Car Show Flooring: Comparing Carpet Tiles vs. Hard Surface Floors

Flooring plays a major role in any car show. The right flooring can showcase cars beautifully, allowing them to truly stand out and even enhancing their effect and the overall atmosphere of the room. But when you choose car show flooring, it’s important to select a product that’s right for the environment.

Car show display carpet can be an appealing choice, but is it the best option? Hard surface flooring tiles are another versatile choice. Let’s take a look at both flooring types to help you choose the right product for your car show.

Carpet Tiles vs. Hard Surface Car Show Flooring

Carpet tiles have many qualities that make them a popular choice for trade show booth flooring, and some of those qualities are also ideal for a car show floor. Carpet tiles are available in many neutral colors that can be photographed well during a show. They’re also comfortable underfoot, ideal for individuals who will be showing cars and for attendees. Carpet tiles are also lightweight, which makes for an easy, DIY-friendly installation.


However, there are several qualities of carpet tiles that aren’t always ideal for use with vehicles. These tiles aren’t waterproof, and they can be challenging to clean if stained, especially with motor oil. The tiles can also shift and move around when you drive a vehicle across them.

Though carpet isn’t often recommended for use with vehicles, we have had a customer use the Plush Comfort Carpet Tile and successfully park a semi-truck on it.

In contrast, hard car show flooring is often a more popular and more versatile choice. Hard flooring tiles are a durable covering option that can protect your subfloor without shifting while in use. They’re available in many attractive finishes that can make for a sharp-looking showroom.

Hard surface tiles are often supremely durable, and they can withstand the weight of vehicles and plenty of foot traffic. These tiles tend to be resistant to scuffing, oils, and chemicals, and they’re also easy to clean. These tiles can be quickly installed and uninstalled as needed.

The Best Car Show Flooring Options

At Greatmats, we have numerous flooring products that are ideal for transforming a room into a car show or competition. These products accommodate many design options, so you can plan out the look of the room to your specifications. If you’re looking for flooring car show display ideas, these products will give you some inspiration.

Plastic Tiles

The most popular choice for car shows, plastic tiles can be durable covers for a subfloor, transforming a space into an eye-catching room.

Smooth Top PVC Interlocking Color Ever Tiles

The Smooth Top PVC Interlocking Color Ever Tiles is available in nine brilliant colors. They’re made of durable recycled PVC plastic, so they’re non-absorbent and waterproof, making them easy to clean, even if spills occur. The tiles tightly interlock together, and since each tile weighs four pounds, they’re easy to move and store once a car show is over.



Coin Top Home Floor Tile

The Coin Top Home Floor Tile will add a professional, modern look to your car show while also bringing practical function, too. The coin top surface maximizes traction for enhanced safety, and the tiles are durable and strong enough to withstand heavy loads, such as vehicles. The tiles are resistant to bacteria, mold, mildew, gas, oil, and common chemicals, so they’re particularly ideal for car show environments.



SupraTile Hidden Slate

The SupraTile Hidden Slate tile features a dovetail interlocking system that makes for an incredibly easy installation. The tiles add cushion to a space, helping to keep exhibitors and attendees comfortable, and the faux slate finish maximizes traction for safety. These tiles absorb sound, which can make a larger car show more enjoyable, and they’re resistant to oil, chemicals, mold, mildew, moisture, and impacts.



TurboTile Diamond Garage Floor Tile

With their distinctive finish and supreme durability, the TurboTile Diamond Garage Floor Tiles are a fantastic choice for car shows. They’re crafted from virgin polypropylene plastic and are rated to withstand 10,000 pounds, so these tiles are suitable for car shows exhibiting even the heaviest vehicles. The snap-together system makes for an easy installation, and the tiles can also be easily removed after a show is over.



TurboTile Perforated Garage Floor Tile

The TurboTile Perforated Garage Floor Tile features perforations to quickly drain water away, as well as an eye-catching finish to enhance any car show. The tiles are available in three colors and are strong enough to support 10,000-pound loads, so they’re a highly versatile choice. They’re easy to install and remove and are a highly durable choice that you can use repeatedly.

Carpet Tiles

While many carpet tiles aren’t ideal for car show flooring, we have a customer who’s successfully used these tiles to support a semi.

Plush Comfort Carpet Tile

The Plush Comfort Carpet Tile offers anti-fatigue and insulative perks, so it can create a comfortable surface for your car show. The tiles have a compact design and are available in several designer colors, letting you customize the floor’s look. You can easily cut the tiles to fit a space with a sharp utility knife, and the tiles can be placed directly on concrete for easy installation.

Order Car Show Flooring from Greatmats

Contact the Greatmats customer service team today whether you’re ready to order flooring or still have some questions. We’re happy to discuss your plans for your car show floor and help you choose the product that’s best for your needs.