Sure, we've all seen the pristine, white tile floors of vehicle showrooms with a line up of the latest models all waiting for their future on the roads. But did you ever think about tiling YOUR garage? It's not only practical, it is perfectly safe to drive on too. You can even tile your driveway too. Here are some facts about tiling a garage floor or driveway.
#1. Tile is Strong and Durable
What better place than a garage floor for durable material? Whether you're parking on it or creating a man cave, porcelain tile is one of the most durable materials used for flooring today. It can withstand the weight of multiple cars, dropped barbells, and the pitter patter of many kids' feet. When choosing a porcelain tile, you should look at the PEI scale which defines the hardness of the tile. For a garage floor, you'll want a 4 or 5 rating to ensure the longevity of the installation.
#2. Tile is Easy to Clean
It is also very easy to keep clean. Porcelain tile has an extremely high density, which means it absorbs very little moisture. So if something spills or leaks, you don't have too much to worry about. In order for tile to be classified as porcelain tile, it must be rated at 0.5% or lower for moisture - which means that it is impervious to water and essentially stain-proof, water-proof, and frost-proof. That's a great feature when your parking cars or doing work. We've all seen the damage a leak can do to a driveway or cement floor.
#3. Traction Reigns Supreme
Some people worry about the slipperiness of tile on a garage floor - but porcelain tile can offer enough friction to be used outdoors, in wet conditions, and especially on garage floors. The Ceramic Tile Institute has three categories of slip resistance. Tile rated 0.60 or more is considered slip resistant. Having a rating of 0.60 meets or exceeds OSHA and ADA requirements. A rating of 0.50 to 0.59 is considered conditionally slip resistant and suitable for garage floors, while tile rated below 0.50 is considered questionable and not recommended for garage floors.
Ultimately, tile can offer a beautiful upgrade to any garage while remaining safe, long-lasting, and easy to clean. Stop by any of our nine South Florida tile showrooms and talk to any of our tile experts. We'll be happy to help you pick out the right tile for the job.
