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Garage floors: which ones are better to choose? Making the floor in the garage yourself - the best options Which floors are best to make in the car garage

A garage, like any other room, needs some finishing, albeit not as beautiful and expensive as in an apartment. For example, here you can insulate the walls, paint them or cover them with panels. Wooden floors in the garage are also often installed, because thanks to this coating the room can be made much more comfortable and warmer than in the case of.

Wood is one of the easiest materials to work with when finishing garage floors. You can work with wood quickly, because installation is quite simple. However, before you explore how to create a wood garage floor, you should check out other options. flooring, which can be equipped in this room.

Most often, a cement-based building mixture is used to arrange the floor inside the garage - a concrete floor is poured. This is especially true for premises that are used very intensively and for their intended purpose. For example, car repairs are often carried out in a garage and there are often cases when various technical liquids get on the floor. It is the concrete floor that is ideal in this case - it practically does not absorb chemical compositions(if you remove them immediately) and are easy to clean from them.

Attention! If on concrete floor leave the oil or gasoline on long term, then they, having been absorbed into the pores of concrete, can no longer be removed.

The service life of such a floor is more than 20 years, however, if the pouring technology was violated during installation, there is a risk that the base will quickly become covered with cracks and become unusable.

Porcelain stoneware slabs are also one of the commonly used materials for flooring inside the garage. They look attractive, are very practical and reliable. Porcelain tiles do not absorb any substances, and therefore are easy to clean by simply washing them. But installing such a floor will cost the garage owner a pretty penny - this material is very expensive, so only wealthy people usually use it. Also, all work on laying this material is very labor-intensive, and the material itself is considered somewhat fragile in relation to mechanical shocks.

Attention! It is advised not to install porcelain tiles immediately after building a garage. It is best to wait about 2-3 years for the soil under the building to settle a little.

Features of a wooden floor

If everything is decided finishing work in the garage, then experts recommend using only the most simple materials, with the installation and installation of which there will be no problems. One such material is ordinary tree, because even those who have only a general understanding of construction and working with materials can cope with its processing.

A wooden floor is much inferior in price to the two previous options, both in terms of installation and in terms of the cost of materials. This is a fairly warm coating, which will make it much more comfortable to move around, and even in winter period, if the garage is not equipped with a heating system, a wooden floor will better retain heat inside it.

Note! A wooden floor inside the garage is relevant if vehicle It doesn’t really need constant repairs, and it doesn’t spend much time inside the garage.

Advantages and disadvantages of wooden floors

The properties and characteristics of any material can be divided into positive and negative. Knowing them, you will be able to make the right choice and decide whether such a foundation is needed. Thus, we will highlight the main advantages of using wood floors inside the garage.

The disadvantages of wood garage floors are given below.

Choosing wood for a garage floor

When creating wooden base in the garage it is the choice of wood as the main one finishing material plays a decisive role. It is important to approach the purchase of boards responsibly. The material should not be damaged, there should be no chips, cracks, or knots that may fall out over time. Do not buy wet or old wood, darkened boards. The fresh board has a nice yellow and the rich aroma of fresh wood.

It is important to pay attention to the dimensions of the board: its thickness should not be less than 2.5-3 cm, and its length should not be less than 2 m. Moreover, the stronger the pressure exerted on the coating by vehicles standing on it, the more securely you need to select or lay boards them in such a way that they do not bend. And the thicker the board, the greater the distance can remain between the lags.

Typically used for laying flooring wooden joists, which should also be quite durable and high quality. Usually this is a thick beam 10x10 cm thick. They can also be used for installing a wooden floor. concrete pillars or the boards are laid directly on the concrete base.

Attention! Before making a purchase, it is important to make all the calculations and calculate required quantity boards, so that later you don’t have to buy them additionally and spend money on transportation again. Calculations are made based on the area of ​​the room. The quantity of fasteners – nails, metal corners etc.

Floor made of tongue and groove planks

The best material for finishing the floor in a garage is a tongue and groove board that has special connecting elements - grooves and protrusions. When laying the flooring, their presence will make it possible to firmly connect the individual elements and reduce the risk of cracks forming.

Prices for tongue and groove floor boards

tongue and groove floor board

Chipboard or plywood floor

As a material for creating a wooden base in a garage, you can use sheets of plywood or chipboard. But these materials can only be laid on a concrete base. Otherwise, the floors may break. In this case, the strength of the flooring will directly depend on the thickness of the plywood or chipboard. So in this case, it is better to buy thicker versions of the material and preferably those that will not allow moisture to pass through. It is best to paint these types of coatings after installation.

Attention! Chipboard does not like temperature changes, so it is not recommended for use in a garage that does not have heating.

Table. Methods for arranging a wooden floor.

Option to create a deck in the garage	Description
	The most common and best option for arranging a wooden floor inside a garage is to install boards on wooden joists. In this case, the entire support of the flooring will fall on them. In turn, logs are installed on any base - concrete floor or soil. The beams are attached over the entire area of ​​the subfloor - it is most convenient to connect them together using metal corners. The latter are installed so that they are parallel to the entrance to the garage and have a maximum pitch of 50 cm. The main disadvantage of laying the floor on joists is that in this case the base level rises. Here you need to consider how the entrance to the garage will ultimately be equipped. Otherwise, you may end up with an awkward step.
	This option will do in the event that a concrete screed has already been poured in the garage. The material covers previously poured concrete. However, experts recommend even in this case to create a base from logs. Dowels or anchors will help secure the boards to the concrete screed. But laying wood can only be done on a level base. If it is severely curved or damaged, it is first recommended to fill it with a self-leveling mixture so that the floor level is the same everywhere. Otherwise, the boards or plywood may simply break. Also, installation of boards cannot be done on top of a damp screed.
	If your garage already has a wood subfloor, you can simply reinforce it and decorate it with clean, fresh boards. In this case, the floors become much stronger and can withstand significant loads. The boards are secured with fastening material and placed perpendicular to the previously laid ones. Installation may only be carried out on a solid base. If the subfloor is partially damaged or destroyed, it is better to dismantle it and make it again.
	Wooden floors can also be installed on top of the ground. Before starting work, the fertile layer is removed, the soil is covered with sand, gravel-sand mixture or expanded clay. The poured material is carefully compacted. The method is similar to installing a floor on joists, only in this case it is necessary to install concrete or brick supports for them. Also in this case, laying insulation and waterproofing material is especially important. Otherwise, the floors will be cold and will quickly rot under the influence of moisture coming from the ground.

