Garage floor Covering ideas

[Busted Knuckles]

I have an older garage floor that needs attention. It has been painted with god knows what material and it is a MESS. I have considered epoxy but there is the matter of that rotten paint on the floor and the need (?) to strip it or sand blast it. Also I removed a wall from the garage and there are a bunch of holes where nails were driven into the concrete to anchor the framing for that wall.

So my areas of interest are square tiles such as RaceDeck or one of their competitors, epoxy (after filling the holes and stripping the paint), or ______?

Looking for recommendations on the issue of the paint removal before epoxy application, a brand of epoxy and of course a brand of snap in tiles such as Racedeck. Racedeck is of course an option but I would like to hear from a user of the product.

Thanks, B-N

 

[Armorpoxy]

Www.supratile.com. Trying to properly prep is and make it great is a big job. Lots of prep to get it ready.

 

[RaceDeck1]

I have an older garage floor that needs attention. It has been painted with god knows what material and it is a MESS. I have considered epoxy but there is the matter of that rotten paint on the floor and the need (?) to strip it or sand blast it. Also I removed a wall from the garage and there are a bunch of holes where nails were driven into the concrete to anchor the framing for that wall.

So my areas of interest are square tiles such as RaceDeck or one of their competitors, epoxy (after filling the holes and stripping the paint), or ______?

Looking for recommendations on the issue of the paint removal before epoxy application, a brand of epoxy and of course a brand of snap in tiles such as Racedeck. Racedeck is of course an option but I would like to hear from a user of the product.

Thanks, B-N

Hi
Welcome to the forum, I am sure you will hear from some members here on about their garage floors. We are happy to send you some samples and GJ members get special pricing when you inquire as well.
Thanks

 

[Garage Flooring]

I have an older garage floor that needs attention. It has been painted with god knows what material and it is a MESS. I have considered epoxy but there is the matter of that rotten paint on the floor and the need (?) to strip it or sand blast it. Also I removed a wall from the garage and there are a bunch of holes where nails were driven into the concrete to anchor the framing for that wall.

So my areas of interest are square tiles such as RaceDeck or one of their competitors, epoxy (after filling the holes and stripping the paint), or ______?

Looking for recommendations on the issue of the paint removal before epoxy application, a brand of epoxy and of course a brand of snap in tiles such as Racedeck. Racedeck is of course an option but I would like to hear from a user of the product.

Thanks, B-N

RaceDeck or TrueLock HD / HD Extreme garage tiles sound like a good solution. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/garage-floor-tiles/

If you go with a solid tile use landscape fabric as a slip sheet between the existing floor and the tile. It will deaden noise and help with other issues as well

 

[Rorin67]

Yes - directly as above. Here's a shot of my old two car with RaceDeck tiles. Super easy install and totally transformed the whole garage in one afternoon.

I have similar "nail holes in the concrete due to wall removal" issues as you with my new-to-me garage and will be using the same tiles again soon. You'll never know those issues lurk under the tiles.

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Yes - directly as above. Here's a shot of my old two car with RaceDeck tiles. Super easy install and totally transformed the whole garage in one afternoon.

I have similar "nail holes in the concrete due to wall removal" issues as you with my new-to-me garage and will be using the same tiles again soon. You'll never know those issues lurk under the tiles.

First thanks for the reply...I wanted very much to talk to someone who has used the tile in the real world. I am certain the look of the tile will meet my expectations. My issue is more one of durability. I do some "moderate" repairs like transmission removal and maybe a differential change ...no welding and no lifts in this garage. I will be jacking cars up with a floor jack for oil changes....general paint. kind of things.

What was your experience in such activities. Do the tiles stand up, did you put some plywood under the jack, stains from oil / brake fluid...? Those are the questions I want to answer before I move ahead.

Also somewhat concerned about moisture under the tiles. I live in Atlanta and it can get pretty humid in the summer. I know SoCal is not the same situation as I face but what can you comment about water under the tiles such as after rainstorms (if it "ever rains in Southern California". I will not be using the "open face" pattern whatever RaceDeck calls it, I want something with a solid face such as the diamond pattern.

Last point ...did you use the little sound deadener "buttons" that attach under the tile to quite the noise of the plastic contacting the concrete.

Thanks

Ray

 

[Rorin67]

Hey there Ray,

Sounds like we do the same types of things in our garages. I've removed/reinstalled the transmission for a clutch replacement, dropped entire rear-end (differential and leafs), and have done/still do other "medium-duty" repairs involving floor jacks and jack stands. I do not weld (at least not yet...).

Contrary to marketing hype, floor jacks WILL leave indentations in the RaceDeck tiles IF, and I mean IF, your floor jack has narrow front wheels. My old' floor jack had narrow wheels, like this one:

If you have one of these, give it to your neighbor and buy one of these with wider wheels:

Also, if your jack stands look like this with no flat platform for feet:

Then you should affix some angle-iron to the feet (or put plywood under them, or something else rigid) so that they will not dig into the tiles, because they will.

Alternatively, get jack stands like this, with platform feet that won't dig into the tile:

As for moisture - You're right, it doesn't rain in SoCal very much, but I often used a garden hose to hose-out the garage and never experienced a concern ever with water being trapped under the tiles.

I did not put landscape fabric under the tiles before laying them down. They were indeed a little noisy to walk on, so I will be putting landscape fabric down the next time I do this to alleviate this minor concern.

Oil and other chemicals clean up with ease - never had a concern there, but then again I never let anything "pool" up and sit on the tiles for long periods of time.

In short, I highly recommend the tiles - whatever manufacturer you go with. It's quite an effective transformation with super ease of installation, and you can hide all of the unsightly blemishes in the concrete without having to deal with them. Yes, they are not quite as durable as the marketing would lead you to believe, but you learn ways to deal with those issues and all is fine in the world again.

Good luck with your choice!

A couple more shots:

Without the fish-eye lens, you can see that this is just a small 2-car garage.

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Hey there Ray,

Sounds like we do the same types of things in our garages.

Right down to the fact that I also have a motorcycle in my garage! Thanks for the info that gives me a lot to think about. Likely I will do it based on the precautions you have outlined.

Thank you!

 

[regguy1]

I had heavily cracked concrete in my attached garage, I did a remodel and used the True Lock tiles. see them in the garage video here:

 

[Rorin67]

Right down to the fact that I also have a motorcycle in my garage! Thanks for the info that gives me a lot to think about. Likely I will do it based on the precautions you have outlined.

Thank you!

Glad to help. BTW - There is literally a difference of a few hours between these next two photos:

BEFORE:
View media item 73312
AFTER:
View media item 73313
And now the '67 has a proper home:
View media item 73306

 

[Garage Flooring]

I had heavily cracked concrete in my attached garage, I did a remodel and used the True Lock tiles. see them in the garage video here:

Thanks!!!

We do have both TrueLock and RaceDeck garage floor tiles

 

[javajaws]

Is that RaceDeck stuff fireproof? How does it hold up against weld spatter?

 

[Garage Flooring]

Is that RaceDeck stuff fireproof? How does it hold up against weld spatter?

I would not call any polypropylene product fireproof and none will hold up to slag

 

[Shea]

Yep. We use those same floor jacks. They work great!

https://allgaragefloors.com/best-jack-stands/

 

[cedricviii]

Looking great.