Garage / Parking Mat questions

[CheckeredFlag]

I was looking for an alternative to something similar to Racedeck, when I ran across garage parking mats


Like this one for example:


http://storeitwell.com/checkered-tile-parking-with-black-border-p-192.html

I got a sample from the Company, and its roughly the thickness of a Nickel.


They also have this Corvette specific one:
http://storeitwell.com/corvette-parking-p-187.html



Anyone ever tried these, or use these (or something similar ?)

I have a Concrete floor in the garage


One of my concerns on something like this would be - I wonder if moisture would be trapped under there (I.E = mold)


And I'm curious to know if you glued it down / used double sided tape, or nothing at all ?


And if you drove on it and turned your wheels any, does it move ?

5 x 10 is $237 // 7.5 x 17 is 586 // 10 x 20 is 935

YIKES



TIA

 

[CheckeredFlag]

also one like this
http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/display-mat.html

I'm sure there are others as well ...

 

[Garage Flooring]

First and foremost, as vendors I think it is very important that we be transparent about the fact that we are vendors. That's why you will see my full signature in every post. I say that so that you know that I sell this product and this is not the customer view you requested.

We were the first to offer the custom garage floor mats by Better Life Technology. They have an amazing look and they hold up very well.

I would offer this caution. To do so I need to explain how they are made. Unlike the solid color mats, they are a clear PVC, the image of tiles, epoxy, etc is digitally printed on the underside of the mat and in most cases a third layer is welded on to protect that image.

Clear PVC is especially prone to tire stains, oil stains and stains from other items such as gasoline. If you are going to install this product, you MUST use the top coat. If you are going to fully adhere the product, use the two part, otherwise you have to use the water based (WB).

I have been selling their PVC products for a decade and I have never had a mold or mildew issue.

The larger the mat the less likely it will be to move. Generally they stay put but if you turn your wheels while standing still, the product may bunch up. They do make adhesives for this product but most of the time the product goes down without any adhesive. Honestly, often the adhesive in the hands of a homeowner is a far worse option than leaving them as is. If you are going to use multiple mats I highly recommend the seam tape.

 

[CheckeredFlag]

thank you very much

 

[Gary]

First and foremost, as vendors I think it is very important that we be transparent about the fact that we are vendors. That's why you will see my full signature in every post. I say that so that you know that I sell this product and this is not the customer view you requested.

We were the first to offer the custom garage floor mats by Better Life Technology. They have an amazing look and they hold up very well.

I would offer this caution. To do so I need to explain how they are made. Unlike the solid color mats, they are a clear PVC, the image of tiles, epoxy, etc is digitally printed on the underside of the mat and in most cases a third layer is welded on to protect that image.

Clear PVC is especially prone to tire stains, oil stains and stains from other items such as gasoline. If you are going to install this product, you MUST use the top coat. If you are going to fully adhere the product, use the two part, otherwise you have to use the water based (WB).

I have been selling their PVC products for a decade and I have never had a mold or mildew issue.

The larger the mat the less likely it will be to move. Generally they stay put but if you turn your wheels while standing still, the product may bunch up. They do make adhesives for this product but most of the time the product goes down without any adhesive. Honestly, often the adhesive in the hands of a homeowner is a far worse option than leaving them as is. If you are going to use multiple mats I highly recommend the seam tape.

Do the non custom ones also have these requirements/issues?

I just got back on this forum and need to do some searching, but what are some of the advantages/disadvantages of using this product vs paint vs racedeck.

 

[CheckeredFlag]

There are a lot of posts where members have complained about the paint coming up

I'm still researching Racedeck

and I meant no offense posting a link to another seller of parking mat products, and would gladly use a Vendor from this site

 

[JimVonBaden]

There are a lot of posts where members have complained about the paint coming up

I'm still researching Racedeck

and I meant no offense posting a link to another seller of parking mat products, and would gladly use a Vendor from this site

You can post whatever vendor you wish! It is not against the rules.

Jim

 

[Garage Flooring]

There are a lot of posts where members have complained about the paint coming up

I'm still researching Racedeck

and I meant no offense posting a link to another seller of parking mat products, and would gladly use a Vendor from this site

Sorry, I do not understand. What paint are we concerned about? If you are talking about an epoxy coating, if it was properly installed and fully cured it will not be an issue. MUST be tack free.

If you are concerned about the mat itself, as long as you stay within the welded product line it is completely impossible.

There are a lot of great vendors out there and I am absolutely no offended that you linked to anyone else. Just trying to provide some useful info for you

 

[Gary]

Sorry, I do not understand. What paint are we concerned about? If you are talking about an epoxy coating, if it was properly installed and fully cured it will not be an issue. MUST be tack free.

If you are concerned about the mat itself, as long as you stay within the welded product line it is completely impossible.

There are a lot of great vendors out there and I am absolutely no offended that you linked to anyone else. Just trying to provide some useful info for you

I believe Checkered was responding to my question about your product and advantages of each type of flooring.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Do the non custom ones also have these requirements/issues?

I just got back on this forum and need to do some searching, but what are some of the advantages/disadvantages of using this product vs paint vs racedeck.

