What Are Garage Tiles, 8 Things You Should Know

Those looking to upgrade their garage are often given the recommendation of tiling the space to make it better insulated and more aesthetically pleasing. However, if you have no previous experience, there are several questions that need to be answered before taking on such a time-consuming project, with the first one being: “What actually are garage tiles?”. 

Garage tiles are square, thin coverings usually made of porcelain, vinyl, or plastic and designed to withstand heavy use and exposure to the elements. These tiles are meant to be insulating and offer protection from the weather and chemical substances to preserve a garage’s structural integrity.

To learn more about the purpose of garage tiles and some of their most characteristic features, make sure to read on. Below, I’ll also take you through five things you should know before choosing the perfect tiles for your own garage, including their most common materials and expected longevity. So, if you’re planning on tiling your garage anytime soon, you’ve come to the right place.

What Is the Purpose of Garage Tiles?

Though the benefits of garage tiles are now more evident, are they really that different from their traditional counterparts? What qualities do they boast that make them worth the extra research and investment?

The purpose of garage tiles is to keep a space insulated and protected from the elements. Though similar in looks and build to traditional tiles, garage tiles are sturdier, made to withstand harsher use, and do not deteriorate under frequent water, oil, or chemical contact.

As you can see, garage tiles need to be exceptionally sturdy to fulfill their purposes, which is why they can be pricier than traditional tiles. As you can imagine, all surfaces of a garage, especially its floor, will come in contact with large amounts of oil, water, and all kinds of harmful chemical substances. And I’m not even going to get started on the harsh weather elements it’ll have to withstand. 

That’s why engineers created a special type of tile, one that would be even more suited to harsher use than its already-sturdy cousin. 

However, keep in mind that not all garage tiles are created the same, as they come in a wide array of quality levels, materials, shapes, and sizes. That’s why you’ll also want to ensure that you conduct enough research before choosing a variety that you think will work best for your space and budget.

One of the biggest differences between garage tiles and their traditional counterparts is the fact that they help contain moisture far better, which is a must when it comes to insulating overly-humid spaces such as garages. This quality also allows garage tiles to make the floor less slippery, adding to the overall practicality of the space.

So, now that the purpose and value of garage tiles are more apparent to you, what else should you know about these crafty inventions in order to make a well-informed decision on whether you should actually invest in them?

Things You Should Know About Garage Tiles

If this is your first time learning about garage tiles, there’s more information to learn before you decide on whether buying them will make a good investment. So, in the following sections, I’ll answer five commonly-asked questions about garage tiles, each depicting an important fact you need to know about the nature of this insulating material. 

Are Garage Tiles Any Good?

Garage tiles are great for insulating a garage and keeping it safe from damage and excessive moisture. They’re designed to be notably sturdier than traditional tiles, so they’re far less susceptible to oil, water, or chemical damage. They’re also more insulating from the elements.

Not only do these tiles add to the longevity and functionality of your garage, but they can greatly improve its look as well. When laying down a layer of garage tiles, you’ll also be able to cover any stains, faded colors, or unevenness in the flooring underneath, so you’ll be giving your garage a makeover in any sense of the word.

While there’s no doubt that garage tiles can be very good, they also come at a price, seeing as they’re costlier than their traditional counterparts. Therefore, whether you should invest in them becomes a matter of budget and how much value you could actually get from them.

For example, if you’re someone who lives in a colder, more humid climate, uses your garage frequently, and finds that the poor insulation affects not only the structure itself but also the objects stored inside it, getting some garage tiles might be an excellent long-term investment.

While it’s true that outfitting your whole garage with these types of tiles won’t be cheap (especially if you get a professional to get the job done), you’ll find that the savings you’ll make by doing fewer restorations over the years and keeping your cars, bikes, and other possessions in better condition, will more than make up for it.

Another advantage that adds to the value of garage tiles is the fact that they can really increase your home’s value. So, if you’re thinking about selling your house sometime in the future, the mere value that this investment will add to the final price might cover the entire installation cost.

So, to sum up what’s been said so far, here’s a list of all the advantages that garage tiles can offer to a space:

• They make it more aesthetically pleasing.
• They make it more durable, protecting its structural integrity and the good condition of the objects stored inside it.
• They increase your home’s value.
• They allow you to save on heating or cooling costs by keeping the space better insulated.

What Types of Tiles Are Used for a Garage?

I briefly mentioned that when it comes to garage tiles, there’s a wide variety of options for you to choose from. So, let’s discuss your alternatives here — what types of tiles are most commonly used for a garage? 

The most common types of tiles used for a garage are made of vinyl, plastic, concrete, or porcelain. Though there are other materials you might find used in these types of tiles, they’re usually either composites or simply not as suited to the job as the three alternatives mentioned above.

However, are any of these options better than the others? Not necessarily. Each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. Vinyl, for example, is easy to install and provides a nice glossy finish. However, the material can be a bit slippery.

Plastic is cheap and performs remarkably well even when compared to far more expensive alternatives. However, they don’t add much to a home’s value and don’t usually last as long as other options.

Porcelain garage tiles are the way to go if you want to rapidly increase your home’s value. Don’t let the name fool you; these will do an excellent job of protecting your garage from even the strongest impact. However, they can be pretty pricey.

Concrete tiles have very similar qualities. They require a bit of an investment, but they’ll last for decades, meaning you’ll never have to spend a dime on replacing them.

How Long Do Garage Tiles Last?

Garage tiles usually last between 7 and 15 years, depending on their material and quality. However, if you take exceptionally good care of your garage, you might be able to go longer before having to replace them. Tiles made of porcelain or concrete, for example, can last for decades. 

Do Garage Floor Tiles Hold Up?

Garage floor tiles hold up very well even when met with excessive moisture, oil spills, or chemical contact. After all, they were designed to be extremely sturdy. With that said, some materials hold up better than others. For example, porcelain and concrete last longer than vinyl or plastic.

Considering that you can expect the average set of garage tiles to last around ten years (and I’m not including the lifelong-lasting varieties like concrete or porcelain here), it’s safe to say that they hold up pretty well.

How Long Do Garage Floor Coatings Last?

If you want to make sure that your garage floor is extra protected and insulated, you can add a coating over it. However, how long do garage coatings last?

Garage floor coatings usually last between three and twelve years. Their longevity will depend on their quality, the application process, as well as their daily wear and tear.

Conclusion

Garage tiles are a must if you’re looking to keep the structure in good condition for years to come. You’d be surprised at just how much insulation and protection these thin coverings can offer, especially if they’re of good quality.

After all, their purpose is to keep your garage unaffected by the weather or harsh chemical components, which could otherwise cause structural damages that would take an immense amount of time and money to repair. So, if you’re set on keeping your garage in good condition for a long time, you’ll want to read through the information outlined above.