Pvc tiles
- Thread starter nick28
- Start date
James-W
Well-known member
No experience with the PVC tiles, but I was wondering, you joined 8 years ago and are just now getting around to making a post? Not a problem, but I am curious what took you so long before making a post?
kngelv
Well-known member
I was debating these and the RaceDeck type. Here is a link to my thread regarding these.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349442
After all this I still just have a bare concrete floor. Can't seem to pull the trigger on a purchase. Good luck.
James
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349442
After all this I still just have a bare concrete floor. Can't seem to pull the trigger on a purchase. Good luck.
James
James-W
Well-known member
I went with Racedeck tiles and I am VERY happy with them. Perhaps it is time for you to break down and order the the tiles. Once you do and the Racedeck floor is down you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
Our solid PVC industrial grade tiles www.supratile.com have been used in tens of thousands of garages. Low cost, 15% discount for GJ Members. Thank you.
RaceDeck1
Well-known member
Thank you James W
- Nick - We do manufacture PVC tiles but not for the garage for numerous reasons. Check out our full patented RACEDECK line-up on our site and remember as a GJ member you get deep discounts. Whatever you choose, have fun creating your garage
Garage Flooring
ALLIANCE MEMBER
PVC tiles are an interesting choice for a garage. The locking systems are more water tight (which has pluses and minuses) and they never have that hollow sound. The deal with industrial traffic very well BUT
They stain from tires. The noise factor can be overcome with a hard plastic garage floor tile by using a landscape underlayment. PVC tiles also seem more prone to expansion and contraction issues.
We sell both and we sell a variety of products. Have a look at our garage floor tiles page and let me know what you would like to see. I will send samples
kngelv
Well-known member
PVC has more expansion issues RaceDeck type tiles.? I have seen plenty of heaving RaceDeck tiles on these forums but don’t recall any heaving PVC pics. Please enlighten us.
James
I recently installed pvc tiles in my shop about 6-8 weeks ago. They have contracted some, it appears about 1/4". I haven't done any work on them yet but I like how solid they are, no noise whatsoever. Install was relatively easy and quick. I have epoxy in my garage at my other house, it's not held up well. The thing I like about this floor is that it should look the same 20 years from now. I'll just have to be more careful when changing fluids and grinding/welding. I have extras in case damage occurs. I think I am really going to like them.
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Here is our experience with both PVC and Polypropylene tiles. They both will expand and contract to some extent due to temperature changes.
When using the PVC www.supratile.com if your garage faces South and/or gets a lot of sunlight and such we recommend using the adhesive we carry to lock down that area. The rest of the floor can float. We recommend leaving about 1/4" around the perimeter to allow for expansion and contracton.
Polypropylene tiles since they are hollow and have a 'waffle type' back to them don't affix well with adhesive so they are more difficult to lock down if this problem is ecountered.
Yes, certain tire compounds can stain/mark PVC tiles so we recommend using back under the tires/parking area.
When using the PVC www.supratile.com if your garage faces South and/or gets a lot of sunlight and such we recommend using the adhesive we carry to lock down that area. The rest of the floor can float. We recommend leaving about 1/4" around the perimeter to allow for expansion and contracton.
Polypropylene tiles since they are hollow and have a 'waffle type' back to them don't affix well with adhesive so they are more difficult to lock down if this problem is ecountered.
Yes, certain tire compounds can stain/mark PVC tiles so we recommend using back under the tires/parking area.
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Garage Flooring
ALLIANCE MEMBER
First, I am not going to speak as to specific brands but as to the products in general. I will say this. I have never seen an issue with a RaceDeck or Snaplock floor that they did not find a way to resolve. But I am speaking as to two different types of tiles in general. I would also like to say that given that we offer both types of products, I don't have a horse in this race.... Or I guess more accurately I have both horses in this race. I also love both sets of products and believe they both have different applications -- and of course there is some overlap.
Expansion and Contraction
The only time I have ever seen expansion and contraction issues with QUALITY, American Made, garage tiles is when they are either improperly installed or exposed to unreasonable expectations.
With both products you need to consider the time of year. It was 20 degrees when I woke up this morning and there was zero sun. If I put either product in today and left my garage door open in August, I might have to make some adjustments.
