Race Deck vs Floor Junkies

[Jeff]

I'm in the final stages of selecting a tile floor for my shop. I've got it narrowed down to Race Deck and Floor Junkies.

Both tiles are 12"x12"x12"x0.5" and Made in USA. The underside rib structure is designed differently but they both provide good support. I put both tiles on the floor and did some "tapping" with my feets. They both "clack" a bit when tapping on them.

There is a slight gloss on the Race Deck tiles, while the Floor Junkies have a satin finish and no gloss. I'm still deciding on diamond pattern or coin/circle pattern.

Many have said on here to go with Race Deck as they have a superior product and support GJ. The differences I see in the tiles are minor. I'm having a hard time justifying the $500 price difference.

Race Deck: $1100 w/ free shipping
Floor Junkies: $600 w/ free shipping

What does the forum say?

 

[rwhite692]

That is a pretty substantial price difference.

I would be inclined to order up like six tiles of each, so that you can judge how tightly they snap together, how the seams between each tile look (in terms of uniformity) and maybe do an informal test, like putting a stack of cement blocks on each and checking for deformation after a few days. Maybe do a few informal chemical resistance tests as well, things like that.

Also, does the Floor Junkies brand offer all of the edging components, etc, like racedeck does?

 

[Jeff]

Also, does the Floor Junkies brand offer all of the edging components, etc, like racedeck does?

Yes, and better pricing as well.

 

[Rudyjr]

Just curious, what is the weight difference between the tiles? It appears that the grey tile is much thinner by looking at the underside compared to the RaceDeck tile. It is hard to tell from the photos but if it is that much thinner how will it hold up to the weight of floor jacks and tool boxes? I do not own either one, but I would like to do my floor in the future.

 

[iatros]

Also look into Garagedeck... similar price point.
http://bigfloors.com

 

[les_garten]

The gloss on the Racedeck won't last long, or won't be visible long. It gets some dirt and dust on it and doesn't look shiny like that very long. It may clean back up to it though. I don't really fawn over mine. It gets kinda buff quick. What is the warranty? I know RD is like 15 years no questions asked. The ribbing does look thinner on the Floor Junkies. RD also makes a lower end tile as well that is considerably less. You did check the discount we get at Garage Journal?

 

[Jeff]

The gloss on the Racedeck won't last long, or won't be visible long. It gets some dirt and dust on it and doesn't look shiny like that very long. It may clean back up to it though. I don't really fawn over mine. It gets kinda buff quick. What is the warranty? I know RD is like 15 years no questions asked. The ribbing does look thinner on the Floor Junkies. RD also makes a lower end tile as well that is considerably less. You did check the discount we get at Garage Journal?

12 year warranty on Floor Junkies.

The quote I received from RD was for the lower end tile w/ discounts. I don't even want to tell you what the quote was for the premium tile.

I was just @ Lowe's and checked out their tiles. 18"x18"x1/4" solid rubber interlocking tiles. Very nice, but $10 a sq ft.

 

[Jeff]

Also look into Garagedeck... similar price point.
http://bigfloors.com

Thanks for the link! Nice stuff in their overstock section.

But damn, the edging is super expensive. $1.79 per 3" section. I'll need 204" of edging which is 68 pieces. $121.72 just for 17' of edging. Plus I don't see how 3" strips of edging till hold up along the shop door. Not enough support.

 

[les_garten]

12 year warranty on Floor Junkies.

The quote I received from RD was for the lower end tile w/ discounts. I don't even want to tell you what the quote was for the premium tile.

I was just @ Lowe's and checked out their tiles. 18"x18"x1/4" solid rubber interlocking tiles. Very nice, but $10 a sq ft.

Hmmm, interesting. Drop me a PM with your SQ foot pricing, we'll compare numbers.

Thanks for the link! Nice stuff in their overstock section.

But damn, the edging is super expensive. $1.79 per 3" section. I'll need 204" of edging which is 68 pieces. $121.72 just for 17' of edging. Plus I don't see how 3" strips of edging till hold up along the shop door. Not enough support.

3" edging seems strange? Why would they do 3" edging on 12" tile??

The RD edging is 12" as I'm sure you know. That pricing is outrageous on the edging for sure and about 6x what I paid for RD premium. I think there has to be a misquote there?? At that rate the edging is several times the cost of the individual tiles.

