Concrete is a terrible material for your garage floor. It’s porous and can quickly become unsightly as oil and other car fluids drip onto it. Also, trying to clean it is a huge pain once the fluid soaks into the floor’s crevices. What you need are garage floor tiles. These easy-to-install tiles are protective, easy to clean, and improve the look of your garage. Simply measure your garage floor, order your tiles, and snap them together. Finish your new floor with trim along the edges, and you will have a beautiful floor that’s durable enough to withstand any project you tackle in your garage. Our detailed guide below will help you find the right tiles for your garage floor.
Best Garage Floor Tiles Reviews & Recommendations
Why We Picked It:
Cover your garage floor with this pack of 48 durable tiles that are made from high-impact copolymer. They won’t stain, peel, or chip and have a non-slip diamond plate design. These tiles are safe for oil, dust, and dirt. The substructure has a supportive cross pattern to help the tiles stay stable when walking or driving on them. In addition, the tiles can support up to 80,000 pounds of rolling load.
Unfortunately, these tiles only come in a large pack of 48 tiles. This is inconvenient if you need a number other than this. The substructure may be supportive, but it also restricts the airflow, making mold and mildew more likely. Some people find the PowerLock system hard to release, making it hard to separate the tiles.
- Brand: SnapLock Industries
- Model: RD48BLAK
- Size: 12 x 0.5 x 12 inches
High impact copolymer
Won’t leave stains, peel, or chip
Non-slip & slip resistant diamond design
It comes in a large pack
Low airflow diamond substructure
Powerlocks are hard to release
Why We Picked It:
If you do more than park cars in your garage, then consider this durable rubber floor tile with a Fit-Lock interlocking design. The main color is black, and there are five color options for the flecks. These tiles are twice the size of other tiles on this list, helping you cover more flooring. The set comes with six tiles that measure four by six feet.
Unfortunately, one kit isn’t enough to cover your entire garage floor, so plan to buy multiple sets. This is made more frustrating by the six tiles being pre-designed with center, border, and corner tiles. While you can buy individual tiles, they are only offered in the border style. Also, be careful when using your flooring because the rubber can chip off.
- Brand: American Floor Mats
- Model: A_GFLIRT_4_x_6_Set_10%_Grey
- Size: 2 ft W x 2 ft L x 3/8 inch thick
Rubber material
Fit-Lock interlocking system
Five fleck color options
Pre-designated center, border, and corner tiles
Can buy a set or individual border tiles
Can chip off rubber
Why We Picked It:
These heavy-duty floor tiles come in a set with black and silver tiles, each measuring 12 inches square. You also get the outer trim pieces, giving your tiles a finished edge. Choose the design you create when installing your tiles with the tab and loop interlocking system. These tiles stand out with a 250-pound weight capacity rating.
Unfortunately, you don’t have an option for color, with the black and silver combo being the only option. In addition, the interlocking system for these tiles takes more force to connect than other tiles on this list. You also need to be careful when they are wet because they can be slippery.
- Brand: Gladiator Garage Works
- Model: GAFP32CBZM
- Size: 12 x 12 x 0.5 inches
Tab and loop interlocking system
Matching floor, drain, and trim tiles
Rated to hold 250 pounds
A bit slippery when wet
It takes serious force to snap them together
Black and silver design
Why We Picked It:
Choose from three tile designs when purchasing your flooring. There are 24 color options in diamond plate, coin top, and vented designs. All of the different types snap together for seamless installation. The tiles are made from impact-resistant plastic to help them be tough and durable in your garage. You can buy a set of 52 tiles for maximum coverage or a single tile if you have a customized design in mind.
The downside of these tiles is that the vented version has large holes that small parts and hardware could get lost in. The polypropylene can buckle in high heat and shift when you drive on them. The kit also doesn’t come with an edge piece for a finished look at the front of your garage.
