CircleTrac vs Free-Flow

[KennyZ51]

Hello all, This is my first post so please go easy on me, lol

After doing a good deal of research here and elsewhere, I have decided to go with RaceDeck for my garage floor upgrade. Even with all I have read, I am struggling a bit with the decision of going with the Free Flow or CircleTrac. I am in South Carolina, garage is very dry, one bay will be used for woodworking. Can anyone help me with the pros and cons of these two tiles?

Thanks!

Ken

 

[66HertzClone]

I used both in my garage, I put the Free Flow in the parking area of the two daily driving cars, around the perimeter, in the bay where my Mustang is parked, and across the house wall where a refrigerator and some storage shelving is I used the CircleTrac. I have been very happy with the choice and if I were to do it over I would use the same.

In NJ we have snow, so the Free Flow means no mess, melting snow just goes away. Having the CircleTrac in the other areas makes the quick trips when barefooted being complaint free. When working on a project the CircleTrac means a dropped small screw is easily located.


A leaf blower does an good job of cleaning out the FreeFlow tiles when the times comes.

 

[bdamico]

You like vacuuming sawdust?

 

[zeeway]

I also live in South Carolina (upstate)...and I just installed Racedeck diamond. I considered using some free flow tiles in the pattern, but I decided against it, thinking that leaves and sawdust may get caught in it, and would be a pain to remove. Since we don't have snow runoff to worry about, most of the moisture coming off my cars will be from rain or air conditioner condensate. So far, I have seen a little of both on my floor, and it usually drains between the joints...so no prob.

So I am happy with my decision to use only solid tiles. YMMV.

 

[SteveCh]

I have FreeFlow where I park and Circletrack where I work with a table saw and chain grinder and vise and etc. Sometimes I pull the saw out in the area with FreeeFlow because I am cutting a board that is too large to maneuver back in my saw area. When I do, I have found that if I vacuum the sawdust up after I'm finished, with the shop vac, it's easy. If I leave the sawdust and walk on those tiles for a few days, it is tougher to get the sawdust picked up from the FreeFlow, the sawdust can become a bit packed down in there. It is just easier and faster to clean it up the same day I make it.

So, I am getting better at cleaning up at the end of the day rather than leave it for another time.

 

[KennyZ51]

Thanks for all of the great responses, I appreciate it.

What I am hearing from you all is that FreeFlow is great for snow, not so great for sawdust, leaves, etc. We get a lot of pine needles here and they seem to be able to magically weave their way into things, I suspect the FreeFlow tiles would be no different. I have a vision of pulling them out with needle nose pliers because the shop vac can't pull them out or worse yet, having to lift tiles to get them out.

I like the look of the Diamond but have heard that CircleTrac is easier to roll on and a bit easier to clean so CircleTrac it is!

 

[Garage Flooring]

Thanks for all of the great responses, I appreciate it.

What I am hearing from you all is that FreeFlow is great for snow, not so great for sawdust, leaves, etc. We get a lot of pine needles here and they seem to be able to magically weave their way into things, I suspect the FreeFlow tiles would be no different. I have a vision of pulling them out with needle nose pliers because the shop vac can't pull them out or worse yet, having to lift tiles to get them out.

I like the look of the Diamond but have heard that CircleTrac is easier to roll on and a bit easier to clean so CircleTrac it is!

Have you seen samples? Happy to send you some samples of the different products so you can play. I like the free flow personally. Coin is great for a working garage as well

 

[joel]

I am in the process of selecting RaceDeck Free Flow and Diamond (solid tile like CircleTrac). A few observations:

Free Flow is noticeably quieter when walking on it.

Each Free Flow tile looks like 4 tiles in a checkerboard pattern from light striking the tile. Personally, different color Free Flow tiles used in a checkerboard pattern looks a bit busy.

I'd guess Free Flow is less slippery when wet/snowy/over spray from car cleaning products...

Solid tile would be easier to clean up spilled fluids and find dropped small parts.

Free Flow seems to show dirt (foot prints...) less than solid tile.

Currently I considering Free Flow for everything except in the 4-post lift area, which will e Diamond.

 

[Conor]

I just started installing Free Flow in my garage, love it so far.... Wife did make a comment about that it kinda makes her dizzy... it DOES look like an optical illusion where the floor is moving somtimes haha

 

[JRodsGarage]

Im going with free-flow based almost primarily on look! I live in SoCal, and work on cars so i dont really have to worry about weather getting it dirty!