Get matched with top garage pros in Prewitt, NM

There are many benefits to painting a garage floor, especially if you use an epoxy floor coating. In general, paint makes your garage easier to clean. Since concrete is porous, it tends to absorb things like dirt, grime, mildew, oil, and grease. Paint—specifically epoxy-based paint—creates a barrier that helps you easily mop up the mess before it stains or is difficult to remove.

You have a couple of options when it comes to lubricant. A silicone-based lubricant is a great choice because it lubricates the door and prevents rust and corrosion from forming. This type of lubricant also lasts a long time and works well in extreme cold and heat, making it ideal for garage doors. Other products you can use include lithium grease and silicone spray. Avoid using heavy, oil-based lubricants, as they can promote debris getting caught up in your garage door tracks.

If you plan on heating your garage, you must install a vapor barrier when drywalling the garage. A vapor barrier protects your garage from frost and mold that can occur through condensation. If your garage is unheated, you don't need to install a vapor barrier. The only exception is if you regularly crank the heat in your car before getting in it. In this case, you may still want to install a vapor barrier, as your car can heat your garage.

Wood, steel, fiberglass, and aluminum are among the top building materials for a garage. Wood is highly customizable, naturally insulative, and durable in mild climates but can be expensive. Steel is lightweight, low-maintenance, and cost-effective, but it’s susceptible to rust. Fiberglass is low-maintenance and doesn’t shrink or expand in changing temperatures, but it can become brittle and crack from prolonged high winds and sun exposure.

Unlike steel, aluminum isn’t susceptible to rust and is low-maintenance, but its ultra-light weight makes it less durable than some materials, and it’s susceptible to saltwater damage, making it a poor choice for coastal homes.