 

[Matt M PA]

I have Sportcourt tiles in my attached. They are "clickety" when walked upon, but have held up well. I liked the pattern better, and they were much cheaper when I went with them years ago.

Now, my detached has been up for a couple years and I'd really like to do something nicer with the floor. I also really liked the ones at Lowe's that are more like a rubber...but they do are out of my range these days. (At something like 850sq ft, most of the Race Deck, Tuff Seal, etc are just more than I can swing these days.)

 

[Jeff]

I just reviewed my RD quote again. $1044 for 290 basic diamond tiles w/ edges. $3.60 sq. ft plus shipping.

Floor Junkies quote is $614 w/ edges. $2.12 sq.ft. w/ free shipping.

I also tracked down the owner of bigfloors.com and its Snap Lock, which owns RD.

 

[les_garten]

I just reviewed my RD quote again. $1044 for 290 basic diamond tiles w/ edges. $3.60 sq. ft plus shipping.

Floor Junkies quote is $614 w/ edges. $2.12 sq.ft. w/ free shipping.

I also tracked down the owner of bigfloors.com and its Snap Lock, which owns RD.

Those RD numbers are way more than what I paid just a few months ago.

A LOT DIFFERENT

also shipping was free on my RD.

RD doesn't like their numbers posted online. I'll PM them.

You are definitely talking to the wrong person at RD.

Unless they've changed their price radically lately.

 

[Jeff]

RD doesn't like their numbers posted online. I'll PM them.

Should I be worried about posting my quote?

I mean, what are they gonna do? Shave my head? Take away my Birthday? Send me to Okinawa?

 

[Brentocool]

Where does the dirt and grime go with these tiles? Do you have to pull them up here and there and clean?

 

[les_garten]

Should I be worried about posting my quote?

I mean, what are they gonna do? Shave my head? Take away my Birthday? Send me to Okinawa?

Okinawa ain't bad...

 

[les_garten]

Where does the dirt and grime go with these tiles? Do you have to pull them up here and there and clean?

Those tiles fit tight and it you drop water on a seem, it just sits there in a puddle, I don't see how much dirt can get down there if water has a hard time getting between the tiles. Surface tension impedes the water pretty well.

 

[Jeff]

Okinawa ain't bad...

No it wasn't. But I was an 18 year old Marine with nothing but beer and ***** on the brain. I did manage to visit Hong Kong, Thailand, Korea, Mainland Japan, and the Philippines, but those trips were drunken stupors as well.

The wife and I are planning a trip to Naha next year.

 

[Red Leader]

Hmm, I'm really interested in this topic as well.

It looks like the Floor Junkies and Garage Deck are right around the same price point at $2/sq ft.

Any warranty info on the Garage Junkies stuff?

 

[ViperJon]

When I priced RaceDeck a few months ago the prices were much lower a sq foot on the basic tiles than quoted above with free shipping. Are you sure you didn't price "Tuffshield" tiles, they are a buck a sq foot more.

 

[RaceDeck1]

I have sat on the sidelines for most of this thread as I never bash a specific competitor. It appears that that there are many claims made about us and our competitors that are cloudy at best ( the pricing above does not seem correct for RaceDeck diamond? )

What I can say about RaceDeck is
-that we are the 'only' garage flooring manufacturers their products 100% in-house from engineering to the shipping it out the door

-We have been around longer than anyone and certainly longer than our competitors claimed warranty's

- Our garage flooring has never been nor ever will be made or designed in China ( important distinction here, it is only in recent months that this particular company started claiming made in USA)

- Other than being square, there is nothing similar to our products. What I mean by that is the patent structure, patent locking system, raw materials, and manufacturing process's etc.. are engineered and built for the garage Environment . There have been many many many competitors who have come and gone over the last few years that claimed to be the same but cheaper..

