Happy GarageDeck Install from Bigfloors.com

[mccorma]

I recently installed a GarageDeck floor from Bigfloors.com. GarageDeck from what I can gather is also made by Snaplock Industries and is a private label brand for Bigfloors.com. They also sell Racedeck and a variety of similar products. I went with GarageDeck as it was less expensive but seems to have the same quality as Racedeck. The AccuPark wheel stops also integrate into GarageDeck and the entire product line I believe.
On the one side of the garage where the edge is exposed, I used the 3" edge pieces (same ones you use at the entrance) to give a finished look. On the other side I cut the pieces to fit with a jigsaw. One thing to keep in mind when ordering- when installed there is approximately a 1/16th gap between the tiles, when you are talking the width of a 2 car garage this adds over an inch. I thought my installation would fit without any cutting but forgot about that factor.
Also after reading comments here and others, I put down a layer of foam underlayment that you would use for Pergo or any floating floor to add cushion and quiet it. That seems to work well. I went to Home Depot and got the cheapest one they had at about .25/sf.

 

[35mastr]

Looks good,But I think those parking stops would be a fall just waiting to happen.Especially if you have younger kids like myself.

 

[ProGun3400]

Howdy. Your floor looks great. It looks like you and I have similar taste. I bought the same (blue and black) tile from Big Floors also. I just mailed out payment for my second half of the tiles.

 

[mccorma]

Thanks - I thought the blue and black was sharp- spent lots of time on Bigfloors design tool to come up with something.

35Mastr- re the Accupark stops, I don't have kids so the only tripping would be me or the wife. But, it does not stick up that much. Actually, I wish it was higher as in our SUV with big softer tires at times it is difficult to tell when you have driven onto it. The Accupark has two installation options. It comes with two black tiles that snap into your installation. Then the metal stops have a sticky back to attach. As an alternative, they also provide a thin rubber mat that you can apply to the sticky back and allows the Accupark to sit on top of your floor and be moved around if desired.

 

[lowceiling]

Hi,

Nice floors...I have a question if you dont mind me asking. With the design of the surface of the tiles, does it get in the way of like dragging the floor jack, or the jack stands?

Reason I ask is that the floor is now not FLAT due to the circle designs...so I was wondering if its harder to put jackstands like does it not make it NOT level??

I dunno if im not making sense or not...probably not hahaha, but I though id ask.

Does racedeck have FLAT surface ties??

 

[mccorma]

I am not aware of anything in that product line that is completely smooth, all seem to have some sort of raised design. So far, I have not dragged anything heavy like a floor jack but you raise a good question. The only thing I have wheeled around is a shop vac and the trash cans, without problems. I would say the round "quarters" on my tiles are only raised about 1/32" or so, certainly less than 1/16th if that helps.

 

[RaceDeck1]

Yes RaceDeck does manufacture a smooth surface tile.

 

[lowceiling]

Yes RaceDeck does manufacture a smooth surface tile.

Oh, what is it called?? I tried to look at the website and could not find it.

thank you.

 

[mccorma]

Yes RaceDeck does manufacture a smooth surface tile.

Jorgen, I want to say thanks for participating on this forum and for a great product line. I studied this forum for a while and read the comments before deciding to go with your product. Your involvement and support here mean a lot, thanks again!

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Howdy. Your floor looks great. It looks like you and I have similar taste. I bought the same (blue and black) tile from Big Floors also. I just mailed out payment for my second half of the tiles.

I want to do the EXACT same thing as you have in this picture how did you get the small border all the way around?

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[koister2001]

won't spilled fluid (coolant, motor oil) enter between the gaps of the tiles and stay underneath? How's your experience with spillage?

 

[James E]

If they interchange, what is the difference between RaceDeck and GarageDeck tiles, other than the price?

Nice floor, by the way.

 

[Larry M]

Damn you...right when I thought I was going to go with Epoxy you bring me back in and now I can't decide

 

[Wingnut65]

The black border appears to be their 3" tapered edge trim pieces.

