Floor in the garage: coating options

Garage - a closed room, specially designed for parking, repair, safety of cars, motorcycles. Variants of flooring in the garage, there are very different - the modern variety of building materials allows you to choose the most suitable, depending on the operating conditions, floor space, the number of cars placed in it, design space design.

Features of the floor in the garage

The requirements for the floor covering of the garage are high:

• strength - it should not be deformed by the weight of even the largest car, withstand the fall of heavy objects, tools, do not deteriorate when exposed to gasoline, other similar compounds;
• wear resistance - the floors should not "wipe" through during operation;
• durability - the material is chosen so that it does not have to be replaced every two to four years;
• maintainability - accidental damage, if they still appeared, should be easily eliminated without large monetary, time-consuming, severe damage to the appearance.

The main types of coatings are their advantages and disadvantages.

To cover the floor in the garage room, a wide range of building materials, both traditional and modern, is used. Sometimes the coating, as such, is completely absent. Gender performed:

• earthy;
• concrete, including painted;
• wooden;
• bulk;
• from a ceramic tile;
• from polymeric materials;
• from paving tiles;
• from marble;
• from PVC modules;
• from a rubber tile.

Concrete floor

Concrete is a traditional, very budget coating. It is durable, can withstand the weight of even heavy trucks. On the concrete surface, as a result of frost heaving, cracks can form, and when heavy metal tools fall, there are potholes. Usually they do not cause much trouble to motorists.

Increased formation of dust deposited on the car itself, on all horizontal surfaces is the main drawback. Any chemical contamination instantly absorbed into the concrete, form an unaesthetic type of stain, often causing an unpleasant, difficult to remove odor.

Painted concrete floor

Concrete has many drawbacks, which are solved by coating with sealants, special paints. Such a base looks good, it is relatively cheap, the paint is easily applied by hand, using a spray gun, a wide brush, a roller.

When the garage space is intended for two or more cars, each parking space is separated by a straight line, painted in a different color.

Wooden floor

A floor from a natural tree - is most eco-friendly, does not accumulate dust, does not emit harmful substances. Covering floors with boards is cheap enough if you do not use particularly valuable species.

In the best way fit solid types:

• oak;
• larch;
• ash;
• beech;
• maple.

To the floor is not deformed, it is made of the most dry boards that do not have falling out knots, cracks, swelling. Material taken with a small margin - up to 10-15%. The main disadvantage of such floors is fragility. In four or six years, damaged boards will have to be replaced with new ones. In order to increase their service life for a couple of years, insecticidal, antifungal, fire-resistant impregnations, varnishes and paints are used.

Processing of wood with any composition is made before laying, the coating is applied in two or three layers.

Self-leveling floor

Pouring coating is concrete “improved” by modern compositions. These mixtures are usually made two-component - from the hardener and polymer resins. The base is made with a thickness of at least 6-10 mm, comes out very smooth, wear-resistant. It is not afraid of the most severe frosts and blows with heavy objects.

Bulk or polyester floor is not only the most practical, but also looks beautiful, because it has no seams. It is made matte or glossy, painted in different colors. In addition to monochrome variants, coverings with simple or intricate patterns, 3D drawings are popular. The last option is the most expensive.

Ceramic flooring

To trim the garage is permissible with the help of ceramic floor tiles. It is chosen as the most durable, high-quality, put on the base of concrete. What tile will suit:

• porcelain stoneware - made of clay with granite or marble chips, a small number of other additives. In terms of strength, frost resistance, resistance to chemicals, the material is practically not inferior to natural stone;
• A clinker tile is a ceramic material fired at the highest temperatures. The material is impact resistant, frost-resistant, does not crack;
• floor tiles for outdoor use - suitable for laying inside the garage, has cold resistance, durability.

To avoid injury in case of accidental fall, it is advisable to purchase tile with anti-slip effect - textured.

Ground floor

The cheapest floor option in the garage is to make it from the ground. This method is used when there is absolutely no time or opportunity to arrange it differently. It is not necessary to cover such a floor, but it is necessary to completely remove all construction debris, remove the fertile layer (this is 15-50 cm) so that insects do not reproduce and the smell of rotting organic matter does not appear. The “clean” soil is thoroughly tamped down, pouring gravel, crushed stone, clay in layers.

Such a floor is made quickly, practically for free, but a lot of dust is generated on it. The surface itself is very cold, at almost any time of the year, the ground will have to be periodically poured in, and in rainy weather there will be dirt and slush.

Polymer floor

The flooring with polymers is aesthetically pleasing, does not accumulate a lot of dust, has a uniform, even surface, with careful operation it can last more than 40-50 years.

Its other advantages:

• small thickness;
• vibration resistance;
• good thermal insulation;
• excellent waterproofing properties;
• resistance to chemicals;
• simple care (washing with water);
• resistance to frost, sudden changes in temperature and humidity;
• fire safety.

