Epoxy or Tile Style Flooring? Weighing the PROS/CONS of both.

[TOYSTRY]

So I was dead set on doing epoxy but after reading articles on here for 5-10 hours I've come to this conclusion regarding epoxy:

1. Epoxy self-installation is complicated, some have good results, some have bad results (prep is key).
2. Epoxy is extremely $$$.
3. Epoxy doesn't hold up to brake fluid.
4. Epoxy brands are endless and there isn't a tried and true brand loyalty.

Regarding tiles, this is the conclusion I've come to:

1. Plastic style tiles are extremely easy to install and quick to install.
2. Plastic style tiles are extremely durable with 15 yr warranty.
3. Plastic style tiles color options and styles are plentiful.
4. Plastic style tiles prices are reasonable, at least from what I've gathered (I haven't found any post listing what people have paid though - are folks banned from posting cost?)

Feedback is welcome from owners on both options.......and appreciated.

 

[mtwaterguy]

You can usually find ceramic/porcelain tiles for less than $1 a square foot.

 

[Cave Creek Ray]

(I am thinking he us not talking about ceramic tile... but rather plastic tile.)

 

[bigjon]

(I am thinking he us not talking about ceramic tile... but rather plastic tile.)

He must be, cause ceramic/porcelain tiles don't go with 'easy' and 'quick'.

To the OP: I think you've made your mind up....go with tiles.

 

[Jinks]

Your cost question is easily answered. Just go to any of the vendors sites, use their planning software to design your floor, & check their prices for the pieces you need. Don't forget that Racedeck usually has a discount for forum members.

 

[bdamico]

Many threads on this topic

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=28652026

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

So I was dead set on doing epoxy but after reading articles on here for 5-10 hours I've come to this conclusion regarding epoxy:



1. Epoxy self-installation is complicated, some have good results, some have bad results (prep is key).

2. Epoxy is extremely $$$.

3. Epoxy doesn't hold up to brake fluid.

4. Epoxy brands are endless and there isn't a tried and true brand loyalty.



Regarding tiles, this is the conclusion I've come to:



1. Tiles are extremely easy to install and quick to install.

2. Tiles are extremely durable with 15 yr warranty.

3. Tile color options and styles are plentiful.

4. Tile prices are reasonable, at least from what I've gathered (I haven't found any post listing what people have paid though - are folks banned from posting cost?)



Feedback is welcome from owners on both options.......and appreciated.

Keep in mind that most people do not return here to show off the beautiful, extremely chemical resistant, easy to clean and care for epoxy floors that they created.

However, most of the people that have an issue with epoxy do show up here to seek advice, vent or rip up a vendor.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cave Creek Ray]

FWIW:

My last house had El-Cheapo Rustoleum 2-part water-based epoxy with NO CLEAR COAT and I spilled brake fluid all over that stuff along with every other chemical you have in your garage. No stains, or discoloration. The only thing it did not like was nitromethane, which oddly, turned it from tan to pink.

Yeah, I had hot tire pick-up but it was very small in areas.

When you put a coating down on your floor that is thinner than a sheet of paper, unless you just show your cars off and do no work over this floor, it is going to get physically damaged over time. Get that into your head before you order anything.

Save some extra for repairs. I kept a cup of part A & B of my Rustoleum in the fridge just in case. I have spare porcelain tiles and grout should I need them. Save a dozen deck squares if you go with plastic decking. Pick something you can use that meets you needs and know that it will show signs of wear over time.

Get on with life.

Ray

 

[TOYSTRY]

He must be, cause ceramic/porcelain tiles don't go with 'easy' and 'quick'.

To the OP: I think you've made your mind up....go with tiles.

Yes sorry, the plastic tiles.

 

[Clemson13]

Though porcelain are very very tough.....

Sent from my imagination using sharks with friggin lazer beams

 

[Trey T]

Depend on what you're using the floor for ... let's assume a commercial car shop.

Google and compare "car shop epoxy floor" vs "car shop racedeck floor" (or "car shop swisstrax floor") ... the result will be very obvious which material is more acceptable in a commercial shop environment.

 

[Garage Flooring]

So I was dead set on doing epoxy but after reading articles on here for 5-10 hours I've come to this conclusion regarding epoxy:

1. Epoxy self-installation is complicated, some have good results, some have bad results (prep is key).
2. Epoxy is extremely $$$.
3. Epoxy doesn't hold up to brake fluid.
4. Epoxy brands are endless and there isn't a tried and true brand loyalty.