I have not noticed any seepage through the seams yet.

 

[harryhood]

won't spilled fluid (coolant, motor oil) enter between the gaps of the tiles and stay underneath? How's your experience with spillage?

that's why tiles like that are great for people that don't do any of their own work on their cars.

 

[RaceDeck1]

won't spilled fluid (coolant, motor oil) enter between the gaps of the tiles and stay underneath? How's your experience with spillage?

RaceDeck flooring has pretty tight seams and 99.9% of any liquid dripped or spilled will not go through the cracks due to hydro-static tension and unlike most floor coatings or rubber type flooring, brake fluid, anti-freeze and oil will not effect it. There are many posts about this throughout the forum and if you visit our site, it also details how the suspended understructure provides not only tremendous structural support, but allows air and liquids to flow.

 

[James E]

Jorgen, are RaceDeck and GarageDeck manufactured by the same company? I'm assuming they are because if they were not, you could go after them in court for their similar name.

If they are, can you explain the differences that make RaceDeck worth the added cost over the GarageDeck material?

I am not asking to be a pain. I am seriously considering RaceDeck for my garage and want to know for a reason. Feel free to PM me if you like.

 

[Infiltrator]

I will let him answer, but there are numerous threads on the difference. I ordered samples of both. The racedeck tiles have a stronger substructure, which explains why it can hold greater weights. On the top, they look similar. Racedeck tiles also are suppose to have a tighter seam, but I they both seemed pretty tight.I had to hold off ordering due to some high unexpected bills, but I plan to order the racedeck tiles just because I have heard so much better about them. There are some good posts on Garagedeck tiles also, don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[James E]

Thank you for the information. Jorgen, if you have any other specifics I am very interested in knowing them.

 

[R6 Racer]

mccorma the floor looks fantastic! I luv your design too.
I also really like the "foam" underlay idea. I just don't know if it will work out OK for us up here in the great white north.

Jorgen Quick question for you. (I thought I would put it here so others might see your answer. Sorry for the wee hijack mccorma)
I live in Canada where for months I have cars dripping water salt & sand on my floor. With bare cement I hose & squeegee them off regularly. I have seen floors that haven't been cleaned regularly eaten up badly (rotting away) by this mixture.
Knowing that floor decking does not completely seal a floor would you still recommend yours for a Canadian garage floor? Why/why not? Your comments on the foam underlay that mccorma used.
If I decide to use it how will I still maintain my floor & keep it from rotting away from all that salt water?

Steve

 

[RaceDeck1]

mccorma the floor looks fantastic! I luv your design too.
I also really like the "foam" underlay idea. I just don't know if it will work out OK for us up here in the great white north.

Jorgen Quick question for you. (I thought I would put it here so others might see your answer. Sorry for the wee hijack mccorma)
I live in Canada where for months I have cars dripping water salt & sand on my floor. With bare cement I hose & squeegee them off regularly. I have seen floors that haven't been cleaned regularly eaten up badly (rotting away) by this mixture.
Knowing that floor decking does not completely seal a floor would you still recommend yours for a Canadian garage floor? Why/why not? Your comments on the foam underlay that mccorma used.
If I decide to use it how will I still maintain my floor & keep it from rotting away from all that salt water?

Steve

Steve- you have a few questions loaded in here, so I will do my best to answer.
The RaceDeck floor itself will not be effected by road salts, mud, and obviously snow. As for what is underneath? For the most part, salt, water, etc will stay on top of the floor as the seams are pretty tight and the hydro-static tension keeps it from 'flowing' underneath. Now, if you have extremely large amounts of liquids puddling on your floor, it is possible for some to drip through, but the amounts are fractional compared to no protective barrier. My personal garage floor has been down over 10 years and once every few years I take out a section to see what is going on ( my own little R&D lab ) and there is no sign of anything happening to the concrete ( no paint or epoxy on it) and really not much else...maybe a little dusty. BTW- popping out a single tile or large section takes just a few minutes, so even if you spilled a bucket of oil and left it there for days, you can easily get to it ( unlike carpet in your home)

Now for foam underlay - Really it is not the best option for an entire garage floor as it could prevent the floor from self-adjusting during major climate swings. If there is a walkway or work station that you want to have 'cush' or dampening, then you are ok.

