Newbie looking for bargain garage tiles

[azula]

Hello all,

I've been lurking for a while and through my research, I've gathered that Racedeck is the popular tile choice around these parts. While the product looks amazing, I fear that it may be out of my price range thus, looking for cheaper alternatives. I found this tile while researching and I haven't found it mentioned here yet. Does anyone have experience with this tile? The reviews on the site are overwhelmingly positive but I'm taking that with a grain of salt. At 2.39 per sq ft and free shipping, it seems like a great deal. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[azula]

additionally,

my garage has a step up that runs the width of the back of the garage. Is there any alternative for mounting the tile on the step face?

 

[BRIANBB]

What is the name of the tile? Where is it made? Free shipping? Pay the extra and get U.S. made tiles. Get a quote from Racedeck and be sure to say you're a member here at G.J.

 

[bdamico]

It's been mentioned. And someone has used it

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=16685567

 

[jschuman]

I'm in a similar situation and opted to go with GarageTrac tiles from http://www.bigfloors.com

They are $2.04 a piece and are made by the same people that make RaceDeck - it is their less expensive alternative.

Most reputable dealers/manufacturers are more than happy to send you samples. I would suggest that so you can compare the tiles you are contemplating buying.

 

[Trey T]

^Are you sure? I thought RaceDeck make their own stuff and it's proprietary product.

 

[CBR_fan]

Yes, what jschuman stated is correct. In fact, I called Bigfloors and it was Racedeck that answered the phone.

There are tons of articles on the the pro's and con's and comparisons and I've read and read and read. Bottom line, for my needs as I do my motorcycle servicing, car oil change, tire change, etc. I will pro'ly end up with Racedeck for peace of mind.

 

[Garage Flooring]

We offer the TrueLock Diamond Garage Floor Tiles @ $2.29 with the promo code on the page. It has two video reviews by JunkMan and a blog write up by All Garage Floors. Neither review was subsidized and we do not advertise on either site. Please note we do use Google Adsense which places ads within their network so Google ads might show up (I do not know if they do or not Just didn't want someone to see an ad when I said we don't )

 

[azula]

I'm in a similar situation and opted to go with GarageTrac tiles from http://www.bigfloors.com

They are $2.04 a piece and are made by the same people that make RaceDeck - it is their less expensive alternative.

Most reputable dealers/manufacturers are more than happy to send you samples. I would suggest that so you can compare the tiles you are contemplating buying.

We offer the TrueLock Diamond Garage Floor Tiles @ $2.29 with the promo code on the page. It has two video reviews by JunkMan and a blog write up by All Garage Floors. Neither review was subsidized and we do not advertise on either site. Please note we do use Google Adsense which places ads within their network so Google ads might show up (I do not know if they do or not Just didn't want someone to see an ad when I said we don't )

Thanks,

I will check both of these products out. Last question, any advice for garages with a step? My garage has a step in the back that I would like to tile as well but I'm not sure how to tackle the face of the step. any ideas?

 

[azula]

The step up looks something like this:

I saw someone tackle this problem with corner bead but I think that looks kind of tacky. Any other ideas? Can I just forego the tile and paint the platform? Thanks.

 

[Jinks]

I used Garagedeck & GarageTrack from Bigfloors for a two car garage & a two car shop. It's been down for two years now & I'm completely happy with it. For the step I would simply paint the face of it to match/compliment the floor tiles. I did that for the base around both shops.

A tip for what ever tile you choose: You'll start laying the tiles at the garage door, so avoid the "manly" urge to choose "male" edging. Choose the "female" & all you have to do is lay it down & lay the "male" edge on top & step on it to lock in place. The other way around & you have to lift every tile to slide the "female" side under it.

 

[RaceDeck1]

Welcome to the forum! you will find a lot of great information all throughout.

Be sure to contact us and mention you are a GJ member or check out http://www.bigfloors.com for fantastic deals on high-quality USA made garage flooring tile.

 

[azula]

I used Garagedeck & GarageTrack from Bigfloors for a two car garage & a two car shop. It's been down for two years now & I'm completely happy with it. For the step I would simply paint the face of it to match/compliment the floor tiles. I did that for the base around both shops.

A tip for what ever tile you choose: You'll start laying the tiles at the garage door, so avoid the "manly" urge to choose "male" edging. Choose the "female" & all you have to do is lay it down & lay the "male" edge on top & step on it to lock in place. The other way around & you have to lift every tile to slide the "female" side under it.

Thanks for your advice! So did you put edging where the step ends and the face begins? Could I pester you for some pictures of your steps? I like the idea of painting the step face and tiling the landing area but I wonder if the unfinished tile towards the front would look weird?

Welcome to the forum! you will find a lot of great information all throughout.

Be sure to contact us and mention you are a GJ member or check out http://www.bigfloors.com for fantastic deals on high-quality USA made garage flooring tile.

Thanks Alot! I will give you guys a call today.