Prices for chipboards (chipboards)

Do-it-yourself wooden floor in the garage

Let's take a step-by-step look at how to install a wooden floor in a garage. Work begins with preparation. First of all, the foundation is prepared. This, depending on the chosen type of arrangement of the wooden floor, may include pouring a screed, installing a sand cushion, or leveling the finished base with a self-leveling mixture. All construction waste, there should be no interior items left in the garage, etc.

Ecowool floor insulation is another possible option

If installation is required brick foundations or concrete pillars, then when placing them you need to focus on the place where the car will be placed. This will help you figure out where the strength of the floor should be maximum. The distance between each column should not exceed 1 m. If the base is concrete, then there is no need to install supports - just put logs on top.

Features of installing a wooden floor in a garage

Before starting work, it is important to study and take into account the following rules. They will help you lay the boards as efficiently as possible.

1. The logs are always installed perpendicular to the direction the car leaves the garage.
2. There should be a compensation gap of several centimeters wide between the wall and the flooring so that in the future, when the level of humidity and temperature changes, the boards do not deform.
3. There is also a gap of 3 cm wide between the joists and the wall.
4. Floor boards should be fastened in the direction of movement of the car inside the garage.
5. All wooden materials are processed protective equipment before installation. Otherwise, they will quickly become unusable.
6. The humidity of the board should be about 12%. Do not lay raw material.
7. The joists or base of the floor must be strictly horizontal and level.
8. The space under the deck must be ventilated.

Installation of wooden floors in the garage

Step 1. Before use, floor boards and future logs are treated with products that protect them from moisture or rot. The material dries well, it is advisable to do this outside in the sun.

Step 2. Roofing felt is cut into small strips, which are then stapled to the ends of the boards, joists and to those places that will be in contact with concrete supports.

Step 3. The boards that will be used as joists are installed edgewise on a base partially covered with sand inside the garage. They are laid on timber supports installed along the walls of the garage. Fastening to the base is done using galvanized tape.

Step 4. Sand is poured into the voids between the boards and compacted. After which the sand is well leveled.

Step 5. Floor boards are laid across the edge-mounted boards. They will be oriented in the direction of movement of the car. In this case, laying is done from the edge inspection hole to the walls. The boards are nailed to the joists using nails. The individual boards fit tightly together.

Step 6. If necessary, all boards and beams can be sawn in accordance with the taken measurements of the room.

Attention! It is better to carry out all work on sawing boards wearing safety glasses and a respirator.

Step 7 After finishing work on laying the boards, their surface should be painted or varnished to protect the wood coating.

Video - Installation of wooden floor

Floor surface treatment

Table. How to cover a wooden floor?

Means	Description
	Allows you to preserve the natural color of the wood, but at the same time forms a film on the surface that will protect the material from moisture. The material does not crack when temperatures change, it is very resistant, and does not deteriorate for a long time.
	It will help give the floor absolutely any color. Protects the surface from moisture. However, paint may peel over time and does not last as well as varnish.
	This product protects the boards from the effects of insects, fungi, etc. Among them are those that have fire-fighting properties.

Advice! A solution of silicate glue (400 g of glue per 1 liter of water), copper sulfate (100 g per 10 liters of water) or boric acid (50 g per 5 liters of boiling water with the addition of 1 kg of salt) can help replace the antiseptic.

Insulation of floors

It will not be superfluous to insulate the floors while creating the flooring. To do this, not only a moisture-proof layer is placed under the floor between the joists, but also thermal insulation material. It could be polystyrene foam, mineral wool etc. The work of laying pieces of insulation is simple, but it will allow, by slightly increasing costs, to create a warmer floor in the garage, which will undoubtedly respond a hundredfold in the winter, when the issue of preserving thermal energy inside the garage is especially acute.

Wooden garage flooring is one of the simplest and most quick ways create a strong, reliable and durable foundation. The main thing is to carry out all work according to the rules and in accordance with certain requirements, and then the floorboards will serve faithfully for many years.

When you are planning to decorate or repair your garage yourself, you are faced with a huge selection of materials and technologies. Perhaps more attention in this matter should be paid to the installation of floors. It is the base that bears the maximum load from the car, so it must meet the following requirements: strength, resistance to abrasion, scratches and damage, not absorb liquids, solutions and odors, not slip, not collect dust and be accessible.

An overview of possible options for covering the base in the garage. Which one to choose

If you are a new builder, don't panic. Carefully study our advice and remember, the choice is always yours.

Professionals know several types of garage floors:

• concrete;
• wooden;
• on the ground;
• ceramic;
• bulk

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each in more detail.

Concrete flooring is the most popular not only among professional builders, but also among beginners. Despite all the responsibility and the mandatory sequence of the process, difficulties usually do not arise. You get a strong, level base that is resistant to damage for small investment. Special impregnations or coating with a paint and varnish composition will help provide protection against the absorption of odors, solutions and oils.

