yes, as much as is possible. They are designed to be resistant, but certainly not immune. If you use a mat or interlocking system, assume they will have some vulnerability to fluids and extreme temperatures, particularly in the seams and especially over time.
Can I park my car on a garage floor mat?
Yes, you can park your car on a garage floor mat. They are designed to withstand the weight of vehicles. You should, however, avoid damaging the floor with sharp items or dragging heavy objects across the floor.
How do I clean and maintain a garage floor mat?
Like any other floor, your garage flooring will benefit from regular sweeping and the occasional wet mopping. Promptly cleaning up any spills or harsh chemicals will result in the longest-lasting garage floor.
Why Trust Us?
Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as radar detectors, backup cameras, and EV chargers. We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most are purchased; some are supplied by manufacturers.
Hearst Autos doesn't need to game algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products to earn a buck. Instead, we're more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations.
Visit our Tested & Trusted page to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here.
Katherine Keeler is an Assistant Testing Editor at Hearst Autos. By day she evaluates tools for your enjoyment; by night, she Frankenstein’s her ever changing fleet of rust-bucket-oddities back to repair. Her dream is to open a roadside attraction where the public can view, drive, and learn repairs at her emporium of curious cars.
Collin Morgan is an Associate Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where the former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.
Gannon Burgett loves cameras, cars, and coffee: a perfect combination for his Hearst Autos work. His byline has appeared in USA Today, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, the Detroit Free Press, and more.
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