 

[Wuaname]

subscribed

 

[azula]

This is my actual garage step. As you can see, it runs from wall to wall (excuse the mess). Also, I have the water heater on the far end that I would have to tile around. I'm inexperienced when it comes to cutting so I definitely wouldn't trust myself to make a curved cut, let alone a straight line. lol

 

[Jinks]

This is my actual garage step. As you can see, it runs from wall to wall (excuse the mess). Also, I have the water heater on the far end that I would have to tile around. I'm inexperienced when it comes to cutting so I definitely wouldn't trust myself to make a curved cut, let alone a straight line. lol

azula, I don't have an actual step like yours but I have the step from the garage into the house. As you can see I used silver tile with a black tile border. All around the garage I had an unpainted wood base except at the step through the door. I painted all the wood base & the face of the step with a black paint to match the border. On the wall with the door to the house I also added quarter round to further smooth the transition from flooring tile.

Cutting with a plywood blade or fine tooth jig saw is easy & you need to leave a little room for heat expansion.

 

[thejunkmanadv]

The step up looks something like this:

I saw someone tackle this problem with corner bead but I think that looks kind of tacky. Any other ideas? Can I just forego the tile and paint the platform? Thanks.

I have a small curbing around my garage, not as wide as yours but I have a similar situation. I just painted my concrete with a cheap concrete paint as it won't have much traffic so chipping and wear won't be an issue. Since I went with a gray tile I painted it gray as well. Just an idea.

Here is my video reviews, and I was not paid to make the reviews I did them to help others considering this exact product and I like to reward the good service I did get from GarageFlooringLLC

http://www.thejunkmanadv.com/garage-shop-tour.html

 

[azula]

Jinks thanks for the idea! I am thinking of just painting the face and landing the color of the tiles like you and the junk man described. Beautiful space junkman!

 

[azula]

Also, I have some samples coming in from a couple different companies. I will do a comparison for those that are interested. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[matty d]

If you really want to be a 'bottom feeder' like me LOL and your goal is to get the lowest price possible without buying used tiles and your'e not in a big rush, you can scope out Glaidator tile (made by racedeck) through searsoutlet and other means (online auctions in your area?). I was able to get my whole garage done for less than $1.50 a tile...all brand new via closeouts, returns and overstocks from sears. I did the entire floor for less than $700. Why? I just wanted to see if I could do it...

I was up for the challenge but it was a pain in the rear waiting and tracking down severely discounted boxes of tile at Sears all over the country. I chronicled my tile finds in the first few posts here:

http://matthewsgarage.blogspot.com/

 

[azula]

If you really want to be a 'bottom feeder' like me LOL and your goal is to get the lowest price possible without buying used tiles and your'e not in a big rush, you can scope out Glaidator tile (made by racedeck) through searsoutlet and other means (online auctions in your area?). I was able to get my whole garage done for less than $1.50 a tile...all brand new via closeouts, returns and overstocks from sears. I did the entire floor for less than $700. Why? I just wanted to see if I could do it...

I was up for the challenge but it was a pain in the rear waiting and tracking down severely discounted boxes of tile at Sears all over the country. I chronicled my tile finds in the first few posts here:

http://matthewsgarage.blogspot.com/

Thanks Matty!

Your garage looks amazing! I am definitely a bottom feeder but I don't think I would have the patience hunting down closeouts and clearance items. I am leaning towards this:

Perforated Drain tile by modutile. It's 12x12 and 1/2 inch thick. I don't think this can be beat at 2.29 sq ft. However, I haven't seen the product in person yet as the sample is on the way. Stay tuned!

 

[matty d]

Thanks Matty!

Your garage looks amazing! I am definitely a bottom feeder but I don't think I would have the patience hunting down closeouts and clearance items. I am leaning towards this:

Perforated Drain tile by modutile. It's 12x12 and 1/2 inch thick. I don't think this can be beat at 2.29 sq ft. However, I haven't seen the product in person yet as the sample is on the way. Stay tuned!

Thanks! Good luck with your tiles. So many guys like their open/ribbed styles; There seem to be more mixed reviews of solid tiles, however just about everyone who chooses to do their entire garage in freeflow/open ribbed tile gives positive reviews.

 

[Jinks]

I used just a few of the open tiles at a sloped area of my shop. I used them because they're more flexible than the solid tiles & conformed the the slope. They do make a good looking floor, & are as durable as the solid tiles, but they'll be a bit more difficult to clean. I sweep both garages a lot more often than I used to because they look better. Saw dust, grinding debris, small cuttings, etc. will be more difficult to remove from open tile than solid. Not a complaint, just a heads-up.

 

[Coss71]

I used ModuTile in my garage and love it.
They have the coin top, and the vented, and a number of other styles (they just came out with a wood laminate tile . The coin tops I used were $2 a tile, and free shipping is your order is over $50. They are 100% US made.
http://www.modutile.com/
I did find one problem with them, and I think you'll run into this same problem on any
1/2" plastic tile, that problem is: you can't use a floor jack directly on top of them. I did, and ended up leaving dents in 2 tiles from the front wheels of the jack. To avoid this, put a piece of plywood under the jack first. I was jacking up my Dodge Magnum and that car weighs 4,000 lbs.

 

[RaceDeck1]

FYI - There is a sale in the clearance section on BigFloors for GarageTrac / diamond tread. A high-quality USA made and designed modular flooring + Ships Free http://www.bigfloors.com/shop/garagetrac/