While there are probably a lot of home improvement projects worth considering for homeowners in Oakland, garage flooring is probably one of the easiest and most noticeable places to start an upgrade. Though kitchen and bathroom remodels might be a bit flashier, installing new garage flooring in Oakland is likely to make quite an impression on the space, without the huge price tag. Those who already spend a lot of time in their garages are sure to find that a flooring enhancement will make their time there even better. If your garage is not necessarily a place that you?re fond of hanging out in, there?s a good chance that a little work can make it much more desirable!
Sealing Oakland Garage Flooring
In most cases, a garage floor is little more than a big slab of concrete. While there is good reason for this design, homeowners with a sense of style often want every area of the house to have at least a little bit of charm. In Oakland, garage flooring that is left unsealed will probably hold up relatively well physically, as there are few threats of snow, salt, and slush getting carried in by car tires. However, by sealing your garage floor as soon as it is put in (or by properly preparing an existing garage floor before sealing it), you?ll be creating a surface that is better at repelling stains and will keep your floor looking newer longer.
Oakland Garage Flooring: Paints and Epoxy
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to add some color to your garage floor is to paint it. Unfortunately, even in the mild climate of Oakland, garage flooring that is simply painted is likely to wear poorly and chip away fast. Epoxy is a far better material for covering garage flooring. Oakland commercial garages and showrooms have long known the benefits of epoxy coating. When compared to paint, epoxy is far more durable, just as attractive, and available in so many colors that you?re sure to find one that will fit your personality. Applying a quality epoxy coating is not as simple as it might sound, however, so it is a job that many homeowners leave to the pros. Additionally, epoxy is notorious for fading in direct sunlight; indoor installations are generally not affected by this, but if your garage has many windows or the door is often left open, consider applying a topcoat of urethane to block UV rays.
Garage Floor Tile
One other option for upgrading garage flooring in Oakland is flooring tile. Unlike the ceramic or stone tile that is found in many Bay Area kitchens and bathrooms, garage floor tile is generally made of resilient rubber. The ?floating? installation of garage tiles makes them a relatively simple project for do-it-yourselfers; garage floor tiles are also available in many different colors and styles that can be mixed and matched to create a space that is truly one of a kind. Once properly installed, these tiles create an attractive, durable, and stain repellant surface that will hold up well under even the toughest of garage conditions.
Which Garage Flooring Is Right for You?
Sealing your garage floor won?t necessarily improve appearances, but it will give you a much better chance of maintaining the look you already have. Garage floor tile and epoxy coating each offer the chance to truly customize the look of your garage while enhancing your floor?s performance, as well. Though relatively inexpensive when compared to some other home improvement projects, high end tiles or epoxy coatings can run several thousand dollars, which, of course, is a deciding factor for many homeowners.

Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.