In a building like a garage, everything is important. These are the walls and the roof, Garage Doors... But few people pay due attention to such details as the floor in the garage. The floors are exposed to serious loads - first of all, this is a car, which presses with its mass on the floor covering. Also, these are various mechanical and chemical influences. The car is not only stored in the garage, but it is also serviced and repaired there - often during work, various, sometimes quite heavy tools can fall to the floor. Its durability depends on how well the structure is made. Also, garage floors can suffer from leaks of fuels and lubricants and various technical fluids.
It follows from this that the structure must have a high level of strength, increased wear resistance, as well as resistance to chemical and mechanical stress. Appearance flooring also matters to many. There are many floor designs, each with its own characteristics.
Based on the requirements that are provided for the floors in the garage, it is possible to distinguish concrete coatings, structures made of ceramic materials, wooden structures, as well as self-leveling floors popular today.
Concrete screeds are especially popular among car enthusiasts and garage owners. The flooring device is multilayer. Such a screed fully complies with all the requirements that are provided for the garage floor.
Reinforced concrete floor is the maximum reliability. Such a base is resistant to moisture and dampness. It is easy to clean with a water hose. Also, this coating is non-flammable, which reduces the risk of fire to almost zero. The cost of creating a coating is of great importance for many - the materials for creating such a screed are not expensive. To equip such a floor for a garage, you will need sand, crushed stone, waterproofing materials, cement, reinforced mesh. This option is easy to implement and it will not be difficult to make a floor in the garage with your own hands.
To organize a concrete screed, the first step is to prepare the base. Often this is soil. The upper layers of this soil are removed. The depth should be about 30-40 cm. Then sand is poured into the formed pit. The layer of this material is made small - about 10 cm. The sand is poured with water and then compacted using a vibrating plate or other hand tools. Then it is leveled with a concrete solution with a low cement content in it. After the solution has dried, waterproofing materials are applied. It is very important that the waterproofing covers the walls as well.
Further - the resulting site must be reinforced. So, a mesh with a cell of 5 × 5 mm is laid. It is recommended to slightly raise the mesh over the screed. To control the horizontal level, special beacons are installed. They are placed at some distance from each other. It is also imperative to leave a gap between the screed and the wall in case the structure expands under the influence of climate.
The future garage floor is made with a slight slope towards the exit. The solution is poured between the beacons, and then leveled using a rule. Later, the beacons are removed, and the solution is poured in their place again.
This design has many advantages, but with all this, there are also disadvantages - the concrete will flake off and dust. To avoid this, you can paint the screed. You can also install rubber tiles.
If a concrete floor in a garage is the most inexpensive solution, then a ceramic-based coating will cost a little more. Lay the tiles on a pre-poured concrete screed. However, professionals do not recommend doing this right away. It is imperative to wait until the garage shrinks.
If the screed is perfectly flat, then all that remains is to apply a layer of primer solutions to it, and then you can proceed to the installation of the tile itself. Ceramics do not like low temperatures, so if the building is not heated, it is recommended to use porcelain stoneware instead. It tolerates low temperatures much easier.
Stays within topcoat not for solution. There is a special glue for this. The adhesive should not be on the outside of the tile. Special crosses are inserted between the tiles. The evenness of the styling can be controlled using a level. After three days, work can begin to grind the joints, and after 14 days, the surface is cleaned and the garage can be used.
This surface also fully meets all the requirements for a garage floor.
This is a special polymer-based topcoat. It has unique characteristics. Unlike ceramics, polymer floors are not afraid of frost, moreover, they do not smell and do not give off dust. Their appearance is very presentable. And making such a floor in the garage with your own hands will not be difficult. The pouring technology does not require special skills.
The wooden floor in the garage, despite its high environmental performance and high thermal insulation rates, excellent appearance, has not become particularly popular. Despite this, many people make just such designs. The cost of such a floor is low, the labor intensity of installation is also low. The floor has a high fire hazard, and its service life is about 5 years, but if damaged areas are replaced in time, then this is a good choice.
Car enthusiasts fall into two categories. The former believe that a wooden floor in a garage is economical and the best option, while the latter are ardent opponents of the former.
However, wood has many benefits. So, the durability of wood can be quite high, provided it is treated with special impregnations. With these substances, the service life can be extended to several decades. At the same time, the floor will not rot and deteriorate.
If some areas are worn out, they are easy to replace - there is no need to remodel and completely renew the site. In addition, such repairs do not require special costs and labor.
The wooden floor in the garage is also excellent at absorbing excess moisture. This is additional protection for the car body. Wood flooring not hazardous to health, unlike the same concrete. Sometimes you have to lie under the car - on a tree it is much more pleasant.
If you use a thick board and large timber, then in terms of strength such a coating will be in no way inferior to a concrete screed. Even small commercial trucks are well suited to the wood. There is nothing easier than making a wooden garage floor with your own hands. Installation is much easier than arranging a concrete screed. And one more advantage - the wood will not dust.
