Love My New TrueLock HD Ribbed Floor

bikerneil · May 8, 2020

I have been studying and analyzing floor finishes for over a year. I would get close to making a decision, but then back off because I just didn't feel 100% confident that the finish was optimal for my particular garage. I lurked on this forum for hours and hours, trying to make a decision. If my wife had any idea how many hours I spent on this decision, she would probably have me committed!

I live in Southern California and my garage is my basement and my meeting place for sitting with buddies from the neighborhood. I spend time out here every day, so I wanted it to look nice. I keep two cars in this garage and I also store six or seven bikes here as well.

My top priorities for the floor in my main garage were:
1. I wanted it to be dramatic!
2. The floor had to be relatively impervious to tire marking over time. I had a really bad case of paw prints on my concrete floor and I didn't want to see them again for a long time.
3. The new floor has to go with my white walls and white LED lighting.
4. The new flooring also had to assist me with covering up two plugs that cover drain clean-outs in my current garage floor, and some flaking occurring along one edge of my garage floor.

After many hours of analysis - covering over a dozen different flooring options, I finally decided to go with TrueLock HD Ribbed design, with some of their Snap Carpet tiles along one edge of the garage. I worked with Justin at Garage Flooring LLC on this project. He answered a million questions and displayed unbelievable patience as I went through the decision making process. He was instrumental to my success in this process. Shea Walker of All Garage Floors was also very helpful - I found him to be very helpful as an independent source of information.

After deciding to use the TrueLock HD Ribbed tiles I reviewed their online gallery to help me decide on which colors I wanted to use in my garage. (I really liked white, but I knew that those tiles can stain over time, and they are more susceptible to tire marking over time.) I also used their online design tool to layout the floor that I would install in my garage.

Finally, I called Justin and placed the order. During the one week that it took for the tiles to arrive I quickly scrambled to give all of my walls and the ceiling a fresh coat of semi-gloss white paint. I also added two new LED light fixtures, and I threw away a few items that weren't being used.

The tiles arrived here via UPS late Tuesday evening. I spent yesterday installing them, and I then added a perimeter of vinyl black baseboard to finish it off and it is complete! The installation process was extremely easy, with absolutely no issues at all. My layout was spot-on.

I am 100% happy with my floor - it looks even better than I had hoped for. My neighbors have all stopped by to check it out and they have all given it glowing reviews. Best of all, the wife loves it too!

View media item 103791
View media item 103792
View media item 103793
View media item 103794
View media item 103795
View media item 103796
View media item 103790
Super happy with my choice!

TimTaylor75 · May 8, 2020

Looks great!

Dan in Pasadena · May 8, 2020

bikerneil said:
I have been studying and analyzing floor finishes for over a year. I would get close to making a decision, but then back off because I just didn't feel 100% confident that the finish was optimal for my particular garage. I lurked on this forum for hours and hours, trying to make a decision. If my wife had any idea how many hours I spent on this decision, she would probably have me committed!

View media item 103791

Hi again, Neil!

I LOVE the look of your floor and I am at EXACTLY the same place you were in trying to decide. I've gone back & forth between deciding on VCT, having a pro do epoxy (cost!) and using a RaceDeck type product whether solid or vented. Currently I'm leaning toward VCT again but your floor - because it is in the colors I prefer - has me vacillating again!

How's the noise issue while walking on it? Did you go with vented to address the noise or do you intend to wash your cars inside? My layout is much like yours with person door in the back on right except on side wall. I have a tankless water heater on the right too except about 2/3's the length of the wall toward the front though I think about enclosing it somehow and installing a sink there & possibly a compressor though my 60 gallon vertical is really too big for this garage. I also need the stripe down the middle to address it's odd dimension of 21x21.

Last question (sorry!) Why the carpet tiles and why only in back? Was it because of the door? EDIT: Now I see there are TWO personnel doors so the carpet leads from one to the other, smart! It all looks truly fantastic

Dan in Pasadena · May 8, 2020

Oops! Duplicate post, sorry.

kram71 · May 8, 2020

I have black and silver. I like your red. Maybe one day I will add some red like you have in yours.

bikerneil · May 8, 2020

Dan,

Thanks, it took me forever to make my decision, but I ultimately went with the flow thru type tiles.

