Flooring Install

[Jsf721]

I have narrowed my decision down to using an interlocking tile of sorts.

I will be using either:

1. Tuff Seal Prime-

http://tuff-seal.mybigcommerce.com/tuff-seal-prime-interlocking-floor-tile/

or

2. Racedeck
http://www.racedeck.com/residentialgarageflooring.html

What is/are the best tool(s) to cut these with when installing? I was thinking table saw for the straight cuts and a roto-zip type tool for the intracate cuts around the garage tracks?

 

[Garage Flooring]

The best tool is often not available. Most of our customers will use a table saw with an inexpensive laminate, plastic or panel cutting blade. Tuff Seal and RaceDeck are two very different product. Both companies manufacturer quality product and provide excellent customer support.

Tuff Seal has their installation guide here (I honestly canot imagine using a utility knife)

RaceDeck has an installation guide as well. You can find theirs at http://www.racedeck.com/installation.html Jorgen is very active on the forum and his opinion would be a good one to seek if you do decide on RaceDeck.

If you decide to go with Tuff Seal, I would be happy to assist you. Of course you can buy directly from the manufacturer at the same price.

 

[Mulder1231]

I used Festool for cutting my RaceDeck tiles. I happen to be a big fan of Festool, but warning, they are a bit pricey.

I used the TS55 track saw and the PG300 jig saw, plus a guide rail and vacuum attached to take care of 90% of the dust. It's very easy to cut a number of tiles at once with the guide rail. And no need to draw lines, just two marks is all you need to position the guide. You can do it right on the floor. For L-shaped pieces around corners and other odd shapes I used the jig saw.

There is a specialized blade for the TS55 that cuts aluminum up to 1/8 as well as polyester tiles like RaceDeck. For the jig saw I use a standard metal blade.

Here are some pictures of the cuts I made. Per manufacturer instruction, I left about 1/2" gaps for expansion.

 

[RaceDeck1]

Hello Jsf721

Installation is very simple with RaceDeck. We recommend using either a skill saw with the blade just set shy of 1/2" for straight cuts ( Tip: when cutting multiple tiles for a wall, interlock them together and make one long cut, this makes for a cleaner look). A Table saw also works very well and when using this tool, we suggest cutting the tiles upside down to eliminate all burrs. lastly a Jigsaw will work for any odd cuts around poles or structure. Any fine tooth blade should work and as always follow instruction of the power tools you are using or have a pro do it.
You can also watch some of our videos and/or call us to walk you through the install step-by-step. See Video and install tips here -> http://www.racedeck.com/installation.html

 

[RaceDeck1]

Great installation pictures and a very nice garage! Thanks for choosing RaceDeck

I used Festool for cutting my RaceDeck tiles. I happen to be a big fan of Festool, but warning, they are a bit pricey.

I used the TS55 track saw and the PG300 jig saw, plus a guide rail and vacuum attached to take care of 90% of the dust. It's very easy to cut a number of tiles at once with the guide rail. And no need to draw lines, just two marks is all you need to position the guide. You can do it right on the floor. For L-shaped pieces around corners and other odd shapes I used the jig saw.

There is a specialized blade for the TS55 that cuts aluminum up to 1/8 as well as polyester tiles like RaceDeck. For the jig saw I use a standard metal blade.

Here are some pictures of the cuts I made. Per manufacturer instruction, I left about 1/2" gaps for expansion.

 

[EMC2]

I used Festool for cutting my RaceDeck tiles. I happen to be a big fan of Festool, but warning, they are a bit pricey.

I used the TS55 track saw and the PG300 jig saw, plus a guide rail and vacuum attached to take care of 90% of the dust. It's very easy to cut a number of tiles at once with the guide rail. And no need to draw lines, just two marks is all you need to position the guide. You can do it right on the floor. For L-shaped pieces around corners and other odd shapes I used the jig saw.

There is a specialized blade for the TS55 that cuts aluminum up to 1/8 as well as polyester tiles like RaceDeck. For the jig saw I use a standard metal blade.

Here are some pictures of the cuts I made. Per manufacturer instruction, I left about 1/2" gaps for expansion.

Great looking garage. Nice touch with the espresso machine also. I'm a real coffee fanatic (Isomac user), but I have to admit that I never thought of placing one in my garage also

 

[trevor_s]

That garage is freakin' awesome!

 

[lmb]

I put in about 200 sq m of Ecotile, which looks very similar to the Tuff Seal tile that you posted, and just used a fine blade of my jig saw. It was installed into 5 different spaces/rooms so there was quite a lot of cutting to do, but the material was quite soft and easy to cut through so no issues there. For the more complicated sections around the doorways, etc. I first cut out a template using cardboard cereal box and once I was happy with the shape just traced that out onto the tile and then cut out the perfect shape that I required.

 

[Chris05gto]

I used my Band saw & table saw, BTW nice looking floor!

 

[Jsf721]

I like and looked at the eco tile. I was concerned about moisture getting under the floor and that is my major attraction to the tuff seal. the eco tile is less expensive tile and there is a local dealer. Do you have it in a garage where wet cars/truck and snow blower reside? I am afraid of mold issues.

I have eco tile in my shed (100 +/-) square feet. And its great. What color tiles did you use?

Thanks,

Jeff

I put in about 200 sq m of Ecotile, which looks very similar to the Tuff Seal tile that you posted, and just used a fine blade of my jig saw. It was installed into 5 different spaces/rooms so there was quite a lot of cutting to do, but the material was quite soft and easy to cut through so no issues there. For the more complicated sections around the doorways, etc. I first cut out a template using cardboard cereal box and once I was happy with the shape just traced that out onto the tile and then cut out the perfect shape that I required.