With all the advantages of wood, there are also disadvantages. So, wood perfectly absorbs the smells of fuels and lubricants. This is strongly felt if you turn on the heating. Also, the tree rots and is very susceptible to rodents and microorganisms. Even wood itself is a highly flammable material, and if the floor in the garage is saturated with gasoline, oils and other substances, the risk of fire increases markedly. In garages with wood floors it is not recommended to work with a welding machine.
Let's see how to make a wooden garage floor yourself.
Oftentimes, wooden garage floors are installed directly on the ground. Therefore, the appropriate technology will be used in the arrangement. The design can be either double or single.
The first step is to remove the fertile soil layers in the inner part of the base. It is also necessary to prepare a mixture of sand, gravel and clay and pour it into the resulting pit. Experts recommend that you carefully seal this pillow.
Wooden beams will be used for the flooring. Their edges will rest on the foundation. It is necessary to install special supports in the form of pillars between the beams. To do this, small pits are pulled out under them. The first row of pillars from the wall are installed at a distance of 50 cm.A distance of 1 m can be made between the rest of the posts.A distance of 50 cm is recommended between the beams.
Coarse gravel should be poured into each hole. The layer should be made about 20 cm high. Further, the hole is poured with concrete mortar to the ground. When the solution hardens, a column is made of red brick. This will be the main support for the wooden floor in the garage.
It is imperative to lay a roofing material-based waterproofing between the bricks and mortar, as well as at the top of the props. In those places where there are no pillars, open areas are also covered with roofing material or film.
The floor is under significant stress from the weight of the machine. Therefore, it is recommended to use thicker beams for wooden floors in garages. So, its thickness should be from 150 × 150 mm or more. You can also use wood sleepers.
The beam is laid with an edge - this is done to increase the rigidity of the structure. Lags are mounted perpendicular to the gate. The flooring, on the other hand, is done along the movement of the car.
Fix the logs exactly at the level. If there is a need to correct the slope of the floor in the garage, shims can be used. Also, do not forget that between the wall and the joists, it is necessary to observe expansion gaps of 2 to 3 cm. Along the edges of the room for the beams, it is necessary to install supports with a height of 10 cm. Installation can be performed both in the usual way, directly, or along the entire perimeter. Free space is left under the beams - this is done for natural air circulation.
If there is a need to lay insulation materials, then a rough floor is laid on the laid beams. Next, waterproofing materials are spread. Then you can lay the insulation - foam is suitable, filling or roll materials... Mineral wool will also perfectly insulate the floor in the garage.
On top it is necessary to re-lay a layer of waterproofing materials. Then the finishing floor is laid.
These wood floors are best made from special floorboards. Their thickness is 50 mm. A medium-sized room may require up to 1.3 m3 of material. It is very important for the garage floor to acquire well-dried wood. Otherwise, there is a risk of deformations and cracks in the floor.
As you can see, there are many options to make the floor in the garage with your own hands. Many of these options do not require special costs, and their installation is not too laborious. As for wooden floors in garages, this decision is quite controversial. If you often have to lie under the car, then this is the best choice.
Each car owner is happy to have his own garage and is ready to spend almost all his free time in it, sorting out his iron horse. In order for such a pastime to be as comfortable as possible and bring only pleasure, it is also necessary to decorate the garage from the inside with due care, thoroughness and practicality, creating the same atmosphere and atmosphere as in a living room.
Garages must be kept clean and dry. In addition, do not forget that flammable liquid and similar substances often become contaminants, which is not at all soothing, since such stains are difficult to remove and can damage surfaces.
The most vulnerable surface in this regard is the floor covering. The garage floor must be strong enough to withstand objects, tools and spare parts placed on it and falling on it. Even after being exposed to great severity, it must maintain its integrity.
All of the above can be achieved by using the right materials, as well as understanding what the positive and negative traits of different options have. Manufacturers in the market provide buyers big choice materials and coatings with different service life and different cost. In this regard, making such a decision is a rather serious step. Let's figure out how to do right choice and what criteria should be used to judge this.
Good finishes should be visible and felt throughout the entire space - walls, roof, and floors. The latter is a particularly problematic issue, since it is the floor that is constantly mechanically influenced with great force. For example, serious consequences can be caused by car wheels, heavy objects or even ordinary shoes. But this is not a complete list.
Because cars are often repaired, washed or painted, chemicals can often get on the floor as well. Floor coverings can be easily damaged due to this effect. Therefore, making a good floor in the garage for car owners is really important, in this regard, solving the issue with the choice of material and type of coating requires a particularly careful approach. This will ensure a long service life of such a floor.