- I liked the VCT tiles and would have gone that route had it not been for the two large concrete plugs that provide access to drain clean-outs. The floor would have been beautiful, but there was just no way to address those plugs in the center of my floor. They would have been very distracting.
- The other finalist was Polyurea - but I was concerned about being able to properly repair some concrete flaking that I have along the edge of my garage floor leading out to the driveway. I was concerned this was going to worsen over time and it would have affected my new floor (it's a problem that is prevalent on nearly every garage floor in the neighborhood - I suspect one concrete contractor did all the floors and something was not done properly at this edge).
- I am 100% happy with my final choice. It has exceeded my expectations.

The floor is totally quiet. The only area that makes any noise at all is the carpeted tiles - you can hear a little noise when you walk across these tiles. The ribbed tiles are totally silent and you do not hear foot steps on them at all.

I decided to use some carpet for the walkway between the door leading in to the house and the side door that leads out to the side yard. We walk across this area multiple times each day as we access the trash cans in the side yard, etc. It's really comfy on the feet and gives the area an upgraded and finished look (IMO). The color of the tiles is Charcoal - the only color they had. I think the charcoal carpet looks good with my selection of Alloy, Graphite, and Red tiles. I am anxious to see how the carpet wears and if it is a PIA to keep clean (I am retired so I guess I have the time to vacuum it if needed.)

I decided to go with the flow thru style tiles because of several reasons:
- This south facing garage floor receives full and direct exposure to sun when the door is open. I was concerned about thermal expansion of solid tiles. I have RaceDeck solid tiles in my 3rd car garage and I do see a little upheave if the tiles sit in the sun all afternoon (nothing too bad, but I can notice it some times).
- The flow thru tiles are less susceptible to tire stains over the long term - or at least, they are less noticeable.
- I like the way that the flow thru style tiles look from different angles. The ribbed design gives it a three dimensional look.
- I sometimes drive my car in to the garage after I wash it in the driveway and these tiles will allow the water to pass off the car easily with no issues at all.
- I like that the floor shows no dirt anywhere.
- If I don't like the floor anymore in 5 years, I can take it up and install something else!
- Last but not least - installation could not be easier. My neighbor came over right after I finished and asked me who installed it. When I told him that I did it in just a couple of hours with my son he was shocked and very impressed. It is really easy to get great looking, professional style results.

Good luck with your choice. Life is short, make a decision and start enjoying whatever floor you choose!

Dan in Pasadena · May 8, 2020

Thanks for all the answers, Neil. It REALLY does look excellent. A little surprised one of your colors isn’t black. I just assumed it was that outer color.

I keep reading various threads where someone’s epoxy floor is peeling after 3, 6 or 8 years. I too am retired and this garage is almost certainly my last - and hopefully best garage. I want to do it, enjoy it and never regret it.

Glad you mentioned pulling your freshly washed car inside to dry or detail. I’ll do that too. Yours is pushing me hard toward the same vented tiles. Any particular reason why True Lock HD and not RaceDeck or one of the many other brands out there?

I’m THIS close to making the call after seeing yours. Extra credit for being able to do it yourself in a few hours with only one helper! Table saw to make cuts?

bikerneil · May 8, 2020

I used a Ryobi table-top scroll saw for my cuts.

I looked at many different brands and ultimately went with TrueLock HD Ribbed. Customer support was important in my decision, and I was really impressed with both RaceDeck and TrueLock.

Warning - be prepared for major envy from your neighbors..........

Dan in Pasadena · May 8, 2020

bikerneil said:
Warning - be prepared for major envy from your neighbors..........

I already get SOMEthing from my neighbors for my '55 Chevy truck. Not sure it's envy though. More like, "It's pretty but he's such a fool to put that much money into an old truck" :bounce:

Oh well, you can't take it with you and I've always wanted a kickass nice garage so I'm going for it and they can like it or whatever.

Can we see a pic of your beautiful Vette show-parked on the new floor?!

James-W · May 8, 2020

The floor looks REALLY good. :beer:

James-W · May 8, 2020

Dan in Pasadena said:
Hi again, Neil!

I LOVE the look of your floor and I am at EXACTLY the same place you were in trying to decide. I've gone back & forth between deciding on VCT, having a pro do epoxy (cost!) and using a RaceDeck type product whether solid or vented. Currently I'm leaning toward VCT again but your floor - because it is in the colors I prefer - has me vacillating again!