- If you are looking for an affordable good quality, made in the USA residential product at an import price ( though far superior than cheap copies / imports ) ..check out BigFloors.com

- IF you are looking for what we feel is the best available modular flooring product line at a super great GJ Member deal, you know how to reach me.

http://www.racedeck.com/epoxy.html

 

[poundsand]

What I can say about RaceDeck is
-that we are the 'only' garage flooring manufacturers their products 100% in-house from engineering to the shipping it out the door

-We have been around longer than anyone and certainly longer than our competitors claimed warranty's

- Our garage flooring has never been nor ever will be made or designed in China ( important distinction here, it is only in recent months that this particular company started claiming made in USA)

- Other than being square, there is nothing similar to our products. What I mean by that is the patent structure, patent locking system, raw materials, and manufacturing process's etc.. are engineered and built for the garage Environment . There have been many many many competitors who have come and gone over the last few years that claimed to be the same but cheaper..

- If you are looking for an affordable good quality, made in the USA residential product at an import price ( though far superior than cheap copies / imports ) ..check out BigFloors.com

also in the market for (inexpensive) flooring- the above is all nice and good and all, but do you have specifics about how the cheaper bigfloors.com products, such as garagedeck, is actually superior to the floorjunkies.com product?

thanks!

 

[les_garten]

also in the market for (inexpensive) flooring- the above is all nice and good and all, but do you have specifics about how the cheaper bigfloors.com products, such as garagedeck, is actually superior to the floorjunkies.com product?

thanks!

I guess you are expecting to SNAG HOOK a Grouper with this post?

1) Joined a few days ago?
2) First Post?
3) Handle is PoundSand?

Maybe it's me, but I'm thinkin' you are a competitor? I don't know.

You can see in those pix that were posted that there is a whole lot less meat under those tiles(Junkies) that were compared. A LOT LESS

The pic of the surface kinda makes them look like they are made out of sawdust.

Maybe Plastic dust?

There is a long track record here of how RD does things.

Maybe the other company will be around in 30 years or so and then we can compare them...

Also, if he talks to Jorgen(or his rep) on the phone, he'll see he was mis-quoted, methinks. That would bring the pricing much closer together for the Diamond Race Deck.

I have no affiliation with RD other than I bought a Floor from them, I'm happy, and I think I got a decent deal on it relatively speaking.

Every Company I have ran, my number one goal was to turn my customers into my best salesman. I kinda think RD feels this way too.

I don't know anything about the other company, they may be awesome, but the pic of the tile looks inferior to RD tiles to me. Jut my opinion.

I do think all these tiles are overpriced no matter who sells them.

China has Engineers and Chemists. There is no reason why they couldn't make an identical product and sell it cheaper, with one exception...

The Chinese can't resist the idea of cutting corners and quality.

I've bought a lot of high end Chinese Audio gear. I've worked with these companies doing development and done their repair work in the US. The good ones still miss the boat with little things like switches, connectors, casing, and occasionally low ball Capacitors that cause them no end of problems. When they get it right though, you can get a $12,000 piece of Audio gear for around $1000.

But they just can't resist cutting corners. Their Chinese market is used to inferior junk, and I don't think they fully understand Western thinking as regards quality.

The reason I went on the Chinese rant, is it seems a lot of these RD knock-offs "are/may" be Chinese. There have been some threads here where plastic tiles were bought and when it arrived, the box said, " Made in China". It's a **** shoot whether the "Made in China" stuff will hold up for 15 years like Jorgen warranties his. I'm thinkin' collecting on that warranty could be problematic.

I have always questioned companies that have been in business a short time and made Lifetime Warranty claims or Long Warranty claims.

 

[Jeff]

I did follow-up with RD and the price remained the same.

I was referred to the bigfloors.com website, which is a part of RD. The Garage Deck tiles looked exactly like the Floor Junkies tiles @ 1.99 sq. ft.

All I wanted was info and advice on my shop flooring purchase. I didn't realize that RD has such a big influence on GJ, including sending new members in to tout their products with written fluff.

GJ has always been 'the' place for good tool and shop information. Now I'm not so sure.

 

[Carl B]

Just curious, what is the weight difference between the tiles? It appears that the grey tile is much thinner by looking at the underside compared to the RaceDeck tile. It is hard to tell from the photos but if it is that much thinner how will it hold up to the weight of floor jacks and tool boxes? I do not own either one, but I would like to do my floor in the future.

Good question and good observation. The gray tile is thin enough that you can see circle pattern from the back side. Looking at the picture it would seem that the gray tile uses quite a bit less material.

