Ceramic Tile Garage Floors

[N4S]

Hi Folks!

I am new to this forum. I am planning to cover my 3-car garage floor with tiles, turn it into a man cave and park my weekend cars in it. I have a contractor who would be laying the tiles.

I live in Dallas, TX area. The garage is about 840 SF, floor is currently concrete and is in a good shape, however, there is a slight slope to the back of the garage and the contractor will be leveling it using Mapei product before laying tiles for proper water drainage.

I was told porcelain is a better choice than ceramic for garage floors and looked at my options in Floor & Decor as well as Seconds & Surplus stores. Unfortunately, I didn’t find a porcelain tile I liked. I found a ceramic tile with high gloss finish I really like. I have attached couple of image of the tile and it’s description (12 x 24”, polished, rectified, Indoor, Inkjet, PEI=3)

I would appreciate any feedback you guys have regarding:
1 - Leveling it
2 - Use of ceramic tile in garage
3 - Rectified installation in garage applications

 

[shade]

Drop something on ceramic and its likely to crack.

 

[foodie]

Buy a piece take it home and wet it down, put some soap on it, walk on it and see if it is slippery. Typically polished tiles are slippery. I would pick a honed finish or matte finish.
The PEI is okay I personally would go with something higher in the 4 or 5 range for heavy traffic. But that is just me, I tend to overdo everything. I know it is hard to pick a tile especially when you find one you like but it has the wrong specs. Check Build Direct.com

 

[Shea]

PEI is a hardness rating. For a floor that will get vehicle traffic, you want a PEI rating of 4 or 5. Polished tiles are going to be slippery when wet, so that is something to consider as well.

 

[Angelfire]

Drop something on ceramic and its likely to crack.

False. Properly installed, it will hold up better than just about anything out there.

 

[Angelfire]

Hi Folks!

I am new to this forum. I am planning to cover my 3-car garage floor with tiles, turn it into a man cave and park my weekend cars in it. I have a contractor who would be laying the tiles.

I live in Dallas, TX area. The garage is about 840 SF, floor is currently concrete and is in a good shape, however, there is a slight slope to the back of the garage and the contractor will be leveling it using Mapei product before laying tiles for proper water drainage.

I was told porcelain is a better choice than ceramic for garage floors and looked at my options in Floor & Decor as well as Seconds & Surplus stores. Unfortunately, I didn’t find a porcelain tile I liked. I found a ceramic tile with high gloss finish I really like. I have attached couple of image of the tile and it’s description (12 x 24”, polished, rectified, Indoor, Inkjet, PEI=3)

I would appreciate any feedback you guys have regarding:
1 - Leveling it
2 - Use of ceramic tile in garage
3 - Rectified installation in garage applications

While far from a deal breaker, keep in mind that if it's not through body, if you happen to chip it, the chip will stand out. Lots of installs out there without through body but just something to keep in mind.
Cheers.

 

[ReggieR]

Buy an extra 150 square feet for repairs when you drag an engine block or drop a 4 lb hammer on it. I have porcelain 18 x 18 and have probably replaced 6-7 pieces in the last 12 years.I bought an extra 1000 sf since my whole house is the same tile. You never know...flood crack, quake, shower drain etc etc. Whatever you choose get plenty extra ! Like wallpaper, 2 years from now you'll NEVER find that exact tile. Yet another scam.

 

[Gerald O]

Buy an extra 150 square feet for repairs when you drag an engine block or drop a 4 lb hammer on it. I have porcelain 18 x 18 and have probably replaced 6-7 pieces in the last 12 years.I bought an extra 1000 sf since my whole house is the same tile. You never know...flood crack, quake, shower drain etc etc. Whatever you choose get plenty extra ! Like wallpaper, 2 years from now you'll NEVER find that exact tile. Yet another scam.

6-7 pieces in 12 years? So why would you need to buy an extra 150 sqft when you only actually replaced 7?

Sorry, but your post reads like someone that does not actually have a porcelain garage floor. I have dropped a 3lb hammer from top of a 6ft ladder onto my cheap ceramic garage floor tile and it didn't crack it.

How much of that have you had to replace in your garage vs in your house? You are more likely to have to replace tile in your house (unless your house is on a slab) than in the garage, because the floor in the house flexes. And who "drags" engine blocks on garage floors? Presuming that the engine block is one you want to keep instead of scrap.

And what is this "scam" you speak of?