VCT tile now done. Looks great!

[curlyws6]

Jason (and others with VCT)..... Since some of you have had your VCT for a while, does marking from tires / etc show bad on VCT?

I have just ordered samples from Armstrong of the 'safety zone' series since i do use this shop for parties, etc. I just want to make sure that it is not real slippery.

 

[icnsltmfg]

I just put sealer and wax down on the floor and it looks great. Does not seem slippery, but has a great shine. I did use a sealer first to help prevent staining. I did go with the ZEP products ( http://www.zepcommercial.com/pages/catalogpages/floor.html ) (Sealer and Wet Look Polish)

 

[SteveB]

Jason (and others with VCT)..... Since some of you have had your VCT for a while, does marking from tires / etc show bad on VCT?



Yes, especially the sticky compound performance tires. In only a couple of days the tires will leave a brown stain on VCT which can be a real PIA to remove.

 

[curlyws6]

If I go with VCT, I guess it would be in my best interest to go with a darker tile in areas that will see tires most of the same. The more I look at VCT, the better I like it .

 

[Mike]

Those with VCT.........any opinions how it might hold up with a gravel driveway that puts gravel in tires?

 

[Smokey]

Those with VCT.........any opinions how it might hold up with a gravel driveway that puts gravel in tires?

x 2 !! Gravel here too

Also for those that have it; The install instructions say that "During the service life of the floor the temperature should never fall below 55°F". Are you guys complying with that? If not has it been an issue with durability of either the tile or the install?

I'd love to do this, but the temp restriction is a major concern! Thanks

 

[nu guy ky]

LOOKS GREAT I posted about epoxy But after seing the outcome of your floor and reading the post here I'm thinking this will be the way I go..

Thanks for posting

 

[Mac Attack]

Yes, especially the sticky compound performance tires. In only a couple of days the tires will leave a brown stain on VCT which can be a real PIA to remove.

How do you remove the brown stain? Replace the tile? I've tried lots of chemicals on my stains....

 

[SteveB]

I don't even bother with the tire stain if its on the darker tiles. My layout was designed so that I can park 2 cars on black VCT where they're not as prominent.

I try and stay on top of things if my lighter tiles get the dreaded brown spot. I've found that #0000 (extra fine) steel wool soaked in Armstrong Floor Cleaner and applied vigorously usually gets most of it. Then I use a splash of Armstrong Floor Polish to renew the shine.

Its a garage. I refuse to let a few character stains bother me. There will be more, guaranteed.

 

[Smokey]

Also for those that have it; The install instructions say that "During the service life of the floor the temperature should never fall below 55°F". Are you guys complying with that? If not has it been an issue with durability of either the tile or the install?

I'd love to do this, but the temp restriction is a major concern! Thanks

Bump.... What's your thoughts on the temp restriction? I've got some time off next week and think it might be a good project to work on!

 

[Jason B]

Jason B - What did you fill the expansion joints with? In you last photo - is that concrete or is something under the tile?

That's just the driveway you are looking at in front of the garage.

 

[Jason B]

Jason (and others with VCT)..... Since some of you have had your VCT for a while, does marking from tires / etc show bad on VCT?

.

AS another member said in another post:

"Try also a clear acetate sheet- like for an overhead projector. They will protect your floor from tire marks and remain relatively un-noticed. Pick them up at Staples or Office Depot."

I think this is a great idea!

 

[SteveB]

Bump.... What's your thoughts on the temp restriction? I've got some time off next week and think it might be a good project to work on!

I don't know what to tell you regarding a cool weather install. The supplier I used advised warm weather so that the tiles were compliant (open each box and leave them in the sun for at least an hour immediately prior to laying, flexible and easier to cut) and the adhesive would cure properly.

My garage is unheated and in the coldest indoor temps last winter of 40* F experienced no chipping, lifting, cracking, even though I used it a great deal. Going into my second winter I have no concerns regarding low temperature useage.

Installing VCT in less than 55* F ..............................

.... don't know.

 

[Smokey]

Thanks SteveB.

Wasn't too worried about the install temp, I can control that with my array of heaters, it was the service life temp I was wondering about.

I'm unheated and we see a few months of around freezing and below temps up here in the hills. Glad to hear you've had no issues.

Do you have an opinion about gravel drives and the VCT? Tiles holding up well where you drive repeatedly over them?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SteveB]

Smokey, I have a paved laneway, very little gravel around here. I suspect that gravel will dull the finish on VCT with repeated passes but a shot of polish seems to bring back the shine on any surfaces that I have marked.

