RaceDeck - XL vs Standard and feedback on design

[fireberd350]

First of all I'd like to state that I'm very impressed by RD's customer service and presence on this forum. As I get older I worry less about pinching pennies and instead look for quality products and a company willing to stand behind them. When I decided that a floating floor was right for me I didn't even need to look at other options. Super excited to deal w/ RD. Okay getting off my soapbox...

So I'm looking for feedback on XL vs 12" tiles (free flow specifically). Any pros/cons to either?

Also I have an extra wide single car garage (13x22) with an off center door. I like the simplistic look and want a simple 2 tone border. As I'm designing it and picturing it in my space I'm visualizing the floor space on the extra width side to be covered up by whatever is utilizing the bonus floor space. This throws off the aesthetics as you will not see the border cleanly in those areas. I'm thinking of centering the border around the garage door. I cannot find any other examples of this. Has anyone seen this done or have any feedback (good or bad) to offer?

Thanks in advance!

-steve

 

[fireberd350]

Better picture @ https://www.dropbox.com/s/e9ryap0ne2lm8dc/Screenshot%202015-05-01%2008.55.02.png?dl=0

 

[dubber]

I can vouch for the quality and customer service as i've been through the process twice now. When i ordered and planned out my single garage (link below) I went with the 12" Free flow using a similar design layout for my 10x19 garage. No regrets at all. Since i've chosen the colours you are looking at and I've done a single before I'll throw up some pics for you to get a sense of what i might look like.

Black, Red, Graphite

In my current garage i went with the same colours as you.
Black, Alloy, Graphite




Colours for me depend on the overall look you are going for. I loved the red in my last garage but i'm happy with my alloy border in the new garage. Fits well i think.

 

[Garage Flooring]

On solid tiles the 12" tiles give you the best versatility. The tiles can be interlocked to form larger squares, so if you get them and you decide 1x1 squares are to small you can go with 2x2 squares.

The way ribbed tiles look, that is not the case. The tiles appear to have 4 smaller tiles within them and selecting a the tiles size impacts if each section will appear to be 9" or 6"

Another huge consideration, when using a border is will one of the two allow you to have a more similar appearance on the border with less trimming. Based on what I saw in your design, that does not appear to be an issue.

So it comes down to look and opinion. IMHO the smaller squares are ideal for typical garages. When you start getting into over sized garages -- large three cars, etc -- the larger tiles can make the floor look less busy.

Unlike solid tiles, we are not dealing with a huge difference. To the eye you are talking about 6" or 9" squares.

On a side note, always make sure your concrete is protected prior to installing a garage tile. In many cases a coating is already down and it is not an issue. If you have no sealer and no coating, we suggest TrueLock B4 or a comparable densifier and waterproofer

 

[fireberd350]

DUBBER, that is a perfect example. That's exactly the color scheme I had in mind. I was contemplating Red as well and the fact that you have examples of both is nuts. Thanks!

Justin, Thanks for that info. I just read your same recommendation on another thread and was prepping my cart at HD and geared up to buy this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Premium-1-gal-Concrete-and-Masonry-Waterproofer-87001/202951073
You product is only a few dollars more and I'm in favor of supporting vendors who support the community. You should see my order shortly.

 

[James-W]

When I did my garage I went with black tiles around the perimeter and then a row of red tiles to accent the black tiles. Mt plan is to use the black rubber baseboard trim on the stem wall and I figured the black tiles would fit right in with the black rubber trim. I suppose I should get started on the baseboard trim, but I haven't had the ambition to get moving on it as of yet. I have been doing a bunch of little jobs for people and it has been taking more time than I had anticipated.

 

[Garage Flooring]

DUBBER, that is a perfect example. That's exactly the color scheme I had in mind. I was contemplating Red as well and the fact that you have examples of both is nuts. Thanks!

Justin, Thanks for that info. I just read your same recommendation on another thread and was prepping my cart at HD and geared up to buy this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Premium-1-gal-Concrete-and-Masonry-Waterproofer-87001/202951073
You product is only a few dollars more and I'm in favor of supporting vendors who support the community. You should see my order shortly.

Thanks Steve!

 

[CJDave]

My wife and I installed RaceDeck FreeFlow in our garage this past September. After the winter I can say that we are quite pleased with the tiles. The slush that fell from her SUV melted and flowed out the garage door travelling under the RaceDeck. In late March I used a long handled brush and a mix of ammonia and warm water to clean the tiles. Looks great. No complaints here. Hard to tell from the pic but some of the squares in this pattern are graphite as well as black and red. Dave R.

 

[dubber]

DUBBER, that is a perfect example. That's exactly the color scheme I had in mind. I was contemplating Red as well and the fact that you have examples of both is nuts. Thanks!

Glad i could help! Thats the beauty of this site most certainly.