Floor trim - need to make a decision!

[Nimonic]

Had planned on doing 0.120 thickness aluminum diamond plate. Not so sure now. I'll have to buy around 1.5 sheets (4x8 foot) of aluminum to cover the inner perimeter of the shop floor. That's about ~$250-$300 in material. I don't want to go thinner (and cheaper) because I'd like the floor trim to be "able to take a hit" and the thin stuff will bend like the decorative sheet metal that it is.

So now I'm considering ~1x8" painted wood floor boards. It will be cheaper, but then I have to paint it and it will scratch/peel/dent/burn/rot etc.

What other options? I need 8" height to cover the edge of the drywall.

Thanks,
Molloy

 

[Kevin54]

Is your drywall out even with the concrete block or is it set back? My block is out 3 1/2" out from the drywall because I had fullsize blocks on the last course.

If it were me, and you sometime plan on washing the garage out with a hose, or wash the car in the garage, I would put PVC trim down to the floor, then maybe a more decorative trim on top of the PVC trim. If you put a wood trim down on the floor and wide enough to cover the drywall edge, wood can wick water up.

You could also look into putting something like corrugated metal up as wainscoting and cover the lower half then you could wash away and not have to worry about any water on the lower half of your drywall.

I'm not done with my garage yet, but this gives you an idea as to what it would look like.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

What other options? I need 8" height to cover the edge of the drywall.

Thanks,
Molloy

8", that's quite high.

 

[MDSPHOTO]

Not sure they have 8", but I used the plastic composite molding from HD. Its white all the way through so no painting needed.

 

[rburke65]

How pretty do you want to get? You could run a treated 2"x8" or a 2" x10", then paint or stain it. Don't have to worry about water and it will take a beating. Replacement would be equally easy.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Maybe find some Azek that you like? It's PVC.

 

[72Anthony]

As long as the diamond plate is flush against the drywall & concrete or block, I don't think it is going to dent unless you are really abusing it. Even with some dings, you aren't likely to see them while standing up because of the diamond plate pattern and the sharp angle that you are looking down. Even with the dings, it won't chip like a painted surface.

Since you are in Texas, another option is Hardi trim. It is a 1 by (3/4 thick) material in widths up to 11.25 inches in either a smooth or rustic finish:

http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/products_trim_hardietrim.py

It's made for exterior use and can stand up to Texas heat and humidity.

Can paint in your choice or get it with a limited selection of factory applied paint.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

As long as the diamond plate is flush against the drywall & concrete or block, I don't think it is going to dent unless you are really abusing it. Even with some dings, you aren't likely to see them while standing up because of the diamond plate pattern and the sharp angle that you are looking down. Even with the dings, it won't chip like a painted surface.

Since you are in Texas, another option is Hardi trim. It is a 1 by (3/4 thick) material in widths up to 11.25 inches in either a smooth or rustic finish:

http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/products_trim_hardietrim.py

It's made for exterior use and can stand up to Texas heat and humidity.

Can paint in your choice or get it with a limited selection of factory applied paint.

Is there any problem with fracturing the trim board?

 

[ADSR]

I'm going with a rubber baseboard, as i want to be able to wash the floor.

 

[ez-duzit]

Diamond plate would neither look good nor be practical as base board. Heavy duty rubber matting or industrial grade vinyl would stand up to shop use.

 

[jack bacon]

How about Trex or similar decking material?

Jack

 

[moopa]

Not much help on the trim...but more pics/ info on the '71 Road Runner/GTX or Satellite you're working on would be kool!

 

[dbabicky]

Not much help on the trim...but more pics/ info on the '71 Road Runner/GTX or Satellite you're working on would be kool!

DITTO!!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm guessing your floor is tapered and that is the reason for the 8" high trim ?

 

[Nimonic]

I'm guessing your floor is tapered and that is the reason for the 8" high trim ?

Yep!

I still think 0.120" aluminum diamond plate would look great and wear well, but it's just obscenely expensive

I like the idea of PVC trim boards.

 

[Nimonic]

DITTO!!!

Here you go. I've been without a functional garage for 8 years. I'm so ready to get back to work on my roadrunner. I did all the sheet metal work between 2002 and 2006. Then changed jobs, moved, and lost my garage. Car sat in storage until just recently.

Anyway it's a 71 RR, original 383 4spd car. Have the original block, heads and trans, but plan to use a stout 440 and a Liberty built 18 spline 833 that are ready to go in when the body is done.

 

[djjsr]

How about Trex or similar decking material?

Jack

I agree with this. I built a composite deck over 10 years ago and that stuff is VERY durable and waterproof. It's not quite 8" though. I think mine is 6".

 

[rick carpenter]

As long as the diamond plate is flush against the drywall & concrete or block, I don't think it is going to dent unless you are really abusing it. Even with some dings, you aren't likely to see them while standing up because of the diamond plate pattern and the sharp angle that you are looking down. Even with the dings, it won't chip like a painted surface.

Since you are in Texas, another option is Hardi trim. It is a 1 by (3/4 thick) material in widths up to 11.25 inches in either a smooth or rustic finish:

http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/products_trim_hardietrim.py

It's made for exterior use and can stand up to Texas heat and humidity.

Can paint in your choice or get it with a limited selection of factory applied paint.

Is there any problem with fracturing the trim board?

Hardieboard wouldn't be good for lower trim. One good whack and it will fracture into pieces. A thick black rubber strip with a diamondplate trim cap might be awesome.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Yep!

I still think 0.120" aluminum diamond plate would look great and wear well, but it's just obscenely expensive

I like the idea of PVC trim boards.

You're only doing it once. I used some AL diamond plate for the back splash on my bench. I used the whole sheet and killed one Ben Franklin.

 

[Corsair4360]

My favorite trim in drier climates is a 2x6 vertically nailed in place, makes sure that tools, etc do not hit the wall. For humid climates substitute plastic decking material which would actually work anywhere if it can be obtained in 2x6 or just put two 2x4's up. Cheap and effective.

Those who think a shop should be like living quarters in a house, ignore this I use a shop / garage for building things, welding, woodwork, car / truck work.