Wooden flooring is an environmentally friendly coating. Suitable for installation in a panel or wooden garage. The process of installing a floor does not require much time or special skills. It is a covering made of boards laid on logs. It has good thermal conductivity, is easy to repair, and does not create dust. The disadvantages of wood are its absorption of liquids and odors, high fire hazard, and low impact resistance. If you plan to use the garage only as a storage room for vehicles, a wooden floor will do an excellent job for this purpose.

Ceramic floor - a base lined with ceramic or porcelain tiles. This coating has good strength, resistance to moisture and odors, and is easy to clean. If you give preference to the external aesthetic appearance even in the garage, this coating will suit you. But remember, the process of laying tiles is quite long and painstaking, and the cost of the coating will be much higher.

Flooring on the ground requires virtually no financial costs and time. This is the most basic way to organize a base for parking a car. But there are also quite a few disadvantages of this coating: dirt, absorption of moisture and odors, dampness, freezing.

The self-leveling floor creates a perfectly flat surface that is not inferior in strength to concrete. When following the right technology The filling results in an aesthetically beautiful, smooth, seamless coating that is resistant to impacts, chemical solutions and odors. It is easy to clean and does not collect dust. The main disadvantage of flooring is its price. In addition to the cost of the material itself, the costs go towards preparing a flat concrete or wooden base on which the pouring is carried out.

Knowing your capabilities and requirements, choose suitable covering not difficult. Let's take a closer look at the features and detailed technology devices of the most popular and economical options garage floors: concrete and wood.

Concrete floor

Basic rules

Concrete is poured over the ground or onto an existing foundation. When installing on the ground, it is necessary to lay sand and crushed stone preparation 20 cm thick. To increase the strength of concrete, it is recommended to reinforce the screed. A mesh with cells of 100x100 mm, a rod diameter of 8–16 mm or steel fiber is suitable. This will protect the concrete from excessive compression and prevent cracks from occurring. Depending on the presence of reinforcement and insulation, it is advisable to take the thickness of the concrete layer 3–10 cm. The screed mortar can be purchased from the supplier, but in order to save money, we recommend preparing it yourself. To mix it you will need a concrete mixer or trough. The components of the solution: sand, cement and water are diluted in a ratio of 3:1:1.

Tools

To lay a concrete floor you will need:

• roulette;
• level;
• rule;
• bars;
• beacons;
• spatula;
• trowel;
• trough or concrete mixer;
• vibrating plate or deep vibrator;
• roller;
• brushes;
• angle grinder;
• shovel.

Material calculation

For example, let’s calculate the required amount of material for a garage with plan dimensions of 6x4 m2. Floor area: S=6x4=24 m2.

Let us determine the volume of sand V p and crushed stone V sh for a pillow, the thickness of each layer is 100 mm: V p =24x0.1x1.2=2.88 m 3, V p =24x0.1x1.2=2.88 m 3, where 1 ,2 - coefficient of compaction and reserve.

Fill the screed with a thickness of 5 cm. Volume of the screed: V st = 0.05x24 = 1.2 m 3. Therefore, the volume of sand: V pes2 = 3/5x1.2 * 1.1 = 0.79 m 3, the volume of cement and water: Vcem = 1/5x1.2 * 1.1 = 0.26 m 3. A factor of 1.1 is used to calculate a material stock of 10%. Based on medium density cement 1300 kg/m 3 we obtain the required weight: N cement = 0.26X1300 = 338 kg.

Amount of paint for flooring: Ncr = 24x0.4*1.1 = 10.56 kg with a material consumption of 400 g per 1 m 2.

Step-by-step instructions for pouring a self-leveling base

1. Let's prepare the base. In the case of an existing concrete slab, clean it from dust, chips and level the surface using an angle grinder. When installing a floor on the ground, the base must be compacted with a vibrating plate or available tools. Then we fill in a layer of sand 100 mm thick, followed by a layer of fine crushed stone. Spray the pillow with cement laitance or water and tamp it down.
2. We install waterproofing. Dense plastic film spread out overlapping. It will prevent the penetration of moisture from the soil into the screed or insulation.
3. We insulate the floor. If you need to make a warm floor, we lay insulation over the entire area.
4. We install a vapor barrier. We spread the film over the insulation.
5. We reinforce the screed. We lay reinforcement bars lengthwise on wooden or brick stands and use wire to tie them to cross bars. When reinforcing the screed with fiber fiber, add it to the solution before concreting.
6. Guides. We lay level guides on cement pads, wooden slats or metal pipes. They enable convenient pouring, leveling and movement during concrete laying.
7. Preparation of concrete. Mix the solution in a trough or concrete mixer. To improve the quality of the mixture, you can add special plasticizers or lime. But it should be borne in mind that a solution with additives must be used faster.
8. We lay concrete. To supply the solution to the site, we use a tray, concrete pump or bucket. During concreting, we vibrate to remove air from the mixture. A vibrating screed, a deep vibrator or improvised tools will help us with this. We level the screed with a trowel and pull it out using the rule, moving along the beacons. The next day, remove the guides from the screed and fill the grooves with solution.
9. Strengthening and care. Concrete gains full strength after 28 days. However, you can walk on it after 10 days. During this time, water the screed with water or cover it with film.
10. After gaining strength, the screed should be dusted off and the corner should be walked grinder for alignment.
11. We paint the floor. If you decide to paint the screed, we advise you to use latex or epoxy paints, which must be applied to a primed surface.

Video: concreting the floor

Wooden floor

Basic rules

Wooden floor - the right decision, unless your garage is a painting or welding shop. But as a room for car repairs it has a number of advantages.