- Brand: IncStores
- Model: VentedNitroTile
- Size: 12 x 12 x 0.38 inches
24 color options
Three tile styles
Impact-resistant plastic
Open holes can allow small parts to get lost
Buckle in heat
Shift when you drive on them
Why We Picked It:
This sleek-looking garage floor tile comes in black with a diamond plate pattern for a non-slip walking surface. There are 48 tiles in the set, giving you plenty of coverage. You’ll find these tiles easy to clean, thanks to their resistance to car oil, dirt, and dust. Use a mop or shop vac to clean them. To install the tiles, there is an easy-to-use PowerLock system with 16 locks on each tile. The substructure encourages ventilation and provides anti-fatigue qualities with its shock-absorbing ability.
Unfortunately, you don’t get any edge pieces with this set, so you’ll need to purchase them separately if you have a finished edge along with your garage door opening. The tiles also shift when driven on and can lift when exposed to prolonged direct sunlight.
- Brand: SnapLock Industries
- Model: G90048GRPH
- Size: 12 x 0.05 x 12 inches
Safe for chemicals, oil, dirt, and dust
Easy to clean
Non-slip & slip resistant diamond plate pattern
No edge pieces included
Moves when driven on
Lifts when in direct sunlight
How We Selected The Products
“Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.”
We considered the three types of garage floor tiles but focused on the interlocking PVC, polypropylene, and rubber tiles for this list. These are the most durable and versatile, making them perfect for parking your car or working in your garage. They are also the easiest to install. When choosing the best of these tiles, we considered the quality of the material, durability features, ease of installation, and non-slip finish.
Buying Guide/What to Look For
When you’re shopping for garage floor tiles, you’ll want to consider your needs first and foremost. What do you need the most? How do you use your garage? What kind of activity happens in your garage? You’ll want to look for tiles that can stand up to the types of activities you do the most. For example, if your garage doubles as a shop, you’ll want floor tiles that can withstand heavy vehicles and extra heavy equipment. You may also want tiles that can be cleaned off easily.
You’ll also want to consider the material of the tiles. Do you want tiles that can absorb shock and impact from drops and falls? Do you work on your feet for hours at a time? Or is it more important to have tiles that are non-slip and able to handle water? Some times are better at offering comfort, while other tiles are better for auto work. You want to look for garage floor tiles that are made to meet your needs.
What to Consider When Buying Garage Floor Tiles
Types of Garage Floor Tiles
PVC and Polypropylene
These rugged floor tiles interlock with each other to create a solid covering on your garage floor. You can easily install them yourself, and they come in a variety of colors and surface textures. You can choose from rigid polypropylene tiles or flexible PVC tiles. Both of these materials are resistant to oil, chemicals, stains, and road salt. The surface is non-slip, making them safe to walk around your garage. High-quality tile options are nice and thick with UV resistance to prevent fading. Be careful of moisture seeping through the tile seams, as mold or mildew can build up under the tiles without proper ventilation.
Vinyl
Vinyl tiles are peel and stick, making them slightly harder to install than interlocking tiles. However, they are durable, similar to the tiles you see in schools, grocery stores, or other public commercial spaces. What’s nice about them is you can polish and buff them to have a high gloss shine. They come in a wide range of colors but are typically one size, 12 in W x 12 in L. The downfall of these tiles is that they gouge and dent easily, so don’t drop your tools and put a board under your jack stands. The biggest advantage of these tiles is their affordability.
Rubber
If you plan to use your garage as a gym, then consider rubber tile flooring. You can still park your car on it, and it’s durable enough and shock absorbent to withstand gym equipment and weights. However, be careful when using it under vehicles because only vulcanized rubber is durable enough to not gradually break down over time from oil exposure. If you choose a tile made from nonporous rubber, it will be easy to clean. The drawback of rubber tiles is that they are heavy, making installation tedious. They also don’t provide a noticeable temperature difference, so consider another type if you want insulation for your garage.
Garage Floor Tiles Key Features
Aesthetics
Choosing floor tile is about function and design. The tiles you choose should enhance the look of your garage. PVC and polypropylene tiles have a more rugged look, making them perfect for the home mechanic or DIY home improvement person. They have a non-slip surface, and some come with a diamond plate design. While they come in colors, black is the easiest to find. Vinyl peel and stick tiles tend to have a retro look and are ideal for turning your garage into a showroom. They are perfect for the car guy who loves to detail and fuss over their car. These are smooth tiles that can be polished to a high shine and come in almost any color you can think of. Rubber mats are best for someone who wants to use their garage as a home gym or will spend long hours standing at a workbench. These tiles have a smooth non-slip finish and come in black or with a fleck accent.
