Prepping garage floor for VCT?

[Mopar_Ray]

Concrete has a lot of damage after 35 years of abuse. I have a couple of ideas on how to fix enough to lay tile.

Either use some 7/32 in. moisture-resistant plywood as an underlayment.

Or using some self leveling concrete dressing to fix the existing concrete well enough to lay tile.

How do think either of these ideas will work?

 

[mygarageone]

Concrete has a lot of damage after 35 years of abuse. I have a couple of ideas on how to fix enough to lay tile.

Either use some 7/32 in. moisture-resistant plywood as an underlayment.

Or using some self leveling concrete dressing to fix the existing concrete well enough to lay tile.

How do think either of these ideas will work?

Any kind of wood on the concrete will curl unless you have it secured by screws and most likely will still draw moisture . I would go with a leveling compound , it could get pricy if you need much of the stuff.

 

[Mopar_Ray]

My first thought was to affix the plywood with construction adhesive? Never used the self leveling, can you fix the bad spots and feather it out or would you have to do the entire floor?

 

[mygarageone]

My first thought was to affix the plywood with construction adhesive? Never used the self leveling, can you fix the bad spots and feather it out or would you have to do the entire floor?

The stuff is easy to work with and yes you can feather it out

 

[Mopar_Ray]

The stuff is easy to work with and yes you can feather it out

Have a favorite product? I wold like to give the self leveling concrete a shot.

 

[mygarageone]

Have a favorite product? I wold like to give the self leveling concrete a shot.

I haven't used this stuff for yrs now and don't remember the brand.
But I am sure the box stores have the stuff.

 

[JimVonBaden]

That floor looks perfect for porcelain tile, not so good for VCT. The thinset will fill the ugly on that while applying the porcelain.

 

[Mopar_Ray]

That floor looks perfect for porcelain tile, not so good for VCT. The thinset will fill the ugly on that while applying the porcelain.

the reasoning I'm thinking VCT vs porcelain is because it seems like it would be easier to keep clean without having grout lines to deal with?

 

[kwfloors]

the reasoning I'm thinking VCT vs porcelain is because it seems like it would be easier to keep clean without having grout lines to deal with?

'like'

 

[Shea]

the reasoning I'm thinking VCT vs porcelain is because it seems like it would be easier to keep clean without having grout lines to deal with?

Actually, it's the other way around. One of the drawbacks to VCT is that it does require regular maintenance to keep looking nice. Porcelain does not. If using a darker quality grout with a good sealer, you shouldn't have any worries.

If you like a more glossy retro look, then the VCT is the way to go.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Actually, it's the other way around. One of the drawbacks to VCT is that it does require regular maintenance to keep looking nice. Porcelain does not. If using a darker quality grout with a good sealer, you shouldn't have any worries.

If you like a more glossy retro look, then the VCT is the way to go.

BUT you need to use a way or acrylic floor finish to maintain that shine...

 

[JimVonBaden]

the reasoning I'm thinking VCT vs porcelain is because it seems like it would be easier to keep clean without having grout lines to deal with?

Use a dark grout and it is no problem. My VCT is harder to keep clean than porcelain by far.

 

[SteveCh]

Man, I cannot in any way cozy up to the idea of putting down any kind of wood product, even marine ply. You do not want to go there.

 

[Mopar_Ray]

I've pretty much talked myself out of the plywood idea. I work on cars a lot in my garage, how we'll would a floor jack roll on porcelain? If I went with VCT it would be a dark gray color, seems like it would be easier to at least kept swept than porcelain. Not looking for a showpeice, probably just mop it a few times a year.

 

[mygarageone]

I've pretty much talked myself out of the plywood idea. I work on cars a lot in my garage, how we'll would a floor jack roll on porcelain? If I went with VCT it would be a dark gray color, seems like it would be easier to at least kept swept than porcelain. Not looking for a showpeice, probably just mop it a few times a year.

There is a thread with several posters regarding the VCT , most are positive.
But it's like anything else , you have those who like it and have it and those who don't have it or like it.
You have to weight all the upside and down side to all the different floor materials and what you want from them.

I am going with VCT for several reasons and not because it's better than the other choices . Because it will fit my needs better than all the other choices.
Are there down sides to VCT ? Yes but there is with any of the floor coverings.

 

[Dakota00]

No issues with jack stands or floor jacks. I do a fair bit on work on my cars, never had an issue with my floor. If you're looking for a low maintenance, easy to clean and super durable floor. Porcelain tile is the way to go!!

 

[JimVonBaden]

There is a thread with several posters regarding the VCT , most are positive.
But it's like anything else , you have those who like it and have it and those who don't have it or like it.
You have to weight all the upside and down side to all the different floor materials and what you want from them.

I am going with VCT for several reasons and not because it's better than the other choices . Because it will fit my needs better than all the other choices.
Are there down sides to VCT ? Yes but there is with any of the floor coverings.

I have VCT, and I like it for the most part, but my concern is with the condition of the OP's floor. That rough of a floor will make installing VCT a challenge to make it smooth and look good. That is why I suggested porcelain.

To be honest, porcelain is not much more expensive, MUCH more durable and easy to clean. If I were to do it again I would go with porcelain.