I thought about VCT and epoxy just like you, and I also thought about ceramic tile. I finally decided on Racedeck tiles. The prep for Racedeck is simple, sweep the floor and then vacuum to get up any dust of whatever else that might be there if you want to. Then put down the floor tiles. Takes very little time and the transformation is nothing short of amazing. A big plus is that if you should by some chance ruin a tile, you can replace it in a matter of minutes. I have had my Racedeck floor for several years now and I am totally happy with it. I do have a little clicking when I walk on the floor, but I hardly notice it and it is not objectionable. To some people, I could see where the clicking may bother them. But all you need do is put down some landscape fabric before putting down the tiles. That will solve the clicking issue.

Dan in Pasadena · May 9, 2020

James,

Is your RD is the solid kind? I've read that the noise issue is non existent with the vented type. I hope that's true.

I forgot to mention my initial interest in ceramic tile. I have done and again could do ceramic or porcelain tile. I even have a small tile saw and I'm sure I could do VCT but frankly, I want the dramatic results Neil got and don't really want to do the work of tile or VCT1
Yeah, I know the True Lock or RD will put me on my knees but compared to the others with no thin set or mastic, no grout it's GOT to be a lot easier.

pioneer1 · May 9, 2020

I can relate to your thought process and am glad I went with TrueLock HD Ribbed. The amount of time spent on research doesn't even compare to the time spent installing. But, when it is DONE, and it's better than what you thought it was going to be. That time was worth it.

Your floor looks GREAT!!!

kram71 said:
I have black and silver. I like your red. Maybe one day I will add some red like you have in yours.

kram71, I know you put alot of time in planning yours, did you start a thread of the finish?

James-W · May 9, 2020

Dan in Pasadena said:
James,

Is your RD is the solid kind? I've read that the noise issue is non existent with the vented type. I hope that's true.

I have the solid diamond tile. I use my garage primary for woodworking rather than working on vehicles. I do a little vehicle work in the garage, like an oil change or a brake job, but most of the time it is woodworking and not wrenching. From time to time I will do a project on my lathe and/or my milling machine, but that doesn't happen very often. I am primarily a woodworker so about the only thing that generally gets on the floor is sawdust. The Racedeck floor tiles clean up quickly and easily and continue to look good.

Shea · May 9, 2020

Just saw this thread. Your floor looks fantastic! I'm glad you found exactly what you wanted.

Dan in Pasadena · May 9, 2020

James-W said:
I have the solid diamond tile....

Noise? Or did you put Geofabric under it?

For anyone who knows: If I were to use the solid tiles and put the fabric under it I assume you just lay it down, possibly use a small amount of tape to keep it from moving around/wrinkling during tile installation and maybe slightly overlap it? Or maybe that would make the tile uneven?

larry4406 · May 9, 2020

Very nice looking floor!

I need a floor solution for my garage and am leaning towards something like this. Concerned that the drainage vents/slots would simply be an entrance to grit and grime under the tile (especially since the entrance nosing seems not to have drainage ports)?

I like the idea of ceramic but seems way to much effort for me so would have to hire it out. Also, for me in Virginia, winters are cold (I do have an electric heater) and I think the ceramic would be cold. I would think the plastic tile would somewhat insulate one's feet from cold concrete?

I like the idea that with these snap tiles I could do it myself, clear one half, install, move stuff over, repeat.

manwithtools · May 9, 2020

larry4406 said:
Very nice looking floor!

I need a floor solution for my garage and am leaning towards something like this. Concerned that the drainage vents/slots would simply be an entrance to grit and grime under the tile (especially since the entrance nosing seems not to have drainage ports)?

I like the idea of ceramic but seems way to much effort for me so would have to hire it out. Also, for me in Virginia, winters are cold (I do have an electric heater) and I think the ceramic would be cold. I would think the plastic tile would somewhat insulate one's feet from cold concrete?

I like the idea that with these snap tiles I could do it myself, clear one half, install, move stuff over, repeat.

Not to mention just cold for the ceramic tile, but likely slippery as all get out too. Particularly with any snow melting and possibly re-freezing on the floor - yikes.

