Finding the right type of garage flooring for your home can be an arduous process, especially if you are unwilling to settle for a boring, generic looking concrete floor. Due to the conditions that garage floors must withstand, the options available to you can seem very limited. However, porcelain tiles are a durable and attractive option that will look great in any garage.
What are the benefits of porcelain garage floors?
Porcelain tile is durable to withstand heavy loads
Porcelain tiles are one of the most popular flooring options for car dealerships and other showrooms because of their incredible durability and beautiful appearance. Being fired at extremely high temperatures during the manufacturing process means these tiles become much denser and harder than other materials you may consider for your garage, such as stone, ceramic, and vinyl. When mortared to concrete, porcelain tiles take on the concrete’s strength and durability that make it the typical choice for garages. Compared to granite and marble, the two most popular types of stone flooring used in garages, porcelain tile is two to eight times harder to break. The hardness of porcelain also makes it much more difficult to scratch. Even if scratched, it likely won’t show, as the color runs through the entire tile. Contrast this with ceramic tiles, whose color does not go beyond the top wear layer, which will show every scratch. Dropping tools and equipment found in a garage on porcelain tiles will likely cause no damage to your floor. Even if it does manage to break a tile, you will only need to repair the damaged section instead of the entire floor.
Porcelain tile is easy to maintain
Another reason shopping malls, car dealerships, and other stores choose porcelain tiles for their floors is because it is easy to clean and maintain. Other than the routine cleaning every floor requires, you will have to do very little to make sure your floor is always looking pristine. Just be sure to use a porcelain tile cleaner when you do. By comparison, standard concrete floors can be difficult to clean because of the textured surface and small imperfections that will allow dirt and grime to become trapped in the grooves. Porcelain tiles also do not require any resealing that many other options, such as wood, cork, and laminate, will require every few years.
Porcelain tile is heat resistant
Any garage floor needs to be able to withstand both the extreme heat and cold that come with being exposed to the outdoors. Due to the clay and other natural materials that bind together to create them, porcelain tiles can endure the varying temperatures found in a garage. Since they transfer heat so well, they are a perfect option if you are considering incorporating radiant heating into your floor.
Porcelain tile is waterproof and stain resistant
In your garage, your floor will not only be exposed to the rain, snow, and salt that comes in when you enter your garage, but also the car fluid leaks and chemical spills that are bound to occur. Porcelain tiles are completely non-porous, which prevents moisture damage and staining. The finely ground glass crystals that make up porcelain give it a composition like glass, allowing you to simply wipe up and wash off anything that gets on its surface. Those same fluids can cause other flooring materials to erode and become permanently stained. This is why it is used in other high moisture areas of the home, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Porcelain tile has versatile colors and designs
Perhaps the greatest advantage of porcelain tiles is that they come in a wide variety of options, and their layout design is completely customizable. This ensures that you will have a truly unique garage floor. You will be able to fit the aesthetic of any space because of the wide selection of colors, textures, finishes, and sizes available.
What you need to know about porcelain garage floors
Porcelain tile design tips
Porcelain tile care and maintenance tips
The cost of porcelain tile compared to other flooring options is often why people shy away from it, but this should not be the case. While it is more costly upfront, it will last considerably longer than just about any other option and will require far less maintenance and care. The only special requirement to taking care of your porcelain floor is that you must use a porcelain tile cleaner to clean it. Using a different type of cleaner will have the opposite effect in the long run and make your tiles dirtier.
Contact us
Are you interested in porcelain tile for your garage floor or another home improvement project? Contact us through the form on our website and one of our knowledgeable experts will get back to you. You can also check out LX Hausys’ TERACANTO Porcelain Surface collection on our website, and be sure to explore our virtual showroom to see it in action.