Interesting. One of the features of a wooden garage floor is the ease of independent device overpass or inspection hole.

Before laying the joists and covering boards, it is necessary to take an important step that will protect your floor from rot and fungus and reduce the fire hazard. All elements, previously dried, are coated with a special antiseptic and drying oil for wood.

The covering boards (blocks) should be of the same thickness, about 30–60 mm. They are laid on logs along the length of the garage and in the direction of movement of the car. The logs are bars with a cross-section of approximately (100–180)x100 mm, which are installed transversely to the blocks on brick columns with a pitch of 400–600 mm. Columns consisting of three to four rows of bricks are placed under one beam at a distance of 70–100 mm. They are leveled on a concrete pad, which is poured under each support to a depth of 100 mm in the ground. Don't forget about waterproofing and vapor barrier.

Important! The thinner the covering board, the smaller the distance between the supports.

Tools

To install the floor you will need:

• sawing board;
• hammer;
• nail puller;
• stapler;
• mount;
• screwdriver;
• hacksaw;
• nails or dowels and screws;
• grinder;
• measurement tool;
• mounting thread;
• drying oil;
• oil paint;
• antiseptic;
• paint brush;
• roller

Material calculation

Let's calculate the amount of material for the same garage with plan dimensions of 6x4 m2 and a soil base. Floor area: S=6x4=24 m2.

Let's assume that our floor boards have a cross-section of 100x40 mm. Then the volume of material for coating: V p = 24x0.04 = 0.96 m 3.

Let us take the cross-section of the logs as 150x100 mm in size and with a pitch of 600 mm. Number of required logs: N l =6/0.6x1.1=11 pcs., where 1.1 is the safety factor. Volume of wood for logs: V l = 11x0.15x0.1 = 0.17 m 3.

Number of brick supports: N op = 11x4/0.8 = 55 pcs., where 4 m is the opening in plan, 0.8 m is the distance between the supports of one beam. Volume of brick per column: V brick1 = 0.25x0.25x19.5 = 0.012 m 3, volume for all supports: V brick = 0.012x50 = 0.61 m 3.

Amount of concrete for pillows with a section of 350x350 m and a height of 100 mm: V bet = 55x0.35x0.35x0.1 = 0.67 m 3. Sand: V sand = 3/5x0.67 = 0.40 m 3. Cement: Vcem = 1/5x0.67 = 0.13 m 3. Based on the average cement density of 1300 kg/m 3, we obtain the required weight of cement: N cement = 0.13X1300 = 175 kg.

The amount of sand with a layer thickness of 50 mm for filling into holes for bricks: V sand2 = 55x0.05x0.35x0.35x1.2 = 0.40 m3, where 1.2 is the compaction coefficient.

Step-by-step instructions for making your own device

1. We compact the soil. Fill it with sand and compact it.
2. We dig holes to a depth of 10 cm with dimensions in plan of 35x35 cm for brick supports. The distance between the rows is a log step and will be 60 cm. The distance between the supports in one row is 80 cm.
3. Pour sand into the holes to a height of 5 cm, compact it, and pour water on it.
4. We lay the concrete solution to a mark 3–5 cm above the ground level. To do this, we will use boards or plywood installed as formwork.
5. We lay waterproofing, film or roofing felt on the concrete base.
6. Arrangement of brick columns for logs. Brick laying is carried out “interlocked” in three rows with a section of 25x25 cm.
7. We install a vapor barrier. We place film or roofing felt on the supports under the logs. An alternative would be to coat the undersides of the beams with a waterproofing compound.
8. We place the logs on supports around the perimeter and across the garage. Ideally, the length of the beam should be equal to the opening, that is, in our case, about 4 m. Short beams can be spliced ​​“half-wood” or using galvanized overlays.
9. We lay the floor boards along the joists and fix them with screws and nails. We leave a gap of 3–4 cm between the wall and the board, which is then covered with a plinth.
10. After completion of work, the coating is checked for level and for the presence of cracks.
11. To ensure the finish of the floors, especially before painting, it is necessary to go over them with a sanding machine. Remove dust. If desired, prime and coat with epoxy or latex compounds.

Video: wood flooring installation

Insulation of floors

Possible options

When finishing a garage, the issue of insulation may arise. This is especially true if you plan to spend a sufficient amount of time there, and temperature is an integral part of a comfortable stay.

Large heat losses occur due to the floors. Therefore, at the stage of their installation, you should immediately take care of their thermal insulation.

There are several options for bulk and slab insulation for floor:

• foam;
• expanded clay;
• mineral wool slabs;
• construction slag;
• sawdust.

Choice suitable option and the method of its installation depends on the material and design of the planned floor.

Insulation of concrete floor. Material selection

Reduce heat loss from cold concrete covering Laying insulation between the screed and crushed stone will help. The material must have not only low thermal conductivity, but also compressive strength, because it bears both a permanent load from the screed and a temporary one. Rigid mineral wool slabs, polystyrene foam or expanded clay are suitable here.

• The main advantages of mineral wool boards are environmental friendliness, thermal conductivity and non-flammability. However, this option is considered uneconomical for a garage.
• Expanded clay is the most affordable insulation material and has good thermal conductivity and strength. Of the minuses, we note its water absorption.
• Foam plastic - cheap material, but inferior in strength to the others. Given the heavy loads on the coating, it is not recommended to use it in a garage.

The best option is to lay a layer of expanded clay 10 cm thick with a vapor barrier and waterproofing device.

The material is laid on the film using crushed stone and sand preparation. The mark is set using wooden or metal beacons, no lower than 10 cm in height. They are placed on the solution or fixed with self-tapping screws. A layer of polyethylene is again spread on top, which is placed on the walls by 10–15 cm. Next, a reinforced screed is poured.