Please call us anytime with tech questions....

 

[R6 Racer]

Thanks for your quick answer Jorgen!

And now back to your regularly scheduled thread!!!

 

[mccorma]

I have not really noticed any adverse effects yet of the foam underlay. I have noticed some slight raising/buckling of the tiles during hot weather when the tiles near the door are exposed to direct sun (and therefore expand). Mostly I notice this when there are cars in both stalls, which of course limits the movement of the tiles.

As far as spillage/liquids, I don't really work on the cars in the garage, so the only liquids present are water drips from the car. I imagine that spills of automotive fluids could seep between the seams and cause some temporary odors until they evaporate but this was not a concern for me. Sometimes, when I want to clean the floor, I'll just take the hose and lightly spray the floor and then mop it up.

After a year and and a half installed, the only thing I am noticing is that there is some dulling of the surfaces where the tires ride over it. I assume this is due to embedded dirt etc. in the tires acting as an abrasive.

Hope this helps!

 

[Airwilf]

Yes RaceDeck does manufacture a smooth surface tile.

I wish I would have known that before I bought my coin pattern tile,although I've had zero issues with it.It's just that I like a smooth finish floor.

 

[SpeedCoach]

Yes RaceDeck does manufacture a smooth surface tile.

Must be new?? Do tell!!!??

 

[glsmaverick]

Yes RaceDeck does manufacture a smooth surface tile.

Where are these said tiles?

 

[RaceDeck1]

Where are these said tiles?

Hi
We do not have the smooth top tiles on the site, as they are not officially a RaceDeck product. If you would like to see a sample, just drop u sa line as we will send you out a free sample

 

[Silverback51]

Now you tell me.

However I'm very happy with the coin style, so it's no big issue to me.

Hi
We do not have the smooth top tiles on the site, as they are not officially a RaceDeck product. If you would like to see a sample, just drop u sa line as we will send you out a free sample

 

[spyhunter]

I do a ton of car work. I recently received a racedeck sample and have been testing is over the past few weeks. As far as chemical resistance, I've tried soaking everything that I had on it with no apparently failures or weaknesses.

Jacks and jack stands are a different story. Rolling a car over the tile is no problem. Supporting a car with jackstands leaves behind marks and indentations into the tiles. Jacking up a car with the tiles underneath the jacks main wheels also caused marks where the wheels rolled over it. To be clear, they was no failure in the product to support the weight, but the surface was definitely permanently indented. This alone is leaving me second guessing any purchase decision on racedeck products

 

[twokidsnosleep]

One step closer to getting a Racedeck floor; Yesterday I helped a friend move their boxes and junk out of a storage space in my garage.. stored 8 yrs while they were overseas. That means I can put my junk in there and frees up some space.
Now have to decide on colors and stop having unexpected $ outlays for home and cars.
That black and blue looks really sharp.

 

[type550]

I just did this on the weekend - I like the blue, black and white - still got the back half to do! I added the white as I found in testing the dark colours definitely showed up more dirt

 

[twokidsnosleep]

That looks really fine
I have been watching your thread as you transform that space for your gorgeous Porsche
I would have thought the white was harder to keep clean, but just like a black car I suppose a dark floor shows everything.

 

[type550]

I thought the same with the white, but I had one blue, red, black and white tile on the floor of my work area and the white was the cleanest by far. I think I had higher expectations of the finished job, but with the size of the space I have, I think tiles are the best solution. If I had a double garage, I would prefer to put down an epoxy finish. I will have to see when I finish the rest of the floor and stand back. The rest of the garage is coming along, but I think with the concentrated approach over the last few months my wife is getting a bit titchy so the murals and everything else is now done in the still of the night!