RaceDeck Free-Flow XL Installation Help
- Thread starter mstgkillr
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White Shadow
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2014
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- 985
I had a similar issue in my garage, but not such a deep offset. My solution was to set the ramp ends a bit away from the end of the floor. It's not even really noticeable. But if your case, maybe you should have considered going with the 12" tiles. That might have made it more workable.
Shea
Well-known member
The first thing I would do is give RaceDeck a call. They have methods for working around various issues. The other option is to just back the tile back enough to get the clearance needed for the edge ramp on the side of the recessed door. From the looks of it, it would move the edge ramp for the other door back about 3.5" - 4". In the grand scheme of things, I don't think it would be that noticeable unless you have OCD about these kinds of things like some of us around here do. 
The first thing I would do is give RaceDeck a call. They have methods for working around various issues. The other option is to just back the tile back enough to get the clearance needed for the edge ramp on the side of the recessed door. From the looks of it, it would move the edge ramp for the other door back about 3.5" - 4". In the grand scheme of things, I don't think it would be that noticeable unless you have OCD about these kinds of things like some of us around here do.
I tried backing it off, but the OCD kicked in!
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Yes, please!
When placing the order, I brought this exact issue up, but I was assured the XLC would fit perfectly fine. I mentioned the garage doors were offset by exactly 24", so the regular free-flow would have been perfect.
After calling RaceDeck, my only options are to either offset the tiles, which completely messes up the pattern, or cut the tiles and glue the edges to the concrete.
And to make things worse, I am working to beat Tesla before they install the Powerwalls on the floor.
Not sure if my pic will help in anyway but just in case....
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kngelv
Well-known member
I think an alternative is to attach the ramps on the left garage side of the picture. Then back that up a tiny bit. Then attach 12 inch tiles on the front of the right side garage. Then the ramps. That could be the fit you are looking for so test it. Do you have any 12 inch sample tiles laying around to try? It does not seem that far off. Look at my pic. I have 3 12 inch on my right then the 12 inch start on the left.
Do the entry of the garage in 12” for a row or 2 then lay the 18 for the rest of the garage.
Granted the seams will line up every 3rd tile at the garage entry.
3-12”=36
2-18”=36
I don’t think it will look bad at all. Justify it in your mind as the 12” tiles are your border. And the 18’s are the body of the floor.
It ***** and my thoughts may not help at all, sorry your up against another install date and I’m sure if you order new tiles they may not ship in time.
If you HAVE to cut the tiles for a perfect fit at the garage entrance. Try to use FEMALE 1.75” edge pieces (ones with the loop) To try and glue under the cut tiles
Granted the seams will line up every 3rd tile at the garage entry.
3-12”=36
2-18”=36
I don’t think it will look bad at all. Justify it in your mind as the 12” tiles are your border. And the 18’s are the body of the floor.
It ***** and my thoughts may not help at all, sorry your up against another install date and I’m sure if you order new tiles they may not ship in time.
If you HAVE to cut the tiles for a perfect fit at the garage entrance. Try to use FEMALE 1.75” edge pieces (ones with the loop) To try and glue under the cut tiles
Unfortunately, I do not think that is going to work. The XLC tile is 3/4" thick and the regular tiles are only 1/2" thick.
RaceDeck1
Well-known member
It's hard to see the full layout in the photo.. but it appears the garage is an L shape with a deeper single car garage and you are trying to make the entry by the doors align with edges and tiles.. One way we install on a floor like this is to create two Separate floors.. Meaning the smaller/ deeper floor is not connected to the other. You can trip off the locks on one side and push the floor up against the the and it will appear seamless... Not sure if this is making sense? but we see this a lot on large odd shaped garage layouts.
other options include trimming the edges with reverse miter cuts on inner corners for a clean look. ( also noticed you trimmed the edge around the garage door channel, a cleaner look is to just chop off about 3/4" from the rail, since the track wheels do not go that low and slide the edge under )
other options include trimming the edges with reverse miter cuts on inner corners for a clean look. ( also noticed you trimmed the edge around the garage door channel, a cleaner look is to just chop off about 3/4" from the rail, since the track wheels do not go that low and slide the edge under )
I did not know that the XL is thicker. Give yourself (and us) the best picture possible. Then we can plan when we know an exact situation. Do not get down. This is not impossible. It can be figured out but you need to give yourself all information possible. Please remove the tiles on the left side and push the tiles on the right side all the way against the wall (or within a 1/2 inch) for a picture. That way we can see what the exact issue is. Then lay a tile near it on the left side so we can see what kind of editing may need to take place. You will not be able to snap it in because of the garage door rail. Any cutting that needs to take place I would do on the left side garage opening because that is half the size of the right side.
