Floor covering for a garage - what are the requirements for it?
The functional purpose of the garage and its operating conditions determine the basic requirements for flooring. First, it must have a high degree of strength to be able to withstand the considerable weight of the car, the shelving with tools, etc. Secondly, the floor covering should be waterproof to allow you to safely or partially wash the car directly in the garage, drive into it after rain or snow and perform various jobs that require the use of water.
Third, the stability of the selected material plays an important role in chemical influences, because in the garage you will have to deal with gasoline, oils, solvents and other related substances. Special attention is paid to the resistance of the floor covering to temperature changes. Actually this is for well-heated garages in the winter. Every time you drive into or out of the garage, you "push your foreheads" with cold and warm air, which is not the best way to affect the longevity and quality of the flooring.
Of course, the floor must be resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage. An important role is played by the ease of care for the coating, because the garage is not the cleanest room. Do not forget about the fire safety of the material, which must be resistant to fire! Experts agree, and practice only confirms that tiles are the most optimal option for finishing the garage floor. But which tile to choose? Today the leading position is occupied by ceramic granite, clinker and ceramic tiles for the garage. More controversial option - paving and rubber tiles.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles floor for garage - advantages, disadvantages and main differences
Ceramic tiles have been used for many years quite widely, both in finishing residential and non-residential premises. It fully meets all requirements for the garage floor. Due to the high degree of strength, ceramic tiles are able to withstand heavy loads and serve you more than 5-10 years. A low degree of water absorption( less than 2%) makes it possible to remove existing contaminants from its surface, even with a stream of water from the hose. Moreover, this indicator provides high frost resistance, which is especially important for buildings that are not heated in the cold season. Chemicals stored and used in the garage will also not damage the coating.
Please note: Depending on the abrasion resistance of the ceramic tile, one or another class is assigned - c I to V. For a floor installation in the garage, it is recommended to choose a material of class III-V.
It would seem that this type of tile is ideal for flooring in a garage, but without shortcomings there were some. Firstly, when moisture hits the surface, the ceramic tiles become slippery enough. This can be prevented if you choose a material with a raised surface or with a content of special substances that provide the anti-skid effect. Secondly, such a coating is far from the most shockproof. This creates certain inconveniences, since it is necessary to work with the instruments as accurately as possible, trying not to drop them. Thirdly, the price for a high-quality ceramic tile can be quite high, and laying the floor covering in the garage will cost you a pretty penny.
To the number of disadvantages of this type of material is not customary to refer to the thorough preparation of the base, as it is simply necessary to obtain a durable and practical coating.
Many people are wondering about what distinguishes ceramic granite from ceramic tiles? Does it make sense to overpay for it, because its cost exceeds the cost of ceramic coating? Most experts agree that there is a sense, because in many respects ceramic granite is superior to ceramics. To produce it, a high-quality blend of several types of clay and special additives is used, which is then pressed under high pressure and fired. Ceramic granite has a lower degree of water absorption( less than 0.1%) than ceramic tiles, is able to withstand much greater weight, is more resistant to abrasion.
All this makes it an ideal material for flooring in those garages where there will be a heavy car, a jack and a large number of tools to be stored. Moreover, ceramic granite tiles are not afraid of blows, so even fallen heavy objects will not damage the floor. The high degree of hardness of the material does not allow it to be scratched even with a high force, and the increased density is absorbed by various contaminants, which greatly facilitates the care of the coating. Among the shortcomings of porcelain stonework, experts attribute the complexity of cutting and processing, which is a consequence of its density and hardness.
Clinker floor tiles in the garage - a worthy competition for porcelain stoneware?
Clinker tile is a facing material based on special types of clay, obtained by firing prior to sintering. It is characterized by a minimum water absorption, which, depending on the quality of the material, can fluctuate within 0-6%, and high mechanical strength for bending, abrasion and compression. Such operational properties are ensured by the structure of clinker tiles, characterized by the absence of voids, large inclusions and microgranularity.
Resistance to chemical influences makes it one of the most optimal options for installing a floor in a garage. Such a tile is perfect for a garage also for the reason that it is anti-slip. This is achieved with relief protrusions, creating a granular or slightly grained surface. An almost perfect option is an anti-slip acid-resistant tile. However, without the drawbacks, again, it was not, but how much they are significant in relation to the merits, to judge you.
First, high cost. Of course, the lifetime of the tiles is great and allows you to avoid frequent repairs, the price-quality ratio is excellent, but not everyone can afford to pay a large amount for the finishing material at a time. Secondly, connoisseurs of aesthetics will have to move a little, since the color scale of clinker tiles is not as wide as that of ceramic one. That is why, if tile laying in the garage pursued not only the solution of practical, but also aesthetic tasks, it is better to stop the choice on porcelain stoneware.
Sidewalk and rubber tiles for the garage - to be or not to be?
Paving tiles are often used for flooring in a garage. This is due to a number of reasons. First, it is more affordable at a price than porcelain stoneware or clinker. Secondly, the period of its operation can exceed 10 years. Thirdly, it has a high degree of strength and durability. Fourthly, the variety of its sizes, shapes and even color solutions allows you to create a rather original floor in the garage.
As regards the disadvantages, it is necessary to take into account the hygroscopicity of the material. Good water absorption, of course, avoids the presence of puddles in the garage, but it also leads to the fact that most of the impurities are absorbed into the surface of the coating. Remove stains from gasoline, solvents and oils is extremely difficult or simply impossible( depends on the quality of the tiles).The ability to absorb moisture degrades the frost resistance of the material. Water penetrating into its pores, under the influence of low temperatures freezes, destroying the tile from the inside.
It should be noted that: the occurrence of groundwater in close proximity to the surface of the soil requires the device of additional insulation of flooring from paving slabs! Modern and quite practical is a coating made of rubber tiles. It is made from fractional rubber crumb, which is usually obtained by recycling old tires. Among the advantages of such a garage tile include:
- Aesthetics, a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
- Durability. The service life can reach 10 years.
- High degree of strength.
- Excellent impact resistance. It can not be split, dropping even a heavy object.
- Anti-slip surface.
- Good sound insulation properties.
- Durability.
- Properties of a dielectric.
- Repairability. If necessary, the damaged element can easily be replaced with a new one, which does not require dismantling the whole coating.
- Easy to clean from frost.
As for the shortcomings, they include some difficulties in the care. So, cleaning and detergents should not be aggressive. Otherwise, the surface of the floor may be discolored. It is recommended to use only those products that are suitable for this type of coating. Manufacturers often point out as a virtue of the material its ability to absorb moisture, but with the example of paving tiles it can be easily seen that this is rather a drawback for a garage room. It is impossible not to mention the high cost of rubber floor tiles. Thus, the knowledge of the particular features of a floor tile for the placement of a garage allows you to make the right choice and make your stay as comfortable and productive as possible.