Elevated Underside
This isn’t an issue for peel and stick tiles since they adhere directly to your garage floor. However, PVC and polypropylene tiles are considered a floating floor. Look for ones that are slightly elevated to allow for airflow underneath the tiles. The concrete floor in your garage is your foundation, and it sits directly on the earth below, which has moisture. This moisture comes up through the concrete and can get trapped if there is no ventilation under your tiles. This leads to mold and mildew growth under your new floor. Additionally, if you spill liquid or clean your floor with water, it can seep through the seams of the interlocks. Without ventilation, that liquid is now trapped, and you have to take apart your floor to clean it up. Ventilation prevents this by allowing the liquid to evaporate naturally.
Ease of Installation
The easiest floor to install is a PVC or polypropylene interlocking floor tile design. The tiles are significantly lighter than rubber tiles, making them easier to carry and move into position. They also offer forgiveness, so you can easily take them apart as needed when installing your floor. These tiles typically have two sides with loops and two sides with pegs. Peel and stick tiles are trickier to install. They have pressure-activated adhesive on the back, making it difficult if not impossible to go back and adjust their position should you need to. Similar to laying ceramic or porcelain tile, you’ll need to be extra careful that you lay them in straight lines and 90-degree angles.
Garage Floor Tiles Tips and Tricks
As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product and/or using it. That’s the case with us and (TKTK). To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.
- Always measure twice and order once. If your garage isn’t perfectly square, then account for wastage because you’ll need to cut a few tiles.
- If you decide to use interlocking tiles, don’t forget to order the edging. This gives your new floor a finished look.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with your design. Black is an easy option, but you can find tiles in a range of colors. Use more than one color to create a checkerboard pattern, stripes, or any other design.
- Start in the front left corner of your garage by the garage door. Work your way across the door opening and down the wall. Attach tiles from there to cover the entire floor.
- Leave about half of an inch between the edge of your tile flooring and the wall or other obstacle. This leaves your floor space for expansion and slight movement. Not doing this can cause your floor to buckle.
FAQs
Have questions about garage floor tiles? There’s a lot to investigate and consider before you decide which tiles are the right fit for your garage and your activities. We’re answering some of the most common questions to help you find the best garage floor tiles available, no matter what kind you’re looking for.
A: Yes, they are worth it. Durable tiles are resistant to heat, cold, and humidity. They are also easy to clean and maintain. Their resistance to grease, chemicals, gas, and oil makes them perfect for protecting your garage floor.
A: There are four common types of tiles used on garage floors, interlocking, peel and stick, porcelain, and vinyl composite. Each of these materials is tough enough to withstand the abuse they will encounter in your garage. They do vary in price, so consider your budget when choosing.
A: Yes and no. Depending on the type of floor tiles you choose, water could get under them. This isn’t an issue with porcelain or peel and stick tiles. However, the seams of interlocking tiles can allow water to seep through.
A: Wipe up liquid spills and sweep up any dirt and debris. Then fill a bucket with hot water and a household floor cleaner. Use a damp sponge mop to clean the floor. Change out the water frequently for a thorough clean. Avoid using a lot of water, this will allow too much water to seep through the tile seams. A damp mop should result in a minimal amount of water seepage that can easily evaporate in the air flow. If there’s oil and grease, you need a specific cleaner geared for these substances.
A: You have other options beyond floor tiles. There is roll-out flooring, paint, carpet, epoxy, or even concrete sealer. These other options provide you with a different level of protection and durability.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick for the best garage floor tile is the RaceDeck Diamond Plate Interlocking Modular Garage Flooring Tile because it’s made from durable material, has a non-slip diamond design, and won’t stain, peel, or chip.
A more affordable alternative is the American Floor Mats Heavy Duty Rubber Flooring with its shock-absorbing rubber material and five fleck color options.