If you do not glue PVC down it seems to expand less consistently than Polypropylene. I see more of a rippled effect and I have to physically adjust the tile to get it back to normal.
I don't generally see the issue with polypropylene -- when installed correctly -- but when it does occur it tends to be consistent and fix itself when the extraordinary heat source goes away. If you keep the product in the sun prior to install, load it immediately and leave proper install gaps, this issue is rare.
To Armorpoxy's point the way to alleviate this is to glue the tile down as far in as the sun reaches when you would leave your door open. To that extent proper install will fix the issues there too.
Floor Protection
There is no question PVC tiles protect the concrete better than polypropylene.
Industrial Traffic
If I am driving a forklift on it I am going with PVC. I am going to glue any areas where I might be doing tight 360 turns.
Moisture
PVC does not deal with excessive moisture issues as well as polypropylene. Some do a better job than others.
I wrote an article on this some time back. It needs updating but has some good information in it https://www.garageflooringllc.com/selecting-garage-floor-tile/
Final notes
Both products have pros and cons and neither is right for every project. They key is to know what you are dealing with, make an educated decision and make proper adjustments at time of install.
Thanks for the info in this thread. I’m just in the beginning stages of a basement workshop makeover. I have been leaning toward PVC tile due to price and ease of install. I like epoxy, but we had issues at our last house that has me a little gun shy. I have to cover about 900 sq ft and while epoxy could be great, I don’t know if that is the best for m needs. I will primary use this as a woodworking shop. I will also store the lawn mowers and do the occasional oil change/vehicle maintenance. I am getting rid of most of my old equipment and updating to more mobile options so I can keep the space clear, so the constant movement and potential for scratches has me leaning more toward the PVC.
Anyway, thanks to OP and the industry people commenting on the pro/cons of each.
Anyway, thanks to OP and the industry people commenting on the pro/cons of each.
Garage Flooring
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You are in the right place now. Start a detailed thread on your needs and the space and you'll get a lot of input. Coatings with some guidance are a beautiful floor.
Quick question for you guys more knowledgeable on PVC tile. I’m reading something about needing air under the tiles to prevent mold/mildew. Is this really a problem? If I go with PVC it will be in an unfinished basement garage with no HVAC. I have been running a 70 pint dehumidifier in the summer just to be on the safe side with the tools, but I don’t think it gets to humid in there. While it is the basement, this section only has 1 wall of poured concrete wall and it approx 20 ft. The other walls are 2x6 framed with drywall covering. Oh, and the concrete walls are also finished with studs and drywall.
If concern is moisture from the slab, could I just seal the floor with something like Thompson’s water seal?
If concern is moisture from the slab, could I just seal the floor with something like Thompson’s water seal?
We have not had any reports of mildew under our tiles and have never heard about getting air under them.
If you want to seal it as a precaution use a product called Deep Seal moisture barrier. Stay away from anything at a home center.
We carry this as a special and can get for you if you can’t find it.
If you want to seal it as a precaution use a product called Deep Seal moisture barrier. Stay away from anything at a home center.
We carry this as a special and can get for you if you can’t find it.
Thanks! The only reason I was thinking about Thompson’s was that I know it is not very good. If, say in 5 years I’m tired of the PVC and wanted to switch to enamal, I thought the Thompson would be easier to remove. Lol. Appreciate your input and I’ll look into that sealer but I may just skip.
Hi,
The Deep Seal penetrates and can be coated over and would not need to be removed, so if reducing moisture is your goal it would be an excellent choice for that purpose. Water Seal which is a repellent would need to be grinded off hence why not recommend.
The Deep Seal penetrates and can be coated over and would not need to be removed, so if reducing moisture is your goal it would be an excellent choice for that purpose. Water Seal which is a repellent would need to be grinded off hence why not recommend.
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Garage Flooring
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thompsons water seal is a positive side waterproofing agent. It seals from moisture that gets on top of the concrete from getting through. It is not a negative side waterproofing agent.
Densifiers will help some but they are also not negative side waterproofing.
If this were my floor I would densify it and then use a product like NORSK which has a patent pending system to allow moisture to escape,
https://www.garageflooringllc.com/norsk-stor-garage-floor-tiles/