Race Deck vs. Lock-tile?

[blonzz]

I am just about ready to order tile flooring for my shop. It has come down to Race Deck (www.racedeck.com) or Lock-tile (http://www.locktile-usa.com/index.html)

Does anyone have experience with Lock-tile? I had the company send me some samples. It comes in 19 5/8" squares and is 1/4" thick.
It has been used in warehouses and stands up to folklifts.

I am looking for something strong and that will hold up.

How well does Race Deck tile take a beating?

Thanks,
John

[Rickster]

What do these break down to per square foot price-wise? I searched and couldn't find it on thier websites.

[Luckydevil]

Also check out Kiwi tiles and then have all three compete for your business with prices. If you are placing a big order they will drop their prices substantially.

[awdirtdrifter]

don't forget www.motormat.com

[blonzz]

I ended up placing an order directly from Lock-Tile (http://www.locktile-usa.com/index.html) and it arrived a few days back.

The floor I will be covering is 18' x 28'. The cost of my order delivered from NJ to AZ came to $1981.89 That includes the tiles, 19 ft of edging and 3 gals of a "Scotch Gaurd" type of roll on sealant. The sealant isn't necessary but gives a little more stain protection and a slightly higher gloss.

The tiles are quite durable. They will hold up to allot of abuse.

I believe this puts the sq ft price quite comparabe with Race Deck.

I liked the fact that the Lock-Tile was only 1/4" thick. I will be doing a edge to edge covering.

John

[ky-mike]

A Race Deck representative was at the National Street Rod Show in Louisville, Ky a week ago. She had product on display and offered a very good price - $2.69 SF delivered if I ordered 500 SF or more or $2.99 SF for under 500 SF. Retail is $3.75 SF plus delivery. (This shows what kind of margins they are working with).

My garage is about 460 SF. With the pricing, it was cheaper to order 500 SF than 460 SF, so I did. This gives me about 40 SF to use for repairs to damaged tiles or for laying out on my aggregate driveway (I hate laying on that stuff) when working under the car.

I expect delivery later this week and will post pictures once it is installed.

Now I just need to get the garage cleaned out and painted prior to installation.

[Luckydevil]

The prices she quoted you are exactly what the retailers pay, $2.50 +shipping per tile. That is a damn good deal.

[madmike]

how do these floors hold up to slag from welding and cutting? i own a custom automotive shop and i think a floor like this would really keep dust and stains under control and also look really profesional, the floor space is be 2625sq.ft. to be covered

also how well does it work with jacks, jack stands, and other automotive tools that need to roll such as car dollys?

[wythors]

also how well does it work with jacks, jack stands, and other automotive tools that need to roll such as car dollys?

Forget about it. I have a Racedeck floor and it doesn't hold up to a floor jack or jack stands. I had our Cobra up on jack stands and when I dropped it down, the stands had actually cut through the floor and I found that the weight bearing wheels of the floor jack had grooved it. They replaced the damaged tiles for free, but now I have to get some metal plates to put under my jack stands in the future.

[ky-mike]

also how well does it work with jacks, jack stands, and other automotive tools that need to roll such as car dollys?

I asked the same question before I ordered. I was told that i fhte jackstands have proper feet, they will not damage the tiles.

I will take some learnings from Wythors' experience and will place a metal plate or piece of wood under the feet of the jackstands to spread out the weight in order to not damage the flooring.

I am halfway done with gettting my tiles installed. I will finish today and post some pics of the completed floor.

[slapshot]

Thanks for the heads up on the jacks/jack stands....I'll be sure to put something underneath them.

I ordered Race Deck tiles. I also found it cheaper to order slightly more to get the discount at 500 sq ft. My garage is around 26x19, the total order was around $1800, including shipping, 50 ft of border, and 500 tiles. I had the tiles delivered in 7 days. I ordered on a Wednesday and got them first thing in the morning the following Wednesday. They ship via UPS in 44 lb boxes.

I hope to install them in the next week or so, when I get the rest of the garage work done.

[wythors]

My jack stands are the standard kind you get at Sears or an auto parts store that have "angle iron" feet. If you had some that had round pads on the bottom instead, it wouldn't be a problem. The wheels of the jack would still be a problem though.

[slapshot]

I have the same type of legs/feet on mine also.

[ky-mike]

I won't win any photography awards with this picture as the lighting is pretty bad. I'll follow up with a better pic when I get a chance.

My new Race Deck floor

[madmike]

how about welding steel to the bottom of the jack stands?

[blonzz]

I went with lock-tile. They look like they will hold up to a floor jack. They do use the tile in warehouses with forklift traffic.

I still need to finish up and roll on a sealer. Not necessary but will help to repel stains and add some gloss.

I am also going to add black 6" rubber base around the lower wall.

John

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/blonzz/Test024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/blonzz/Test021.jpg

[blonzz]

My floor is just about completed. The industrial tile look like they will hold up to a floor jack. They do use the tile in warehouses with forklift traffic.

http://www.lock-tile.com/EN/images/LockApp_Pic01_Large.jpg

I still need to finish up and roll on a sealer. Not necessary but as mentioned will help to repel stains and add some gloss.