When choosing the most suitable and most necessary materials, you should pay attention to a number of criteria. The floor must be distinguished by the characteristics of durability, strength, high quality, and so on. When considering such criteria, their cost is often not taken into account. Also, when choosing the type and material of floors in the garage, it is important to understand whether an inspection pit will be equipped in the garage, since this determines the features of the floor installation. In this regard, one or another coverage will be selected. In addition, it will be important to take into account the climatic conditions and structural features of the room.
To choose the right coverage, several criteria are taken into account. It is important what the soil will be under the room. Its features may require the creation of additional conditions for installation and maintenance of the floor covering. Take into account the climatic conditions - it is necessary to take into account humidity, precipitation and temperature.
It is also important to take into account the expected loads - mechanical shock and exposure to chemicals (including oil, fuel and acids) should not be detrimental to the floor covering and should not destroy it.
Garage flooring must be guaranteed to be easy to clean, that is, the material must be characterized by moisture resistance properties and ease of cleaning. Moreover, the floor in the garage should be lined with non-combustible or low-combustible material to ensure safety in the garage. Be guided by the ratio of presentable appearance and cost. Usually cheap stuff looks simpler, and expensive - more refined and luxurious.
So the choice suitable material in a garage for a car should satisfy all needs, serve faithfully for a long time and help with saving money. You can achieve this result using modern materials or in more traditional ways.
But traditional, usually earthen and sandy floors, have a number of negative aspects. For example, when arranging and operating such a floor, there will be a lot of dirt, which will certainly affect the internal cleanliness of the car and can pollute the living space. Even more mud is formed if the climate is characterized by high humidity and an abundance of precipitation. Therefore, the earthen floor in the garage is far from the most the best option.
A sturdy wooden floor is also a traditional construction. It is worth noting that it is also characterized, rather, from the negative side than from the positive. Prices for material for wooden floors are quite high, they are usually compared with the price of a self-leveling floor. At the same time, the tree does not differ in wear resistance, which is typical for a self-leveling coating. But for wood, the most characteristic property is flammability. Therefore, a wooden floor can rightfully be considered the worst option for a garage.
The use of combustible mixtures can become destructive when they hit the floor, as a fire can occur, and this will entail significant damage to property and endanger the life and health of the car owner and his family members.
More modern structures include a coating of concrete, as well as other moisture-resistant materials. It should be noted that such a floor in different situations and with different conditions can behave differently. It is not difficult to take care of concrete floors, maintaining perfect cleanliness will not be difficult for the owner. Therefore, it will be comfortable to spend time in such a room.
But concrete does not have an aesthetic appearance and not all stains can be wiped off. For example, fuel. Such contamination is much easier to remove from ceramic tiles. The same can be said about acids - ceramics are more resistant to them, like polymer coatings. The concrete floor is likely to begin to collapse, crack and crumble.
Thus, there are many criteria for choosing a coating. To better understand this, we recommend that you study the installation features different types garage floor coverings made of different materials.
As a rule, it is necessary to install coverings of any type after the equipment of the base for such coverings. The material for the latter is usually concrete. So before installation, you always need to install special screeds, which will become preparatory stage... As a rule, the requirements for the grade of concrete for such screeds are the normalized level - from 200. The base layer should be from 15 centimeters.
At the same time, such a base must be reinforced with a special grid 50 to 50. And under the screed, you need to install a special cushion of sand and gravel, and also make grooves so that the water can drain. Let's consider separately the features and installation of each type of garage flooring.
The simplest version of an earthen floor covering is installed as follows - you need to level and tamp the area under the floor. As a rule, this is the end of the installation of the floor in the garage. In this case, the garage will be threatened by exposure to moisture and low temperatures. To increase the resistance of the floor to such effects, you can cover the earthen floor with a clay mortar. This manipulation will make the flooring in the garage more durable and frost-resistant.
If you intend to make garage floors inexpensively, then there are several options for how to increase its resistance to moisture without much cost. From above, a layer of soil with a depth of 15-60 centimeters should be removed, more precisely, this is determined depending on the soil. Further, for a more thorough tamping and obtaining a flat floor, water it with liquid.
If groundwater are located high, then additional protection from water will be required. Several layers are applied on top of the soil for this. clay solution, while before applying the next layer, you need to wait until the previous one dries.
Such a floor is the most popular among car owners, since it has a long service life, does not need frequent repairs and also has affordable prices.
So, positive aspects there will be complete immunity to high humidity, ease of care - you can simply water it with hoses. Another plus is resistance to any mechanical stress. It is impossible not to mention among the advantages affordable price... By choosing this flooring option, the garage owner can save a lot.
When installing concrete floors, you will need reinforcement, sand, gravel and cement. It is necessary to make a concrete floor starting from the ground layer. This layer needs to be removed, the depth will be 30 centimeters. At the bottom of the resulting pit, crushed stone about 10 centimeters thick is laid. This layer needs to be properly leveled, saturated with moisture. Also, the crushed stone must be thoroughly compacted. A screed is poured onto a layer of crushed stone, which is represented by a mixture of sand with cement, and the first component should prevail in quantity over the second.
