How do I spruce up this garage?

[Acuity31]

It's nothing special, but it could be made into a neat little workshop. It's built into the house but is only accessible via the main garage door.

The first thing I want to do is paint the walls. It looks like someone in the past already has as at one point it was used as a gym, but I'd like the brickwork to be bright white. I don't know anything about masonry but from what I've read, those blocks are porous so will suck in paint resulting in multiple coats to get good coverage. Can anyone recommend a decent white paint suitable for those blocks, and a good roller? I assume I'll want a high pile roller and a decently sized brush to get in the gaps. Is it necessary to 'wash' the brickwork before painting too? Also am I better off waiting for a warmer climate before doing this or does it not matter too much? I don't mind paying a premium for the paint if it means less coats and a more durable and long lasting finish.
Secondly I want some plastic tiles, so any recommendations for those too would be good.
After doing those 2 tasks I can then go ahead and start installing shelving, a worktop, cabinets, upgrade the lights etc etc.
It will only ever be used for tool storage, car mechanics, some minor woodworking for DIY purposes and maybe a motorbike in future.
TIA

[Andeh1]

Cover the floor like you're about to commit a crime.

Massive builders bucket, fill with 20L of paint, 2L of water and go at it with a soft broom.

Repeat next day with no water..

Messy job, but you get a proper thick pure white coat in a fraction of the time.

[Panamax]

A standard breeze block is 440 mm long. That "garage" is 3.75 breeze blocks = 1.65 metres wide. Good luck doing anything in there with a modern car. I'd recommend carpeting the walls for starters.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I wouldn't paint the walls...you'll always run the risk of peeling & the walls look OK as they are.

A few enamel signs would brighten it up.

What about rubber floor tiles?

[Acuity31]

Panamax said:

A standard breeze block is 440 mm long. That "garage" is 3.75 breeze blocks = 1.65 metres wide. Good luck doing anything in there with a modern car. I'd recommend carpeting the walls for starters.

I should've clarified, I don't intend to park a car in there, I do servicing etc on the drive but have a lot of tools etc in the garage and probably another motorbike in summer.
Also it's 4.57m by 2.52m. You could've just asked instead of trying to appear smart.

Edited by Acuity31 on Friday 13th February 21:46

[Acuity31]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I wouldn't paint the walls...you'll always run the risk of peeling & the walls look OK as they are.

A few enamel signs would brighten it up.

What about rubber floor tiles?

I wouldn't be against rubber, I just assumed they only really sell them in plastic or foam

[Grobag]

Panamax said:

A standard breeze block is 440 mm long. That "garage" is 3.75 breeze blocks = 1.65 metres wide. Good luck doing anything in there with a modern car. I'd recommend carpeting the walls for starters.

They look like Durox Supabloc or similar, they’re 620mm long.

[TA14]

Grobag said:

Panamax said:

A standard breeze block is 440 mm long. That "garage" is 3.75 breeze blocks = 1.65 metres wide. Good luck doing anything in there with a modern car. I'd recommend carpeting the walls for starters.

They look like Durox Supabloc or similar, they re 620mm long.

Yes, just over ten bks wide, see top of rear wall, so about 2,300mm wide.

[John D.]

I'd definitely paint the walls with masonry paint. Will take a couple of coats with a good roller. Make a big difference.

I got floor tiles from these guys this time last year after shopping around a bit.

https://flexi-tile.com/

There's loads of different types and suppliers so it's a bit of a nightmare choosing. I'm parking cars on mine, so you may want something different. I put concrete sealer down on the slab first. Not essential but won't do any harm and should help minimise dust.

[POIDH]

Good set of shelves for tidying up all the boxes and tools.
Wop down some Gumtree sourced vinyl or laminate flooring.
Job jobbed.

[Acuity31]

John D. said:

I'd definitely paint the walls with masonry paint. Will take a couple of coats with a good roller. Make a big difference.

I got floor tiles from these guys this time last year after shopping around a bit.

https://flexi-tile.com/

There's loads of different types and suppliers so it's a bit of a nightmare choosing. I'm parking cars on mine, so you may want something different. I put concrete sealer down on the slab first. Not essential but won't do any harm and should help minimise dust.

Is it worth doing a coat of masonry stabiliser first? Something like this:

https://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect.co.uk/everbuild...

For a tenner even if it prevents the need for 1 extra coat it's money well spent

[5s Alive]

I used plain old matt emulsion on the walls and Plasfloor PVC tiles on the floor. No longer available but any PVC interlock tiles (Flexitile above get good reviews) of your choice will be fine. I find them comfortable to work on and durable. I've jacked the car on them many times and they're unmarked but individual tiles would be easily replaced if damaged. They seem to to be waterproof (and oil proof!) as well.

[Sterillium]

I thought the mirror was a window.

[Craikeybaby]

I use Sandbox masonry paint, although I have stopped painting my current garage for the winter as it is best done above 10ºc. I usually do the first coat watered down, then a coat or two undiluted. The first 2 coats may need to go on with a brush, but once the holes are filled a roller is OK, and makes the job a lot quicker.

[Simpo Two]

I lined my brick and block garage with tongue and groove wood cladding. It gives a cosy atmosphere and you can hammer in nails wherever you like to hang tools on.

[Purosangue]

not sure what door you have at the front , to brighten it up a bit you could fit one of these





they door all sorts , boats , landscapes etc . They are velcro


https://style-your-garage.com/products/boot

[Acuity31]

Purosangue said:

not sure what door you have at the front , to brighten it up a bit you could fit one of these





they door all sorts , boats , landscapes etc . They are velcro


https://style-your-garage.com/products/boot

I hope that's a joke!
The garage door is jet black though and quite filthy. I'll jetwash it when I next wash the car but will repaint it probably navy blue in spring

[Condi]

Floor paint to seal the concrete/dust is a good idea, and then paint the walls. Or rather, do it walls first then floor.

It's a much nicer place to be afterwards and you don't get any dust.

Leyland hard wearing floor paint and Sandtex masonry paint would be a good suggestion. Neither are cheap, but neither are expensive either. They are the right tools for the job.

[Acuity31]

Condi said:

Floor paint to seal the concrete/dust is a good idea, and then paint the walls. Or rather, do it walls first then floor.

It's a much nicer place to be afterwards and you don't get any dust.

Leyland hard wearing floor paint and Sandtex masonry paint would be a good suggestion. Neither are cheap, but neither are expensive either. They are the right tools for the job.

I didnt really intend to do anything with the floor other than a sweep and go over with a shop vac. Reason being if I'm going to lay solid tiles down (without any vents/slats) I dont see how dust could become a problem

[Cold]

Sterillium said:

I thought the mirror was a window.

Me too!

I couldn't work it out and was wondering what building needed such a thick wall, it's almost as wide as the walls of a medieval castle.


But yes, paint those bricks before you do anything. I just used cheapo emulsion from Screwfix/Toolstation etc and am happy to reapply when it gets a bit grubby. Others have their own preferences.