RaceDeck Install: Any padding under?`

[MilMascaras]

Has anyone installed a Racedeck floor and installed some type of padding underneath to quite the sound? I was thinking of lining my floor with roofing felt to do two things: (1) to quite the sound a little; and (2) to create a barrier so I can wash down the floor every couple of months.

I live in the Dallas area where high winds and breezes constantly bring dust into my garage. Every two to three months, I have to rinse out the garage otherwise, everything gets coated with dust.

What are your thoughts on doing this?

Thank you in advance.

 

[CombatNinja]

Are you talking free flow or regular Race Deck?

 

[IlliniJeeper]

My concern with roofing felt is that the tar will melt off onto both your racedeck tiles and your concrete and make a royal mess.

 

[Scooter70]

Some people use landscape fabric. I'm not sure how well that would work under FreeFlow tiles though.

 

[MilMascaras]

Thank you all. I purchased 360 feet of the regular (black and white) which were used for 1 year. To finish my garage, I have to purchase and additional 200 feet.

I was going to use the solid circle track tiles.

There should be minimal water seepage right?

Thank you!

 

[TigerGA]

Use landscape cloth. If you do have seepage between the tiles at least landscape material is made to get wet. I used two layers of cloth and it reduced the hollow sound. I wouldn't use roofing felt for the reasons stated above.

 

[1jjpop]

The lumber yard in our town sells 1/4'' thick x 4'x 4' foam [ they put it under new siding jobs]. Might not be 1/4 ''thick , Wonder how that would work under regular racedeck tile ? ? ?

 

[CombatNinja]

I would worry about it getting damp and smelling musty. I have found that most of this "hollow" or "clicking" sound with respect to race deck is greatly overblown. Put down a small test section, walk around on it for a few days and see if it bothers you. If not, save yourself the time, expense and potential future issues an underlayment will bring. If it does bother you then I agree with the rest here that landscape fabric is your best option.

 

[Shea]

Laying down foam, roofing paper, cardboard (another suggestion thrown out before) or any other thick layer completely inhibits the self drying design of the tiles that prevents moisture issues, odor issues, and mold and mildew problems.

The one product that will work with these tiles is synthetic landscape cloth. It allows the water and air to flow through and dries very quickly. It also will not breakdown over time from the water.

As someone suggested, assemble a few tiles first and walk on them. Most likely you won't notice much noise if any at all. If you don't care for it, then run down to your local home improvement center and pick up some of the synthetic landscape cloth before you lay your tile.

 

[jbogacki]

Or just purchase the rubber pieces from Racedeck to cut down on the hollow sound/noise.

 

[MilMascaras]

Thank you all for your thoughts and ideas. I think I'm going the route of the landscaping cover for the reasons discussed. Much appreciated!

 

[ViperJon]

I bought a roll of synthetic landscape felt from HD for about $50.00, and it covers 800 sq feet.
Haven't laid the floor yet but it definitely felt quieter when I tested out a section.
No harm in using it and it can't hurt. I'm using Tuffshield tiles not the Free flow style.

 

[David Paul]

FreeFlow here with light grey colored landscaping fabric layer down first. Did it help with the reported hollow sound while walking on it? Don't really know as I didn't test for it before the install. It did however cover the oil and other stains on the floor and gave it a nice even finish under the tile. No issues with water/snow here in NJ.

 

[dubber]

You don't need to put anything but if you do feel the need lots of people use landscaping fabric. Do some searching on here there are a lot of opinions about both options.

 

[RaceDeck1]

RaceDeck does not require any sub-surface material, less than 1% ever choose to, but if you choose to use one, we recommend landscape felt ( the synthetic open mesh type) do not use tar felt, foam, or rubber as it will cause issues.

another option is our multi-patented ShockTower http://www.racedeck.com/shocktower-garageflooring.html

 

[CRF8]

I used landscape fabric but only under the one area that has foot traffic. Most of mine is the solid so you cant see it anyway. It IS a bit quieter

 

[SteveCh]

If the sound walking on Racedeck is a bother, then, it is so absolutely minuscule as to be something I cannot hear, then walking across bare concrete will likely bother you just as much. I think I'd have to stomp on my tiles to get some "clacking" noise. Even then, it's just the sound of stomping on the floor. I have never heard a clacking noise when walking across my Freeflow-tiled garage, nor have I heard anything like that when walking across my coin-patterned wood-working area. And my tiles are on bare concrete....

 

[shaun oriold1]

If the sound walking on Racedeck is a bother, then, it is so absolutely minuscule as to be something I cannot hear, then walking across bare concrete will likely bother you just as much. I think I'd have to stomp on my tiles to get some "clacking" noise. Even then, it's just the sound of stomping on the floor. I have never heard a clacking noise when walking across my Freeflow-tiled garage, nor have I heard anything like that when walking across my coin-patterned wood-working area. And my tiles are on bare concrete....

The clicking sound really depends on the quality of the concrete floor below. IF your floor is totally level you will not have any noise. If its wavy from floating it will have peaks and valleys. The tiles will sometimes be raised slightly there -Causing the clicking noise. If the tiles are flat its minimal.

I see it all the time when grinding floors. My grinders will cut through the higher areas exposing more of the aggregate.