Classic options include ceramic tile garage flooring. The installation of such a floor covering requires a particularly careful approach - it must not be allowed that empty spaces remain under the tiles. For this purpose, under the comb, the tiles are fixed with glue, which is specially designed for outdoor work. You only need to apply the glue in a thin layer. Installation of ceramic flooring is carried out from porcelain stoneware. Such material is distinguished by resistance to low temperatures, including frost, as well as indelibility.
At the same time, the cost of tiles and stones is high, that is, it is practically the most expensive material that requires significant financial investments. And the installation of such a coating is laborious, which is also not an advantage of this option. The laboriousness is justified by the fact that the base under the tiles should be leveled as much as possible. In addition, a primer is required. For proper installation, a building level is required. Do not forget also that the tiles must be laid, keeping the gaps between the individual parts.
The choice of the tiles themselves also requires a responsible approach. There are an endless variety of options on the construction market. The best of them is porcelain stoneware. This option is also suitable for a garage without heating, since the material is frost-resistant.
However, in terms of appearance, this option is one of the most chic. Despite this, not every car owner agrees to spend time, effort and money on this.
By all its characteristics, such a flooring is ideal for garages, however, the cost of a polymer floor is certainly high. IN modern period it is better to install such floors in large garage or at a car wash. The composition of the polymer floor covering is represented by a number of different substances, and when it begins to harden, a monolithic floor that is distinguished by plasticity and moisture resistance is formed.
A number of mixtures contain special additives with additives, due to which the polymer floor covering is resistant to chemical attack. At one time, this technology of flooring was considered a revolution in the construction industry. But now this method of installing flooring has been proven for more than one decade. The beginning of the use of technology can be attributed to the period Soviet Union... It was used mainly to cover the floor of a production workshop and factories.
The indisputable advantages of polymer floors include simple installation, ergonomics, and resistance to damage. And the only disadvantage of the polymer coating will be the high cost.
It is worth noting that self-leveling garage floors are considered the most optimal option. This option appeared relatively recently, but quickly became popular among consumers. This state of affairs is due to a set of positive characteristics that car owners and garage owners usually take into account.
Firstly, this characteristic is wear resistance. This makes the floor covering as resistant to impact as possible, high humidity and low temperatures (including frost). Choosing the best option for the floor in the garage, it is worth remembering that self-leveling floors do not differ unpleasant odor, do not form dust, do not require painting, varnishing or other substances. Self-leveling floors will serve their owner for a long time, while maintaining aesthetic appearance and a high level of plasticity.
But you can find self-leveling floors and disadvantages. So, the price of self-leveling flooring is really high. But this disadvantage is fully compensated for by the long service life, besides, a minimum of time and money will require caring for such a floor. Therefore, a number of car owners prefer to spend money right away in order to save it later. The service life will be about fifty years.
The basis for the self-leveling floor should be a concrete screed. You will need to cover this layer on top with a primer and a special polymer mixture. Such a mixture is made from resin and hardening agents. It is necessary to mix substances in full accordance with the instructions in the right proportions. When equipping a self-leveling floor in the garage, remember to observe temperature regime- the garage must be more than ten degrees Celsius. It takes two weeks for the self-leveling coating to dry completely.
I would also like to call the advantage of the self-leveling floor versatility in terms of design. The modern approach even allows the use of paintings in 3D format.
One of the options - rubber cover, which is usually presented in the form of tiles. Such a coating is not distinguished by durability, however, it a budget option with maximum ease of installation and simplicity in use.
The next popular garage flooring option is paving slabs. Each of the layers requires careful compaction during installation. This may require a vibratory rammer, which can be rented or purchased at a fairly reasonable price. This will give the best results. It is worth noting that tamping must be done every 5 cm of the floor. Whether the floor is tamped down enough can be judged by one sign - if you can walk on the floor and not leave a single trace.
It is necessary to lay paving slabs using a series of sequential actions. First, a layer of sand five centimeters thick is laid on the earth's surface. On top of the sand, sprinkle with a layer of 10 cm gravel of the middle fraction. The next layer is again sand, the thickness should be about 10 cm. Then follows a layer of cement, suitable for the paving slabs. Clean sand can be used instead of cement. The layer thickness should be five centimeters. Then you can do the finishing coat.
Do not forget that the layers lined with sand and gravel must have several layers of waterproofing material between them. Waterproofing can be made from roofing material, a dense polyethylene film. A good and reliable option would be to use geotextiles. To connect the waterproofing material to obtain an even layer, use tape or soldering by overlapping layers on top of each other. And the joints must be additionally waterproofed with mastic.
