Building a home and garage is always an expensive operation. By the time the house is completed, most homeowners are looking for ways to safely cut costs. Asphalt is a common choice for use on driveways because it’s cost-effective. But is it a good option for the floor surface of your garage?
You shouldn’t use asphalt for a garage floor. Because asphalt is softer than concrete, liquids can soak into the material. Dripping chemicals–like oil and gas–can be a fire hazard. In addition, asphalt has a strong odor that can be a health risk without proper ventilation.
Keep reading to learn more about why asphalt isn’t the best choice for a garage floor.
Can You Use Asphalt For A Garage Floor?
At first glance, asphalt seems like a great option for the floor of your garage. If you’re constructing a driveway around the same time as your garage, using asphalt as the floor surface in your garage would simplify the process–not to mention that asphalt is cheaper than concrete, lowering your overall costs.
Not As Durable
However, the reduced price doesn’t make an asphalt garage floor worth it. Concrete is a very solid, durable material that can withstand heavy weight loads as well as wear and tear from falling objects. If you spend any time working on vehicles or building things in your garage, a concrete floor can handle whatever you throw at it.
An asphalt floor, on the other hand, isn’t built for rough use. It’s a softer material than concrete, which isn’t typically a big deal when cars drive on it. If you need to use a jack stand to change a tire, though, the asphalt might struggle with the load, causing the jack stand to sink into the floor. Obviously, this is less than ideal for getting work done.
Chemical Absorption
In addition to struggling to handle heavy weight loads, the softness of asphalt allows chemicals to absorb into it over time. If your car leaks oil onto a concrete floor, it will stain the concrete but not soak into it. Asphalt, however, will soak up the dripping oil. This is an incredible fire hazard–especially if the chemical-soaked asphalt floor comes into contact with any sparks.
Asphalt Needs Ventilation
As if the fire hazard weren’t problematic enough, asphalt floors can also be detrimental to your health without proper ventilation. Have you ever smelled a freshly-constructed asphalt road? Even in the fresh air outdoors, the scent of asphalt can be overwhelming. Inside a closed garage, however, the chemical smells are a hazard.
The symptoms of too much exposure to the main chemical in asphalt, benzene, can include drowsiness, headaches, and difficulty breathing. Being around asphalt in a closed space for months or years leads to even more serious symptoms.
It goes without saying, then, that asphalt probably isn’t the right choice for your garage floor, no matter how cheap or convenient it may be. But what should you use instead?
Alternatives To Asphalt For Garage Floors
Thankfully, there are numerous alternatives to asphalt flooring in your garage. While they might be more expensive, they’re safer and longer-lasting.
Rubber Tile Garage Flooring
If you’re looking to do as much of the work as possible on your own, rubber tile flooring is the perfect choice for your garage. The tiles are simple to interlock and can be purchased in a wide range of styles.
This flooring is easy to clean and can handle inclement weather conditions. It’s also one of the most cost-effective flooring options for those who are building on a budget.
Stone Garage Flooring
Stone flooring is one of the most expensive, yet eye-appealing, garage flooring choices. It comes in a variety of styles and colors. Keep in mind that stone can be extremely cold in frigid temperatures–though you probably won’t walk barefoot in your garage, it can make heating the space more inefficient.
Polished Concrete Garage Flooring
This is perhaps the most commonly-used garage flooring, and for good reason. It’s durable, stands up to extreme wear and tear, and it can be installed at a reasonable cost. Polished concrete is also aesthetically pleasing and won’t stain easily.
Epoxy Garage Flooring
While it can be costly, epoxy flooring is attractive and long-lasting. The thick coating produced by the epoxy keeps your garage floor from being dented or stained. It can take several days to install, but requires minimal upkeep once dry.
Is Fresh Asphalt Toxic?
Breathing in the fumes from asphalt can be dangerous no matter how old it is, but fresh asphalt flooring is especiallytoxic. According to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, breathing in asphalt can cause symptoms such as eye irritation, shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea.
Exposure to fresh asphalt should be limited. This is why it’s important not to use asphalt for the flooring in your garage, as it can cause long-term health issues.
Can You Set A Shed On Asphalt?
For the same reasons that asphalt shouldn’t be the flooring material in your garage, you shouldn’t set a shed on asphalt. The shed will damage the asphalt floor over time. Breathing in the fumes from the asphalt can also damage your health. It’s best to use a different surface, such as concrete, for the floor of your shed.
Do I Need A Subfloor Over Concrete?
A concrete floor doesn’t need any subflooring on top of it. The concrete will hold up to regular use and will last a long time. However, concrete can be extremely cold during the winter months. Adding a subfloor over the concrete in your garage or home will help keep the floor warmer, which will lower your heating costs.
Final Thoughts
While it’s unfortunate that asphalt isn’t a safe option for your garage floor, there are plenty of budget-friendly, attractive alternatives. By being sure to check that any flooring you hope to use is safe and durable, you’ll have a garage floor that will last you for years to come.
If you found this blog post helpful, share it on social media and with friends and family who are looking for garage flooring options.
And be sure to check out our other blog posts for more tips and advice on all things home improvement:
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