Regarding tiles, this is the conclusion I've come to:

1. Plastic style tiles are extremely easy to install and quick to install.
2. Plastic style tiles are extremely durable with 15 yr warranty.
3. Plastic style tiles color options and styles are plentiful.
4. Plastic style tiles prices are reasonable, at least from what I've gathered (I haven't found any post listing what people have paid though - are folks banned from posting cost?)

Feedback is welcome from owners on both options.......and appreciated.

We sell a lot of both. TrueLock or TrueLock HD tiles (American Made) run $1.99-$2.39 / Sq. Ft. RaceDeck is a little more. It is relatively rare to have an issue with tiles. You do see them though. Tenting and other expansion issues, most of which are generally avoided by proper installation and expectations.

We have had a lot of people come back to the forum and post pics of their epoxy or Rust Bullet projects. Definitely the occasional issue, but more the exception as opposed to the rule. Rust Bullet is pretty easy. Epoxy can definitely be done, you just need the right prep and follow the instructions. Grind, moisture test, prime, coat and top coat and you should be very happy with your epoxy project.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Epoxy is fairly straightforward and our clients report few, if any issues. If the directions are followed there shouldn't be an issue and with the GJ discount, cost runs about $1.00/sq ft for materials.

 

[FrankL]

Justin please help clarify. Looked at your Truelock and Truelock HD. Also looked at Sears Snaplock. The phone number provided by Sears is for the manufacturer Snaplock Industries in Cleveland Tn. The owner claims to be the manufacturer of Truelock HD also. However, he us advertising his entire inventory of 40,000 sq ft at extremely low prices. Further there are online photos of Snaplock posted by a customer on CL that look very poor.
Can you shed light on this situation. Are Snaplock and Truelock the same product?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Armorpoxy]

How many square feet is this project, we may have some of our solid PVC Industrial grade www.supratile.com in stock in our overstock area which we significantly discount?

 

[FrankL]

Armorpoxy I didn't mean to question Truelock pricing. My concern is why the manufacturer (claimed manufacturer ) would be selling his entire inventory on Craigslist while boasting about his product on the phone. He will likely not last long as a Sears supplier with poor quality.
My project is a 600 sq ft attached garage and a 1250 sq ft pole barn. Garage is for daily drivers and occasional mechanical work when barn is too cold. Barn stores classic vehicles and a tractor.

 

[Armorpoxy]

No worries! Those sizes are larger than we would have in our 50% off overstock.

We do offer 20% discount to GJ members on the SupraTile which is a solid (not hollow type tile) which brings the price on the 4.5mm solid tiles to $2.55/sq ft.

As a general rule we don't comment on competitor's products, we try to give good information, good customer service, and stand behind our products and let the marketplace make informed decisions.

Thanks!

 

[TOYSTRY]

How many square feet is this project, we may have some of our solid PVC Industrial grade www.supratile.com in stock in our overstock area which we significantly discount?

Not sure of the sq ft, it's a standard 3-car garage. I sent you a PM though, looking forward to hearing back from you.

 

[James-W]

I have Racedeck and have had no problems, other than a very slight buckling of the black colored tiles right by the overhead door where the sun shines on them in the morning. If I had not put black tiles right by the overhead door this would not be an issue. But when it is hot I turn on the air-conditioning and keep the overhead door closed so for all practical purposes it is, more or less, a non-issue.

Just go to their web site and use their floor tile software to design a floor. Then submit it and tell them you are a member of the forum. They have special prices at times and they have free shipping, not sure abo0ut all the time, but at least some times they do. Keep in mind that shipping can be a big part of the cost.

Once you get the floor prepped, assuming you have no major problems with the floor a simple sweeping and maybe use a shop vac will suffice. Once that is done, you are ready to start putting the tiles down. It will take a little while to lay the first tiles and get them straight, but once you get everything lined up and started, the rest of the tiles will go down really quick. When you are done, the garage will look like a totally different place.

But to be fair, epoxy looks VERY good when done correctly. In fact, I think it is superior to the plastic tiles, but it is also easy to screw up an epoxy job and the prep work can be VERY tedious and time consuming.

 

[James-W]

Not sure of the sq ft, it's a standard 3-car garage. I sent you a PM though, looking forward to hearing back from you.

Just measure the length and the width of the garage and multiply them together. My garage is 24ft by 36ft so 24 X 36 = 864 sq ft. The tiles are 12 inches square so it would take 864 tiles to do the floor. I am not positive but I think Racedeck also has 18 inch square tiles as well.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi,
Send us the measurements directly to [email protected] and we can get you a quote. Also need the measurements of the door openings so we can calculate the edging required. Thanks!