The layer should be five centimeters thick. Dirt can accumulate in the cracks; for this, sand and cement mixed together should be poured into them in a ratio of 3: 1. The excess mixture must be removed. Such a mound must be sprayed with liquid and allowed to dry. It is worth remembering that if the mixture gets on the coating, then it must be removed immediately, otherwise the appearance will deteriorate. Also, do not forget that you do not need to use a hose, the maximum is a spray bottle. This is due to the fact that, due to the strong jet, the mixture of sand and cement can be washed out of the cracks.
Wood flooring is also a fairly popular option. The service life of a wooden floor will be about twenty years. You can extend the life of a tree by treating it with a special compound.
In order to lay out a wooden floor yourself, you need to adhere to certain stages of construction. First you need to remove the topsoil. After that, you should use a vibratory rammer in order to properly tamp the layers. In this case, it is advisable to moisturize each layer. Next, you need to lay the waterproofing.
As this material, the use of rolled roofing material, film, geotextile or a special membrane for waterproofing is best suited. The next layer is better to apply sand or gravel, the layer thickness is ten centimeters. This layer also needs to be tamped with special care. Then you can start laying wooden logs.
Their dimensions are usually 50 or 40 millimeters. At the same time, each element requires treatment with an antiseptic, a primer mixture, resin or flame retardant impregnation is also suitable. This is done in order to reduce the flammability of the wood. It is good to supplement the track with railway sleepers, since their processing with the help of factory impregnations makes it possible to ensure their resistance to moisture and fungus.
Each wooden log is installed in a special recess. You need to install it exactly with the floor, you can use a level for this. You can also align it with wooden wedges, for which it is used bituminous mastic... Anchors or gypsum are used to fix the lags in relation to the walls. It's simple and doesn't take a lot of time.
It is worth remembering that when entering the car, the wheels must hit the logs. Therefore, they need to be located at a distance of a meter or a half meter from each other. Moreover, if the distance between them is reduced, then the floor covering will be much more stable. Focusing on the logs, the floors need to be sheathed with boards. It is optimal to use 40 or 50 boards. They should be fixed from each other at a distance of about five millimeters. This is because boards can expand or shrink when exposed to moisture and temperature.
The advantages of wood will be environmental friendliness, the ability to retain heat, as well as aesthetics, resistance to chemicals. This floor can be painted or varnished. The lifespan of the wood can be extended by regularly replacing the planks. It is quite possible to create modular coatings in the garage. with my own hands... The garage floor can be redecorated without any special knowledge. It is also easy to install polyurethane and epoxy floors or metal floor coverings.
Whatever the flooring, it is better to insulate the floor or equip it with heating. Everyone will feel more comfortable if they have a warm floor under their feet. In addition, underfloor heating is a guarantee of dryness in the room. This will protect the flooring from moisture and cold temperatures.
It is recommended to use extruded polystyrene foam for insulation. At the same time, such a heater will allow you to get a double effect - to waterproof and at the same time insulate the room. For optimal results, the expanded polystyrene should be placed in a minimum layer of 5 cm. The next option, which also combines the two necessary effects of insulation and insulation from moisture, is represented by granular foam glass.
The cheapest option would be insulation in the form broken brick, expanded clay or glass. But it will not be possible to isolate such a layer of insulation from moisture. Therefore, this is not the best option, although it is quite attractive.
It must be remembered that the insulation must not be placed over the entire free space between the layers. It is necessary to leave ventilation holes of about 5 cm. The air inflow will create an additional waterproofing effect. The heated floor is very popular today.
Experience has shown that high moisture levels in a garage can be associated with groundwater near the floor surface. It is they who add moisture to the room, as they seep through the floor covering. This can create areas of high humidity and even small puddles on the floor. In this regard, it is better to ensure the outflow of water using ditches.
It will also help against precipitation, melting snow and liquids falling on the floor during a car wash or repair. Good waterproofing will provide protection from all of the above. If we talk about concrete covering, then we must not forget that dust will appear in the room from this material. It is possible to reduce its amount by using special impregnations or paints.
You can only get the right floor by checking each of the pillows with a level. A water-based level or a laser level is suitable. Laser levels are quite expensive, so it is easier to rent such a device. That is, the evenness of the layer can be determined without using pegs and markings.
The lifespan of any of the flooring options can be significantly extended due to proper care and maintenance of a positive temperature in the garage. Low temperatures cause the floor surface to crack. Because of this, the floor begins to collapse. You can also increase the lifespan by reducing exposure to moisture and chemicals - for example, not washing a car inside a garage during the winter.
And if you can't do without it, then you will need to dry the coating afterwards. Keeping your garage dry can help reduce temperature changes. To make the flooring of high quality and last longer, choose options that are time-tested. To do this, it is not always necessary to obey fashion trends, since if you make the wrong decision, you will have to spend extra time and money on laying new floors.
Pay attention to alignment. If the cement floor is not completely flat, it will shorten its lifespan, as differences in height will contribute to the accumulation of moisture.