ANY PVC product can become stained. It is much less prevalent on the standard products than the custom, especially in gray or black. Some tires and PVC don't get along and can stain it. With the standard products its a 'sometimes' thing. With the clear, it will happen. We sell tens of thousands of square feet, and maybe once or twice a quarter we have an issue with tire stains on solid product.

We also sell interlocking tiles and garage floor epoxy and most of the time the plus and minus depend on your application.

Mats come in large sheets and are simply rolled out. Unlike tiles, if you have a new slab they do a great job protecting it. Very easy to install. No power tools. We have them in racing trailers, garages, commercial and industrial locations.

Tiles are a bit more work and you need a table or circular saw. Fun patterns, generally more stain resistant when you go with the better products, and you can do a fairly custom job. You do need to be aware of expansion and contraction issues, especially if you get a lot of direct sunlight or huge temperature changes. In general, with the exception of some PVC tiles, tiles are designed to leak and do not protect the concrete below.

Coatings: If you use a good product and do the homework and the prep, garage floor epoxy can create a beautiful floor. Easy to clean, lots of options, and with the right product, very durable. Coatings require extensive preparation and attention to detail. They are a do it right or do not do it kind of product.

 

[CheckeredFlag]

yes, my comment about the paint was from other posts I have read about tire lift etc.

Justin:

When the mats are shipped, do they come folded up, or are they around some kind of thick cardboard roll (like wrapping paper, for example)

 

[Garage Flooring]

yes, my comment about the paint was from other posts I have read about tire lift etc.

Justin:

When the mats are shipped, do they come folded up, or are they around some kind of thick cardboard roll (like wrapping paper, for example)

Great question! All of our G-Floor garage floor mats by Better Life Technology are stored flat and rolled on a core at time of shipment. NEVER folded. This allows them to relax and install much easier.

 

[ragtop76]

I have the Better Life Technology (G-Floor) mat in my garage/workshop under my 2 post lift. It is in the Levant pattern which is the smoothest pattern they make so I can roll a transmission jack around. I am extremely happy with it. I just rolled it out and it stays put. I have the .055 thickness which is the thinner of the two they make. The other is .075 thick. I have only turned my wheels a few times with the car stationary and it does distort the mat a little, but it does go back to shape after a few hot days. From what I know the thicker mat will not deform as much. But with a heavy vehicle I can see the mat getting torn if this is a repeated practice. The bottom line is, if you are concerned about fluids getting onto the concrete floor, then this is the only way to go other than expoy.

 

[CheckeredFlag]

thanks for the info !

great to hear

 

[Garage Flooring]

I think the price for all these floor mats is WAAAAYYYYY overpriced. I think we're just being ripped of because we have no where else to go..

Well, starting at around $1.54 / sf for high quality PVC and no filler, including the cost of shipping the product across the country, often at higher over-sized rates... I can assure you we get a fair price for a great product. I just shipped 2 10x24 coin mats to CA and my freight alone was over $200, but we did not charge the customer a dime.

There are other choices in the market. As usual, China as figured out how to make a cheaper product. Diamond Deck, VersaRoll and Nitro Roll are available from other companies. The test I did on these products is not reasonable when it comes to the real world, but it left me uncomfortable, none the less. I took my thumb and was able to peal the color layer right off. My other concern with these products is they have been rolled since they left China. How long?? I do not know. BUT I know the longer any of these products stay rolled, the harder it is and the longer it takes to get them to lay flat.

In any case, we are looking to find some middle ground. We are not there yet, but we are working on it.

Also, I do appreciate the feedback. I have done this a long time and perhaps get tunnel vision every once in a while. Constructive feedback like that is always helpful!

 

[Garage Flooring]

I have the Better Life Technology (G-Floor) mat in my garage/workshop under my 2 post lift. It is in the Levant pattern which is the smoothest pattern they make so I can roll a transmission jack around. I am extremely happy with it. I just rolled it out and it stays put. I have the .055 thickness which is the thinner of the two they make. The other is .075 thick. I have only turned my wheels a few times with the car stationary and it does distort the mat a little, but it does go back to shape after a few hot days. From what I know the thicker mat will not deform as much. But with a heavy vehicle I can see the mat getting torn if this is a repeated practice. The bottom line is, if you are concerned about fluids getting onto the concrete floor, then this is the only way to go other than expoy.

Thank You for that!

 

[Garage Flooring]

I wanted to answer a question a little better. Typically, but not always, the complaints about garage floor coatings are the equivalent of posting a complaint that your KIA Mini Van did not handle the 4 wheel trail as well as you would have liked, OR that your 'off the lot' JEEP Grand Cherokee for that matter.

In the first example, you did not buy the right product for the job. In the second, you got a good product, but failed to do the preparation necessary. Buy a good quality product (ours, legacy, epoxy coat & clear coat) and spend the time and work it takes to prep a floor. When you do this you have a beautiful floor that will last. Sure you will see posts from a handful, but in general, good product and good prep and a garage floor coating is a great solution.

 

[CheckeredFlag]

appreciate the clarification on the paint

thanks again

 

[tonester]

Depending on your usage you may want to look into the stuff below. Currently onsale for .99/sqft!

http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/rubber-roll/eco-flec-roll.html