Can you tell me....

[45 ACP]

..... what are some main reasons NOT to use VCT in the garage?

Every garage flooring has its positives and negatives. I still can not decide what to use.

I will not be doing any commercial or industrial work in the garage. Just typical homeowner type stuff like working on the riding mower or the motorcycle, small tasks like messing with my fishing and hunting stuff.... and of course I want it to be a cool place to drink beer with friends.

I dont think I will be hard enough on the floor to damage VCT. It looks good in the checker board pattern. It cant be any more slippery than epoxy or regular tile....?? Is the maintenance really a lot of work? Can I strip and wax every other year?

Ive been reading every thread I can find on here for 2 weeks and still cant decide what flooring to use. Any opinions, advise, and suggestions is very much appreciated. I need to make up my mind within the next week.

Oh.... I will be hiring a professional to install whatever flooring I decide to go with. I know many of the flooring options can be a DIY project, but I just dont have enough time and I am hiring it done. Cost will have some effect on my choice. I am not rich.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

 

[47ford - 1.5ton]

If you go to the flooring section of the forum right were you posted... view the thread 2 below yours entitled VCT Floors, jackstands and YOU!

Plenty of info...

otherwise search VCT* in this forum and read 2000 threads...

 

[45 ACP]

Thanks for that advice, but we have 2 completely different uses for our garages. Mine will only see light work.... no cherry pickers with motors hanging... I probably wont even have my wifes car on jack stands in the garage. I'll just back it out and work on it in the driveway right in front of the garage where there is more room, just like I do now.

I want my garage to be like another room. I will have a big workbench where Ill work on my hunting bow, my fishing rods and reels, make fishing lures, do light work on my dirtbike ect ect. Im gonna build a small bar in the corner with a tv.... I want it to look good.

Ive already read all the threads I can handle and like I said every flooring has good and bad about it. Im just wondering what are some main drawbacks to VCT?

 

[47ford - 1.5ton]

Thanks for that advice, but we have 2 completely different uses for our garages. Mine will only see light work.... no cherry pickers with motors hanging... I probably wont even have my wifes car on jack stands in the garage. I'll just back it out and work on it in the driveway right in front of the garage where there is more room, just like I do now.

I want my garage to be like another room. I will have a big workbench where Ill work on my hunting bow, my fishing rods and reels, make fishing lures, do light work on my dirtbike ect ect. Im gonna build a small bar in the corner with a tv.... I want it to look good.

Ive already read all the threads I can handle and like I said every flooring has good and bad about it. Im just wondering what are some main drawbacks to VCT?

Jackstand depressions..
Tire yellowing
Jack depressions
upkeep (1once or twice a month?)
bi-annual major upkeep
slippery when wet or with snow
welding slag/spark will discolor...


Again.. if you've read all the threads you know the drawbacks... of which sounds like most of it doesn't pertain to you...

If yours is just a light duty work shop and beer drinking asylum...then its the perfect floor for you as porc. or ceramic would be overkill... (this assumes you want the tiled look vs. epoxy)(

 

[45 ACP]

Thanks. I didnt know it needed THAT much upkeep. I figured I would keep it swept and mop every now and then and wax every other year. If that wont cut it, Im not sure I would be willing to do what it takes.

Believe it or not, Ive gotten 2 different quotes for epoxy, and 2 different quotes for VCT, and they all 4 were between $1900 and $2100.... so not really much difference. I thought VCT would be much cheaper.

Epoxy is looking like maybe a better option.

 

[JimVonBaden]

The thing is, almost any flooring has issues. Epoxy is notorious for flaking, sealed concrete sometimes isnt, porcelain can be damaged. (Not all, or even most, but all types of flooring have drawbacks!!).

There are some who put a layer of epoxy over VCT and that seems to make it nearly bulletproof. For me, no sealer, no wax, just VCT. Mine is a working garage, mostly motorcycles, and it needs to look good for my business, but does not need to shine. Skip the wax and the slippery part is a non-issue. Mop it once in a while, wipe off the oils, and it looks better than plain concrete, will likely last like epoxy, and is cheap to replace any damage.

Jim

PS I have removed old VCT, and it was hard, which leads me to believe it will hold up just fine. It sure does in many applications like large department stoors that often have forklifts and pallets all over.

 

[Jkaz]

Hey,

I am pretty much in the same boat as you man. Check out my link below. I have a three stall garage: 1 stall is/will be a heated and finished workbay/drinking bar room, the other 2 stall is unfinished.

I have a thread in flooring titled: "To hire or not to hire". I was battling the decision of tiled flooring vs. epoxy and whether to hire out the job or not (sounds like you will hire). I did some research, talked with multiple contractors, etc. I don't do a lot of actual car work in the workbay simply because I have a huge parking pad outside that I can work on (similar to you). I am pretty set on going with epoxy. I like the look, upkeep is minimal, I don't have to clean between tiles (simple spray and light scrub), stain resistant and the price to install is appealing for most budgets. I am also contemplating DIY install.

Honestly in my opinion if the 2 cost similar it boils down to your preference. VCT allows for more customization with tiles, adding aesthetic appeal. But epoxy has the ability to shine just as bright as a showroom floor as well! Both flooring types will allow you to work on your car from the comfort of the indoors just not the heavy duty stuff.

I will keep tabs on your decision and let you know how my install turns out!

Good Luck!