Choosing the best winter garage floor mat for wet and snowy weather is an important consideration for protecting your garage from winter’s icy grip. The proper containment mat will keep damaging road salts and deicing fluids away from your bare concrete.
In addition, they work well to keep the garage floor clean and dry. A dry floor prevents slip-fall accidents from water that can pool and freeze overnight on the garage floor. Lastly, they do a great job keeping your garage clean from winter weather residues.
*** Newly Updated Fall 2024 ***
Manufacturers of winter snow mats and containment mats are continually making improvements. As a result, we have updated this popular article. We work hard to keep you informed with the latest information about the leading garage floor winter mats we recommend and review.
Best Garage Winter containment mats for snow
A winter containment mat is your best choice if you live in a climate with regular snowfalls or heavy rain. Unlike traditional garage floor mats, these containment mats are designed to hold gallons of water, snow, and ice. They work well for those days when the bottom of your car resembles more of a snow plow than your daily vehicle.
Snow, ice, water, and other debris are collected on the mat instead of your garage floor. They contain all the liquids that drop from the sides and bottom of your vehicle, hence the name. As a result, they also help to keep your garage floor dry.
After reviewing a variety of available containment mats, we have a few different brands that we recommend.
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AutoFloorGuard containment mat
First on our list is the AutoFloorGuard containment mat. These unique and efficient mats were the first introduced to the market. They still get great reviews. In fact, the AutoFloorGuard is one of our favorite winter containment mats.
What makes these mats unique is the material used. They are constructed of a very durable PVC-coated Polyester Scrim fabric instead of vinyl plastic sheeting. It’s the same type of material used for tarps in the commercial trucking industry. The results are a tough and flexible mat. Because it is made of fabric and not plastic sheeting, it isn’t measured in mils of thickness like vinyl mats are.
The edges of the mat are constructed of round high-density foam that is heat-sealed into the mat. This creates a 1.25” tall dam that allows you to drive over the edges without damaging them. The tall, round sides will retain gallons of water from snow and ice without fear of it spilling out onto the garage floor.
These mats are less expensive than the heavy-duty Park Smart mats that were popular years ago. Plus, you don’t need to assemble any parts. Just roll it out, unfold it, and you are ready to go. They also roll up fairly easily to store away again for the following winter.
AutoFloorGuard has continued to improve its mats over the years. The most significant change was the incorporation of a heavier Polyester Scrim fabric for increased durability and wear. We believe this is a response to the TruContain mat we reviewed below.
Along with the more durable fabric, they include a free telescoping squeegee. Additionally, they have increased their limited warranty from 90 days to one year. Again, this competes more directly with TruContain.
Lastly, they also include what they call their new Stay-Put-Corners. This is a large square piece of hook-and-loop Velcro. It is glued to each corner of the underside of the mat and the garage floor.
The idea of the Stay-Put-Corners is to keep the mat in place and prevent mat creep. It also helps prevent the mat from bunching up when you turn your vehicle’s wheels while it’s stationary. It’s a novel idea, but its effectiveness seems to be hit or miss.
Another feature we like about the Auto Floor Guard mat is how easy it is to remove liquids and snow from it. All that is required is to use a broom or squeegee to push water and snow right over the rounded edges and out the garage door.
All mats are available in black and come in four different sizes. Compact is 7’9”x16’, Midsize is 7’9”x18’, SUV/Truck is 8’6”x20’, and XL is 8’6”x22’.
TruContain Containment Mat
The TruContain Containment Mat by Garage Flooring LLC was introduced a couple of years after the AutoFloorGuard mat. It remains one of the best values among all the containment mats we have reviewed to date. There are a few reasons why we like this mat.
Based on the same design as the Auto Floor Guard containment mat, the TruContain mats were manufactured with a heavier Polyester Scrim fabric. We could feel the difference when we compared the two. Now that AutoFloorGuard has increased the weight of its material, the TruContain mats are now comparable in thickness.
Not to be outdone, TruContain has now released an optional heavy-duty version of their already successful standard containment mat. Called the TruContain HD, this mat is manufactured with 33% heavier Polyester Scrim fabric than their standard mats.
This newer HD mat was first tested in the harsher winter climate of Canada. In addition, the width of the HD mats in the popular compact and midsize car sizes is approximately 9” wider than the standard mat. This was done to increase the volume of water and snow that it will hold.
The heat-welded high-density foam edging is also of very high quality. Originally, TruContain had elected to move the welds to the underside of the mat instead of the top. This produced a nicer look and provided better protection of the welds from the elements.
However, since they now include their own version of adhesive corners, the mat design was inverted. This means that the glossy side is now down. This provides for good adhesion of the Velcro corners to the mat.
