How to choose garage floor mats

Garage Floor Containment Mats are designed to protect the garage floor surface so you are not always dealing with damage or stains from snow, mud, water, or oil and other liquid stains from the car. As a bonus, they contain spills that, when close enough, protect walls and items stored on the floor.

To get the best garage floor containment mats for your specific needs, make sure the mat you buy is wide enough to park your vehicle on. This is not a problem with small cars, but trucks and SUVs need a larger footprint. For areas with a lot of snow or rain, look for rugs with a raised outer edge to contain drip and melt.

Deciding on the best garage floor containment mat for the job takes a bit more thought than you might expect. Just as you want something weather-resistant for your door or waterproof for the bathroom, it is important to choose a more suitable mat for use in the workgarage.

These are some key points to keep in mind.

What material is the best?

There are many materials to choose from, such as polyester, polyvinyl, PVC, and rubber. Of these, polyvinyl and PVC tend to be the strongest, while polyester can reproduce the feel of carpets. However, in the end, the best material for the job often depends on how you plan to use the space.

In all cases, you'll want a mat that is resistant to chemical and liquid spills, grooved or textured to channel fluids, padded, non-slip, and easy to clean.

Keep in mind that you'll want a smooth surface or easy-pull mat for the times you plan to use a vine.

What size and thickness do I need?

You'll want a mat heavy enough to stay down, but that doesn't mean bigger is better. Most mats are about 1/2 inch thick and are sufficient for daily traffic and for parking a vehicle. Industrial carpets are best suited for garages that are used for repairs and other heavy duty functions and are about 3/4-inch thick.

When purchasing a mat, you'll want to decide whether you want it to cover the entire workgarage or just a portion (such as under a vehicle or workgarage area). Most workgarage mats are easily cut to fit (except those with raised edges), so you can buy something a little larger than necessary.

However, for the entire workgarage, you will need to measure the dimensions and purchase one or more floor mats that fit that size. Again, they are generally easy to cut, so you can get any combination of mats and trim them to fit a 20 × 12 foot or larger workgarage. But for large areas, garage floor tiles may be a better option.