There are only two minuses here: it is impossible to make such coverage inexpensively, and in order to repair, you will have to carefully select the appropriate shade.

The composition of the polymer floor is:

• polyurethane;
• "liquid glass" or epoxy;
• methyl methacrylate;
• acrylic cement.

On the basis of paving slabs

Paving slabs of various sizes and shapes look great in the garage and in the area adjacent to it. It is not perfectly smooth, because the risk of injury is minimal. This surface is swept with a broom, washed with water. It is unable to spoil gasoline, other fuel-lubricating compounds. The tile thickness is about eight cm., The price is affordable, sizes and colors are almost any. For laying material does not require any special knowledge and skills. If polymers are present in the composition of the material, the coating will come out as moisture-proof as possible.

To check the quality of the tiles, take two elements, slightly rub together. If the parts are scratched, cement dust is formed, it is better not to use such material, but to look for better quality.

Rubber flooring

The material is made of crumb rubber, mixed with adhesives, modifying substances, dyes. The product is not deformed by the weight of the machine, it comes out durable, ideal for the garage.

Benefits:

• impact resistance;
• elasticity, resilience;
• the coating does not accumulate condensate, as it "breathes";
• fire safety;
• environmental friendliness;
• high sound insulation properties;
• excellent thermal insulation.

The disadvantages include the high complexity of installation work, for which it is better to hire a specialist.

Rubber coating produced in the form:

• modular tile - multicolored patterns are laid out of it, as the color range, forms options are different. Repairing such a floor is not difficult, but the material is purchased with a margin of about 10%;
• floor mats - whole or cellular. Products are easy to wash under running water, it is permissible to lay them in front of the entrance;
• rolls - are produced with cord reinforcement with a thickness of 3-10 mm or more. The material is durable, comes in different colors, but quickly wears off if it is poorly laid, there are badly glued places. Repair expensive, labor-intensive;
• liquid rubber - sold as a dry or ready-to-pour mixture. In finished, applied form is a seamless, completely homogeneous coating. Serves relatively long, but unstable to shock loads.

PVC modular flooring

Polyvinyl chloride is one of the most modern materials, sold in the form of modules of various sizes, colors. Differs in durability, chemical resistance, resistance to frost. PVC - the coating is not slippery, even if water is poured on it (for example, when washing a car), other liquids. Polyvinyl chloride perfectly absorbs vibration, resistant to physical damage, increased stress.

PVC plates are easy to install, since all parts are provided with fasteners-locks, assembled without glue, as a designer. If necessary, the floor is easy to dismantle, disassembled into components to assemble in another place.

How to prepare the floor for a clean finish

Preparation for finishing, that is, coating with paint, wood, ceramic tiles, polymers, etc. - the most important stage in the manufacture of the floor. When calculating the overall design, it is important to consider what the maximum load will be made to the surface. Since the garage usually stands directly on the ground, the mobility of the latter should be minimal, the level of groundwater - from four meters.

The main stages of creation:

• project of the whole construction;
• marking of a suitable floor level;
• the device of the viewing pit or basement;
• tamping, leveling the ground;
• creating a cushion of rubble, sand, concrete;
• hydro and thermal insulation;
• reinforcement, installation of "beacons";
• screed;
• finish coat.

Paul in the garage with his own hands

The "rough" floor in the garage is performed at the stage of the beginning of construction of the structure, but after the construction of the walls. Finishing - much later, when both walls and ceilings are already decorated, there is a full roof. Properly made floor "pie" consists of several layers: base, bedding, waterproofing, insulation, cement screed, interlayer, finishing coating.

The underlying layer is necessary so that the load on the soil is uniform. Its thickness is six to eight cm., The material is sand, gravel, crushed stone. The screed aligns the “rough” surface, its thickness is about 40-50 mm, if there are pipes in the floor, other communications, the layer above them must be at least 25 mm. Sand, concrete, bitumen, cement mortar, various types of thermal insulation, waterproofing materials are used as a layer. The thickness of this layer is 10-60 mm. Next, proceed to the finishing of any selected material.

Laying procedure, technology of pouring concrete floor

First, a base for the screed is prepared, which is a thoroughly rammed layer, more than 15-20 cm thick of gravel or sand. After waterproofing is made of dense polyethylene, roofing material. The edges of the insulation materials must slightly "go" on the wall. Next, put 6-12 centimeter layer of insulation (if it is assumed that the garage will be heated) of polystyrene foam, other similar material. The strength of the concrete floor is achieved by using a metal reinforcing mesh, greatly reinforcing the structure, protecting it from cracking.

The next step is to prepare the mixture for pouring. To do this, you will need one part of sand and three to five parts of cement, the amount of which depends on its grade. It is also permissible to use ready-made factory building mixtures containing plasticizers in the composition of the fiberglass. For self-mixing the solution, it is desirable to use special mixers.

