Garages are often the most unfinished part of any house, with bare concrete floors, no baseboards, and utilitarian lighting. But despite their plain form, they’re incredibly hardworking spaces—housing strong chemicals, protecting vehicles, and acting as everything from a workshop to a gym space. But have you ever stepped into the room and wondered, ‘How thick should a concrete garage floor be?’
At Shark Coatings, we specialize in protecting garage floors across Northeast and Central Florida with high-quality coatings, and we’re here to help answer garage owners’ questions every step of the way. Learn more about how thick most garage floors are, why that thickness matters for the longevity of the space, and how to protect your garage floor for years to come.
THE AVERAGE GARAGE FLOOR THICKNESS IN FLORIDA HOMES
Different types of homes often have a wide range of garage floor types and thicknesses. Some homes may have detached garages, where the concrete floor is its own separate slab. Other homes may have an attached garage while having a pier and beam foundation, while still, others have a slab foundation that sits a few inches higher than the garage floor.
Similarly, you may come homes with four-inch-thick slabs, all the way up to nine inches thick. A concrete garage floor should be at least four to six inches thick for most residential properties. This has the capacity to hold small or average-sized cars, such as what might be found in the typical two-car garage. Professional workshop garages and garage floors on more agricultural homesteads, however, may be between six and nine inches thick in order to withstand heavier loads of large trucks and equipment.
WHY THERE’S A STANDARD FOR HOW THICK SHOULD A GARAGE FLOOR BE
While concrete is strong and durable, it does have a set weight capacity. By having a thicker slab, a garage can better withstand wear and pressure from heavier vehicles. Thicker slabs are more resistant to crumbling and cracking. Commercial and residential building codes may require different standard thicknesses based on when your house was built, the neighborhood association rules when the development was built, and local ordinances.
WHY EVERY GARAGE FLOOR SHOULD HAVE A PROTECTIVE COATING
Bare concrete is reasonably strong and can withstand a moderate degree of force and wear. However, it is vulnerable to damage. Some of the most common damage you might see in an older residential garage or a heavily used commercial garage include:
- Stains: Grease, oil, and other chemicals can spill onto the concrete, where it seeps into the surface. This doesn’t just discolor the slab. It can materially weaken the area and make it more vulnerable to damage.
- Crumbling edges: The edges of the slab are vulnerable to crumbling, wearing down, and cracking, especially if there is a difference in height between it and an adjacent surface.
- Cracks: Vehicular movement, dropping sharp or heavy tools, and long-term heavy loads can all lead to the development of hairlines and wide cracks across a garage floor surface.
However, a professionally installed garage floor coating can help keep this damage at bay and preserve the integrity of the concrete. Long-lasting coatings such as polyurethane-based treatments can cover the surface to repel water and chemicals, repelling stains and stopping the concrete from absorbing the material. They can also protect the floor from impact damage, wear, and pressure. Professionally installed coatings also outlast paint, short-term glosses, and DIY options like epoxy, making the garage floor last even longer.
GET YOUR GARAGE FLOOR COATED BY EXPERTS FROM SHARK COATINGS IN NORTHEAST AND CENTRAL FLORIDA
The right garage floor coating makes all the difference in the durability and longevity of your property’s garage floor. If you’re looking for a protective coating that looks great and is built to last throughout the years, turn to the local experts at Shark Coatings. We offer a wide selection of colors, patterns, and formulas to suit your style and budget. Contact us today to get started.
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