New Garage, Need Flooring, So Confused

[dshap]

I'm obviously new to this forum and from my short time browsing, I've learned enough to know that I'm in over my head. Please help!

I'm building a new garage and planned on doing an epoxy floor. I thought that was as simple as telling to contractor or painter to put down epoxy, but I see from this forum that there are 1 million different brands and types.

I'm going to use the garage to do some wrenching and maybe even a bit of welding (that would only be once or twice a year), so I want a floor that is durable enough to handle dropped parts or tools, but I will be careful and won't be doing anything crazy.

I'm sure there's no simple best answer, but can you guys please recommend some of the best epoxy products for virgin concrete?

Also, how strongly do you recommend professional installation? I guess if I go that route, I have to choose from whatever products the installer has available? Not really sure how this works.

Thanks!

 

[724tim]

Welcome to the forum,
I just did my floor in rust bullet but if your floor is new and no stains I would say you have endless options just depends on your budget.

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[bdamico]

porcelain tile

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

Anything you put down over your concrete will have limitations. Coatings will tend not to hold up very well to welding. Porcelain tile, as bdamico suggested, would be a good option. I would do a lot of research and ask tons of questions.

 

[thefed]

So not sure if you have already solved your problem and decided, but I have been doing research for several months. I recommend reading a lot of articles on allgaragefloors.com. You need to decide what you will be doing in your garage. If you just want looks then tiles and or maybe a stain is a good way to go. You also can go with an epoxy or polyaspartic for a more durable floor. If you go with epoxy use 100% solids. If durability and life are a concern it may be easier to go with an installer with a 15-20yr life guarantee if you don't want the headache. Otherwise you can do it yourself. Just again make sure you read and read some more about prep and common issues. Make sure to read the Technical Data sheets for any product you or someone else installs. If epoxy, the solids content should be 100%. I am moving to a new house and will be starting this process once the weather warms up. I have talked with 5 different producers of epoxy and 1 installer. A lot of the companies didn't have a good presentation or lacked info or customer service so I only mention the 6, but it's been a few more. Customer service and reviews are great to know to. If they won't answer all your questions then they don't care and I would move on. Watch for companies to try and dodge questions and change the subject. The good one's will tell you straight to your face and will take the time. If they don't take time now then when something goes wrong they won't take the time then.

Hope that helps.

 

[Angelfire]

porcelain tile

This.

 

[Fredro Starr]

This.

I am leaning in this direction. Ultra-premium looks!

 

[General Geoff]

Porcelain is the way to go for durability, ease of cleaning, and longevity.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

If you can protect your floor from welding splatter epoxy is a great choice.


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[ddewey78]

Scotty, what do you recommend for protecting from splatter? Is a fire blanket sufficient? What about grinding sparks?

 

[Garage Flooring]

Rust Bullet and EPoxy could be very good choices. Rust Bullet will not require the prep. ANother great option is our TrueLock PPC penetrating clear urethane.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Scotty, what do you recommend for protecting from splatter? Is a fire blanket sufficient? What about grinding sparks?

If you can keep your welding on a table off the ground, the risk is less.
Otherwise a piece of gauge metal or welding blanket will do.

 

[ddewey78]

If you can keep your welding on a table off the ground, the risk is less.
Otherwise a piece of gauge metal or welding blanket will do.

Most if not all welding will be on the bench. Bigger projects will be either done in the driveway, or on plywood or Masonite on the floor. I was more concerned with splatter and grinding sparks. I'm not overly concerned, as they aren't usually red hot by the time they hit the floor. Just don't want to mess up the beautiful floor you helped me out with!!

 

[x98boardwell]

Guys, thanks for the info. I am literally in the exact same boat as the original poster.

I am surprised that porcelain tile is such a great option but I'm intrigued.

Questions that I have...
1) Is there a difference from "thru body" and "glazed" porcelain? This is from Lowes as I figured this would be a good place to just look at cost?
2) On that note, where is the best place to buy?
3) My garage is brand new (not even finished yet) so should I choose something else since it will be new concrete?
4) The garage is 1,404 square feet so is there a point when tile is too expensive as it's kind of a fixed cost where epoxy would possibly benefit from economies of scale... or no?
5) What cost should I expect on a project like mine for either tile or epoxy?

My uses will be identical to the original poster so I'm hoping my questions will help me to decide.

Thanks,
Bryan

PS.. first post, what a great forum and a wealth of knowledge.

 

[fritzbmw]

New guy here...have it ground and polished to an 800 or 1500 finish and be done with it. No need to worry about chipping or recoating.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Basic Options: Full epoxy system and protect from weld splatter.
Rust Bullet System, less prep, and protect from weld spatter
Densifier and Penetrating Sealer such as Ghost Shield 8505
TLPPC Penetrating Urethane Sealer

** any product that produces a film needs to be protected from weld splatter

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Scotty, what do you recommend for protecting from splatter? Is a fire blanket sufficient? What about grinding sparks?

I weld occasionally and anything non-combustible is great.
A piece of gauge metal from your steel supplier is a nice choice.

 

[jmdaniel]

New guy here as well, moving into a new house in April, have a 3 stall and a 1.5 to do. Going to follow all this great advice as I learn. Thanks in advance!


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[James-W]

New guy here as well, moving into a new house in April, have a 3 stall and a 1.5 to do. Going to follow all this great advice as I learn. Thanks in advance!


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Welcome to the forum. Looks like a VERY nice place. Any ideas as to what you might like to have for a floor covering?

 

[benwah]

Porcelain tile is a great way to go. Sturdy, long-lasting, easy on the eyes. Keep in mind if installing yourself.. it is back-breaking, knee-hurting and tedious work. Epoxy is much easier to install and will last a lifetime (with touch-up) if done right.

 

[jmdaniel]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a VERY nice place. Any ideas as to what you might like to have for a floor covering?

Something I can apply myself, that will not heat lift, (I'm in Central Texas), and stands up well to the usual, (A/C condensation, dog claws, the occasional oil drip from a '77 Toyota LandCruiser). Nothing too demanding, I guess.

 

[Cairo94507]

I know a lot of people like epoxy coatings. All I know is every single coated floor I have ever seen has lifts (failures) on it. I say do it right, do it once and be done with it. I will be doing porcelain tile in my oversized 3 car garage.

 

[Chadddada]

Porcelain is the way to go for durability, ease of cleaning, and longevity.

How does porcelain hold up to dropped tools? I am just envisioning smashed up tile chips floating around, cracked tiles and dust. Also, won't these be really slippery with fluids from a car on the floor, foot traffic in out of the rain, etc? Rolling something down seems attractive since I can add grit for traction.

 

[Angelfire]

How does porcelain hold up to dropped tools? I am just envisioning smashed up tile chips floating around, cracked tiles and dust. Also, won't these be really slippery with fluids from a car on the floor, foot traffic in out of the rain, etc? Rolling something down seems attractive since I can add grit for traction.

If installed properly....you should have no issues. One reason to go with through body is just in case it does chip. Here's a floor from Jack on this site made out of ceramic....keep in mind ceramic is not as hard as porcelain.

As for slipperiness, you can get porcelain with higher levels of friction vs. the typical "glazed" type tile that should suit just fine. For mine, it actually has a bit of texture to it. Look at the shopping malls, car places, etc...many have a porcelain finish that manages to handle millions of feet, cars, etc....and still look good.

There are a number of threads on here showing how to properly install tiles for service in a garage (most notable item in my mind is 100% coverage of thinset under the tiles...otherwise this will create a weak spot and could crack)
Cheers

 

[Jason B]

I love my VCT tile. Did a 3 car garage for about $450.