Reinforcement will help strengthen the covering and raise it slightly off the ground. At the same time, it must be remembered that the floor will need to be thoroughly dried after pouring, and only then will it be accepted for covering, if it is supposed to. You can lay a floor of cement or concrete using linoleum or wood. The device of such a floor was described above. You can also finish it with porcelain stoneware, which will significantly improve the characteristics of the coating and extend its service life.
Some box owners do not pay much attention to the flooring in the garage, preferring to leave compacted soil or clay. This approach will save you from the hassle associated with arranging the coating and repairing it. However, the earthen floor is not particularly durable, therefore, under the influence of constant loads, it is easily deformed. It also absorbs gasoline and other substances, the smell of which is very difficult to remove from the box.
The best option for a garage is a concrete or timber floor. Such coatings are characterized by high mechanical strength, wear resistance and attractive appearance. Let's dwell on the creation of wooden floors in more detail, since they look more interesting and have the ability to retain heat, unlike concrete surface, which almost always remains cold.
Before proceeding directly to the arrangement of the flooring, it is necessary to choose the right wood for its creation. It is definitely worth giving up the idea of using mahogany and walnut in boxing. Not a bad option - conifers which are characterized by excellent strength and wear resistance. But it is best to opt for oak, since oak flooring will last much longer than coatings from other woods.
When choosing a material, you must adhere to a few simple rules.
Before arranging the floor, the wood must be treated with fire retardants - means to increase the fire resistance of the material, as well as substances that prevent the occurrence of putrefactive processes.
Flame retardants increase the fire resistance of wood
As a rule, in car boxes, floor structures are installed on logs, which allow evenly distributing the load over the entire flooring. With the help of floors on logs, you can hide some defects of the base, as well as communication systems, for example electrical cable... However, this construction "raises" the floor by 6-10 cm, therefore it is not quite suitable for very low garages. The technology for installing a wooden floor in a garage depends on the existing base, which can be concrete or unpaved.
The concrete base does not need preliminary preparation, so you can immediately proceed directly to the installation of the wooden floor. Experts give several basic recommendations for this process:
In fact, if there is concrete base it is not at all necessary to stop your choice on a lagged design. If the subfloor does not differ in serious differences in height and does not have large-scale defects, then thick floorboards are quite suitable for arranging the coating. Before starting the installation, the blocks are treated with linseed oil and painted, after which they are laid on a clean concrete base. Laying is carried out along the entire length of the garage, the boards are fixed with screws or nails.
Even a person without professional training can cope with the installation of a wooden floor on a concrete base in a garage, the main thing is to strictly follow the recommendations of specialists and adhere to technology.
If the base in the garage is not concrete, but is an ordinary soil, then installing a wooden floor becomes a somewhat more complicated process, which will require patience and a certain skill. In this case, the preparation of the base is necessary, and the installation itself is carried out in several stages:
Grounds for laying logs on the ground (holes for posts, if necessary, are dug out before filling crushed stone and sand)
All used wood should be impregnated with special compounds to give the material better moisture resistance, because the fact that it is not resistant to moisture and is subject to putrefactive processes is no secret to anyone. It is better not to neglect this recommendation!
As a support for the future floor, it is not at all necessary to use only boards, they can be replaced with posts made of brick or concrete - they will perfectly cope with the task at hand. Such supports are mounted in rows, the distance between which is 80 cm.The step between the posts themselves should be equal to 30 cm.
Among other subtleties of installing a wooden floor on a ground base in a garage, the following points can be highlighted:
After arranging wooden flooring, many garage owners leave it in its original form, which is very in vain, because wood is a material that needs to be treated with care. The floor should be covered with linseed oil and painted, because this is the only way to protect the flooring from oil and gasoline stains, which are almost impossible to remove.
There is another way to create a wooden garage floor, which involves using plywood or chipboard. These materials will serve as the basis for the leveling layer, the thicker it turns out, the larger the logs will be laid. Having finished with the installation of beacons, you can proceed to the installation of the lags, fixing them on the base with glue or self-tapping screws.
Plywood pieces treated with glue are placed in the fixation points. On top of the resulting mesh, sheet material is laid, which levels the floor. It is attached to the logs with self-tapping screws, about 9 pieces come out on 1 sheet. A moisture-proof film is laid on the leveling layer, and then insulation plates. All this is covered with floor boards. Thus, the floor in the garage becomes perfectly flat and very durable.
Making a decision to create a wooden floor covering in your car box is not an obstacle to arranging a viewing pit. It can be organized in several stages:
Metal corner laid on the walls of the inspection pit
It is quite simple to equip an inspection pit in a garage with a wooden floor, you just need to make a little effort and follow the recommendations received.
A wooden garage floor is an environmentally friendly floor that, when correct installation and leaving will delight the owner of the box for more than one year. However, the decision to create a floor of wood in the garage cannot be called unequivocally correct, in any case, some motorists think so, who are categorically against the use of this material. An analysis of the pros and cons of this coating will help you make the right decision.
