How Do I Choose the Best Workshop Floor?

The best workshop floor is one that fits the needs and type of work being performed in the space. Common choices for this type of flooring include epoxy resins, rubber and plastic meshing, and composite interlocking tiles. Each surface provides a number of benefits to the shop owner, including skid resistance, protection from stains and water penetration, and insulation.

A poured concrete floor offers the best durability as a foundation for a workshop. This type of flooring should be poured by professionals and allowed to cure for a set amount of time before moving any furniture or tools into the area. Concrete can withstand extreme temperature changes, bear heavy loads of weight, and generally cleans easily from any type of chemical or material spill. Additional flooring surfaces can be placed on top of the concrete to accommodate the needs of the shop owner or to cover unsightly stains on existing concrete slabs.

Epoxy resin is a popular choice for use as a workshop floor. This plastic-like material can be poured over a concrete foundation and allowed to harden to a durable, easy to clean, resilient material. Many brands of resin offer additional compounds which can be sprinkled over the floor as it dries to create a variety of finishes. High quality resins add a moisture barrier that protects the naturally absorbent concrete beneath, and protect it from being permanently stained by harder to clean substances like oil and paint. This type of finish is also non-skid so that the floor is safer for both adults and children.

Areas which experience occasional water or other types of non-staining chemical saturation can benefit from the overlay of a mesh workshop floor. Mesh tiles are typically interlocking and may be constructed from rubber or plastic. Liquid can drain through the overlay to the concrete beneath, and be washed into floor mounted drainage sewers. Rubber overlays can also provide posture support and back relief for individuals who are required to stand the majority of the time they are in the workshop, though this type of material does not tend to work well with rolling casters.

Interlocking tiles made from composite materials offer a durable workshop floor for spaces which will be used to perform car repairs. These tiles do not offer the drip-through weaving of mesh tiles, but can withstand higher weight loads as well as more corrosive compounds. The design of the tiles is typically square and they are manufactured with interlocking edging, so that each one fits compactly together without allowing space for oil, fuel, or liquid to drip through to the concrete beneath. They sit roughly one to two inches (2.54 centimeters to 5.08 centimeters) above the concrete foundation, and can be edged with an inclined lip so that rolling casters and car wheels can be easily rolled over the surface. This added layer of space also provides additional insulation for the floor of the workshop, keeping internal temperatures more moderate than other non-insulated flooring materials.