Help selecting a flooring material

[Nogginboink]

Total newbie here, a Google search on garage flooring led me to what is certainly the right place!

I have recently partitioned off part of my detached garage into a 21' by 22' workshop. The floor is bare concrete. I ripped out the walls, added insulation, and re-drywalled, and I'm going to insulate the attic space and heat/cool with a mini-split system. The workshop is in Dallas, TX.

The shop will be used primarily for electronics work, including those itty bitty surface mount resistors. I'll be using acids to etch circuit boards and an occasional small spill won't be out of the question. I will do some woodworking in the shop at times as well, and who knows what other hobbies life will take me to.

I'm just now looking at flooring options. The bare concrete is an eyesore and difficult to keep clean. I was initially thinking of an epoxy floor without flakes. (If I drop an SMT resistor on a floor with flakes, I'll never find it!) However, there's no way the Executive Finance Committee will approve a $3/sqft professional installation.

Racedeck seems to be popular here but appears to be totally incompatible with working with small parts that might land on the floor.

If I go with epoxy, I have a few questions. First, are there any downsides to doing an epoxy floor without flakes? Second, what brand to use, where to buy it, and how much would it cost to do a good job myself?

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, what other flooring options would y'all suggest for someone in my shoes?

Thanks!

 

[YNOT2K]

It sounds like your case is not at all special. Use the search function, read all about the different options, and choose the one you want. The opinions you seek have already been expressed many times over in the pages of this forum. Good luck!

 

[bdamico]

Same advice I always give -- spend a day, start reading as many threads in reverse chronological order as you find necessary to understand the options and pros and cons -- then come back and ask better questions. Everything you're asking has been answered in last couple weeks.

 

[slickgt1]

Porcelain Tile. That's it. Research that on these forums.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Total newbie here, a Google search on garage flooring led me to what is certainly the right place!

I have recently partitioned off part of my detached garage into a 21' by 22' workshop. The floor is bare concrete. I ripped out the walls, added insulation, and re-drywalled, and I'm going to insulate the attic space and heat/cool with a mini-split system. The workshop is in Dallas, TX.

The shop will be used primarily for electronics work, including those itty bitty surface mount resistors. I'll be using acids to etch circuit boards and an occasional small spill won't be out of the question. I will do some woodworking in the shop at times as well, and who knows what other hobbies life will take me to.

I'm just now looking at flooring options. The bare concrete is an eyesore and difficult to keep clean. I was initially thinking of an epoxy floor without flakes. (If I drop an SMT resistor on a floor with flakes, I'll never find it!) However, there's no way the Executive Finance Committee will approve a $3/sqft professional installation.

Racedeck seems to be popular here but appears to be totally incompatible with working with small parts that might land on the floor.

If I go with epoxy, I have a few questions. First, are there any downsides to doing an epoxy floor without flakes? Second, what brand to use, where to buy it, and how much would it cost to do a good job myself?

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, what other flooring options would y'all suggest for someone in my shoes?

Thanks!

Executive Fiance committee

You have a lot of options. You can do a full broadcast epoxy system and just go with a single, light colored flake.

You could do a product like G-Floor plus or even a PVC garage floor tile in a light color.

Send me a PM if you want some samples of the different products that are available

 

[RaceDeck1]

Welcome! You've come to the right place, lots of information, reviews, photos and active members here..

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Omitting the flakes is a common procedure.
Many options to choose from . Do your research.

 

[Shea]

A light color without flakes is a great choice when working with small parts that can find their way to the floor. The only drawback to doing a floor coating without flakes is that small imperfections in the concrete can telegraph through the coating sometimes.

Put a good clear coat on top and you will have a nice, light reflective floor that will shine.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Frankly, if you are omitting the flakes, topcoat with a pigmented urethane and future ambering is eliminated. You will have a very chem/abrasion resistant topcoat.

This is a popular choice for chemical exposure areas, airplane hangars, etc...