My new house will be built next year and I am excited to build out the garage. I live in Northern California(Sacramento) that doesn’t get any snow and not a ton of rain either. I can’t decide to go with solid flooring like Diamond or the FreeFlow. Any input would be appreciated.
Racedeck Diamond vs FreeFlow
- Thread starter Raptor916
- Start date
CSRPenFab
Well-known member
I've owned both, so I'll give you my opinion. My first 3 garages in were all in So. CA and they all had RaceDeck Diamond tiles. My shop saw a lot of woodworking and mechanic work (restoring old Honda CT trail bikes). The Diamond tiles worked great. In my last CA garage, I finally took the time to lay non-woven landscape fabric under the tiles, and I'd highly recommend that. It reduces the "clickity clack" noise considerably.
We moved to Idaho in August, so I'm now dealing with snowy winters. I decided to do the 1,000 sq. ft garage in FreeFlow, and I couldn't be happier. It handles the winter mess perfectly, but you don't have that concern in CA.
Last CA Garage:
Current ID Garage:
We moved to Idaho in August, so I'm now dealing with snowy winters. I decided to do the 1,000 sq. ft garage in FreeFlow, and I couldn't be happier. It handles the winter mess perfectly, but you don't have that concern in CA.
Last CA Garage:
Current ID Garage:
RaceDeck1
Well-known member
You should at both our FreeFlow XLC and FreeFlow if you are leaning to an open tread design. The DiamondTile is the most popular and you could always do a combination of both.
THis Picture is FreeFlow and our CircleTrac style flooring
THis Picture is FreeFlow and our CircleTrac style flooring
CJDave
Well-known member
As has been stated here many times before " match the flooring to your intended use." I love my RaceDeck Free Flow as we get lots of rain and snow here. I also detail my '69 Mach 1 in the garage, in the shade. Works great. I also have removed and re-installed the engine and transmission of the Mach 1. My toolbox, engine hoist, engine stand and roller seat all roll well on this surface. I did not use any underlayment and I have no click-clack noise. After almost 8 years I have no regrets on my choice. CJDave.
CSRPenFab
Well-known member
Good point. No need to use any underpayment with the FreeFlow. It doesn’t make noise like the solid tiles.
lioneljoseph
Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2016
- Messages
- 8
Good feedback on the thread, wondering if I could chime in as I am debating between the two types of flooring.
I have an 18x23 garage that is used exclusively to store vehicles that are not daily drivers, the structure is in an area that does get snow, but all the vehicles will not be driven during the winter, and are only fair weather cars. I will have a 4 post lift that will sit on top of the tiles, and may be moved from time to time on rollers. I am going to seal the concrete, and the pad was poured overtop a vapor barrier.
Based on all the posts I have read, it seems either would work. Is there any reason to spend the extra $ on the diamond?
@RaceDeck1 Any thoughts?
Thanks!
I have an 18x23 garage that is used exclusively to store vehicles that are not daily drivers, the structure is in an area that does get snow, but all the vehicles will not be driven during the winter, and are only fair weather cars. I will have a 4 post lift that will sit on top of the tiles, and may be moved from time to time on rollers. I am going to seal the concrete, and the pad was poured overtop a vapor barrier.
Based on all the posts I have read, it seems either would work. Is there any reason to spend the extra $ on the diamond?
@RaceDeck1 Any thoughts?
Thanks!
It sounds like either would work fine for you. I have solid tile on the second floor of my workshop and free flow on the floor that gets car traffic. The nice thing about free flow is that it doesn't show dirt (much at all). For my second floor, I wanted the cheapest tile I could find so I chose solid tiles.
I would get some samples and check them out. If you still can't decide, get a box of each and lay them down. The really nice thing about tiles is it's totally diy without much effort and you get a finished product in a day if not a couple hours.
Ridgehippy
New member
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2022
- Messages
- 1
Looks good; similar to the design I just asked for a quote on.I've owned both, so I'll give you my opinion. My first 3 garages in were all in So. CA and they all had RaceDeck Diamond tiles. My shop saw a lot of woodworking and mechanic work (restoring old Honda CT trail bikes). The Diamond tiles worked great. In my last CA garage, I finally took the time to lay non-woven landscape fabric under the tiles, and I'd highly recommend that. It reduces the "clickity clack" noise considerably.
We moved to Idaho in August, so I'm now dealing with snowy winters. I decided to do the 1,000 sq. ft garage in FreeFlow, and I couldn't be happier. It handles the winter mess perfectly, but you don't have that concern in CA.
Last CA Garage:
Current ID Garage:
Did you use a heavier weight non-woven fabric under the floor?
Or just the normal stuff from one of the big box stores.
Thanks
CSRPenFab
Well-known member
I just used a good quality non woven weed block fabric that Sam‘s had in 4’x50’ rolls for a good price. It was not very thick, but did a great job quieting the “clic—clack”.
CJDave
Well-known member
My Free Flow has no underlayment and makes no "click-clack" noise. CJDave.
kngelv
Well-known member
No noise on mine either. No need for an underpayment with FreeFlow.
James
James
CSRPenFab
Well-known member
Agreed. No fabric on my current FreeFlow floor. This was on a prior Diamond floor.
I've got coin-op over an epoxied floor (not my color and basement slab so adhesion is poor) from the previous owner.
Floor needs cleaning in the attached photo, my only complaint is the noise it makes walking on it. Didn't think about the fabric barrier, but I also do quite a bit of mechanical work in the space. So anything under the tile is gonna see fluids other then water.
Love the look and have zero issues moving on it. Even my car dolly system works well but requires a second person to get it rolling.
Floor needs cleaning in the attached photo, my only complaint is the noise it makes walking on it. Didn't think about the fabric barrier, but I also do quite a bit of mechanical work in the space. So anything under the tile is gonna see fluids other then water.
Love the look and have zero issues moving on it. Even my car dolly system works well but requires a second person to get it rolling.