8 Best Garage Floor Tiles for That Custom Look
Over the years, garages have become far more than a simple place to store your car. Residential garages have become additional living or storage space, sometimes abandoning their original purpose entirely.
Taking advantage of garage flooring options such as tiles can make this space even cozier and the following are some of the best garage floor tiles available. You may also want to check out some ideas for your garage ceiling to complete the design.
Our 8 Favorite Garage Floor Tiles
Product | Tile Size | Thickness | Colors | Made In | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GarageTrac Diamond | 12" x 12" | 0.50" | 10 | USA | |
Diamond Grid-Loc | 12" x 12" | 0.50" | 10 | USA | |
Coin Flex Nitro | 20.5" x 20.5" | 0.18" | 7 | China | |
IncStores Nitro Coin | 12" x 12" | 0.38" | 8 | China | |
RaceDeck Free-Flow | 12" x 12" | 0.50" | 5 | USA | |
BlockTile Perforated | 12" x 12" | 0.50" | 8 | USA | |
Smooth Flex Nitro | 20.5" x 20.5" | 0.20" | 5 | China | |
Speedway Tile | 12" x 12" | 0.50" | 10 | USA |
Garage Floor Tile Reviews
#1 – GarageTrac Diamond Garage Flooring Tile
When you want a non-toxic, easy to install garage floor, it doesn’t get much better than the GarageTrac. Made in the USA, this 48 pack of interlocking, double diamond-top tiles is made of polypropylene and is fully compatible with the company’s GarageDeck and RaceDeck tiles.
The substructure is designed to increase airflow and shock absorption. The upper surface is non-slip and easy to clean, even if the culprit is motor oil. With each tile measuring one square foot (12″ x 12″) and 1/2-inch thick, the tiles are easily trimmed to size and carry a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty. Smaller packs are also available for mixing and matching.
One of the key selling points of this system is how easy it is to install and even mix colors (10 different) and patterns to create a unique look. The tiles are durable, aesthetically pleasing, and can be assembled in sections to avoid emptying out your entire garage.
On the downside, you’ll probably want to add some rubber matting underneath to help prevent the tiles from sliding (if not going wall-to-wall) and like most others, the surface isn’t much softer than the bare concrete floor underneath it.
When you factor in quality, price, and ease of installation, GarageTrac makes arguably the best garage tile on the market.
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#2 – Diamond Grid-Loc Garage Tiles
Available through Rubber Flooring Inc., these double-diamond pattern garage floor tiles are also made in America and come in 10 different colors to make your garage floor as unique as you want it.
Made of sturdy polypropylene, these 12″ x 12″ tiles are also a stout 1/2″ thick and don’t have the same stain and color variation issues as some other products. The tiles can handle a rolling weight of 36,000 pounds and are backed by a 12-year warranty.
Attractive and durable, these tiles fix a lot of the problems found in PVC tiles. They’re resistant to a wide range of household and vehicle chemicals and won’t fade in sunlight. Long-time owners of these tiles claim they still look almost new after years of use.
While not necessary, it’s not a bad idea to lay a layer of roofing felt or shockpad under the tiles to help reduce slippage and noise. The tiles can also be damaged if you attempt to use a floor jack or other tool on them that doesn’t have a sufficient impact footprint.
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#3 – Coin Flex Nitro Garage Flooring Tiles
These 20.5 square inch tiles from Rubber Flooring Inc. are made from a proprietary PVC blend to be extra durable. The LEGO-like coin pattern helps prevent slippage while the PVC itself resists most household and vehicle chemicals. They come in a variety of colors and are backed by a 15-year warranty.
These tiles are available in 7 colors and are less noisy than plastic ones and also plenty durable even though they are less than 50% the thickness of the above tiles.
Coin Flex Nitro tiles have been quite popular over the years but it’s worth noting that the newer interlocking system isn’t compatible with tiles made prior to April 5, 2019. But the tradeoff is a greatly improved locking system. Furthermore, these tiles are compatible with other tile sets by the company.
If you have children that buy LEGO sets, you’ll probably already be aware of how batches of plastic can have color variation. With the Coin Flex Nitro, the variation is most apparent for black and grey tiles.
Lighter colors are also known to show off scuff marks more easily, which can occur due to the protective silicone sealing on each tile. Tar can also stain lighter tiles, but it’s often possible to lighten or eliminate both stains and scuff marks.
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#4 – IncStores Nitro Coin Plastic Garage Tiles
These coin-pattern floor tiles are made of a high quality, impact resistant polypropylene to be able to withstand a lot of punishment. As a result, they’re less likely to fade or stain.
They can bear heavy loads and most household chemicals, while having the same drainage and aeration benefits as other similar tiles. As an added bonus, the tiles carry a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Like the other tiles on this list, customers have found this set easy to install. They report that the tiles can stand up to a lot of abuse and are easy to clean. Best of all, the tiles are compatible with other brands, so they work well for patching up an existing tile floor.