The advantages of choosing wood for flooring in a garage include the following factors:
Wooden floors in the garage also have their drawbacks, which include the ability to absorb odors, susceptibility to putrefactive processes, and low fire resistance. However, all these disadvantages can be easily leveled by using special impregnations that make the performance of wood much better.
Wooden floor after staining
Summing up, it should be noted that wooden flooring in the garage is a rather controversial solution, which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Whether to give preference to it or not depends on the needs of the car owner. If he often has to work in a box, then it is better to opt for wood, rather than risk his health, lying on a cold concrete screed. And to preserve the appearance of the coating, you can use special rubber strips or roofing felt strips, along which the car will leave and enter.
Choosing a garage floor can sometimes be a daunting task for the car enthusiast. It is important not to make a mistake so that you do not have to reinstall the floor that has become completely unusable in a year. And there are a lot of reasons for its damage. These are increased loads from the weight of the car, and the impact of aggressive fuels and lubricants, and difficult temperature and humidity conditions.
There are plenty of flooring options to choose from. What does the construction market offer for these purposes?
Most often, garage owners do not hesitate and opt for the traditional option - concrete. This option is inexpensive, durable, withstands harsh operating conditions. Cracks and potholes, which sometimes appear on the concrete surface due to frost heaving and mechanical damage (for example, if a hammer falls on the floor), usually do not cause much displeasure among motorists.
However, its ability to produce excessive dust, which settles on all surfaces of the garage, including the car, is considered a serious drawback. In addition, all kinds of chemical contaminants are quickly and easily absorbed into concrete, forming indelible, ugly stains. Even worse, these stains sometimes cause bad odors.
The concrete floor in the garage can be used “neat” or as a base for a finishing floor covering
Special paint will make the concrete floor more convenient to use, more durable and, importantly, will give it a certain aesthetics. After painting, it ceases to emit dust and suffers less from mechanical damage. This is the most commonly used finish in the garage. And not only due to the low cost, but also the fact that it is easy to apply the paint on your own, using any paint and varnish tool for this: brush, roller, spray.
Concrete paint can be used to mark the boundaries of parking spaces in a multi-car garage
In order to ennoble an ordinary concrete floor in a garage, modern bulk mixes... These formulations are usually two-component, containing a resin and a hardener. When applied in liquid form to the surface, an absolutely flat, wear-resistant, shock-resistant and frost-resistant base is formed. All these advantages will fully manifest themselves only with a certain base thickness - at least 5 mm.
Self-leveling floors can boast not only of their practicality, but also of their beauty. Their aesthetics are up to par. It is a perfectly smooth, glossy or matte finish that can be painted in different colors... Along with monochromatic coatings, patterned self-leveling coatings are gaining in popularity.
Bright self-leveling floor dictates the design of the garage
Durable garage floors can be obtained by tiling a concrete base with ceramic tiles. Of course, the first tile that comes across will not work for this. If you decide to save money and use the tiles left after the renovation in the kitchen, then very soon you will be disappointed. The ceramic coating will be covered with a network of cracks, and when frost sets in, it will simply fall off from the base.
Only certain types of ceramic tiles should be used:
Porcelain stoneware tiles are particularly durable and frost-resistant
It is modern floor material as separate modules. Manufactured from durable, chemically resistant polyvinyl chloride. Excellent frost resistance allows them to be used both in heated and unheated garages, as well as outdoors. The surface of PVC does not slip, you can pour water on it in buckets (when washing a car) and not be afraid to fall if you carelessly move. It absorbs vibration and is resistant to stress and mechanical damage.
PVC boards are easy to install. To do this, you do not need to use adhesives - the plates are equipped with special locks that allow you to assemble the coating like a designer. If necessary, all this is just as easily disassembled into its component parts and laid out in another place.
PVC plates do not burn, are not afraid of the effects of acids and alkalis. Therefore, they are great for garages used as repair shops.
And for car enthusiasts who prefer eco-friendly, we recommend making wooden floors in the garage. They are absolutely safe, they are not a source of dust and harmful substances. This solution is not as popular as the previous methods, but it also has the right to life. Degraded boards are easily repaired or replaced with new ones. And the total cost of plank floors is mere pennies.
Of course, wood floors have disadvantages as well. The most important of them is a short service life. After 4-5 years of operation, even with perfect waterproofing and proper care, the planks will start to rot. But, as we noted above, damaged boards can be easily replaced with new ones.
Wooden floors are short-lived, but cheap and environmentally friendly
The above flooring is not all that can be used in a garage. We have listed only the most popular solutions for you. There are others. For example, the cheapest option is a regular earthen floor, and one of the most expensive is from natural stone... However, these are all extremes. Choose your gender based on your wallet, but don't forget about quality. Remember that not only its own durability, but also the safety of your car will depend on a high-quality, correctly laid coating.