No offense, but in my opinion, making two separate floors by trimming off the locks so the floors are not connected and offsetting them, does not seem like a perfect fit as I was told it would be. Really, it seems like a bandaid solution and it still would mess up the checkered pattern where the two separate floors meet.
I'm not really sure what you mean about trimming the edges on the inner corners... and I have not trimmed anything.
I appreciate your help! Honestly, the 12x12 Free-Flow tiles would have fit perfectly and are what should have been recommended in the first place, especially since I provide RaceDeck the drawings of my garage and specifically pointed out the issue with the 2 ft offset of my garage doors. With 18x18 tiles, I will have a 12" gap the entire length of my 2-car garage. And, to make things worse, the main reason that I went with RaceDeck is to cover up my discolored (from a fire) garage floor, to hide the constant reminder of losing almost everything I owned in a major house fire.
I'll get some pictures ASAP. In the meantime, here are the drawings of my garage.
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I want you to be happy. I know how important this was to me and I can tell it is important to you. Luckily we have the same garage setup so if I can help I would like to. Did you measure that offset wall to be exactly 24 inches? I just measured mine and it is just a shade over 24 inches. I'm hoping I can help you by using my set up. Before I ordered my tiles I used samples around that wall to see exactly how I could fit them and the 12 inches tiles did fit really well. The solution may be to cut the left side garage tiles to fit since you say the XL are thicker BUT before that I would get a 12 inch tile and connect it. Make sure that thickness difference is very noticeable before you resort to any cutting.
P.S. I'm really sorry about your house fire. That must have been hard.
kngelv
Well-known member
If someone at RaceDeck told you that the larger tiles would work then they should explain exactly how you can make these tiles work and lock together. If not they should let you return the larger tiles for the regular size. If none of these happen then I don’t want to see a bunch of posts bragging about how great the RaceDeck ordering experience was. I would not be thrilled that RaceDeck’s owner came on here and suggested you modify his interlocking tile so it does not lock. I thought that was the big selling point.
James
James
Sadly you are correct after I looked the 12” freeflow is 1/2” thick where as the 18” xlc you have is 3/4” thick.
One thing I might suggest - playing off the (2 floor idea).
Layout and construct the materials you already have for each garage bay and later join the two garage floor areas with one single strip of 12” tile. Start at that trouble corner all the way to your back wall. Having that 12” strip be a differing color? Or the same free flow style but the size would make it appear as an accent/design.
I'd really like to see the 12 inch tile connected to the XL then see how much of a difference that 1/4 inch makes and where the difference is before making any firm decision. If the difference is not huge maybe a underlayment just under the 12 inch tiles would work?
If the 12 inch does not work I think you have 2 options:
1. Exchanging all the XL for the 12 inch.
2. Doing some trimming (not difficult) of the XL pieces on the left side (smaller side) of the garage and then figuring a way to attach to the ramps.
I guess a 3rd option would be to ask Racedeck if they have a way to make some 12 inch tiles for you that is XL thickness but that is a long shot.
If the 12 inch does not work I think you have 2 options:
1. Exchanging all the XL for the 12 inch.
2. Doing some trimming (not difficult) of the XL pieces on the left side (smaller side) of the garage and then figuring a way to attach to the ramps.
I guess a 3rd option would be to ask Racedeck if they have a way to make some 12 inch tiles for you that is XL thickness but that is a long shot.
Unfortunately, I am a perfectionist, like many people on here. Sometimes it feels like a curse. Yeah, the offset is exactly 24". Yes, the house fire was absolutely horrible... 52 days in a hotel with my wife and 2 dobermans, then at a rental for a year. Lost a cat and just about everything I owned. We lived through it though. The house was rebuilt from the concrete up. It could have been much worse, but something I would still prefer to forget.
Originally, I posted here because I thought it was something simple that I was missing, and figured someone would point out an obvious mistake.
I've contacted RaceDeck over the phone since my recent posts and I'm waiting for one of their engineers to call back. I was informed that I can swap out the tiles if needed, which I believe is the best option, but I have no problem confirming with one of their engineers first. However, I am definitely not gluing anything to the floor or similar.
I looked at this as well, but I just don't think it's going to look right.