Tools and materials required for insulation

• shovel;
• level;
• hammer;
• nails;
• nail puller;
• stapler;
• screwdriver;
• wooden blocks 100x100 mm or metal T-shaped profile 100 mm high;
• expanded clay;
• film.

Material calculation

Let us determine the amount of material for insulating the above-described 6x4 m garage with expanded clay.

Number of beacons laid in 1 m increments: N m =6/1+1=7pcs.

Length of beacons: L m = 7x4 + 10% = 30.8 m.

Volume of expanded clay with a layer thickness of 10 cm: V core = 24x0.1 + 20% = 2.88 m 3, where 20% is the safety and compaction factor.

Square vapor barrier film: S pl =(6+0.15)x(4+0.15)+10%=28.07 m2, where 0.15 m2 is the material for the plant on the walls.

Instructions: screed with expanded clay

The installation of all layers is carried out similarly to the instructions for a concrete floor without insulation.

Insulation of a wooden floor. Material selection

With a wooden floor, there are no difficulties in choosing insulation. The main load falls on the logs and soil foundation. The insulation is usually laid in bulk: construction slag, sawdust or expanded clay.

When it comes to such an important point as garage floors, which one is better to choose becomes one of the main questions of the car owner, since durability will depend on the chosen material. It is necessary to choose the highest quality and durable materials.

This applies not only to walls, roofs and all kinds of fastenings, but also to the floor, since it is this floor that will be subject to serious mechanical stress very often. Moreover, given that garages are often used for renovation work, painting and body repair, chemical load is also not excluded here. All this can quickly render even an expensive floor covering unusable, so experts recommend choosing not price, but durability and quality.

Nowadays, manufacturers offer a lot of options for covering the floor in the garage. They vary greatly in cost and durability.

What should the garage floor be like?

As for which floors in the garage are better, when choosing, you should take into account certain requirements, namely, they must be able to withstand shocks and mechanical damage, which cannot be avoided when working with a car. High chemical inertness is also welcome, that is, floors should not be destroyed by acid, machine oil and fuel.

The floor surface must be moisture resistant and easy to clean. You also need to pay attention to the flammability of the material. If the flooring can catch fire from the slightest spark, it should be discarded immediately.

When choosing which garage floors are best, you have to decide between beauty and price. Basically, the cheaper the coating cost, the simpler the floor looks.

Wooden floor

Wooden flooring is a cheap but short-lived option

Wood floors are a classic for the home, but will they work in the garage? This option is different high level environmentally friendly, it has excellent thermal insulation and a beautiful appearance. Wood floors coated with varnish or paint are quite resistant to chemicals. However, if you choose which floors are best to make in the garage, such options cannot be called suitable. The thing is that any wood quickly deforms under severe mechanical loads and the floor will quickly become unusable.

Laying a plank floor can only be done by those garage owners who are going to create comfort in the room and will not be lazy to periodically replace damaged boards. A similar procedure will have to be carried out at least once every 5 years, so such coverage will be unprofitable and very troublesome. Moreover, wood perfectly supports combustion, so if a fire breaks out in the garage, it can lead to dire consequences. Is it worth taking such a risk in order to get just an environmentally friendly and not the most durable surface? Everyone decides for themselves.

Important! Wooden floors must be laid on a primed screed. Wood panels must be treated with an antiseptic. The finished surface needs to be primed and painted.

Concrete floor

If we talk about what floors are best to make in the garage, then concrete options are in greatest demand, this is a very reliable coating that will last a long time and will not require large investments and frequent replacement.

Important! Concrete is impervious to moisture, it can be easily washed even with a hose, and can easily withstand any mechanical loads.

The cost of the material itself is relatively cheap, so budget-conscious owners choose concrete floors for garages. To make a concrete floor in a garage, you need to stock up on sand, crushed stone, cement and reinforcement.

Work begins with the stage ordinary soil. It is removed to a width of about 30 cm, and crushed stone is poured into the prepared pit. It should occupy about 10 cm and be well leveled. Next, the crushed stone layer needs to be moistened and compacted.

Then everything is filled with a small layer of screed, which should contain a little cement, but enough sand. After this step is completed and the liquid layer has completely dried, you can start waterproofing. It is very important for any room, including the garage. For this procedure you can use bitumen mastic, plastic film or roofing felt.

Each master chooses what he likes best and is suitable for a particular situation. The material should be laid so that it extends slightly onto the wall.

Next important stage there will be floor reinforcement. To do this, it is necessary to construct a mesh from reinforcement rods with a cross-section of 10 mm. The pitch should be 15*15 cm. The mesh is laid on a layer of waterproofing so that it does not reach the walls by 5 cm.

The reinforcement needs to be raised above the base by a few cm using special supports. Horizontalness can be determined by beacons. It should be noted that the floor should slope slightly towards the door. This important point Otherwise, when cleaning the surface, water will accumulate inside the room.

After installing the planks, the solution is poured. After a day, you can remove the beacons and fill the resulting void with concrete. Next, a long period of aging of the concrete solution will begin. As a rule, until complete this process One month is enough.

The advantage of a concrete garage floor is not only its inexpensive cost and long service life. Therefore, when the question arises, which floor is better in the garage basement, this option will come in handy. If desired, you can skip it in the screed heating cable, which will solve the heating problem.

Although many people choose concrete options when choosing which floors to make in the garage, they have one minor drawback. The point is that a lot of dust can rise from such a coating. But this problem is quickly solved by painting. Some garage owners use rubber tiles. It's more expensive, but it's also less hassle than paint.