Besides the optional heavier Polyester Scrim fabric and high-quality welds, the TruContain mat comes in a more attractive dark grey color, which we believe is a preferable alternative to black.
They also include a free squeegee attachment with each mat shipped. A standard screw-in broom/paint handle is recommended for the best results. They were not impressed with the testing of the telescoping handle. You can find inexpensive handles here on Amazon or at your local home improvement center.
Finally, TruContain backs its mats with a 1-year warranty. This is all achieved at a similar price point as the competition. As a result, we feel TruContain is one of the best overall values for a winter containment mat.
You have four different sizes to choose from in their standard line. They are 7’9”x16’, 7’9”x18’, 9’x20’, and 9’x22’.
There are three sizes in the TruContain HD (heavy-duty) line. These are 8′.6″x18′, 8′.6″x20′ and 8′.6″x22′.
The TruContain line of mats can also be purchased from Amazon. Click the image for the Standard or HD mat to view available sizes. However, you will receive significantly better customer service when purchasing directly from Garage Flooring LLC.
One other point to consider with this style of containment mat is that it is very easy to store after winter. Just fold it lengthwise and roll it up like a large sleeping bag. It’s that simple.
Top Budget Winter Garage Floor Mat
If you need a containment mat but have a tight budget, the Welkin winter and snow garage mat might be a better option.
The Welkin mat incorporates the same basic design as the AutoFloorGuard and TruContain mats. In addition, it includes a squeegee with a 3-piece handle and 8 velcro adhesive pads. The best place to purchase the Welkin mat is from Amazon.
While these are nice features, there are a few reasons this mat is less expensive and considered a budget choice.
The raised rolled edges are not as tall at 1.18” and will hold less water and snow. Furthermore, the mat uses an elastic sponge foam rather than dense, closed-cell foam. Sponge foam is not as resilient and can begin to lose its shape and flatten out over time from driving over it.
Lastly, there is no mention of the seams being heat-welded. They appear to be manufactured with a roll press using pressure-sensitive polyvinyl glue.
Despite these shortcomings, the price may be right for you to protect your garage floor through winter.
Can I Use Studded Snow Tires On Containment Mats?
One crucial fact to be aware of is that containment mats with polyester scrim fabric will not withstand studded snow tires or chains. We recommend purchasing 50 mil vinyl protector strips. These are 20 feet long and can be trimmed to fit inside the mats.
They will protect the scrim fabric and prevent it from getting punctured. You can find them here on Amazon.
Garage mats for light snow and rain
For those of you who get the occasional snowfall and don’t feel the need to contain such large amounts of water and debris, there are a few more winter mat options worth your consideration.
Garage Grip™️ Carpet Mat
The first would be the Garage Grip™️ Carpet Mat. This commercial-quality garage flooring carpet mat is made from the same materials used to contain spills at oil and gas well sites. We did a review of the Garage Grip Carpet Mat and were pretty impressed by it.
Besides containing snow and water, the Garage Grip mat is also anti-slip. You can squeegee it or use a broom to push water and snow out the garage door.
The commercial materials and quality construction are designed to withstand 18-wheelers and heavy machinery. This means it is highly durable and will last for years.
Available in a variety of sizes, you can price the Garage Grip Mat here.
ArmorAll and DryMate Mats
Next is the ArmorAll Garage Floor Mat. These work well at absorbing liquids from snowmelt and provide a soft anti-slip surface.
Made with waterproof, bonded backing, these mats will not let snowmelt, road salts, or deicing fluids reach your floor. The material is made of 50% recycled fabric that can hold up to 5 times its weight in liquids.
They are available in a variety of sizes for small utility vehicles, motorcycles, or ATVs, and two larger sizes for cars and trucks. You can purchase them here from Amazon.
DryMate mats can be cleaned with a vacuum once dry or with a wet vac when wet. You can also drag them onto your driveway and hose them down with soap and water if needed.
G-Floor Ribbed Mat
Lastly, there is the ribbed garage floor mat by G-Floor. Although not technically a containment mat for snow or water, the ribs are relatively effective at holding moderate amounts of liquid, provided you have a level floor. They will also allow for natural drainage towards the garage door if your floor is slightly sloped.
The mats can be mopped dry, or you can use a wet vac to remove water and debris. A squeegee does not work well due to the raised ribs on the surface. A push broom is a better choice.
Made of thick polyvinyl, they are available in a variety of sizes from 7.4’x14’ to 10’x24’. You can also choose the standard 55 mil or commercial 75 mil thickness. The ribs also provide an added non-slip benefit. You can find them here on Amazon.