I am also going to add black 6" rubber base around the lower wall.

Very easy installation with rubber mallet.

John

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/blonzz/Test024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/blonzz/Test021.jpg

[SANDOVAL]

You need these if you want to use jack stands on Race Deck tiles...

http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp?searchtext=stands\

Notice the feet are round discs which will not pierce the plastic like other stands. AC makes a similar stand for more then double the cost of these.

[wythors]

I'm getting these. (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200313386&R=200313386) They're the same as some that Snap-On sells for less $$$.

[ky-mike]

Here are a couple of additional shots of my new floor.

[number3]

http://groups.msn.com/HarryandStephanie/shoebox.msnw

(click on "the Monster")

Here are some pictures of Kiwi Tiles in one of my garages where my V8 Miata live there.

[dante81_98]

so how do they hold up to welding?

[blonzz]

Sealant was applied yesterday.

John

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/blonzz/Sealant034.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/blonzz/Sealant038.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/blonzz/Sealant042.jpg

[DaveH]

Blonzz - that looks fantastic - nice job. What did you use as sealant?

[blonzz]

Blonzz - that looks fantastic - nice job. What did you use as sealant?

Thanks,

The sealer was recommended and purchased from Lock-Tile.

Andeck CLEARCOAT 44 (http://www.andek.com/H%20CLEARCOAT%2044%20PRINT.htm)

It also makes the dovetail joint seams watertight.

John

[DaveH]

Thanks Blonzz - I'm about to pull a trigger on this myself. Garage is 40 x 22 so I fear this could get a little pricey, but based on your pics it'll be worth it. I've researched a lot of floor tile systems and I really like the looks of the Race Deck. Any installation tips based on your experience (i.e. wish I'd known this before I started)?

[ky-mike]

Install tips -

Have a pair of gloves and a rubber mallet for use when installing the tiles. The tiles lock together, but can use some help from the mallet. Gloves will protect your hands from the sometimes sharp plastic edges. Also, a set of knee pads or a pad to kneel on would have saved me a lot of discomfort.

Read the instructions first. Start from your straightest wall and work from there. I didn't and if you look hard you can see that it is not perfectly aligned with the garage opening.

Measure twice, cut once. I ruined one piece of tile by not ensuring that it was oriented properly before trimming it to fit around a corner. The tiles cut easily with a jigsaw. I used a silver sharpie marker and a straight-edge to mark mine for cuts. For complex cuts, I used a 12" by 12" piece of cardboard cut from one of the shipping boxes to make a template prior to cutting. This saves a lot of trial and error when cutting the tile. If you mess up the cardboard, get another scrap piece and start over.

If you are following a pattern with different colors, lay out one row at a time before you attach the tiles. This way you don't have to think about the next color - just snap together.

Remember to leave a gap around the edges for expansion of the tiles. I didn't and I get a slight bowing in the tiles when the summer sun shines on them. I need to go back and cut about a half inch off of the tiles along one wall to keep this from recurring next summer.

[DaveH]

Mike:

This is really useful - I appreciate the advice.
I'm toying with the idea of laying them on a diagonal which I know makes this more complex (in terms of cuts), but in previous ceramic tiles I've had in my homes, I really like the look. It also takes away any concerns about how "square" your garage walls are to each other.

[mikeyr]

so how do they hold up to welding?
They don't at least not the racedeck ones and I assume all the others don't either. I have lots of MIG burn holes in mine and also sparks from grinding and plasma cutting have damaged them but not at least not burned like MIG splatter did. I have had mine for almost 3 years now and then have held up well for everything else, they have not buckled under the weight of my lift and floor jacks, etc. have not harmed them. The casters from the lift cut them a little did but that is to be expected from that much weight. I have really nice jackstands that have a pad on the bottom so it has not hurt the tiles any, wish I could find more of those stands but I don't have a brand name. I think the tiles are nice but if you are restoring your car, wait until its finished to buy the tiles to show off the car, I didn't and can show you the damage when I used the MIG. On the good side :) it caused me to buy a TIG

[dboat]

A Race Deck representative was at the National Street Rod Show in Louisville, Ky a week ago. She had product on display and offered a very good price - $2.69 SF delivered if I ordered 500 SF or more or $2.99 SF for under 500 SF. Retail is $3.75 SF plus delivery. (This shows what kind of margins they are working with).

My garage is about 460 SF. With the pricing, it was cheaper to order 500 SF than 460 SF, so I did. This gives me about 40 SF to use for repairs to damaged tiles or for laying out on my aggregate driveway (I hate laying on that stuff) when working under the car.

I expect delivery later this week and will post pictures once it is installed.

Now I just need to get the garage cleaned out and painted prior to installation.

Who was this dealer? I wouldnt mind contacting them to see about pricing.
Thanks
Dana

[ky-mike]

The rep was from Race Deck. They are located in Utah. I don't have their number, but you can probably get it off of their website and call them directly.

[MYTOYZ]

Are the tiles easy to remove once the sealer has been applied? I really want to put down some tiles that I can take to my next garage and the sealant looks like it makes a big difference.