Ceramic tiles

If we talk about which floor is best in a garage for a car, ceramic tile flooring will cost the most, but the appearance of this option is simply gorgeous.

However, not all garage owners agree to spend money on such an expensive floor for their car. In addition to the fact that you will have to buy expensive tiles, you must first fill the floor with a concrete screed according to the scheme described above. As a result, everything turns out to be very costly and labor-intensive. Moreover, such work is also not the most time-consuming good option. Ceramic tiles can be laid on the floor only after the entire building structure has stood and has settled.

Important! The screed for using tiles should be as smooth and clean as possible. It will need to be carefully primed in order to improve the adhesion of the tiles to the concrete.

The choice of the material itself must be approached responsibly. The thing is that the variety of ceramic tiles is very large, but not every option is universal. You need to be especially careful when choosing tiles for unheated garage spaces. Here you will need frost-resistant porcelain tiles.

The tiles are laid using a special adhesive. It must be used very carefully so as not to damage the outer surface. The tiles should not fit end to end. Its horizontalness is checked with a building level.

Self-leveling floors

As for which garage floors are better, self-leveling occupies one of the leading positions, although it came into fashion not so long ago. The thing is that self-leveling floors have several important advantages that are very much appreciated by garage owners. First of all, this is the maximum level of wear resistance. Also, the surface is impact-resistant, moisture-resistant and absolutely not afraid of frost. In addition, when choosing which floor is better for a garage, self-leveling also differs in that it does not unpleasant odor and dust, it does not need to be painted, varnished or coated with anything else. This type of flooring will last a very long time, and will maintain a presentable appearance all this time.

The only drawback that self-leveling floors have is their high cost. But, given the durability of the coating and the minimum of hassle during their care and operation, many do not mind overpaying. If the owner of the garage decides to fork out for such a floor, he will not have problems with it until he is 50 years old.

Working with self-leveling floors carried out only on concrete screed. It is primed a couple of times, and then filled with a special polymer solution, which is prepared from resins and hardeners. They are mixed in a certain quantity according to the instructions. When working on self-leveling floors, it is necessary to observe temperature regime. They cannot be poured in a room where the air temperature is less than 10°C.

Floors of this type can be made in any color scheme. Moreover, some also use complex 3D drawings. After polymer material will be poured onto the floor, it will take about 2 weeks for everything to dry completely.

Self-leveling floors are considered the most modern and nice option, however, their cost deters many garage owners. If the main issue is price, you should choose a regular concrete surface.

The floor in the garage receives as much attention as the rest of the building. It must be durable to withstand the weight of the car, as well as protected from dust and moisture. There are several ways to build a garage floor. A concrete floor is considered a classic of the genre. In addition to it, earthen, self-leveling, wooden and tiled floors are constructed. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. To make your choice and make the floor with your own hands, you need to study the information in detail.

How to make a smooth earthen surface

An option from the “cheap and cheerful” category. There are no financial costs. However, when simple device it has low strength and poor moisture resistance. Suitable for infrequent use or as a temporary floor covering.

1. After marking the area under the base of the garage, remove the layer of soil with vegetation.
2. After pouring the base, the area is leveled and cleared.
3. The future floor is well compacted using the tamping method.
4. After installing the roof, a 100-mm layer of clay, preferably thicker, is poured onto the compacted surface.
5. The entire base is carefully compacted again. And the floor is ready.

It is not necessary to use clay. But it’s better to add it to increase the strength of the floor and protect it from moisture.

Pouring a concrete floor

The most popular floor covering. Concrete floors are durable, fire-resistant, and have a long service life. Plus, it is not afraid of contact with oil, solvent, gasoline and other chemicals. When properly installed, it is resistant to moisture penetration. The process of constructing a concrete pavement is quite lengthy and labor-intensive, but not technologically complex. The floor is constructed when the garage is already built, but interior decoration Not yet.

The correct inspection hole for the car

An optional item in the garage, used for self-inspection, vehicle repair and oil changes. The main condition for creating an inspection hole is the depth of the groundwater- no higher than 2.5 meters. It is usually located in the center of the garage.

1. Dig a pit for an inspection hole 750–800 millimeters wide (+ 300 millimeters for waterproofing material), length equal to length car (+ 150 centimeters) and a depth equal to the height of the garage owner (+ 300 millimeters). The walls of the pit pit are made smooth and vertical.
2. It is good to compact the bottom and pour a small layer of clay on it, which is also compacted.
3. Cover the bottom and walls of the pit with roofing felt or other waterproofing material.
4. Pour 70–100 millimeters of concrete, level it and let it harden.
5. After this, they begin laying the walls of the pit using red brick or aerated concrete blocks. The first row is laid out strictly below the level.
6. The walls are not erected separately, but all at the same time. A gap of 150–200 millimeters wide is left between the masonry and the walls of the pit. When laying rows, the vertical seams are shifted, which will make the walls stronger. Periodically check the verticality of the masonry with a building level. The laying is completed 60–70 millimeters from the threshold level.
7. A pre-primed frame made of a metal corner is installed on the top row of masonry, flush with the floor surface.
8. After this hardening of the masonry, waterproof the pit with outside. Using a thick roller, coat the surface of the masonry with primer and allow to dry. Using the same roller, apply heated bitumen mastic to the walls. After it has dried, fill the free space between the masonry and the wall of the inspection pit with soil in layers. Compact each layer well.