Best outdoor Winter mat
With all the talk about winter mats, we wanted to share what we think is one of the best outdoor mats available. Some of our family members have purchased these and have been thoroughly impressed.
Made of recycled materials, this mat does not have a rubberized or foam backing. You need not worry about it deteriorating or leaving imprints on your garage floor, entryway, or porch.
It is especially nice to use on an epoxy garage floor coating. The stiff bristles do a great job of cleaning the underside of your shoes from loose snow, mud, and other gunk. Debris from the bottom of your shoes falls through the slats and is neatly deposited on the floor. Just lift the mat and sweep or vacuum the debris away.
Though a bit pricey, this mat is designed to last for years. It may well be the best long-term investment in a floor mat you could make. You can price it here at Amazon.
Important Winter Containment Mat Tip
We recommend sealing the concrete first if you are protecting your bare concrete garage floor with a winter containment mat. It will pay for itself the first winter.
The sealer will help protect your concrete from freeze-thaw. Freeze-thaw is the leading cause of pitting and spalling due to water and road salts. It’s easy to apply and not expensive.
We highly recommend PS104 from Concrete Sealers USA. It’s a concrete densifier with a siliconate sealer added.
Not only will it protect your concrete from winter damage, but it will also harden the concrete surface. This will make cleanups easier and provide some stain resistance from spills and automotive fluids.
You can price PS104 here.
Final thoughts
Be smart when choosing the best winter garage floor mat for you. If you deal with an abundance of snow, a containment mat is exactly what you need.
We recommend purchasing the best winter mat available if your budget allows. The few extra dollars are money well spent. We’ve heard numerous stories from people who purchased a cheap mat that didn’t last through the winter, while others are now on their third or fourth winter with a better mat.
If you only deal with light snowfalls or water that needs containment, then the Garage Grip, DryMate fabric mat, or BLT ribbed mats may be a better solution.
My husband and I bought the Auto Floor Guard mat to try this winter since we haven’t been happy with what we have used in the past. I must say that it was very easy to lay out and my husband was so impressed he ordered another one for our second car. We can both say that this mat is a good recommendation.
Thanks for the positive reply Peggy. We were made aware of this mat by some friends and family members who had started using it. As a result we had to look into it ourselves. We think they are great too and is why we decided to write about it.
I bought an Auto Floor Guard last week for my SUV. It works real well and is easy to clean out. As a tip, when pulling on to it or driving out it helps to keep your wheels straight. If you turn too much the mat will bunch up. Other than that I’m happy with it.
I like the mat, but it really does bunch up very easily. I am worried about how it will work with winter cold and ice. I am wondering if the ribbed mat on top would prevent the bunching up. I have to vac it anyway so the ribs would not be a problem.
We had the Park Smart mat for 2 years and it did an adequate job. We replaced it last month with the Auto Floor Guard mat after the tabs on one side of our Park Smart mat broke from driving on it. So far this mat is working good and it’s much easier to set up with no more edges to snap in place. It can tell it will be much easier to store as well. I agree with what Jeff said, it’s important not to turn your wheel if the car is not moving. So far I would recommend this mat.
I just bought the Auto Floor mat last month and really like it so far. My previous mat was the heavy duty version of the Park Smart which lasted almost 4 years before I made a bone head mistake and tore it up with my ATV (long story). It worked great for me. I think the Park Smart actually holds more water, but the Auto Floor is so much easier to just squeegee out that I don’t think it matters. I would wait till I had a small swimming pool with the other mat because I didn’t want to mess with the clips. I give it a thumbs up.
With the different weather conditions like snow and rain, there is the utmost need to go for the right flooring to protect our garage, our cars and even ourselves. We’ve known of Park Smart but the others are new for us, so thank you!
Well, after a lot web surfing, I’ve decided to give the AutoFloorGuard a try. Live in Minnesota, and have a lot of snow melt off the car, and even more off the snowmobile and trailer. I’m going to go with a custom size. Distance from outer edge of one tire to outer edge of tire on other side is 6 feet. With the containment edge being 1 – 1/4 inches, I was thinking about specifying a width of 7 feet, which leaves a overhang of 4 – 3/4 inches on each side. If anyone happens to read this, would you have an opinion on what amounts to a adequate overhang. My garage is a double, but it’s a smaller garage, so space is a bit of a premium. Also, is there a containment edge on all 4 edges, or just 3 ? The point being, is there an end without an edge to squeegee all the snow and water out ?