James-W · May 10, 2020

Dan in Pasadena said:
Noise? Or did you put Geofabric under it?

For anyone who knows: If I were to use the solid tiles and put the fabric under it I assume you just lay it down, possibly use a small amount of tape to keep it from moving around/wrinkling during tile installation and maybe slightly overlap it? Or maybe that would make the tile uneven?

I didn't use the landscape fabric under my tiles. My floor does have a little clicking sound when you walk on it, emphasis on "little". I don't find the little clicking sound objectionable, but apparently some people do.

larry4406 · May 10, 2020

What is the size of the slot drain openings? I can see small screws/nuts falling thru?

pioneer1 · May 10, 2020

larry4406 said:
What is the size of the slot drain openings? I can see small screws/nuts falling thru?

Some do, just have to have a magnet handy. Order some samples and check them out would be my suggestion.

dcesq06 · May 11, 2020

Long-time lurker to the forums, but new subscriber. Love what you've done with the floor and I am looking to do something similar.

How many square feet is your garage? And do you have any pictures with your cars in it? (My garage is about the same size as your garage.)

Garage Flooring · May 11, 2020

bikerneil said:
I have been studying and analyzing floor finishes for over a year. I would get close to making a decision, but then back off because I just didn't feel 100% confident that the finish was optimal for my particular garage. I lurked on this forum for hours and hours, trying to make a decision. If my wife had any idea how many hours I spent on this decision, she would probably have me committed!

I live in Southern California and my garage is my basement and my meeting place for sitting with buddies from the neighborhood. I spend time out here every day, so I wanted it to look nice. I keep two cars in this garage and I also store six or seven bikes here as well.

My top priorities for the floor in my main garage were:
1. I wanted it to be dramatic!
2. The floor had to be relatively impervious to tire marking over time. I had a really bad case of paw prints on my concrete floor and I didn't want to see them again for a long time.
3. The new floor has to go with my white walls and white LED lighting.
4. The new flooring also had to assist me with covering up two plugs that cover drain clean-outs in my current garage floor, and some flaking occurring along one edge of my garage floor.

After many hours of analysis - covering over a dozen different flooring options, I finally decided to go with TrueLock HD Ribbed design, with some of their Snap Carpet tiles along one edge of the garage. I worked with Justin at Garage Flooring LLC on this project. He answered a million questions and displayed unbelievable patience as I went through the decision making process. He was instrumental to my success in this process. Shea Walker of All Garage Floors was also very helpful - I found him to be very helpful as an independent source of information.

After deciding to use the TrueLock HD Ribbed tiles I reviewed their online gallery to help me decide on which colors I wanted to use in my garage. (I really liked white, but I knew that those tiles can stain over time, and they are more susceptible to tire marking over time.) I also used their online design tool to layout the floor that I would install in my garage.

Finally, I called Justin and placed the order. During the one week that it took for the tiles to arrive I quickly scrambled to give all of my walls and the ceiling a fresh coat of semi-gloss white paint. I also added two new LED light fixtures, and I threw away a few items that weren't being used.

The tiles arrived here via UPS late Tuesday evening. I spent yesterday installing them, and I then added a perimeter of vinyl black baseboard to finish it off and it is complete! The installation process was extremely easy, with absolutely no issues at all. My layout was spot-on.

I am 100% happy with my floor - it looks even better than I had hoped for. My neighbors have all stopped by to check it out and they have all given it glowing reviews. Best of all, the wife loves it too!

View media item 103791
View media item 103792
View media item 103793
View media item 103794
View media item 103795
View media item 103796
View media item 103790
Super happy with my choice!

Nice work and thanks for the nice writeup!

Dan in Pasadena · May 11, 2020

Hey Neil,

I've been trying to count the tiles in your photos. Is this garage really 41 or 42 feet wide and I don't know how many deep? Wow, it's BIIG and its not your only one, so cool!

dcesq06 · May 11, 2020

Dan in Pasadena said:
Hey Neil,

I've been trying to count the tiles in your photos. Is this garage really 41 or 42 feet wide and I don't know how many deep? Wow, it's BIIG and its not your only one, so cool!

I've tried doing the same and I believe each tile looks as if it is 4 tiles. In other words, it's an illusion based on the look of the tile (4 sections on a tile), lighting, etc.

