In a town where the Atlanta Motor Speedway is just around the corner, and where NASCAR Drivers Bill Elliot and Reed Sorenson could very well be living next door, people take their cars, and the garages they store them in, very seriously. Atlanta garage flooring is a great place to turn if you're looking to improve the looks and function of your garage space. From epoxy floor coatings to newer garage floor tiles, there are a number of options available for homeowners tired of looking at the same oil stained, concrete slab day in and day out.
Atlanta Garage Flooring Products
When it comes to upgrading your garage flooring, most homeowners are focused on one of two issues: protecting their flooring, and improving the looks of their garage. Come to think of it, if your life revolves around your garage enough that garage flooring is on your radar, it's probably a little bit of both. Whether you're looking to showcase your auto collection, protect the concrete from the oil spills and grease spots that come with your home auto shop addiction, or are just looking for a better looking, easier to maintain garage flooring solution, there are a handful of options out there you ought to consider.
- Epoxy Floor CoatingsAn epoxy floor coating is basically an epoxy based "paint" that is applied to your concrete slab. Thicker and more durable than traditional paints, epoxy floor coatings have a flexibility that allows them to withstand the high stresses that garage floors experience on a daily basis. They are traditionally coupled with a urethane sealer/top coat to further protect the coating from hot tires, spills, and other potentially damaging elements. These coatings are available in more colors than you can shake a gearshift at (so you can customize the look of your garage), and decorative flakes can be added to enhance the finished product if you so choose. Finally, if your garage is more workshop than showroom, adding a grit product the topcoat helps to improve grip and eliminate the slip factor as you move around the garage.
- Garage Floor TilesIf you're looking for something a little more cutting edge than epoxy coatings, garage floor tiles are where its at. These interlocking garage tiles are a "floating" floor product that is laid directly on top of your concrete. They create a stout barrier between your car and the concrete below, without the hassle that comes with sealing, etching, and applying an epoxy coating. Garage tiles can be boiled down to two styles. The first creates a solid barrier between the tile and your floor. These tiles provide a comfortable, slip-resistant flooring solution that resists spills and stains as well as any coating. The other option is a tile product that allows water, snow, dirt, and other potential messes to fall through the tile to the concrete below, keeping the surface that you walk and park on, clean. When it comes to maintenance and practicality, these tiles are one of the best Atlanta garage flooring solutions on the market.
Choosing the Right Atlanta Garage Flooring for You
The big question is determining which product is the best fit for you and your home. If your goal is to turn your garage into showroom, garage tiles are the perfect fit. The refined, high-class look of flooring tiles will meet that need just fine. And if you're a growing family, and your main goal is to keep kids and other family members from tracking water, mud, and dirt into your home, then the second type of tiles mentioned above are a very practical solution. The hardest decision lies with all the home mechanics out there looking for the right garage flooring in Atlanta. Epoxy coatings are a no brainer. Though they do take more time, effort, and money to install, they're tough, durable, protect the concrete, and resist all sorts of spillage. If you're gravitating towards garage tile instead, be sure to shop around to find a tile that provides a seamless joint where the tiles meet. Cheaper products can allow engine oil, and other culprits of garage spills, to work their way beneath the flooring. The right tiles, on the other hand, will provide an impenetrable barrier between your weekend auto shop and the concrete slab below.
If you're unsure of which garage flooring in Atlanta to purchase, or just want to ensure that your flooring will be installed correctly, talk to a contractor that specializes in garage upgrades and renovations about getting your project underway. They have the knowledge to guide you toward the right product for your needs, and the expertise to install it right. 
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.