TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- It's graduation season, but hosting a large gathering in a small space can be tough. If you can't add on to the back of your house, maybe upgrading the garage is the answer. In this Angie's List report, how a new floor and other amenities can turn your garage into a party palace.
If you want to expand your entertainment space to the garage, the first thing you want to consider is adding drywall or paneling. That can make the are feel more like part of your home.
Finished walls will also allow you to get a lot of items off the floor. Cabinets or shelving are a nice touch, but the most eye-catching upgrade is what's below your feet.
"Adding new flooring can really improve the look and feeling of your garage. A low-cost option is an acrylic sealer that's going to require more maintenance and won't last as long. An alternative is an epoxy flooring or mats, which will last much longer and are low maintenance," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List.
Fritz Klooz, an epoxy floor specialist, adds: "The main reason people do it is to beautify their garage, but really the biggest advantage is how it protects the concrete and a lot of people don't realize that."
In a typical two-car garage, a quality epoxy floor with no volatile organic compounds can be installed for less than $1,700, and could last up to 20 years.
"When talking to your contractor about an epoxy floor, you want to be sure they are using 100-percent epoxy and also you want low-to-no V.O.C. And when they apply the floor, you want to make sure they are going to put at least three layers of the epoxy on the floor," said Hicks.
You can even add a custom-made screen that lets the breeze in, but keeps bugs and critters out.
"They just really love it because we're able to entertain and have get-togethers and fellowship without being outside in the weather, so it's a really good, practical thing to have," said homeowner Rodney Anderson.
A custom-made garage screen runs about $150. As for epoxy flooring, it's best to avoid a do-it-yourself kit. If it has low-grade epoxy and isn't applied correctly, it could come off within a matter of months.
Remember you can catch the latest Angie's List report every Tuesday morning on WTXL Sunrise.