I'm thinking my creeper metal wheels, scuffs from dragging heavy stuff, spills including a near full dropped bottle of fine Canadian Whisky, all left their marks but cleaned up real nice. Over a period of time I'm guessing that the abrasive nature of gravel will have an affect on the finish. Whether a mopped on shot of polish will do the trick , don't know. Perhaps one of those professional polishers may be required if you want to return that just like new shine.

I've now stuffed 3 cars into a 2 car garage. In 16 months of useage I've seen no wear marks from day to day useage.

Once again, I've provided you with no answer.

 

[Smokey]

Once again, I've provided you with no answer.

Yes but, you've come clean about that little alcohol problem of yours Spilling fine CW!!

I've got about 450' of gravel drive and I'm constantly sweeping out the garage as it is. I would think the abrasive nature of the gravel "fines" would take a toll on the tiles them self, not only the shine.

Guess it'll have to wait until I win the lottery and can afford to pave the drive

Once again, appreciate your efforts and good luck with the winter!

 

[curlyws6]

My floor will need some flattening/leveling (a few high spots that I can see will need attention) before I can go with VCT. Of those of you that have had to level floors, how hard was it and what tools did you have to use? What's the best way to tell that your floor is flat?

 

[camarojoe]

Hey guys... I haven't been here in a long time since finishing my garage, but to add a few notes of "experience" after having VCT in my garage for a couple years now, I have found that the biggest problem is indeed finding a suitable way to keep the tires from marking the floor... When you get stains they are nearly impossible to remove, I have actually taken 320 grit sandpaper to the floor in attempts to totally remove the orangish stains... after doing this a couple times even WITH small rugs under each tire, I came up with this solution... its a little more expensive than transparancy sheets (a good idea btw!) but I think it looks pretty cool since my garage cabinets also feature polished diamond plate. I had some 1'x2" sheets cut and the edges beveled, and they work pretty well. I put some adhesive felt on the back to keep the plates themselves from scratching my floor polish. In general, VCT is pretty nice stuff, stays pretty decent, and I have yet to ever strip the floor... when it gets pretty scuffed and scratched looking I throw a few more coats of Armstrong polish on it and buff it out with my DeWalt buffer on my hands and knees... sort of a PITA, but it really brings up the shine. I'm thinking in the spring I may clear everything out of the shop and attept to strip all the layers of polish and start over, as I THINK I'm starting to see evidence of the multiple layers of polish turning slightly yellow... I just KNOW stripping it is gonna be a nightmare though, so I'll decide in the spring! Anyhow, here's some pics of my treadplate idea for preventing tire stains.

 

[North of 40]

Re: Filling Expansion Joints prior to laying VCT

I too have an expansion joint that runs width wise right through the middle of my Garage.

What would you all suggest I fill this with prior to laying the VCT?

Thanks

 

[camarojoe]

If both edges of the expansion joint are level with each other and its not a very wide gap (1/2" or less) you can just lay your VCT right over it. When I poured my floor i had them put 4 saw cuts in a T formation right through the middle of my floor... when I VCT'd it I just tiled right over the cuts... been there for over 2 years now and no problems... I even tiled over floor drains and cut out the holes... The vinyl tile DOES have a bit of flexibility and can accomodate some minor floor imperfections.

 

[Workinprogress]

What are teh cross sectional dimensions of the aluminum threshold? I found some that is similar at Home Depot, but not long enough. I'm looking for other sources if at all possible.

Thanks,
Grant

After:

For any of you that want to do VCT tile, this is a great write-up to follow!

http://www.burtmanindustries.com/images/garage/vct_install.pdf - print it out and get started!

 

[Chuck W.]

I have lain over 900 square feet of VCT (Vinyl Composite Tile) following the instructions of this post. I have sealed, waxed.

I still get to rent a 17-inch high-speed polisher to put the final touch and mirror like finish on it.

Thanks;

 

[Chuck W.]

What are teh cross sectional dimensions of the aluminum threshold? I found some that is similar at Home Depot, but not long enough. I'm looking for other sources if at all possible.
Thanks,
Grant

They come in 8 foot lengths. I was able to cut a piece and **** the two pieces up to one another so there is a very fine seam.

 

[FPM]

Living in Pa, I assume this application holds well in cold weather. I live in the Chicago area and have been looking to finish my garage. This seems like a very nice yet cost effective solution if it holds up in cold weather. Do you think it will?