Due to the material, these can get a little loud when walked on, although this is a common issue with closed-surface plastic tiles. They also will not hold up well under the focused weight of car jacks and similar tools, but the tiles can be easily lifted out to expose the bare cement floor when a jack is needed.
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#5 – RaceDeck Free-Flow Open-Rib Garage Flooring Tile
RaceDeck makes some of the better garage flooring tiles on the market and will transform your garage space into a showroom! Sold in packs of 12, 24, or 48 tiles, they’re made of a high impact copolymer that’s non-toxic and extremely durable.
The tiles are easy to clean and resistant to stains, fading, and other issues your floor may face. As each interlocking floor tile is designed to be elevated slightly from the floor once assembled, there’s maximum drainage and aeration.
For a product designed to stay put once installed, owners have found it easy to remove the tiles when opting for a new design. The wide range of colors means you can model your garage however you choose. Combine these tiles with a cool garage paint idea for the ultimate custom garage design.
Another thing owners love is how easily the tiles can be cleaned, making them perfect for basements prone to flooding.
It’s really hard to come up with anything negative to say about these tiles. One user did note that the surface repels water so well that they would slip when their feet were wet.
Some light scratching can also occur from snowmobiles and similar vehicles, but the color isn’t affected.
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#6 – BlockTile Perforated Interlocking Floor Tiles
This 30-pack of tiles will provide 30 square feet of 1/2-inch thick high-impact polypropylene that can easily bear the weight of an SUV. BlockTile tiles have a two-toned pattern for extra aesthetic appeal and easily interlock to provide a waterproof and UV stable covering.
One of the things that makes this product stand out is its natural resistance to stains and fading. The upper surface is non-slip and can be cleaned with soap and water. Meanwhile, a grid structure underneath helps to aerate and channel water away from the subsurface.
Designed for use on garage floors, decks, porches, and many other surfaces; the resilience of these tiles make them popular with homeowners.
They love the easy but tight assembly and the aesthetic appeal these tiles have to offer. While there have been the occasional color error, it is very rare and the overall quality is excellent.
The biggest problem with these tiles is the material used. Being a hard plastic, it can be a little rough on bare feet. A few have also complained about the tiles sliding, although you can adhere them by the corners (to avoid blocking the drainage benefits) to your subsurface with in the event you have this problem.
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#7 – Smooth Flex Nitro Garage Tiles
Here we have a companion PVC tile set that is designed to work with the Coin Flex Nitro above. These 20.5 square inch tiles have the same color range as their siblings but feature a smooth top surface.
This not only makes them ideal for moving around tool chests and other wheeled objects, they’re a lot more comfortable to walk on. They have the same 15-year warranty, chemical resistances, and interlocking system as the Coin Flex Nitro tiles, making it possible to switch between the two as desired.
Thanks to the PVC material, these durable tiles are easy to clean and maintain. The smoother surface and better temperature retention make this set a great choice for when the garage doubles as extra living space. Their compatibility with other Rubber Flooring Inc. products and ability to order them in any quantity make these an excellent investment.
Unfortunately, these have the same color matching issues as their sibling set. It’s possible for them to scuff or stain, although both issues can often be lightened or removed through cleaning products.
It should also be noted that since these are a flexible material, they can and will contour to adhere to any uneven concrete beneath them, so you may have to ensure the floor is level before laying these tiles.
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#8 – Speedway Garage Floor Tiles
When you want interlocking garage floor tiles that can withstand a lot of friction, it doesn’t get much better than these Speedway tiles. These have 6 tabs per side as opposed to the usual 4-tab design, making it harder for these tiles to slide or separate.
The industrial strength of this diamond-textured floor tile set means they can be used for anything from garages to basements to small aircraft hangars!
As with other tiles, these leave space for aeration and water drainage, as well as being resistant to most household or automotive chemicals. Available in a variety of colors, the tiles clean off with little effort and will last for many years to come.
While purchasers suggest investing in a rubber mallet when working with a large number of tiles for speed’s sake, you can knock them into place easily with the side of your fist.
Additionally, they note how easy the tiles are to clean and how well they hold up to heavy vehicles due to their rigidity.
There are a couple issues with this tile set. First, they can be more noisy compared to open-design tiles such as the ones above. Second, the closed patterning means they’ll show dust, dirt, and sawdust because the particles just sit on the surface.
Finally, these are very inflexible and will not work if your garage floor isn’t perfectly level.
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How to Choose Garage Floor Tiles
One of the best options for garage floors out there, tiles are a bit more pricey, but will probably outlive your car. More commonly seen in showrooms and other commercial settings, you won’t want to go back to bare cement once you experience the final effect for yourself.
Types of Material
There are three major types of garage floor coverings.
- Hard plastic tiles are among the most common, as they’re durable and easy to maintain.
- A composite of rubber and plastic is also available when you need something that provides a bit of give.
- The last type, wood composite, don’t interlock like the others and will require some extra considerations when installing. It does create a very attractive floor that tends to have a weight range higher than others.
