Garage floor paint, tiles, carpet or epoxy flake?
Five ways to cover a concrete garage floor in New Zealand, with rough costs for a 36 m² double garage. We install flake coatings, so we've marked our option, and we've been straight about when another one makes more sense.
Side by side
| Option | Rough cost, double garage | DIY? | Hot tyres & oil | Typical life | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garage floor paint | $200 – $600 product | Yes | Often lifts under tyres | 1–3 years | A cheap colour refresh |
| Click-together tiles | $1,500 – $3,500 | Yes | Fine, but spills seep between tiles | Many years | Renters, uneven or damp slabs |
| Garage carpet | $800 – $2,000 | Partly | Stains, holds moisture | Several years | A gym or rumpus room, not cars |
| Rubber mats & liners | $150 – $800 | Yes | Protects where they sit | Several years | Catching drips under one car |
| Flake coating (us) | $1,980 – $2,700 | No | Resists both | Many years, re-coatable | Parking cars, a clean finished look |
Costs are rough New Zealand ranges for comparison, including GST, and vary by product and supplier.
Garage floor paint
The cheapest option and the one most people try first. Without grinding, the paint sits on the surface and hot tyres pull it up. Our full garage floor paint guide covers how to give it the best chance.
Click-together garage floor tiles
Interlocking tiles go down in an afternoon and come with you when you move, which makes them a good pick for renters. They hide cracks well. Liquids get between the joins, and some people find them noisy underfoot.
Garage carpet
Carpet suits a garage that's become a gym, office or kids' space. Under cars it stains easily and can trap moisture against the slab.
Garage floor mats and liners
A rubber mat or liner under each car catches drips and road grit for very little money. It protects only where it sits and doesn't change the look of the floor.
Epoxy flake coating
A ground, full-broadcast flake floor with a clear polyaspartic topcoat bonds into the concrete. It costs more up front, but it's done once, cleans with a mop, and looks finished. See full prices →
Not sure which suits your garage?
We'll look at the slab and tell you honestly. If tiles or paint make more sense for you, we'll say so.