 

[Jason B]

Living in Pa, I assume this application holds well in cold weather. I live in the Chicago area and have been looking to finish my garage. This seems like a very nice yet cost effective solution if it holds up in cold weather. Do you think it will?

Yep, no worries. My pics are posted at the top of this page and I'm in PA. Where in PA are you? I have 2 friends that live here also that had this installed for over 5+ years with no issues.

ChuckW, what kind of wax did you use on your floor and did you mop it on???

 

[FPM]

Yep, no worries. My pics are posted at the top of this page and I'm in PA. Where in PA are you? I have 2 friends that live here also that had this installed for over 5+ years with no issues.

ChuckW, what kind of wax did you use on your floor and did you mop it on???

Maybe I didn't articulate my message well. I live in the Chicago area, and when I saw the post stating this application was done in PA, I was addressing the fact that PA also gets cold in the winter. I originally had a concern that it would not hold up in cold weather. I think this floor looks great, and it's the least expensive one I've seen so far. I'm definitely going to try this in the spring.

FP

 

[Jason B]

Ahh cool. Well, you don't have to worry. I researched this for about 3 months about cold weather, etc, and you don't have to worry. Just don't install it when it's below 55 degrees.

 

[WolverineCoatings]

That's some awesome workmanship on the VCT!

 

[Maxfli500]

I am considering this floor as an option. One concern I have is right adjacent to the garage is the Kennel. Radiant floor supply and return lines run under the garage floor to get to the kennel. This has 2 effects:

1) The garage stays pretty warm, rarely below 55. I question if the builder sufficently insulated the Radiant floor lines prior to the concrete pour, as a heated garage had not been in my plans (hind sight though is it pretty nice). So I have a warm line in the floor where the temp is probably 70 to 75 degrees.

2) It is hard to tell, but seems as if the warm area of the floor always gives off a little moisture (maybe condensation???).

Would any of you think this radiant issue would cause a problem with the VCT, or any floor coating.

 

[Jason B]

I am considering this floor as an option. One concern I have is right adjacent to the garage is the Kennel. Radiant floor supply and return lines run under the garage floor to get to the kennel. This has 2 effects:

1) The garage stays pretty warm, rarely below 55. I question if the builder sufficently insulated the Radiant floor lines prior to the concrete pour, as a heated garage had not been in my plans (hind sight though is it pretty nice). So I have a warm line in the floor where the temp is probably 70 to 75 degrees.

2) It is hard to tell, but seems as if the warm area of the floor always gives off a little moisture (maybe condensation???).

Would any of you think this radiant issue would cause a problem with the VCT, or any floor coating.

I wouldn't think. 75 degree's isn't a problem. Remember, also, the glue you put down to install the VCT helps act as a moisture barrier on it's own to a degree. I'm here in PA, and have 3-4 friends who have had this in their garage for 5+ years. And that means 90+ degree's in the summer, and probably 45 degree's in the winter. I don't think you need to worry.

 

[Maxfli500]

Thanks for the response. Your floor looks great. Will have to wait till the budget allows me to get it done. Its a large 3 car garage.

 

[Chuck W.]

ChuckW, what kind of wax did you use on your floor and did you mop it on???

Jason

I am so sorry for the late responce. I was out of town and I am just clearing up my emails

The wax I used was "Tri Valley Diamond Gloss 35". It is a local companies that they have repackaged. No idea who orig made it. I use Husky Multi-Porpose Rejunenator with the 2000 RPM high speed polisher.

It took three coats to get a shine. I don't think you can go wrong with any wax as long as you stay up on the up keep. It appears it will take some work, but I enjoy waxing and cleaning.

I used a paint roller locked in place to apply the sealer and wax. Without locking the roller down it would cause bubbles.

Hope this helps,

Chuck

 

[Fastbird]

Ok, this thread has sparked my interest. I'm curious since it hasn't seemed to be mentioned in great detail: FLoor prep. From what I've seen this is pretty much a sweep and dry and glue the tiles down kind of deal. But what about oil stains, ect. Would I be looking at a prep similar to doing an epoxy floor, or is the adhesive for these more resilient?

 

[Kevin54]

I like the looks of the floor. Jason...you say that you are in PA. How does it hold up against salt, grit, etc. I am guessings your did/is? I would like to do that in the house garage, but I live in the country. When there is a skiff of snow, the trucks come by spreading grit down. Just a little larger than sand, but it is stone, along with calcium. It so bad that people have slid thru the intersection across the road from me. I sweep it in the spring and there is quite a few pounds down. So grit in the garage would be a problem with me. Usually I try to hit the carwash before pulling into the garage but there are the cases that the stuff don't fall until it thaws out from under the car. Now in my garage, I definately know that one side will get it, as I really don't park there. So it is going to get redone in the Spring with taking my gas pumps out there and doing a little redecorating. BTW...your floor does look great!!!.