I will clarify. My gluing Statement
Your floor can be cut and made to fit with the 18” tiles and have them all lock into place. It comes down to in order for those pieces to match the entry of your garage that leading edge may need to be cut thus cutting off the factory male nubs.
The gluing idea of the 1.75” female edge piece is to glue the edge piece to the actual race deck tile itself. Not the floor. (Glue bond VS a snaplock bond)
I’m sure it’s frustrating. I see it not as a product issue it’s a math/dimension issue. I liked and wanted some of the Smokey oak 18” tiles incorporated into one area of my garage and couldn’t get the math/placement to work in my situation and went Snap carpet instead.
The only other product that’s different on the market is rib traxx at multiples of 15.75” a tile, this may not help your area to be a mathematically full row of tiles. One brand or another will need to me cut and adapted Unless 12” tiles are used exclusively or 12” tiles integrated at the garage entry. And as you said that leads to the unsightly thickness and seam differences.
Have about 4 -12” tiles sent to you or cut out some 12x12 squares of cardboard and lay them out in that area to “see” it for yourself.
Good luck. Stay positive. You can have a great floor and it sounds like if that free flow is what you want RaceDeck will work with you.
Pretty fortunate with my set up to have the dimensions line up and keep the cutting of pieces to just 2 between my bays.
Your floor can be cut and made to fit with the 18” tiles and have them all lock into place. It comes down to in order for those pieces to match the entry of your garage that leading edge may need to be cut thus cutting off the factory male nubs.
The gluing idea of the 1.75” female edge piece is to glue the edge piece to the actual race deck tile itself. Not the floor. (Glue bond VS a snaplock bond)
I’m sure it’s frustrating. I see it not as a product issue it’s a math/dimension issue. I liked and wanted some of the Smokey oak 18” tiles incorporated into one area of my garage and couldn’t get the math/placement to work in my situation and went Snap carpet instead.
The only other product that’s different on the market is rib traxx at multiples of 15.75” a tile, this may not help your area to be a mathematically full row of tiles. One brand or another will need to me cut and adapted Unless 12” tiles are used exclusively or 12” tiles integrated at the garage entry. And as you said that leads to the unsightly thickness and seam differences.
Have about 4 -12” tiles sent to you or cut out some 12x12 squares of cardboard and lay them out in that area to “see” it for yourself.
Good luck. Stay positive. You can have a great floor and it sounds like if that free flow is what you want RaceDeck will work with you.
Pretty fortunate with my set up to have the dimensions line up and keep the cutting of pieces to just 2 between my bays.
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RaceDeck1
Well-known member
I sent a pm and I am happy to talk on the phone to help with the installation process on this garage. This L-shape garage is very common and with several options to properly install and trim in...
Jorgen
Jorgen
Markmanuel
Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2016
- Messages
- 22
I will clarify. My gluing Statement
Your floor can be cut and made to fit with the 18” tiles and have them all lock into place. It comes down to in order for those pieces to match the entry of your garage that leading edge may need to be cut thus cutting off the factory male nubs.
The gluing idea of the 1.75” female edge piece is to glue the edge piece to the actual race deck tile itself. Not the floor. (Glue bond VS a snaplock bond)
I’m sure it’s frustrating. I see it not as a product issue it’s a math/dimension issue. I liked and wanted some of the Smokey oak 18” tiles incorporated into one area of my garage and couldn’t get the math/placement to work in my situation and went Snap carpet instead.
The only other product that’s different on the market is rib traxx at multiples of 15.75” a tile, this may not help your area to be a mathematically full row of tiles. One brand or another will need to me cut and adapted Unless 12” tiles are used exclusively or 12” tiles integrated at the garage entry. And as you said that leads to the unsightly thickness and seam differences.
Have about 4 -12” tiles sent to you or cut out some 12x12 squares of cardboard and lay them out in that area to “see” it for yourself.
Good luck. Stay positive. You can have a great floor and it sounds like if that free flow is what you want RaceDeck will work with you.
Pretty fortunate with my set up to have the dimensions line up and keep the cutting of pieces to just 2 between my bays.
Gluing transition piece was my exact thought when reading through this thread. I just finished installing racedeck on my floor. I used the 12”x12” for this very reason. The only option in my opinion is gluing transition to a cut tile at the garage door.
RaceDeck1
Well-known member
We do have some recommendations for offset garages. Feel free to give us a call to discuss! We're here now until 5pm MT. 801-746-0143