Related: Best Wet Saws for Cutting Tile
Hollow Core vs Solid vs Vented Tiles
There are three basic methods of making a floor tile, and each one comes with its own share of pros and cons.
Hollow core tiles are exactly as they sound – tiles that look more like LEGO bricks on the underside. They allow for good airflow and have decent stability, but often result in clacking sounds when walked upon. They are also more prone to sliding if not anchored down.
Solid tiles are literally solid tiles. Whether plastic, metal, or some other material, these tiles are a single piece with no air pockets inside. They anchor more easily and tend to be easier to walk on, but are heavier and spills will just sit on top of them until cleaned.
Meanwhile, vented tiles are somewhere in between. These tiles often have a substructure for stability but have a perforated top surface. While not the most attractive, they allow liquid spills and mud to seep under so there are no puddles. Of course, this can also be a disadvantage to some.
Rigid vs Flexible Tiles
Depending on the function of your garage, you may want to invest in either rigid or flexible tiles.
Rigid garage floor tiles are an excellent choice for a garage being used as, well, a garage. The sturdier surface can handle cars and even car jacks with relative ease, although they’re not so fun to walk on.
Meanwhile, a converted garage being used for extra living space will benefit more from flexible tiles. They have a lower weight capacity than rigid tiles but are also much easier on the feet.
Are Garage Floor Tiles Easy to Install?
There are few things easier than installing plastic-based garage floor tiles. Simply lay them down and – if aligned properly – they can be knocked together with your heel, the side of your fist, or a rubber mallet.
They are just as easy to remove, provided you work the overlying corner and not one of the looped underlying corners.
See Also: 5 Best Garage Parking Aids for the Perfect Park Job
Will Tiles Make the Garage Louder?
This depends largely upon the type of tile and whether you’ve added any acoustic materials. Hard plastic tiles tend to be the loudest, and hollow core tiles can often clack when you walk on them.
Meanwhile, metal tiles will sound like metal tiles and rubber or flexible tiles will often make little or no noise.
How Long Do Garage Tiles Last?
Again, this depends upon the material. Polypropylene will usually last between 10 and 20 years, while PVC usually lasts 10 to 25 years.
Metal tiles can last longer, while composite rubber will have a shorter lifespan. Wooden tiles can bear a lot of weight but can have a highly variable lifespan based on the type of wood and what protective coatings are applied.
It should be noted that most garage floor coverings these days are either PVC or polypropylene due to their high durability and lower environmental impact.
Doesn’t Water Get Trapped Under the Tiles?
Yes and no. Solid and hollow core tiles are designed to interlock very snugly, creating a waterproof barrier. Meanwhile, vented tiles are designed specifically to allow water to seep below the tiles. Once there, the water either evaporates or flows to a drainage point.
As a result, the water is never truly trapped unless you’ve installed something under the tiles themselves that can absorb water, such as carpet.
What About Clean Looking Edges and Corners?
This can depend largely on the brand of tiles. Many companies offer tile edges that interlock with the tiles themselves to provide a cleaner look. Other brands lack compatible edge pieces and are meant to sit flush against the edges of your garage, leaving a bit of a lip at the garage door.
What Other Garage Flooring Options Are There?
While there are several options for garages being converted into living space (such as carpeting), these generally aren’t good choices when you want your car to live in the garage too.
Epoxy, paint, and garage floor mats are the three best alternatives, although they all have their benefits and drawbacks.
Garage Floor Tiles vs Epoxy Coating
A quality epoxy garage floor coating can take two to three days to apply properly and is a lot of work. It will last a good 20 years if done right, but the fumes are toxic and it’s not the most environmentally friendly option out there.
Conversely, garage floor tiles can literally be a snap to completely install in just a few hours, are usually environmentally friendly, and tend to last 10 to 20 years on average.
Garage Floor Tiles vs Paint
Paint is one of the oldest go-tos for garage flooring and usually the least expensive. Unfortunately, it’s also the most fragile. Garage floor paint can chip or scratch when moving heavy objects over it. A good concrete sealer might be a better alternative for that clean look.
Additionally, even exterior paints designed to withstand UV fading are susceptible to stains or degradation from road salt. Finally, a painted floor must be cleaned more frequently than tiles and reveal any imperfections in the concrete surface underneath.
Related: Best Type of Paint for Garage Walls and Ceiling
Garage Floor Tiles vs. Mats
This is where the real competition lies. Roll-out garage mats come in (you guessed it) rolls that are easily cut to fit and can be applied after simply sweeping the floor.
You can lay additional mats for the desired width and use a sealing compound to create a permanent, waterproof seam. At 30 minutes per roll, it can sometimes be faster to install than tile.
The only downside is that mats have a much shorter lifespan, generally needing replacement every five years or so.
They’re also thinner and leave less of an impression than a floor with colored tile patterns, so they’re better-suited to garages that aren’t being used as living space.