totally confused

[mothgrey]

Ok so I'm really confused at this point. I have another 3 or 4 weeks before I do the flooring on the new garage floor. This will give it the 45 days for the concrete to cure.
But I'm even more undecided than I was before. It's a 30x48 build so around 1440 SQFT. This is a garage I will play around in with my classic car and what ever project I'm working on. Some metal work and welding but not a ton. I figure the choices come down to
Epoxy
Ceramic tile
or this roll out G-floor http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=144557&navAction=

I don't think I can swing right now something like Race Deck I can't justify that cost.
Epoxy is about 1800 after all the added cost and doing it myself
Ceramic is 1100 or 1200 doing it myself
And the roll out is 1400.00

I thought I wanted Epoxy but recently I saw the post on it bubbling and pulling up along with the concrete. I see Jack's floor still looks good and I would think replacing a tile here or there is not the end of the world.
Then the roll out stuff I need to do 6 of them together and run the ribs side to side of the garage not front to back like I would like if I don't want to have waste.

I can use some added thoughts on all this.

totally confused

 

[MileHigh]

I've been having the same dilemma my friend. The thought of ceramic has really been growing on me, except for the installation. I suppose with all the prep and layers needed for epoxy it may come out the same. But the thought of being on my knees tiling 1400 sqft is a turn off.

I would rather have to replace a tile or two then have the epoxy bubble or crack and essentially ruin the floor?


PS: It seems we both agree on Big Block Chevys

 

[Garage Flooring]

Ok so I'm really confused at this point. I have another 3 or 4 weeks before I do the flooring on the new garage floor. This will give it the 45 days for the concrete to cure.
But I'm even more undecided than I was before. It's a 30x48 build so around 1440 SQFT. This is a garage I will play around in with my classic car and what ever project I'm working on. Some metal work and welding but not a ton. I figure the choices come down to
Epoxy
Ceramic tile
or this roll out G-floor http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=144557&navAction=

I don't think I can swing right now something like Race Deck I can't justify that cost.
Epoxy is about 1800 after all the added cost and doing it myself
Ceramic is 1100 or 1200 doing it myself
And the roll out is 1400.00

I thought I wanted Epoxy but recently I saw the post on it bubbling and pulling up along with the concrete. I see Jack's floor still looks good and I would think replacing a tile here or there is not the end of the world.
Then the roll out stuff I need to do 6 of them together and run the ribs side to side of the garage not front to back like I would like if I don't want to have waste.

I can use some added thoughts on all this.

totally confused

We sell the g-floor as well. So do a lot of places. If your local store stocks it you'll be ok but DO NOT order 10' material from them online. It's to big for FedEx and UPS so they fold it.

We can custom order the rib, coin or diamond up to 10x100 but the ribbed is cheapest.

Pm me the actual dimensions and if you want your address and I can send samples.

 

[bdamico]

Do it for the long haul--tile.

 

[Dakota00]

Porcelain tiles

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Call Rocksolid. Easy as pie if you've got a friend that would help pour as you roll. You won't be disappointed.

 

[dmeadow]

I wouldn't go the g-floor route. I've had it in a couple of trailers and a big piece of it on my garage floor, as well.

It is OK to use as a mat, but I wouldn't put it over an entire garage floor. It will be affected by chemicals, which cause it to expand and it will not lie flat. It also will buckle when you turn a tire on it.

I particularly would avoid the ribbed stuff. I had that in a trailer and it was a nightmare to sweep or mop. You can only sweep/mop in one direction and **** would get stuck in the base of the ribs. The guy that bought my trailer from me pulled it out and put vinyl tile in it because it was so hard to clean. I put coin pattern in the second trailer and it was much better.

 

[widerberg]

On the G-Floor, I think it depends on your tastes. I was going to go with it, due to the cost, and the company very quickly sent some samples. But, for me, the ribbed felt like it would just plain hurt to get down and move around on. I don't have the ceiling height for a 2-post or 4-post lift, so currently I'm down rolling around on the ground when I need to work. This stuff just didn't feel comfortable for that. Also, dust and gunk can be difficult to sweep out if you orient the stuff wrong.

