· by Michael Blair, Nashville's Garage Floor
Coatings are not the only option, and on a slab with moisture or condition problems they are sometimes the wrong one. Tiles and mats sit on the concrete rather than bonding to it, which changes the calculation entirely.
Interlocking tiles
Rigid PVC or polypropylene tiles that click together and float on the slab. No preparation beyond cleaning, installable in an afternoon, and individually replaceable if damaged.
They allow vapor to escape at the joints, which makes them viable on a slab that would defeat a coating.
Roll-out mats
Vinyl sheet rolled over the floor, usually in a garage-width run. Cheapest option, fastest to fit, and completely reversible.
They trap moisture underneath, which is fine on a dry slab and a problem on a damp one, so the moisture question still applies.
- Tiles: no prep, vapor permeable at joints, replaceable
- Mats: cheapest and fastest, trap moisture underneath
- Coating: best appearance and easiest to clean, needs real prep
- Polished concrete: durable, no coating to fail, expensive
Where each wins
Tiles suit a slab with moisture, cracks or an uncertain history, and a household that wants it done this weekend. They also give some cushioning and insulation underfoot.
Coatings suit a sound dry slab and give the seamless easy-clean surface most people picture.
What tiles do less well
Dirt and water get through the joints and sit on the concrete beneath, so the slab still needs occasional attention. Tiles can also shift under hard steering on a heavy vehicle.
And they read as tiles rather than as a finished floor, which some people mind and some do not.