Kevin

 

[SteveB]

Ok, this thread has sparked my interest. I'm curious since it hasn't seemed to be mentioned in great detail: FLoor prep. From what I've seen this is pretty much a sweep and dry and glue the tiles down kind of deal. But what about oil stains, ect. Would I be looking at a prep similar to doing an epoxy floor, or is the adhesive for these more resilient?

I had a 15 year old concrete floor, no major cracks but a couple of nasty oil stains (previous owner naturally ). I used a grease cutting dish detergent with hot water to soak up the main portion of the oil stains. It took about 7-8 repetitions with a whack of paper towels. The whole concrete floor was swept, given a blast of diluted muriatic acid, rinsed with clean water a couple of times and then, when thoroughly dried, the adhesive was trowelled on.

EDIT I just remembered that I rolled on a thin coating of Armstrong Primer before the adhesive was put down.

That was the extent of my prep. The muriatic acid was probably overkill but it isn't expensive and I wanted to do this job just once. Its been a year and a half, into my second winter where our daily temps hover around freezing or just below, and my garage is insulated but not heated. The coldest my wall thermometer has indicated in there was 40F. There have been no issues with lifting, cracking or peeling of any tiles. The summers here regularly register temperatures in the high 90's.

These photos may help a little.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/281382/14

 

[The Alchemist]

Well, I'm sold on doing VCT in the garage and would like to do before I get the four post lift. What I haven't seen is how cold can the concrete be before it's too cold for the adhesive to set?

My garage has yet to dip below 50 degrees this year, and rarely does, even on the coldest of days here in PA. Is 50 degrees too cold? I can get it up to 60-65 without too much drama, but that's simply the ambient air temp, it would take a while to bring the concrete up higher.

Should I wait till early spring to do this? Say when the ambient temp is closer to 60-65?

Thanks.

 

[Fastbird]

I had a 15 year old concrete floor, no major cracks but a couple of nasty oil stains (previous owner naturally ). I used a grease cutting dish detergent with hot water to soak up the main portion of the oil stains. It took about 7-8 repetitions with a whack of paper towels. The whole concrete floor was swept, given a blast of diluted muriatic acid, rinsed with clean water a couple of times and then, when thoroughly dried, the adhesive was trowelled on.

EDIT I just remembered that I rolled on a thin coating of Armstrong Primer before the adhesive was put down.

That was the extent of my prep. The muriatic acid was probably overkill but it isn't expensive and I wanted to do this job just once. Its been a year and a half, into my second winter where our daily temps hover around freezing or just below, and my garage is insulated but not heated. The coldest my wall thermometer has indicated in there was 40F. There have been no issues with lifting, cracking or peeling of any tiles. The summers here regularly register temperatures in the high 90's.

These photos may help a little.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/281382/14

That really helps!! I hope to forge ahead with this next year....if I can find a VCT dealer in the St. Louis area.........

 

[cadn24]

Someone had mentioned cutting designs in the tile -- I found this page while looking for some pricing on the tile and thought it might give some ideas....

http://www.waterjetsunlimited.com/flooring-content.html

The garages look great guys!! I'm hoping to get to working on mine sometime in the near future...on the list of sooooo many projects in this house.

 

[gcan]

I love the look and am envious of what I would assume would be easy daily clean up once it is installed. But I have a question - I am in the process of restoring a car, it has been on jack stands for two months and most likely will need to be on stands at various times and for various periods over the next year or so, I also use a creeper, a floor jack, and do a good bit of grinding during the restoration so my question is would the floor hold up?
I would assume you could put a plate or something similar under the stands but even then wonder if it would dent or mark the tile.

As I stated the floor's pictured here look great and I'm not trying to find holes in the application but do any of you do similar work in your garages with this floor that can tell me how it's holding up?

Thanks in advance for any input

 

[Mac Attack]

Rolling creepers and jacks may put some light scratches in the VCT, but those will come out with polishing later.

If you leave your car up on jackstands for an extended period of time, I would use more than just an extra tile under the stands as suggested elsewhere. I put a vehicle that weighs 2700 lbs up on four stands for five days with only one extra tile under each stand. It left some impressions on the floor when I brought it down. It wasn't a problem for only a day. I would suggest some wood under each stand for extended periods of time.

I attached pics on the next page.