May be a case of "you get what you pay for".

I'm also surprised that with several people here saying the RD quoted prices are wrong - the OP still insists that it is correct. Wonder what is up with that????

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[Carl B]

All I wanted was info and advice on my shop flooring purchase. I didn't realize that RD has such a big influence on GJ, including sending new members in to tout their products with written fluff.

GJ has always been 'the' place for good tool and shop information. Now I'm not so sure.

Hi Jeff:
I'm not a new member - been a member since 2006. I'd say that most members responded to your question with their honest opinions. The Race Deck floor pictured looks like it is stronger/thicker - and it's not all that much more expensive than the cheaper alternative.

If price is your main criteria - then buy the cheapest stuff you can find. It may well be your best choice.

If you really wanted an engineering analysis of the two -maybe this isn't the best place to come.

I have a Race Deck floor in my garage - I'm very happy with it. I'm not here to tout any product - and my opinion is based on ownership and use of the product. If you think that is written fluff - well that's fine with me.

For Others Following The Thread:
I think some people just want their decision supported - and it seems that they aren't happy when that is not the case.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[poundsand]

I guess you are expecting to SNAG HOOK a Grouper with this post?

um, no- i'm hoping for info to help me with a purchase for my new house (which was supposed to close this friday, but looks like it's getting pushed a week).

1) Joined a few days ago?
2) First Post?
3) Handle is PoundSand?

Maybe it's me, but I'm thinkin' you are a competitor? I don't know.

nope. heard about this site through the advrider.com forum (where my username is also PoundSand. as in, go pound sand, and in pound sand with your dirt bike. get it? ), which has linked to a few threads here (like this: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16645303&postcount=3588)- been lurking for a while, but joined so i could look at the pictures.

You can see in those pix that were posted that there is a whole lot less meat under those tiles(Junkies) that were compared. A LOT LESS

those pictures compare the floorjunkies stuff to the much more expensive racedeck product. i'm wondering what makes the comparably priced bigfloors.com products (that racedeck1 brought up) superior.

There is a long track record here of how RD does things.

Maybe the other company will be around in 30 years or so and then we can compare them...

that's fine. i'm just wondering how the product compares.

The reason I went on the Chinese rant, is it seems a lot of these RD knock-offs "are/may" be Chinese. There have been some threads here where plastic tiles were bought and when it arrived, the box said, " Made in China". It's a **** shoot whether the "Made in China" stuff will hold up for 15 years like Jorgen warranties his. I'm thinkin' collecting on that warranty could be problematic.

the floorjunkies stuff is supposedly made in texas.

 

[Jeff]

More research....argh...I'm going freakin' mad!

Anyways, I took a good look at SnapLock's bigfloors.com website and ordered 4 more sample tiles:

RD CircleTrac 3.49 sqft
Moto Floor 2.79 sqft
Garage Trac 2.25 sqft
Garage Deck 1.99 sqft

I find it interesting that I can purchase RD tiles cheaper through bigfloors.com and with free shipping.

 

[les_garten]

I did follow-up with RD and the price remained the same.

I was referred to the bigfloors.com website, which is a part of RD. The Garage Deck tiles looked exactly like the Floor Junkies tiles @ 1.99 sq. ft.

All I wanted was info and advice on my shop flooring purchase. I didn't realize that RD has such a big influence on GJ, including sending new members in to tout their products with written fluff.

GJ has always been 'the' place for good tool and shop information. Now I'm not so sure.

Sorry you didn't like my reply or I guess the PM's I sent trying to help you.

I have nothing to do with RD other than I sent them a parcel of cash for my Floor and I'm happy with it.

I obviously am not from them, because I told you in a PM that the prices you were getting were way high. At least a lot higher than I paid in April.

If I'm working for RD, Jorgen needs to fire my Azz!

Carry on as you were...

 

[SwissFloorGuru]

Jeff, I commend you for doing your homework and you even took the time to post pictures. Wow! Allow me to point out a few things from your original post...

Both tiles are 12" x 12" x .5" - Can you fold the tiles with little pressure? If you can, then what tends to happen over time is that the tiles edges will curl, particularly if the injection point is in the middle.