To create a floor in a garage, there are a large number of different materials and technologies, but despite this variety, many motorists choose natural wood for flooring, since this material has a number of significant advantages over others. In this article, we will tell you how to lay a wooden floor in a garage on your own, describe the advantages of this type of coating and the technology of laying.
There have always been controversies over the use of wood as a garage floor covering, since wood, like any other material, has its advantages and disadvantages.
Among the shortcomings, it can be noted:
All of the above disadvantages can be easily eliminated with your own hands using various protective equipment, which we will talk about below.
Of the advantages of wood covering, it can be noted:
For your information. When using special wood impregnations, the coating absorbs moisture well from the room without losing its physical characteristics. This allows you to reduce dampness in the room and protect the body from moisture.
Before making wooden floors in a garage, you need to take care of the protection of the material used, which will significantly increase its service life. The use of various varnishes, paints and impregnations will give the wood new physical characteristics, which will allow the material to resist moisture, decay, increase wear resistance and fire safety.
All protective substances can be roughly divided into three types:
Important. Before covering the wooden floor in the garage with paint or varnish, the wood must be thoroughly dried and treated with antiseptic solutions, the combination of which is selected depending on the use of the room.
Before proceeding with the creation of the coating, it is necessary to create step by step plan actions, study the device of the wooden floor in the garage and purchase the material in the right amount. Today you can find many different options device, but the most optimal is the option shown in the photo above.
The following technology will be the most optimal:
The listed steps can be used by you as an instruction for action, as well as to create a purchase estimate consumable... Below we will consider the list necessary materials that will be required to create a wooden floor.
For work we need:
Important. Before making a wooden floor in the garage, we recommend that you consider the option of purchasing floor grooved boards, since the presence of special grooves will provide additional strength and help to avoid cracks, making the joints sealed.
Before making the floor in the garage from planks, it is necessary to create a solid foundation in the form of a cement screed (see). To do this, you need to remove a layer of soil with a thickness of 40 centimeters and level the surface horizontally using a level.
Then the soil is compacted, a layer of sand with a thickness of 5-6 cm is laid on its surface. A layer of crushed stone with a thickness of 5-6 cm is laid on top of the sand and everything is thoroughly compacted.
After creating a pillow, a metal crate of rods in the form of a mesh with a cell width of 15-20 cm is laid on it. The rods are tied together with wire, and the crate is installed on the bricks so that the mesh is at a distance of several centimeters from the crushed stone layer.
After that, the solution is prepared and poured over the entire floor surface with a thickness of 10-12 cm, followed by leveling.
Important. After cement strainer dried, roofing material or construction film is laid on its surface to create waterproofing. Waterproofing is laid with an overlap on the walls, and the joints are glued with tape to achieve tightness. This completes the sub-floor and begins laying the wooden floor in the garage.
As transverse support lags, we will use a bar with a section of 200x200 mm, but for this you can also use a bar with a section of 150x200 mm, only in this case it must be laid on an edge to increase rigidity.
For your information. Before making the right wooden floor in the garage, remember the strict layout of the planks. Bearing beams are installed across the garage, at a distance of 30-50 centimeters from each other, depending on the thickness of the floorboard and the weight of the car. The floorboards are laid perpendicular to the joists along the garage.
When installing lags, follow these recommendations:
Installing wooden garage floors requires additional insulation. This procedure is optional, but if you plan to carry out Maintenance and in the cold season, it is better to provide for the purpose of keeping warm.
For installation of thermal insulation, mineral wool or expanded clay is used. The material fits into the free space between the lags.
Using mineral wool try to lay the mats as tightly as possible, avoiding free space. When using expanded clay, pour it into the free space, level and tamp the layer as much as possible.
For your information. To achieve the maximum effect of thermal insulation, you can additionally lay a layer of transparent film over the insulation and fix it on wooden logs. Also, the film is required when using non-grooved boards.
The final step is to lay the tongue-and-groove boards as shown in the picture above. There is nothing difficult in this process, the main thing is to observe the tightness of the seams, which can be additionally treated with silicone for tightness.
Start laying from the far corner, and lay the boards in such a way that the end joint of the boards of the first row does not overlap with the joints of the next, that is, carry out the installation in a checkerboard pattern.
At the end of the installation of the boards, you can start processing them. Before processing the wooden floor in the garage with varnishes or paints, it must first be cleaned of dust and dirt, treated with antiseptic and other impregnations.
Only then can you apply protective varnishes or paint the floor with special paints and varnishes for wood surfaces. Additionally, you can lay a rubberized coating on the places of contact of the floor with the wheels, this will significantly increase the life of the wood.
From the material we proposed, you learned how to make the right wooden floor in the garage, you can use the article as step by step instructions to action, and to consolidate the knowledge gained, we suggest watching a video material describing some of the stages of work.