The allowable slope of the screed is no more than two percent (up to two cm per meter of length), while the lowest point is located at the drain grate or gate. Compensation gaps are made along the walls, pillars and other protruding parts, this is especially important in spacious garage spaces (more than 40-60 square meters.). The gaps are created in the process of making the screed, using a dilatation tape or profile.

Before the start of casting, the markings are made using metal posts driven into the ground. They mark the height of the proposed screed, with the help of construction level. The finished semi-liquid solution is poured onto the base, evenly distributed over its entire area.

The work is done very quickly, until the composition is frozen - at a time. The average thickness of the layer - 35-75 mm, with the device of warm floors - a little more. Full hardening takes place in five to seven days to avoid cracking, moisten the screed every 9-11 hours. If a specialized self-leveling material was used, the duration of its solidification is usually within 20-30 hours.

Concrete floors are usually sanded, but not hard - the surface is left slightly rough for better traction with the wheels of cars.

Laying wooden floors with insulation

If it is decided to make a garage floor out of wood, the base is first prepared - debris removal, screed, installation of sand and gravel cushion, use of a self-leveling mortar, insulation using ecowool. When it is planned to install the bases of concrete, brick, it is necessary to take into account exactly where the car will stand - the distance between the individual columns is no more than a meter. They do not put supports on the foundation of concrete, but immediately lay logs.

When constructing a wooden floor it is important to observe the following rules:

• all lumber before laying are treated with protective compounds that prevent mold, rotting, fire, etc .;
• logs should be installed strictly horizontally, perpendicular to the route of the car entering the garage;
• between the flooring of wood and the wall leave compensatory gaps. Their width is one and a half to two cm., So that at sudden changes in air humidity the lumber is not deformed;
• a gap of three to four cm is made between the wall and the lags;
• floorboards are fixed in the direction of movement of the car in the garage;
• Stacked boards should have a moisture content of not more than 10-12%;
• the space below the surface of the deck must be well ventilated.

How to install:

• The first step is to process the log and boards with protective agents, carefully drying them outdoors, the sun;
• Further, the roofing material is cut into narrow strips, fasten them to the ends of the boards, log, places of direct contact with the concrete;
• Lags are placed with an edge on a sand base, they are placed on supports from a bar, located along the walls, fixed with galvanized tape;
• empty places covered with sand, tamped, carefully leveled;
• floorboards are laid and nailed across the floor - this should be done from the edges of the viewing pit to the walls of the garage;
• if necessary, all wooden parts are filed - it is advisable to do this work in a respirator, goggles;
• freshly laid boards are lacquered or painted to protect the wood from external influences.

Painted or varnished floor should not be too slippery.

Choice, laying ceramic tiles do it yourself

Before starting work, the foundation is prepared, after which the tile itself is laid, the joints formed are grouted, and protective coatings are laid. The laying process is carried out in the absence of drafts, without the use of any heating devices, at a temperature of + 12 ... +23 degrees. It is unacceptable to save on materials - a regular tile, which feels good in the kitchen, in the bathroom, will quickly crack under the wheels of a car, and with the arrival of cold weather it risks loosening from the concrete plane.

The following materials and tools will be required:

• frost-resistant tile adhesive;
• deep penetrating primer;
• notched trowel;
• rubber spatula;
• building level;
• ceramic tile - it is taken with a margin of about 10-12%;
• special plastic crosses to create even seams;
• acrylic sealant or grout.

The base for laying tiled materials is made as smooth as possible, without any bulges, depressions, cracks. Alignment of large defects is performed with the help of cement mortar; before this, glue is applied along the perimeter of the walls to a compensating tape, after that it is aligned.

Laying the tile is made after the primer is applied deep penetration - it is applied in two or three layers. When the ground is dry, the first row of tile is laid. It is permissible to do across the garage space, along it, or diagonally. The glue is applied with a notched trowel on a small area of ​​the floor, after that - on the tile surface, every detail is laid, pressing lightly, periodically checking the level (it is permissible to use a laser or just pull a thread over the floor). To achieve the maximum strength of the coating, each new row is placed with an offset so that the middle of the tile falls on the joint in the previous row. Попадание клеевого состава на "лицевые" стороны деталей недопустимо, если же это произошло, поверхность тщательно вытирают влажной тканью до того, как раствор засох.

Последний этап - затирка швов. For this purpose, polymeric trowels are used that are resistant to high humidity and the effects of chemistry. Before grouting it is necessary that the glue dries out within three days. The trowel mixture is diluted, applied with a rubber spatula to the joints. The material hardens for about 40 minutes - during this time, all excess grout should be removed. It takes 48 hours to set. It is not necessary to apply a protective coating, but it will keep the tile intact if a heavy object falls on it.

Conclusion

Very many cars, motorcycles, and other similar equipment “sleep” in the garage and overwinter, because the floor in it is as strong as possible, especially if the car is large. Creating a suitable finish with your own hands under the power of anyone who has the right tools, quality materials. For the design of extensive spaces, multi-level garages, usually invited experts with sufficient experience.