Made in the U.S.A. - Yeah, American jobs

The underside - There are a couple of things here that stand out to me. The area that supports the tile is the area that touches the garage floor. It seems like the tile on the left is supported by the Xs while the tile on the right seems to touch the floor a bit more thouroughly? This is important because the more tile touches the floor the better weight distibution it can handle. The other thing I noticed are the circles on the underside of the grey tile. How thick is the top layer of the tile? The thiner it is the weaker it is.

Tapping noise - You can add a sound reducing underlayment like the ones used under wood floors. It will make it softer on your feet too but it will cost you extra.

The gloss - Someone else commented on this.

Circle or Diamond pattern - It's a garage Jeff! Do it right, go for the Diamond pattern. Just my opinion.

Superior product and support - I will not comment on this because... well... I'm biased. What I can say is that you may want to get two sample tiles from Swisstrax. Get a Cointrax and a Diamondtrax and snap them together. You make the comparison and decide which is sturdier, stronger, fits tighter and easier to install.

$500 difference - Often times better products cost more. Hopefully some of the comments above can help you make a distinction.

Good luck.

 

[Jeff]

Luis...thanks for the comments and suggestions. I will perform a more thorough review to include cutting the tile for top thickness measurements.

Although my 'shop' started out as a garage, there is no vehicle storage. I like the coin type surface because it's somewhat more slip resistant than the glossier diamond tops.

And yes, I do understand the pricing differences regarding superior products. That's why I'm taking my time and researching. Do it right, do it once, as our Dad's used to drill in to our heads.

 

[mikeyr]

All I wanted was info and advice on my shop flooring purchase. I didn't realize that RD has such a big influence on GJ, including sending new members in to tout their products with written fluff.

I have been here a lot longer than you have, I am NOT new here. I have also had my Racedeck 10 years, even longer than I have been here.

And if I want fluff I will talk to my wife, not you. People here on this forum like Racedeck because we like quality stuff.

 

[mikeyr]

Although my 'shop' started out as a garage, there is no vehicle storage. I like the coin type surface because it's somewhat more slip resistant than the glossier diamond tops.

Depends what you are going to do on the floor, I doubt but have never tested my theory that both diamond and coin will be the same slip resistant or slippery. I just don't see how the pattern would make a difference in this case, but as I said I have not tested it.

If you are going to go for a showroom floor then go with what you think will look best, if you are actually going to work on the floor and get the floor greasy, oily and extremely dirty like I do, go with the coin, it will be much easier to clean as it has less nook&crannies, with the diamond I have to scrub in all 4 directions to get grease/grime off. My wife and have even discussed throwing away my diamond floor and buying new a coin floor but that ain't happening in my lifetime, it was just a "if I ever win the lottery, I am replacing the floor" pillow talk.

I do have to say though that the diamond pattern saved a paint job on a very expensive old Italian car (think red car) when the diamond patterns stopped my tool chest from hitting it.

 

[Jeff]

Sorry you didn't like my reply or I guess the PM's I sent trying to help you.

I have nothing to do with RD other than I sent them a parcel of cash for my Floor and I'm happy with it.

I obviously am not from them, because I told you in a PM that the prices you were getting were way high. At least a lot higher than I paid in April.

If I'm working for RD, Jorgen needs to fire my Azz!

Carry on as you were...

Les, your PM's were helpful and I appreciate your effort. I just didn't get anywhere with RD like you did.

Depends what you are going to do on the floor, I doubt but have never tested my theory that both diamond and coin will be the same slip resistant or slippery. I just don't see how the pattern would make a difference in this case, but as I said I have not tested it.

If you are going to go for a showroom floor then go with what you think will look best, if you are actually going to work on the floor and get the floor greasy, oily and extremely dirty like I do, go with the coin, it will be much easier to clean as it has less nook&crannies, with the diamond I have to scrub in all 4 directions to get grease/grime off. My wife and have even discussed throwing away my diamond floor and buying new a coin floor but that ain't happening in my lifetime, it was just a "if I ever win the lottery, I am replacing the floor" pillow talk.

I do have to say though that the diamond pattern saved a paint job on a very expensive old Italian car (think red car) when the diamond patterns stopped my tool chest from hitting it.

Interesting about the coin/circle tops vs. diamond tops.

Half of the samples coming in are coin/circle tops.

