RaceDeck Freeflow question

[CSRPenFab]

I’m getting ready to order my 4th RaceDeck garage floor. The first 3 garages were all Diamond tiles, but now that we’re living in the Boise Idaho area, I’m going with FreeFlow tiles for my new oversized (30’ deep) 3-car garage.

I was wondering if I still need to allow a 1/2” gap between the tiles and walls? Does freeflow expand like the solid tiles? Thanks!

 

[CSRPenFab]

Here is my initial plan for the FreeFlow design. I'm open to any suggestions! Black border, Red infill, and alloy in the middle.

 

[Shea]

They don't expand as much as solid top tiles can and is why they do much better when exposed to direct sun. However, if they get warm enough or have direct sunlight, they will expand enough that you need that 1/2" gap from the walls.

 

[CSRPenFab]

They don't expand as much as solid top tiles can and is why they do much better when exposed to direct sun. However, if they get warm enough or have direct sunlight, they will expand enough that you need that 1/2" gap from the walls.

Thanks. My garage faces Southwest and does get some brutal late day sun in the summer months. I'll leave the 1/2" gap!

 

[RaceDeck1]

I’m getting ready to order my 4th RaceDeck garage floor. The first 3 garages were all Diamond tiles, but now that we’re living in the Boise Idaho area, I’m going with FreeFlow tiles for my new oversized (30’ deep) 3-car garage.

I was wondering if I still need to allow a 1/2” gap between the tiles and walls? Does freeflow expand like the solid tiles? Thanks!

"4th RaceDeck Floor".. thank you - The FreeFlow and FreeFlow XLC should be install with a 1/4" to 1/2" space ( depends on climate swings and size of floor).With that said, FreeFlow does not expand as much as solid top styles...

 

[Garage Flooring]

I’m getting ready to order my 4th RaceDeck garage floor. The first 3 garages were all Diamond tiles, but now that we’re living in the Boise Idaho area, I’m going with FreeFlow tiles for my new oversized (30’ deep) 3-car garage.

I was wondering if I still need to allow a 1/2” gap between the tiles and walls? Does freeflow expand like the solid tiles? Thanks!

If you are installing mid-summer and get the tile hot before the install by leaving them in the sun, you can get by with less. That said, I would leave 1/2" and cover with trim

 

[CSRPenFab]

Well I ordered up my 1,000 sq. ft. of FreeFlow RaceDeck tiles a couple of weeks ago, and the people at RaceDeck were great as always. My sales rep. said I'd get an email with tracking once it shipped, but I had not heard anything. Since I'm in adjacent Idaho and the tiles are coming from SLC Utah, I figured they'd get here soon enough.

Last night around dinnertime, I heard a loud "thunk" out front and went to investigate. I found a freight truck driver loading his electric pallet jack back onto his truck and he said "they said no signature required". I never got a call or any tracking, thank dog I was home! I broke down the pallet and carried the 20 boxes into the garage. Everything was very nicely packed and the boxes survived much better than my prior RaceDeck orders that came shipped in individual boxes by UPS.

Now I just need to find some time to knock off the install. Being a new house for us, there's about 75 projects on the punchlist/honey-do list!

 

[speedracerfx]

They shipped without notification? Yikes. I just ordered 840 sqft, I hope I'm notified prior to delivery so I can be there.

 

[RaceDeck1]

@CSRPenFab - Thank you for choosing RaceDeck again! sorry to hear that you did not get a notification, typically that is automated from us as it leaves our facility ( I am looking into this). Also happy to hear that the freight shipper delivered undamaged, with the covid related issues ( excuses) with the truck shipping carrier's, we have had a few frustrating issues.

I look forward to seeing your new garage

 

[menace]

Just moved to Montana from no snow south TX, so also interested in seeing your freeflow garage.

 

[CJDave]

Just moved to Montana from no snow south TX, so also interested in seeing your freeflow garage.

As has been stated here many time your flooring should match your intended use of the garage. My garage houses my '69 Mach 1 occasional driver and her daily driver. Mostly my man cave. In southwestern Ohio her dd drags in ice, snow, slush, salt, grit, rain and whatever else. I didn't intend the garage to be a working shop but I did have to remove and re-install the 428 engine of the Mach. The Free Flow held up well and I have no regrets. Dave R.

 

[menace]

Thanks Dave. My research has pointed to the same and fully appreciate your testimonial. Good to know it can stand up to that kind of work. I don't plan on doing much more than maintenance on two and four wheel toys and the odd wrenching project, so I would be more than covered. BTW your mancave looks great and pics of your Mach from the 'Any car guys here' thread looks fantastic.

 

[CJDave]

Thanks Dave. My research has pointed to the same and fully appreciate your testimonial. Good to know it can stand up to that kind of work. I don't plan on doing much more than maintenance on two and four wheel toys and the odd wrenching project, so I would be more than covered. BTW your mancave looks great and pics of your Mach from the 'Any car guys here' thread looks fantastic.

Thanks so much. 4 car shows this summer. 4 trophies. And a blast to drive. The Free Flow gives a great place to detail my car in the shade. Good luck. Dave R.

 

[Jdlynch]

If you are installing mid-summer and get the tile hot before the install by leaving them in the sun, you can get by with less. That said, I would leave 1/2" and cover with trim

Can you tell me more about how to cover the 1/2" gap with trim? I'm also considering swisstrax, who claims there freeflow version can be installed with no gaps required.

 

[RaceDeck1]

Can you tell me more about how to cover the 1/2" gap with trim? I'm also considering swisstrax, who claims there freeflow version can be installed with no gaps required.

Can you tell me more about how to cover the 1/2" gap with trim? I'm also considering swisstrax, who claims there freeflow version can be installed with no gaps required.

That is another interesting claim claim from them - reason you have 1/4" to 1/2" gap is for thermal expansion and if needed, its very easy to cover any gap ( most do not as it is almost not noticeable in a garage). You can put cove base molding with a lip or other just above the flooring after its installed.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Can you tell me more about how to cover the 1/2" gap with trim? I'm also considering swisstrax, who claims there freeflow version can be installed with no gaps required.

I will let Swisstrax speak for themselves. They are a good company and good people.

I personally would never install any floating floor without a gap. Leave a gap and use 5/4 harditrim for your base molding

 

[RaceDeck1]

What Justin said... - The garage can be a tough enviroment ex: with thermal swings more that 50 degrees in a day, sun exposure, snow, rain,sand, chemicals. etc.. Our multi-patented floors are engineered for this specifically.

 

[CJDave]

I have never noticed any growing or shrinking of my Free Flow floor in 7 years. I do have one spot on the black bevel edge at my overhead door that will expand enough to raise up about 3/8" in prolonged direct sunlight. I think that trimming a 1/16th" off one end of that one bevel edge will fix that. I get that the Free Flow has less material per square foot than solid tiles so it makes sense that movement is less. CJDave.