 

[Garage Flooring]

Justin please help clarify. Looked at your Truelock and Truelock HD. Also looked at Sears Snaplock. The phone number provided by Sears is for the manufacturer Snaplock Industries in Cleveland Tn. The owner claims to be the manufacturer of Truelock HD also. However, he us advertising his entire inventory of 40,000 sq ft at extremely low prices. Further there are online photos of Snaplock posted by a customer on CL that look very poor.
Can you shed light on this situation. Are Snaplock and Truelock the same product?
Thanks in advance.

TrueLock is my brand and it is made at various locations across the country. I think maybe you are confusing several brands or perhaps someone gave you bad information. Snaplock is in the RaceDeck family. Snaplock also manufactures tiles for us and others.

My guess is you spoke with Aaron at Speedway. Speedway does not manufactuer our HD product.

 

[FrankL]

Justin thank you for the response and clarification. You are exactly correct on who I spoke to. Your information is a great help to prevent me from making a major mistake. Hopefully others will not fall into the trap I nearly did with the "other" product. I'm currently awaiting samples of your products. Thanks again.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Justin thank you for the response and clarification. You are exactly correct on who I spoke to. Your information is a great help to prevent me from making a major mistake. Hopefully others will not fall into the trap I nearly did with the "other" product. I'm currently awaiting samples of your products. Thanks again.

Sorry, that is not what I was saying at all. I was just trying to clarify who you had spoken with.

Aaron is good people and he makes a good product for the price point

 

[FrankL]

No worries! Those sizes are larger than we would have in our 50% off overstock.

We do offer 20% discount to GJ members on the SupraTile which is a solid (not hollow type tile) which brings the price on the 4.5mm solid tiles to $2.55/sq ft.

As a general rule we don't comment on competitor's products, we try to give good information, good customer service, and stand behind our products and let the marketplace make informed decisions.

Thanks!

Thank you for taking the time to respond. It appears I now have a new option that I was previously unaware of.
Epoxy, plastic tiles and now solid tiles. Will the solid tiles handle the slush, salt etc that collects in my wheel wells during the NJ winter storms? I think I understand how epoxy and hollow tiles perform but at this moment unclear on the likely seepage through the solid tiles.
Appreciate your guidance in trying to make an informed decision

 

[FrankL]

Sorry, that is not what I was saying at all. I was just trying to clarify who you had spoken with.

Aaron is good people and he makes a good product for the price point

Justin, Sorry I misunderstood your response. I don't want to disparage anyone here. However I have stumbled upon some pretty unsettling information about a particular product that could cause others a costly mistake. I'll take the rest of this conversation private with you if you don't mind.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Justin, Sorry I misunderstood your response. I don't want to disparage anyone here. However I have stumbled upon some pretty unsettling information about a particular product that could cause others a costly mistake. I'll take the rest of this conversation private with you if you don't mind.

Frank, It was great to speak with you. Please feel free to contact me further if I can be of additional assistance.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Justin, Sorry I misunderstood your response. I don't want to disparage anyone here. However I have stumbled upon some pretty unsettling information about a particular product that could cause others a costly mistake. I'll take the rest of this conversation private with you if you don't mind.

Frank, It was great to speak with you. Please feel free to contact me further if I can be of additional assistance.

 

[FrankL]

So I was dead set on doing epoxy but after reading articles on here for 5-10 hours I've come to this conclusion regarding epoxy:

1. Epoxy self-installation is complicated, some have good results, some have bad results (prep is key).
2. Epoxy is extremely $$$.
3. Epoxy doesn't hold up to brake fluid.
4. Epoxy brands are endless and there isn't a tried and true brand loyalty.



Regarding tiles, this is the conclusion I've come to:

1. Plastic style tiles are extremely easy to install and quick to install.
2. Plastic style tiles are extremely durable with 15 yr warranty.
3. Plastic style tiles color options and styles are plentiful.
4. Plastic style tiles prices are reasonable, at least from what I've gathered (I haven't found any post listing what people have paid though - are folks banned from posting cost?)

Feedback is welcome from owners on both options.......and appreciated.

Have you made any progress in your research, I'm going through the same process and it is proving difficult to settle on the best product. Have received a couple samples and waiting on PVC now, however will be receiving only 4"x4" pieces so it may be difficult to compare to 12x12 polypropylene.
Any info you can share would be appreciated.