Marking

Using a laser or water level, mark the future floor (standard building level not suitable for this procedure). Laser level will allow this operation to be carried out much faster, but with the water one you will have to work hard:

1. Measure 100 centimeters up from the threshold and make a mark with a pencil.
2. Place one end of the level against the mark and lean the other against the adjacent wall. The water level in the tube will indicate where to place the next mark.
3. Using the same method, apply two or three marks on all walls.
4. Measure 102 centimeters downwards from each top beacon and mark with a pencil.
5. Mark the marking line using a coated cord and, accordingly, determine the required floor level.

Preparation for concreting

Concrete waterproofing, reinforcement and beacons

How to pour a screed: calculation of material and technology

1. Calculate quantity the required solution. To do this, multiply the area of ​​the base by 5 (the height of the concrete screed) and divide by 100. You will get the number of cubic meters of the required solution. It is prepared in a ratio of 1:3 from cement grade M400 or M500 and sand, respectively. Instead of sand, granite screening is suitable.
2. Mix the solution thoroughly until smooth. Ideally, use a concrete mixer.
3. Pour the mixture onto the base. It should cover the beacons.
4. Level the surface according to the rule.
5. After a couple of days, carefully remove the beacons, and fill the remaining grooves with concrete mixture.
6. During the first 10–12 days, the surface must be constantly moistened to avoid cracks. The concrete will harden completely in about a month.

Ceramic tile finishing

This type of flooring has a number of undoubted advantages. It has an aesthetic appearance, is easy to clean, produces very little dust, is durable and strong. However, there are also disadvantages - quality material it is expensive, and the floor can be finished with it only after the garage has completely settled, approximately 2 years after its construction. To install a garage floor, the tiles must have a wear resistance class of 5 or higher. In the absence of heating, choose frost-resistant products.

1. Remove dust from the surface of the concrete screed and prime it in two layers.
2. Prepare the tile adhesive according to the instructions and let it sit.
3. Apply a little glue to the back of the tile. Using a notched trowel, spread the bulk of the glue over the floor. Place the tiles on the floor surface and press gently. To maintain the same width of seams between adjacent elements, insert cross-shaped spacers made of plastic.
4. Periodically check the levelness with a building level.
5. Do not allow glue to get on the front side of the elements. Otherwise, wipe it off immediately, as it will be difficult to do later. Leave the tiles to dry for 3 days.
6. Start grouting the joints. This is done using a special composition based on cement. Moisten the joints and apply the mixture using a narrow rubber spatula. Gently but vigorously remove excess material. Allow the solution to dry for 30 minutes, then wash the tiles with a wet sponge.
7. After 2 weeks you can put the car in the garage.

Do-it-yourself self-leveling floor in the garage

The high cost of this flooring is fully justified by the quality. This floor will serve you for at least 40 years. It is durable, easy to clean, non-flammable, easy to install yourself, and its surface is perfectly flat. Epoxy or polyurethane industrial compounds are most suitable for garage flooring.

1. Prepare the surface: remove dust and seal cracks. Then apply primer in two layers.
2. Follow the instructions to mix the solution for the self-leveling floor.
3. The floor is poured at a room temperature of 10 to 25 o C.
4. A large area is filled in stages.
5. Using a needle roller, the surface is leveled and all bubbles are removed.
6. After three weeks of drying, the floor can be used.

Wood plank flooring

Today, wooden floors are rarely found in garages. He has a whole series advantages: environmentally friendly, inexpensive, easy to install. But all the advantages are outweighed significant drawback- fragility. Even the most the best wood lasts for a maximum of 5 years. In addition, wood is a flammable material. Storing gasoline, solvent and other similar substances in a garage with a wooden floor makes such a room a fire hazard. But still, some garage owners still make just such a floor covering.

1. Clean and prime the concrete screed.
2. Treat the timber from which the logs will be made with an antiseptic. Give it time to dry.
3. Install timber logs on concrete screed with a distance between them of 100–200 centimeters. Secure the logs with dowels every 0.5 meters.
4. Lay intermediate logs in increments of 400 millimeters.
5. Received wooden frame waterproof.
6. Place flooring boards perpendicular to the joists. Use dense, dry boards 4 centimeters thick.
7. Prime the surface, soak it with an antiseptic and paint.

What kind of insulation is suitable and how to organize it

Those who like to tinker in the garage should take care of year-round comfortable temperature in it. Of course, the room can be heated with various heaters, for example, a potbelly stove. But it is better to insulate the structure itself. Thermal insulation is needed for both walls and floors, especially if the garage is in the basement. The right choice insulation depends on what the floor is made of. Most often it is concrete or wood. Warm floors are made using expanded clay placed under the screed or sheets of polystyrene foam, polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, which are laid in the spaces between the joists of the wooden floor or directly under the concrete.

Mineral insulation materials are not used for thermal insulation of garage floors, as they are difficult to protect from moisture penetration.

How to make a warm floor using expanded clay

1. Prepare a pit, the depth of which will be sufficient for a layer of expanded clay.
2. For waterproofing, lay a layer of roofing material on the ground, placing it on the walls.
3. Fill the installed beacons with a layer of expanded clay of 250–300 millimeters.
4. Lay a mesh of reinforcement on the expanded clay and fill the structure with concrete.

Polystyrene foam (polystyrene, expanded polystyrene) under a concrete screed

Such insulation is used only if the floor can be raised by at least 200 millimeters. If this is not possible, then the soil will have to be further deepened.

1. Prepare the soil, level it and make a 50 mm sand cushion. Compact it thoroughly.
2. Lay on top waterproofing material, which is suitable as roofing felt or polyethylene film.
3. Lay insulation boards with a thickness of 100 millimeters and a density index of at least C-25 on the waterproofing. There should be no gaps between the slabs and the waterproofing.
4. Cover the slabs with waterproofing film on top.
5. Fill everything with concrete screed.

