Can Vinyl Flooring Be Used in a Garage? (7 Benefits)

Garages serve as storage places for many different kinds of items such as tools, freezers, washing machines, and chemicals, which is why you need flooring that is versatile. So is it possible to use vinyl? Is vinyl a good choice?

Vinyl is a great option for garage flooring as it can be installed directly on top of an existing floor. Vinyl is better suited to garages that are climate-controlled and only see foot traffic. Vinyl is easy to clean, and the fact that it’s water resistant means you don’t need to worry about light water damage.

What is vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl plank flooring is a really tough and durable material that does well when used in challenging areas such as garages. Vinyl flooring has been around for many years but its popularity has only really increased in the last 5 to 10 years as people have begun to realize that it can be used in many different settings.

One of the best features of this type of flooring is that it all interlocks together using a quick and simple system that can be done in the home without any need for nails or glue or any prior knowledge or expertise.

Although vinyl plank flooring comes in planks, it is made of mainly PVC and is made up of different layers. Basic vinyl plank flooring is made up of three layers and from the bottom to the top they are:

• Base layer – this layer provides the foundation of the flooring and can be either flexible or rigid material.

• Design or pattern layer – this layer is what gives the flooring its appearance and feel – it can be made to look like stone, tile, wood, or any other type of material.

• Surface layer – this is a transparent layer that protects the flooring from damage and stops it from fading due to UV light.

Better quality vinyl plank flooring has one or two more layers that are used to improve the feeling underfoot and to help with soundproofing.

Vinyl plank flooring vs vinyl sheet flooring

Quite often, people confuse the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring with those of vinyl sheet flooring. Vinyl sheet flooring has been widely used as kitchen and bathroom flooring for many years and was often mistaken for linoleum. It is fiberglass-cushion-backed and comes in large, flexible sheets, and it’s available in many different designs and styles.

Vinyl plank flooring comes, as the name suggests, in planks similar to wood. It is thick and has texture just like wood and is more like good-quality wood flooring than it is like vinyl sheet. As it is completely different from vinyl sheets, vinyl plank flooring has completely different disadvantages to vinyl sheet flooring.

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT)

Luxury vinyl tile is designed to look like tiles and it is available in many different designs. The tiles can be purchased in either flexible or rigid types and their design makes LVT easy to install, which makes it a good choice when you are renovating a room.

7 Benefits of vinyl flooring

1. Cost-efficient

Although vinyl plank flooring isn’t the cheapest type of flooring that you can buy it is very cost-efficient as it is extremely durable and will last for a long time. This type of flooring can easily last between 5 and 25 years so long as it is properly installed and looked after and as it can withstand most dents, stains, and scratches it doesn’t require much in way of maintenance or costly repairs.

It is also extremely easy to install, therefore saving you money on the installation as well as it doesn’t require any specialist tools and you can easily install it yourself.

2. Appearance

By using vinyl plank flooring, you can give your garage a luxurious appearance and feel. Vinyl plank flooring has the appearance of wood and is available in many different colors, grains, and plank sizes so that you can design your garage flooring to your individual taste.

3. Versatile

Vinyl plank flooring is ideal to use in a garage as it allows you to have a versatile space. It can easily withstand the conditions of a traditional garage and anything brought that is brought into it by your cars while still providing you with a warm and appealing space that you can use as a workshop, gym, or living space.

4. Easy to maintain

Garages often get plenty of use – with cars being brought in and out all of the time, and people walking through them from outside – both of which can bring in dirt and debris or mud, snow, and salt. One of the best features of vinyl plank flooring is that it is so easy to clean. It has a non-porous surface which means that the dirt can’t breach the surface of the flooring.

This means that cleaning is quick and easy with just a damp cloth. If a deeper clean is needed to remove oil, grease, or other tough stains then, as the flooring is water-resistant, you can use a mop or steam cleaner with ease.

5. Easy to install

If you want flooring in your garage that you can install yourself then vinyl plank flooring is definitely the choice for you. It can easily be installed without any tools or specialist knowledge and it can be installed directly on top of the existing floor if you want.

The only thing you need to ensure when installing it is to make sure that you have a level surface that is free from divots or debris and that it is clean and dry. The planks then simply interlock into each other and the job is done.

6. Waterproof

Vinyl plank flooring is water-resistant which makes it the perfect option for garage flooring as it can withstand any moisture that is brought in on car tires or on your feet. If you were to use a flooring option that is not water-resistant then it could end up warping and you could end up with a lot of mold and mildew.

7. Durable

Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most durable types of flooring that you can find. It can easily take the weight of cars and tools such as lawnmowers without suffering much damage. Vinyl plank flooring can take plenty of use and wear without becoming stained, scratched, warped, or damaged in any other way.

And as it is so tough and long-lasting you won’t need to constantly repair it or replace it every couple of years, saving you a lot of money.