 

[doctorlivingstone]

Should I be worried about posting my quote?

I mean, what are they gonna do? Shave my head? Take away my Birthday? Send me to Okinawa?

Good one - best laugh I've had all day

 

[doctorlivingstone]

Excellent prework and shopping comparison the OP did.

You have a RaceDeck rep on here so things tend to slant in that direction, you also have some rabid RaceDeck supporters that in their opinion there is no comparison - just my opinion

To the OP - As a previous poster said - order 6 of each and see which are tighter fit. If they are the same - go for the $500 in your pocket. BTW, I'd go for the diamond pattern as well. Good luck.

 

[lcrabtree]

Jeff, I didn't see where you said what you do in your shop. I would think that this might enter into your decision. Light duty stuff and you might be ok with the cheaper tiles. I have Garage Deck and it's ok to park a car on, but any lifting will require something to support the jack. I have a 2400 lb car on a 650 lb quick lift that uses a jack to lift one end and after a few times lifting the tile supports mashed flat and let the tiles under the jack warp up on the sides. I know that you can use plywood under the jack, but that's a hassle to deal with when you put it under there so many times and have to take it out to use the creeper under the lift.

Just my thoughts,
Lester

 

[les_garten]

Excellent prework and shopping comparison the OP did.

You have a RaceDeck rep on here so things tend to slant in that direction, you also have some rabid RaceDeck supporters that in their opinion there is no comparison - just my opinion

To the OP - As a previous poster said - order 6 of each and see which are tighter fit. If they are the same - go for the $500 in your pocket. BTW, I'd go for the diamond pattern as well. Good luck.

There's a reason we're rabid, great product and Customer Service that can't be beat and a long track record, LONG.

I looked at Swiss Trax, and had the price been more inline with RD, I would have looked at it closer. It seems to me they have dropped their MSRP just since earlier this year. But I didn't hear the SwissTrax guy offer any GJ significant discount when he posted here. You would have thought he would have.

Jeff, I didn't see where you said what you do in your shop. I would think that this might enter into your decision. Light duty stuff and you might be ok with the cheaper tiles. I have Garage Deck and it's ok to park a car on, but any lifting will require something to support the jack. I have a 2400 lb car on a 650 lb quick lift that uses a jack to lift one end and after a few times lifting the tile supports mashed flat and let the tiles under the jack warp up on the sides. I know that you can use plywood under the jack, but that's a hassle to deal with when you put it under there so many times and have to take it out to use the creeper under the lift.

Just my thoughts,
Lester

I jacked up my Landcruiser on it, 5500 pounds. When I was done there were little imprints where the jack wheels were. After a few days they were gone.

One more thing I would add, I bought CircleTrac because a lot of people mentioned the diamond was a lot harder to clean. I think all of them are a little bit of effort to move stuff on. The guy with the Beautiful Dino in his sig mentioned this. My Snap On box is a ***** to move on it. My creepers need a preety good nudge to go over the coins as well as my creeper seat. There's good and bad to that. Goes with the territory though.

I was looking at a lifetime commitment to something, I took my time and waited till I had the cash to get what I knew I wanted. I did not order samples of the Swisstrax because the RD was so much less $$$. Everybody has a budget they have to justify.

Would be great if the Swisstrax guy would step up and swing at the ball here!

 

[rwhite692]

More research....argh...I'm going freakin' mad!

Anyways, I took a good look at SnapLock's bigfloors.com website and ordered 4 more sample tiles:

RD CircleTrac 3.49 sqft
Moto Floor 2.79 sqft
Garage Trac 2.25 sqft
Garage Deck 1.99 sqft

I find it interesting that I can purchase RD tiles cheaper through bigfloors.com and with free shipping.

If you buy the ones sold by Costco and you have the executive membership, you will get 2% cash back, so you should add that into the numbers as well...

 

[ViperJon]

If the above is correct, then RD has gone up almost a buck per square foot from earlier this year? That's huge. Can that be right?

 

[les_garten]

If the above is correct, then RD has gone up almost a buck per square foot from earlier this year? That's huge. Can that be right?

I think the MSRP was always like $3.99, $3.79, or something, but they did some nice deals for GJ members myself included. Looks like those days are over. Glad I got mine when I did.