RaceDeck on Plywood Subfloor Question

[drz400smoto]

Looking for some insight as I plan out my detached garage finish.
The bottom/garage is 5 car and about 1350 SF with a concrete floor. Eventually I want to install freeflow tiles, but the main focus is to finish out the top living portion. I'm doing the insulation this week then drywall and paint in the next month or so. My question is what will be the best RaceDeck tile on the plywood subfloor? I'm leaning towards the regular diamond but concerned about thermal expansion. This room will go from 0-85 F, but should average about 50-75 F. I will have dirt bikes on the upper level and perform minimal maintenance. Most of the maintenance and dirty jobs will be down on garage level.
Thoughts on tile type for this condition? And should I plan on landscaping fabric for an underlayment either way?

Pics always help!!

Full shot of the detached garage


Prepped for insulation install


Toys that will go upstairs eventually


Upstairs ready for insulation install

 

[kngelv]

Awesome space. It's hard to reccomend styles because everyone is different. I would try and find someone with a full garage to look at. I debated for ten years and in that time saw a few solid tile garages. A year ago I finally was in a garage with FreeFlow tile and knew instantly that was for me. I do vehicle maintenance on mine all the time and it's the best thing I have ever done to the garage. I love it every time I walk out there.

James

 

[RaceDeck1]

Racedeck would work great and would transform that space quickly

 

[drz400smoto]

Racedeck would work great and would transform that space quickly

Thanks Jorgen! Any reserves with doing a solid diamond tile direct on the subfloor? I would like to do the freeflow on the concrete in the garage eventually, but for now the focus is on building out the space above. The smoked oak would look great, but I can't justify the extra cost with everything else we need to spend money on to finish to space out.
Can I PM you direct for GJ pricing?

 

[RaceDeck1]

I think the Diamond or the RaceDeck Max would work really well and require non real sub-surface prep

 

[drz400smoto]

I think the Diamond or the RaceDeck Max would work really well and require non real sub-surface prep

Thanks! I'm getting samples shipped in both so I can decide.
Insulation is going in today!

 

[Shea]

I will have dirt bikes on the upper level and perform minimal maintenance.

OK, I will ask since nobody else has yet; How do you get the dirt bikes to the upper level?

As for the tiles, the solid top diamond should not be a problem if you follow the recommended 1/2" clearance from the walls or any other immovable object and do not encounter direct sunlight. I don't know what direction your row of windows faces. Most people experience problems with solid top tiles when they are in direct sunlight. The tiles heat up faster, absorb more heat, and expand further than the surrounding tiles and begin to buckle. If you can keep the sunlight off, you should be fine.

 

[drz400smoto]

There is access on the south side with the sidehill cut and a mandoor. Pic below!
The windows do face west so the room will heat up in the afternoon. They aren't big windows so I don't think there will be too much direct sunlight, but blinds will likely be installed before summer time to help.
I will have clearance around the perimeter, but there will be heavy objects on the tiles that will limit movement. (pool table, tool boxes, work bench, cabinets, etc.)

 

[drz400smoto]

Well I think I have decided on using racedeck. I'm leaning toward using the newer max tiles for better slip resistance when walking in there with snow on my boots. Thinking of doing a graphite/alloy color combo and possibly mixing in some of the regular tiles in orange for a KTM theme. Couple pics below; I'll move everything over to a build thread.