The floor in your garage has to handle a lot: in Philadelphia, garage flooring is subjected to the usual dirt and oil, but it also has to deal with the salt, cinders, and slush tracked in over the winter. All of that debris can make it very difficult to keep your garage looking its best, and, eventually, the constant and heavy traffic might warrant something a little more intense than a simple sweep. If you're thinking about redoing your garage floor, there are a few things to consider.

Philadelphia Garage Flooring Options
When most people think of a garage floor, the first thing that comes to mind is a big dull slab of concrete. The truth is, concrete is by far the best material for the job; nothing else can really match it for durability or strength. Just because something is made of concrete, however, doesn't mean that it has to look so drab. If you're tired of the look of your garage floor, or if it is old enough to have a significant number of cracks or blemishes, there are two very good options available that will improve appearance, and cover imperfections while making your floor even more durable at the same time.

One favorite option for sprucing up your garage floor is putting down rubber tile. These tiles are available in a wide variety of colors, so you're sure to find just the hue for you. They require no tools to install other than a measuring tape. Rubber tiles are slip and stain resistant, plus they provide a resilient surface that acts as a noise buffer (and feels pretty nice to walk on, as well). Installation is easy, as the tiles snap together, and if you ever decide to do something different, they are also easy to remove.

While painting is certainly one way to add some quick color to your garage flooring, Philadelphians should consider using a special epoxy based coating instead of a run of the mill paint. Epoxy coatings are extremely durable and resistant to stains and oil. The variety of colors available is extraordinary, and there are even reflective chips that can be added to the mix that will literally make your garage floor sparkle. Epoxy coatings are more expensive than rubber tiles, and they're tricky to put in, but they provide excellent protection and the look is second-to-none. Epoxy coatings should, in most cases, be installed by a professional. Not only does the installation require a good knowledge of the material itself, but the bare concrete must be prepped properly for the coating to reach its full potential.

Garage Flooring for Conversions
These days, space is more limited than ever before. This is why many homeowners are taking advantage of the space they already have by converting their garages into a living area. As far as flooring goes, you can basically have whatever you want as long as you don't mind paying for it. One option to be considered, however, is engineered wood flooring. Its floating installation is perfect for going over a concrete floor, and it is a relatively inexpensive material that looks fantastic when it's finished. While you probably shouldn't park a car on it or cover it in oil, it will give your new living space the feeling of hardwood, but will be far less affected by things like excess moisture or temperature changes (a good thing in a room that used to be a garage).

Prices of Garage Flooring in Philadelphia
Rubber mat prices start at around $2.50 per square foot. If you want to epoxy coat your garage flooring, Philadelphia residents are looking in the $1,000 to $2,000 range for a single car space: The price varies according to the style and thickness of the coating and the work that needs to be done to the concrete before the epoxy can be applied).