If you’re considering a concrete garage floor for your home, you’ve probably already realized how much time, money, and effort it will take to get the job done. The good news is that it’s not as difficult as you might think. The right contractor can take a simple concrete floor and give it a custom finish that looks brand new. With that in mind, don’t expect to be able to do it yourself unless you’re a very experienced DIYer. Find the perfect contractor experienced in installing concrete floors, and you’ll have a reliable, high-quality outfit to work with. The good news is that there are many ways to get the best concrete for your garage floor upgrade.
Measure Your Garage
The first step to hiring the right contractor for your project is measuring your garage. Ideally, you want to use a laser measure. Measure the length and width outside of the garage bay door. Then, measure the inside of the garage bay door, where you’ll install the new concrete floor.
Determine How Many Concrete Slabs Are Needed
The first thing you need to do is work out how many slabs of concrete you’ll need. If you’re building a brand new garage, then you’ll want to buy enough to cover the entire floor area with at least 1/2″ thickness. If your current garage has a sub-floor, then use that to guide how many slabs are needed.
Choose Your Concrete
When it comes to concrete, you’ll have many options. You can choose what type of texture you want the floor to have and choose the color. Some contractors will offer more than one type of style. For example, they might offer both a polished and a honed finish, or they might offer several types of trowel textures. The choice is up to you.
Add a Bit of Texture
Adding a bit of texture is one way to give your new garage floor some character. There are two main ways to do this: the first is adding aggregate, which is a mixture of sand and rocks that’s added to the concrete before it sets. The second way is by using something like marble chips or river rock, which is mixed in after the concrete has set. Both methods add a bit of visual interest, so it’s up to you which one you want to use.
Prepare the Floor
There are two ways to prepare for a concrete floor. The first is to clean the surface with a pressure washer to remove any dirt and debris. The second is to pave over an existing asphalt or gravel surface.
Regardless of what you choose, there’s no need to replace the existing surface. If the floor is in bad shape, it may be better to pave over it rather than attempting a repair job, as a new concrete slab will be stronger than an old one.
If you want to know how to get the best concrete for your garage floor upgrade, start by preparing the floor correctly.
Get the Right Finish for Your Flooring
You want your garage flooring to be done right the first time. The best way to know this is to work with a professional contractor. They will be able to provide the necessary materials for your garage floor, but they’ll also make sure that it’s finished to perfection. Make sure you don’t rush the process when you choose a contractor. Take the time to interview and compare contractors and find one that best fits your needs.
When you choose a concrete contractor, make sure they have experience in installing concrete floors in garages. Expect them to come out and inspect your project, so they can offer their recommendations on what may need to be done differently or tweaked before installation begins. Also keep in mind that there are many ways of getting a different finish for your flooring like staining, etching, stamping, or painting. You should also consider having an epoxy sealant applied for extra protection against spills and stains.
Conclusion
The perfect concrete job on your garage floor can be yours with a little know-how and some time.
The right concrete is key to the success of your garage floor project. Concrete is available in various colors and textures, so you can get the look you want for your garage floor.
In addition to finding the right concrete, it’s important to prepare the surface properly, seal your floor and find the right flooring finish. Don’t be afraid to use a licensed professional if you feel that you don’t have the required knowledge, experience, or tools. Search online for concrete contractors Knoxville TN for our readers in the Tennessee area.