Hello Mike. These are great questions and hopefully others will respond as well. What is considered generally acceptable in the industry is to have a containment mat that is 2 feet longer and wider than the total length (bumper to bumper) and width of the vehicle (not just wheel track). This allows for a little wiggle room when pulling a vehicle in and out. It also allows for snow that can slide off the hood or roof of your vehicle and still land on the mat. The minimum you want is 1 foot longer and wider if you can help it.
Containment mats have edges all the way around to hold the water in and keep it from running out onto the garage floor. The Park Smart containment mat has snap in edges which need to be removed at one end when you want to squeegee the water and contaminants out. The design of the Auto Floor Guard containment mat lets you squeegee water right over the edge and is one of the reasons it is our favorite.
These look great but we live in hilly country ~ real Upstate NY and the sand / salt is just the worst. We have studded tires, anyone out there use these with studs? How do they hold up???
Also the amount of junk is awful – we get snow bunnies behind the tires. We try to get those off before we pull in but still…. there is some that drips off all night long.
Would love to hear from someone with a similar situation to ours!
We live in a NW Chicago suburb and have huge issues with melt-off. In addition, the garage floor has a slight slope toward the house door, so the runoff would puddle there and get everything all wet. After reviewing the choices for garage floor mats, and seeing the top pick is essentially a tarp with raised edges, my husband said we should make our own. We purchased a large tarp (approximately 24’x18′) in the heaviest PVC available. We folded it in half, and inserted a 8′-long 2×4 inside the folded edge to have a ridge that stops the water from running toward the door. Since our issue was all about the incorrect sloping toward the house, this worked perfectly. We can squeegee it off easily, customize it to exactly the size we need for my large SUV, and fold it up for easy storage in the summer. Sure, I would have liked something with clean lines like the Park Smart mat, but it was too much money and people were still frustrated. This has worked great for 2-years, with little investment. I hope this idea helps someone else who can’t find what they really need in stock products.
Your idea is not new Carrie. That is exactly how the idea of these containment mats were born. We are glad it’s working out great for you!
I have a 4 car dirt floor garage that receives a lot of runoff that can make the floor muddy. There is no easy way to change the drainage. Is there some product similar to what is shown under the heading “best outdoor mat” that could be laid on the dirt floor to prevent building residents from stepping into mud when exiting their vehicle and that would & handle the weight of a vehicle?
Hello Doug. No garage flooring manufacturer makes such a product. They are all designed to be laid on a hard surface. One possible option however is Marston Mat, also known as PSP Landing Mat (pierced steel plank). It was used extensively in WWII and is still available today. It’s stiff enough to handle the weight of a car when laid over a soft surface. Calumet Industries sells it here. We have no idea how much it costs, but it might be worth looking into. Other than that, paving with asphalt might be your cheapest solution in the long run.
Will this mat work on a garage that dips in front of the cars? I have a puddle in front or you might call it the bact garage.
Hello Robert. It depends on how much your floor dips down and whether or not it’s directly under the front of the car or out in front of the car. If the puddle is out in front of the car, then the mat will prevent water from running towards the back of the garage to that low spot. If the puddle or low spot is under the front of the car, the mat will collect the water, but not as much since the mat is in the middle of the low spot.
How do I order this? I don’t see a link to procure this product.
Hello John. There are red links in the article that will take you to the best place to order most of these products. Some even say “click here for the best price”.
I purchased the Auto Floor mat last week. I was a bit skeptical about using a mat like this but after the first storm, pushing out all kinds of snow and water that would have otherwise been on my garage floor, I’m sold. Makes we wonder why I didn’t do this sooner. It’s more than I wanted to spend but I couldn’t find a lower price.
I definitely recommend having one end close to the garage door however. It makes it real easy to clean out.
I live in Canada. How could I order floor mats in Canada or have a phone number I could call?
Hello Marie. We are in the process of updating our article. Included in our update is a website for our Canadian neighbors to purchase containment mats. Click Here and you will be directed to it!
How much for a 9′ x 16′ garage mat?
Follow the links in the article Richard in order to get prices.
We expect lot of snow where I live. My garage floor has been painted with epoxy and has embedded paint chips to make an anti-slip surface. The paint chips protrude slightly causing the floor to have a bumpy feeling. How bumpy? I can rub my hand over the floor without hurting myself. I ordered a Tru- contain containment mat and I am wondering if I should pad the underside of the mat where the car tires travel with cardboard to help protect the mat?
No need for that Larry. The TruContain mat is tough and will not be hurt by your flooring.
I am interested in purchasing one of your garage mats but i orefer to make my order over the phone. Do you have a phone numbee and address?
Hello Ralph. We don’t sell product at All Garage Floors, but we do make referrals of where you can purchase product. Since it looks like you may be from Canada, we suggest you contact these guys here since they can arrange shipment to your location.