Garage Flooring · May 12, 2020

All: as a sidenote, demand has skyrocketed over the last month. Running about two weeks out on these but the price is amazing right now! We were supposed to raise it but did not because of COVID19 https://www.garageflooringllc.com/ribbed-flow-through-tile/

bikerneil · May 12, 2020

My garage is about 23' wide, by 20' deep.

I have solid RaceDeck tiles in my 3rd car garage and you can hear your footsteps in that garage. The ribbed tiles in my main garage are silent.

Dan in Pasadena · May 12, 2020

Ok, I’m in!

JUST got off the phone with Justin and ordered my own True Lock HD Extreme floor in the same colors, less the carpet tile which I don’t need. Can’t wait for the two weeks to go by and of course now I’ve got my own painting projects to do before then!

Thanks for the inspiration Neil!

pioneer1 · May 12, 2020

Dan in Pasadena said:
Ok, I’m in!

JUST got off the phone with Justin and ordered my own True Lock HD Extreme floor in the same colors, less the carpet tile which I don’t need. Can’t wait for the two weeks to go by and of course now I’ve got my own painting projects to do before then!

Thanks for the inspiration Neil!

Haha, Your going to love it ,, Dont forget the pics

Dan in Pasadena · May 12, 2020

Yeah, I'm excited at the prospect of doing something I've wanted to do for many many years - have a truly nice looking garage.

I ordered enough red to do a stripe downtime middle like Neil's but also enough alloy color to do without it as I am concerned a single title width strip will be too skinny and a three tile wide one will be too thick. My garage is an odd dimension (21 ft.) so it has to be 1 or 3.

bikerneil · May 13, 2020

Super easy install. Best of all, got extremely high WAF (wife approval factor) after it was installed.

Garage Flooring · May 13, 2020

Dan in Pasadena said:
Ok, I’m in!

JUST got off the phone with Justin and ordered my own True Lock HD Extreme floor in the same colors, less the carpet tile which I don’t need. Can’t wait for the two weeks to go by and of course now I’ve got my own painting projects to do before then!

Thanks for the inspiration Neil!

Thank you

bikerneil said:
Super easy install. Best of all, got extremely high WAF (wife approval factor) after it was installed.

Glad your wife approved! I am always amazed at how easy the install is

Dan in Pasadena · May 13, 2020

bikerneil said:
Super easy install. Best of all, got extremely high WAF (wife approval factor) after it was installed.

My significant other (not married but have lived together the last 20+ years!) is actually excited about how the garage will look and is pressing me to paint the garage before the flooring gets here. Headed out to Home Cheapo as I write this to get a very light gray - I can't copy EVERYTHING you did, Neil ha ha!

robertbick · May 14, 2020

Very very nice! Enjoy!

bikerneil · May 15, 2020

I finished off my installation by using black baseboard material from Home Depot. I think this step provides an important finishing touch, as without this I would have had raw concrete around the entire perimeter of my floor.

What are others using for this gap between their new floor and the drywall?

pioneer1 · May 15, 2020

bikerneil said:
I finished off my installation by using black baseboard material from Home Depot. I think this step provides an important finishing touch, as without this I would have had raw concrete around the entire perimeter of my floor.

What are others using for this gap between their new floor and the drywall?

I was fortunate that my dry wall was actually about 3/4" off the concrete and was able to cut small strips to slide under and fill the gap. But, I was prepared to use a base board like you did if it didn't work

Garage Flooring · May 18, 2020

pioneer1 said:
I was fortunate that my dry wall was actually about 3/4" off the concrete and was able to cut small strips to slide under and fill the gap. But, I was prepared to use a base board like you did if it didn't work

Just checking... the tile do still have a good 1/2" to move freely on each side right?

bikerneil · May 18, 2020

My vinyl baseboards are over the top of the tiles, and the tiles have ~1/2" between edge of tile and the concrete wall.

larry4406 · May 19, 2020

These free flow tiles - how does it feel on your foot if you walk bare foot or in socks?

DaveInHouston · May 19, 2020

Very nice! I do a fair amount of welding and cutting in my shop, in addition to mechanic work. I wonder how it would hold up?

Love My New TrueLock HD Ribbed Floor

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

New member

Attachments

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member