Thanks

[mikeyr]

clean and polish them and you don't need sealer. I wash my floor 2 or 3 times a year with a mop and Mr.Clean (first I throw on some laquer thinner on the big oil spots), the mopping gives it a nice polish and its nice and shiny for a few days.

One thing to think about before doing this guys, do you work in your shop or is it a showplace ? If I had to do it over again, I would NOT have the racedeck, can't weld, have to be careful grinding, its not a workshop floor, its a showroom floor. Well maybe a workshop if you are a wood worker but certainly not a metal worker or car restorer. Having said that, I sure love mine racedeck floor, every now and then, I just sit back and enjoy the gorgeous floor especially on cold winter days and I am out there with a nice warm floor instead of cold concrete. Still, if you are heavy duty working on your car think hard before you buy this. I had to buy some welding blankets to lay on the floor to protect it when I grind or weld and its a pain.

advantages and disadvantages...you figure out the most important to you. Me it would have been some paint on the floor if I had thought it all out first, it does look GOOD though.

[dboat]

clean and polish them and you don't need sealer. I wash my floor 2 or 3 times a year with a mop and Mr.Clean (first I throw on some laquer thinner on the big oil spots), the mopping gives it a nice polish and its nice and shiny for a few days.

One thing to think about before doing this guys, do you work in your shop or is it a showplace ? If I had to do it over again, I would NOT have the racedeck, can't weld, have to be careful grinding, its not a workshop floor, its a showroom floor. Well maybe a workshop if you are a wood worker but certainly not a metal worker or car restorer. Having said that, I sure love mine racedeck floor, every now and then, I just sit back and enjoy the gorgeous floor especially on cold winter days and I am out there with a nice warm floor instead of cold concrete. Still, if you are heavy duty working on your car think hard before you buy this. I had to buy some welding blankets to lay on the floor to protect it when I grind or weld and its a pain.

advantages and disadvantages...you figure out the most important to you. Me it would have been some paint on the floor if I had thought it all out first, it does look GOOD though.

MikeyR,
I dont weld, do light work on the truck and cars, and live in a cold climate. How much warmer will RaceDeck be than my frozed floor come winter?
Dana

[lkirchner]

They don't at least not the racedeck ones and I assume all the others don't either. I have lots of MIG burn holes in mine and also sparks from grinding and plasma cutting have damaged them but not at least not burned like MIG splatter did. I have had mine for almost 3 years now and then have held up well for everything else, they have not buckled under the weight of my lift and floor jacks, etc. have not harmed them. The casters from the lift cut them a little did but that is to be expected from that much weight. I have really nice jackstands that have a pad on the bottom so it has not hurt the tiles any, wish I could find more of those stands but I don't have a brand name. I think the tiles are nice but if you are restoring your car, wait until its finished to buy the tiles to show off the car, I didn't and can show you the damage when I used the MIG. On the good side :) it caused me to buy a TIG

I have a question regarding the Race Deck tiles. In order to shorten the install time I went with the Heavy duty sheet flooring from BLT. I do not like the fact that it does expand and contract due to temperature changes but it is something that I can tolerate. What I really can't stand is the fact that the tires stain the material and once it is staned there is nothing that will remove it. Have you had any staining problems with the Race Deck tiles?

Thanks,

Lou K

[mikeyr]

First answer is the racedeck tiles being off the ground by 1/2" and with 3/8" air gap (those are guesses but close) do insulate the floor somewhat. Don't get me wrong they are never warm but I remember laying down an old blanket in the winter to lay on when working on the car and now I never do. They just don't seem to get cold. My wife noticed it also when going out there in the early morning hours to get something from the washer/drier that the tiles were warmer on her bare feet then the old days of cold concrete. It just feels nicer when on your back under the car.

Second is no, I have had nothing stain the floor yet. I even have a section under my 4-post lift that is all white to reflect light back up under the lift and I park my daily driver there everyday (ok, its a FIAT so its not a every day driver but close) and it has V-rated tires on it, I mention that because a friend of mine whose non-racedeck tiles got stained, were only damaged by V-rated tires and not lower performance tires, that manufacturer stated it was the different rubber compound in higher performance tires that caused the stains. I have no idea if that is true or not, just something I heard.

My racedeck tiles have only been damaged by weld splatter and sliding a sharp legged metal bench on them. I did have a problem with one piece of machinery that was not properly adjusted and put too much weight on one foot and dimpled one tile but it fixed itself and I adjusted the equipment so that it was equal weight on all 4 rubber feet and no more problems.

[SANDOVAL]

I used the Wood floor install kit Costco sells. It is a foam barrier with two sheets of plastic. The plastic has a double sided tape to help while rolling the floor out. It worked out really well it also eliminates the clacking sound the plastic tiles create against the concrete. The kits around $25 I used 3 boxes in a 450 sqft garage and half a box left over.

[nvrlift]

After using that wood floor kit from Costco, how do you find it deals with moisture in that situation? If you brought a car in after the rain, and you get water under the racedeck tiles, don't you end up with a moisture issue with that foam and plastic underneath? Mainly over time I am thinking....wont that become some type of mold trap over the years?