DIY Tiles?

[AndyL]

So been hunting around for a month now... Can't find a tile I can afford that has enough traction, comes in ~24x24" and in some colors... Well there were two - but both came from high end italian sources - at about 14$/sqft...

So I'm wondering - I see all the concrete countertop threads here... Anyone tried DIY'ing concrete tile to spec for a garage floor? Make a mould using similar techniques to the countertop (though I would think something rougher for the 'top') use some of these newer additives (fiberglass/kevlar strands?) dyes to get some color, then sealers to keep em decent looking...

 

[DIYKiah]

I used to get some really cheap tile from Crossville Tennessee from a company I think called Crossville Tile if I remember right. Might be worth checking out! =) Of course I used to get them from a guy who had surplus left over from building Beall's and Burke's Outlet stores... You might could contact the construction department at Beall's down in Florida and see if they have some surplus left over from any of their stores. They have stores all over so they might be willing to work something out with you because they end up paying a bunch of money to someone to rent a truck and move the leftover materials to a centrally located store to consolidate all of their surplus.

 

[AndyL]

It's not just a matter of cost, it's the texture (I gotta have reasonable traction, knee issues) color choices and yeah price does factor in - GranitiFiandre has some gorgeous tiles, a version of the ones they supply to the ferrari dealers ... But $$$ (and not a big fan of the metal flake in em)

Thus it seems to make sense, that I DIY something that would be suitable...

 

[A_Pmech]

Why must they be so BIG? Tiles that size are exceedingly difficult to lay, especially if it is your first time.

Metropolitan Ceramics, a company out of Ohio, makes commercial grade quarry tile in sizes to 8x8. I just bought some for my kitchen and patio. It's the same stuff they tile malls and commercial kitchens with. Made in the USA.

 

[AndyL]

Not my first time laying tile... And yes I've done 24x24 before... Size wise, it's a 30x26 garage, playing in sketchup, doing a checkerboard in 12x12's looks way too busy... I could do 12x12 in a 24x24 pattern, but that's just more grouting...

I've got the issue where I also USE my garage, I tested some of the typical choices - Pulled out the mig and burned some nice holes in metal over top of them, and tried some intentional scratches with the grinder (I've been known to drop it...) Finish didn't look so good after slag danced across them... Which is partly why I'm thinking concrete, if I scuff a concrete tile with my grinder- that's got a consistant finish right through - it's not going to show as bad as it would if done to a porcelain/ceramic tile, it also doesn't show the slag trails quite as bad...