Can any of these mats be left permanently on a concrete floor?
If so, should the floor be sealed first?
Can two or more be joined?
I guess I am asking if the whole (or most) of my 24’x24′ garage could be covered. Thanks.Roger
PS We get buried in snow in upstate NY.
Hello Roger. These mats are not designed as a permanent flooring solution. Though you could leave them down year around, they will wear out much sooner than they would for just winter use. They are laid independent of each other and cannot be joined, though we suppose they could be overlapped. If you like the idea of the ease of garage mats, we would suggest going with a full roll out mat for garage floors for year around use and then using the containment mats for the winter. This mat here from BLT is a great example.
Is there anything for draining the snow and water that comes off your car to outside of the garage? Or so one could maybe even wash his car in the garage even?
No, not really Joel. The initial design of your garage floor would determine how it drains. It would require a significant slope to get the water to move on its own like that. Some garage floors have drains and the concrete surface is sloped appropriately towards them. A popular option for some people with this type of garage is the free flowing interlocking garage floor tiles. It allows them to wash cars in their garage if they so wish. What most people do with the containment mats is align the edge of the mat near the garage door. This allows for you to easily push snow and water out the back of the mat to the driveway without moving the mat.
Do you sell the auto floor guard containment mat locally? I live about 50 miles from Albany New York and would travel to pick up the Midsize mat. Also could you give me an idea on price?
Hello John. We do not sell product nor do we know of any vendors that sell these mats from a store front. Most are purchased online. We have many links in the article with both pricing and purchase options. Shipping is generally free.
Just got Park Smart mat. Which side goes up. The shiny side it the ‘matted look” side?
Generally it is shiny side up, Mike.
We have a lot of snow here in eastern Ontario as well.My garage is not heated and the floor slopes to the side – not towards the garage door. I don’t want to squeegee the mat. How easy is it to use a shop vac to remove the water?
Thanks.
It’s not too difficult to use a shop vac, Julie, just make sure to stay up on it as the mat holds more water than you think. If you purchase a mat that is long enough, the mat can be positioned with one end right at the garage door. This would enable you to squeegee the water right out the door onto the driveway without worry of it running to the side in your garage.
We purchased a Park Smart mat last year, can’t fault it!! Didn’t know such a thing even existing until a few years ago but I highly recommend getting one with this years Winter creeping in!
Tony
My garage floor slopes slightly to the side. I am concerned that the lip will not be tall enough to contain significant amounts of snow melt. What is the height of the side and can you suggest how I can raise the sloped side for better containment. Maybe put a 1″ by 2″ strip along the edge to raise it a bit?
The edges are approximately 1″ high, Caroline. If you want to raise one side higher, you can do just as you suggested. Just be careful not to drive on the edge that has been raised.
Hello – thank you for this site. Which mat would you recommend to protect garage floors from mud and gravel? We are thinking about a mat because 1) rental house; and 2) unpaved driveway. We don’t get snow here in northern California, but some rain, and the driveway is unpaved, with just some leftover gravel. Thanks for any tips you can provide.
Hello Vita. We would recommend a G-Floor vinyl mat with the ribbed design. These are a thicker mil mat that are made in the USA. The ribbed design makes them easy to clean and they will stand up well to gravel that gets caught in the tires. You can find the 55 mil thick mats here at Amazon. Garage Flooring LLC sells the 110 mil mats here. These are twice as thick for a little more money.
My SUV has fairly big winter tires that track a lot of snow into the garage. Along with the snow comes a lot of bits of gravel that get deposited on the garage floor as the snow melts. I literally sweep up a good size pile of gravel off the floor every week in the winter. How well do the mats tolerate the gravel that gets deposited? Does the car running over the gravel on the mat cause punctures/tears/leaks in the mat? Is there any particular mat that would be better for this? Are mats warrantied against punctures/tears/leaks made by gravel?
Hello Chris. The containment mats are not warrantied for tears and punctures such as you describe. However, they can be fairly tough. The TruContain containment mats are the thickest of the two and would be the best choice. If you don’t need to contain a lot of water, the G-Floor ribbed mat would be a good choice. They are very thick and rarely get punctured by gravel in tires.
Hi! I’m getting some tire marks on my new polyaspartic garage floor. It is more noticeable where the from tires sit (probably due to the front weight). I would like to get something that I can place under the tires (mostly the fronts) on an almost permanent basis. I live in northern Illinois, but have no problem with cleaning them every so often. Any suggestions?
Hello Chris. The black tire marks should clean off fairly easily with a high performance polyaspartic coating. However, if you want something just for the front tires to park on, we would suggest a parking stop similar to these here. You could use one for each tire.