How to insulate a wooden floor with foam plastic

This type of thermal insulation is good because the floor does not rise much, by a maximum of 100 millimeters. This is very important if the garage has low ceilings. For insulation, you can use polystyrene foam of any brand or other sheet insulation.

1. Level the base well and lay insulation boards on it, alternating them with the floor support joists. The outermost joists should fit snugly against the walls.
2. Lay down plastic film as waterproofing.
3. Lay wooden boards on top.

Video: DIY garage floor installation

Options for installing a floor in the garage have been considered. The information provided will allow you to choose coverage depending on your individual capabilities and preferences. The installation instructions will help you avoid mistakes and make the floor high-quality, durable and warm.

Which floors are best for a garage is a question that many car enthusiasts ask themselves. The main thing is not to make mistakes, so that in just a year you won’t have to break and redo everything.

There are many reasons for surface damage. These include the heavy weight of the car, the harmful effects of aggressive fuels and lubricants (fuels and lubricants), large differences in temperature and humidity.

Which floor is best to make in the garage is discussed in this article.

Requirements for a garage floor

In order to determine which floor is better in the garage, you should become familiar with the requirements for them so that they are durable and have a high-quality coating.

The garage floor must have:

• High degree of strength to mechanical stress.
• Resistant to chemicals.
• Greater fire safety.
• Good moisture resistance.

Before deciding which is best for your garage floor, you should answer the following questions:

• Is it possible to make a floor with your own hands?
• What is the best flooring for a garage that is reliable and inexpensive?
• Which floor is best for a garage to increase its lifespan?

Garage floor options

Concrete floor

Most often, garage owners choose for flooring traditional version – .

The advantages of this coating are:

• Relatively low price.
• Durability.
• Withstands fairly harsh operating conditions.
• Arising during the period of operation on concrete surface cracks and potholes due to frost heaving and some mechanical damage, for example when a hammer falls on the floor, usually do not cause much dissatisfaction among car enthusiasts.

But, the serious disadvantages of a concrete floor are:

• Its ability to produce a large amount of dust, settling on all surfaces in the garage, including the car.
• All sorts of chemical pollutants can be absorbed into concrete quite quickly and easily, which forms indelible, unpleasant stains.
• Sometimes these stains can contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Advice: Despite all the variety of shortcomings, they can be completely eliminated. For this top layer should be covered with paints or sealants.

Painted concrete floor

Coating a concrete garage floor with a special paint will make it:

• Convenient to use.
• More durable.
• Gives the coating an aesthetic appearance.
• After painting, the surface will not emit dust and will be less susceptible to mechanical damage.

This option for finishing concrete pavement is used most often. This is what many car enthusiasts choose when answering the question, which garage floor is best?

This is explained:

• Quite cheap.
• The ease of applying paint to the floor yourself, using any paint tool: brush, roller, sprayer.

Self-leveling garage floors

To improve a regular concrete floor in a garage, it is best to use modern bulk mixtures as shown in the photo.

Such compositions most often have two components that contain polymer resin and hardener. The instructions for use indicate that they are applied to the floor in liquid form, forming an absolutely flat, impact-resistant base with high durability and frost resistance.

These advantages will fully manifest themselves only with a certain thickness of the coating on the base; it must be at least five millimeters. Self-leveling floors are not only practical, but also beautiful. Their aesthetic appearance is at a high level.

Tip: This is perfectly smooth, glossy or matte finish can be painted in different colors, put a drawing on it.

Ceramic tiles for garage floors

To obtain durable garage floors, you can cover concrete base use ceramic tiles. For this purpose, only certain types of ceramic tiles should be used.

These could be:

• Alloy porcelain tiles granite chips and clay with some other fillers. This material, in appearance and some characteristics, has the same properties as natural stone, which allows porcelain tiles to have high strength, great resistance to frost, and resistance to aggressive chemical environments.
• Clinker tiles or ceramics, which during the manufacturing process are subjected to prolonged firing during high temperature, which gives the material increased strength and frost resistance.
• Floor ceramic tiles, intended for outdoor use and frost-resistant, is also suitable for cladding garage floors.

Tip: When installing a garage floor, tiles should be selected with an anti-slip surface, which will protect the car owner from accidental falls.

Using PVC slabs for garage floors

So modern flooring material looks like separate modules. For its manufacture, durable, chemically resistant polyvinyl chloride is used. High frost resistance allows the tiles to be used in heated and unheated rooms, even outdoors.

The PVC surface has the following features:

• It is not subject to slipping, so when washing the car if you move carelessly, you don’t have to be afraid of falling.
• It absorbs vibration well.
• Excellent withstands increased loads.
• Resists mechanical damage well.
• The material is easy to install. There is no need to use adhesive compositions: the tiles have special locks that allow you to assemble the coating, like a construction set. If necessary, they can be easily disassembled into their component parts and placed in another place.

Wooden garage floors

Advice: Car enthusiasts who prefer everything environmentally friendly should make wood floors in their garage.

Advantages wooden floors:

• Absolute safety: they are not sources of dust or release of harmful substances.
• Boards that have become unusable can easily be repaired or replaced with new ones.
• The overall cost of plank flooring is quite low.

Advice: When choosing a floor for a garage, you should focus on your capabilities, but you should not forget about quality. The durability and safety of your car depend on a properly laid, high-quality floor covering.

The disadvantages of wooden floors include:

• Short service life. After 4-5 years of operation, despite perfect waterproofing and proper care, the plank floorboards begin to rot. But, damaged boards are easily replaced with new ones.

The listed floor coverings are not all that can be used in the garage. These are just the most popular solutions. For example, you can make an ordinary earthen floor - the most cheap option and floor from natural stone- one of the most expensive.