VCT - how does it hold up in a real garage?

[Dmaxcc6spd]

I have been lurking from time to time and think VCT is the way to go for my floor. The gagrage is used daily. Some of the garages I've seen on the site are "garage queens" - beautiful spaces for beautiful cars. My gagage is used daily - cars entering with hot tires, snow, rain and some mud.

I figure I have almost 1,000 sq/ft of space to dress up and want to make sure the investment will last.

Obviously jack stands should be on plywood, but how does the VCT cope with daily dirt and turning tires when pulling the vehicles in and out?

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[rwhite692]

With regard to VCT flooring getting marked up, I think a lot of it has to do with how the VCT is maintained. Bare, bone-dry, almost chalky/no-gloss VCT, without any wax or other surface treatment on it, is definately going to mark up worse, and have more marking/scratching/embedded dirt issues from turning tires, etc.

I will be doing VCT in my small 24x36 shop since it is not ever going to be used for daily-drivers, so there will not be cars in-out every day, wet vehicles parking in it, etc.

I also like the cost effectiveness of VCT and ease of repair.

If I was doing a daily-driver garage, particularly where there are going to be wet vehicles and road salt, etc...I would probably go with epoxy.

I think daily-driver use on VCT would require more maintenance to stay looking nice than I am willing to do.

 

[PassnThru]

Bump.
I'm interested in this too. If it is durable I think I would like VCT because it would not hold water underneath it and it would hide small cracks. I think the RaceDeck looks good but I don't like the idea of water collecting underneath it or having to pull it up occasionally to clean. And epoxy looks good but I would think that it would show scratches worse and requires (IMO) more prep.
Several of you guys have it - please chime in on your long term experience.

Thanks

 

[W126C]

Several of you guys have it - please chime in on your long term experience.

Thanks

That is the question that I can't seem to find an answer to either.
I plan on using VCT and don't really care about a high gloss finish long term. I just want it to stay down, not peal up, handle a broom and a wet mop on occasion. Winter temperatures, snow and salt are the things holding me back.

 

[TheShrine]

VCT is tuff stuff and it will take some abuse. With that being said, it will not hold up long term under heavy abuse. At the same time it is easy to repair. Some say they have had problems with tire marks after parking for long periods of time. I used both VCT and Epoxy. So far....no problems other than the overwhelming desire to keep it clean!! I'm becoming more and more comfortable with it not being....spotless.

 

[djjsr]

If you use VCT, I recommend putting something on it to seal up the seams. Several coats of wax will probably do it, but maybe there's something better, I don't know. I have a commercial building that's about 4000 sq. ft. and part of it has tile that was never waxed. That tile has come loose from exposure to water and oil. It will seep down into the seams and over time it will deteriorate the bond. I have over 1000 sq. ft. that needs to be replaced.

 

[JJ Deuce]

VCT is tuff stuff and it will take some abuse. With that being said, it will not hold up long term under heavy abuse. At the same time it is easy to repair. Some say they have had problems with tire marks after parking for long periods of time. I used both VCT and Epoxy. So far....no problems other than the overwhelming desire to keep it clean!! I'm becoming more and more comfortable with it not being....spotless.

That looks really nice! Is the VCT just the checkered portion?

 

[TheShrine]

That looks really nice! Is the VCT just the checkered portion?

Yep. The rest is Epoxy...white with Graphite flakes.

 

[JJ Deuce]

Yep. The rest is Epoxy...white with Graphite flakes.

Very nice. I think I am going to go ahead with the epoxy in my garage. I used it at the last house and it was very durable.

Nice Vette! I used to own a '69.

 

[kartracer23]

I have it in my kart workshop and it's great. My biggest concern is that it's so dang slick it's not funny. I walked into the shop today and apparently still had some snow it the treads of my dress shoes (rubber soled) and about busted my ****. Before I put it in a DD garage, I'd want to locate someway (either wax or an epoxy coat) to take the slickness out of it. I'm pretty sure they have some sort of 'grippy' wax they use in commercial applications - I know the VCT in the grocery store has a lot more traction than mine does (Armstrong wax / sealer).

And I'm not kidding - it's like ice when it's wet.

 

[W126C]

Thanks for the answers guys and the heads up on sealing/waxing it. I heard there is an Armstrong VCT that is a commercial grade with a bit of texture to it. Haven't really looked into it yet but might be the best way to go.

 

[bazzateer]

Thanks for the answers guys and the heads up on sealing/waxing it. I heard there is an Armstrong VCT that is a commercial grade with a bit of texture to it. Haven't really looked into it yet but might be the best way to go.

this one? http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56403

 

[manansal]

If you use VCT, I recommend putting something on it to seal up the seams. Several coats of wax will probably do it, but maybe there's something better, I don't know. I have a commercial building that's about 4000 sq. ft. and part of it has tile that was never waxed. That tile has come loose from exposure to water and oil. It will seep down into the seams and over time it will deteriorate the bond. I have over 1000 sq. ft. that needs to be replaced.

i think you singlehandedly discouraged me!

 

[dipper]

If you are going to use it daily for parking and you live in an area with alot of snow/rain you will want something with some texture. Either a tile or put down a clear epoxy with grit in it. They do get slippery when wet. I do not use mine to park in everyday but have moved cars in/out for extended periods and when the snow drips off of it you have to be sure to take care of it so you don't slip. The VCT in my garage has held up great though, and a yearly or bi-yearly strip and wax/polish will make it look like new.
I have used my floor jack right on it with no problems so far, and jack stands I have a few extra tiles that I place under them right on the floor.

You can see more pics of my install (there's a thread on here or browse through my photobucket).

 

[unpredictable1]

I really like how that looks all one color. Nice!

Makes the install easier too I bet.

 

[Bill97Z]

I am leaning towards vct and using an epoxy clear topcoat (in lieu of wax) with antislip additive. Seems to be the best option, with the least maint.

 

[unpredictable1]

You know what, I bet even if I had something like racedeck or even professional epoxy floor I would still place something under my jackstands regardless. That's just me.

So having to do that with VCT makes no difference either way for me.

 

[rwhite692]

Another thing good about VCT is that, if you are patient and take the time to look around, you can find the stuff very very cheap. There are almost always contractors on craigslist who are getting rid of brand new excess tile left over from completed jobs, etc. Of course it helps even more, if you are not fussy about color/style.

Today I picked some up for my garage, Armstrong Imperial Texture, half of it in black and half white, for $0.31 a sq/ft and got the adhesive thrown in the deal for free.

 

[ReflexTuning]

I have it in my commercial garage. It was there when I moved in and no one ever cared for it. I waxed it a few times, but I really needed to have it done professionally. It got scratched up, and really dirty right under the car where you work. It does make it easy to clean spills, as it does not soak it up like concrete would. I would go with a real porcelain tile if I were to install something myself.