In the end, I just decided to keep my ugly, stained concrete and put the flooring money into a scissor lift (haven't bought that yet, but almost there saving up).

If I decided to do flooring one day, it may still be the G-Floor, but it would need to be the coin pattern. But, that's quite a bit more expensive

 

[Garage Flooring]

I wouldn't go the g-floor route. I've had it in a couple of trailers and a big piece of it on my garage floor, as well.

It is OK to use as a mat, but I wouldn't put it over an entire garage floor. It will be affected by chemicals, which cause it to expand and it will not lie flat. It also will buckle when you turn a tire on it.

I particularly would avoid the ribbed stuff. I had that in a trailer and it was a nightmare to sweep or mop. You can only sweep/mop in one direction and **** would get stuck in the base of the ribs. The guy that bought my trailer from me pulled it out and put vinyl tile in it because it was so hard to clean. I put coin pattern in the second trailer and it was much better.

Thanks for the post. I have sold G-Floor and other products for over a decade and G-Floor is one of our most popular products. We've sold it to 'very large clients' for trade show booths, to racing teams. It is used by many manufacturers as their OEM trailer flooring.

We have it in huge garages, industrial buildings small garages and sitting under dog kennels and motorcycle mats.

We have third party chemical testing on the product and, like most it has its strengths and weaknesses . We sell it as a floating floor, with seam tape or fully adhered using three different types of adhesive. Top coats are available for increased stain and chemical resistance.

I say all that to say that the problems you mentioned can be experienced if the wrong grade or installation method are chosen for a given application. For trailers I suggest 75 Mil Levant or 85 Mil Coin and Diamond

 

[JimVonBaden]

Porcelain tiles

I agree. Had I known more about Porcelain tile before I did VCT I would have gone that direction. It would have been a bit more, I paid $300 for 400Sq Ft of VCT installed by me), I would have done the porcelain tile.

Jim

 

[Garage Flooring]

I agree. Had I known more about Porcelain tile before I did VCT I would have gone that direction. It would have been a bit more, I paid $300 for 400Sq Ft of VCT installed by me), I would have done the porcelain tile.

Jim

My luck lately I will look into a line of Porcelain tile and the manufacturer will tell me it does not meet the non combustible code

 

[JimVonBaden]

My luck lately I will look into a line of Porcelain tile and the manufacturer will tell me it does not meet the non combustible code

If you can burn porcelain you are a better man than me!

Jim

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I build transmissions... and was reticent to get into tiles because I was worried that the ATF would soak into the grout.

the ATF stuff can dye anything that it touches, very easily!

Adam

 

[JimVonBaden]

I build transmissions... and was reticent to get into tiles because I was worried that the ATF would soak into the grout.

the ATF stuff can dye anything that it touches, very easily!

Adam

Use black grout!

Jim

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Then you would have GLOSSY black grout in some areas

Adam

 

[Garage Flooring]

I build transmissions... and was reticent to get into tiles because I was worried that the ATF would soak into the grout.

the ATF stuff can dye anything that it touches, very easily!

Adam

BLT makes a top coat that is even resistant to Skydrol -- which eats anything. I am curious if you were to topcoat the entire tile floor system how it would perform.

I am going to play with a gallon or two here and will post an update.

 

[mayday0017]

I've got epoxy currently, but the next house will most likely be tile.... Haven't had any problems with my epoxy, it is Sherwin Williams Tileclad. But for all the trouble and the gamble with epoxy and the low cost of tile, I'll go tile next time. Only thing I am nervous about is rolling a 3ton jack around on the tile, but there are ways to get around doing that.

 

[Stee6043]

I wonder if I'm the only one that has struggled with a ceramic tile project in the past? I laid 100 sq. ft of porcelin tile down in my entry way last year and I've sworn to never do a tile project again. It looks amazing..this is true...but it took me a several days to do 100 square feet! Thinset, backer board, thinset, tile, grout, clean. And the cutting was a pain without a nice wetsaw.

If I paid myself $2 an hour to install porcelin tile in my garage I suspect my Racedeck would have ultimately been half the price. ha. But I will admit...I'm no tiling expert!!! My back hurts just thinking about tiling my entry way again...

 

[bdamico]

I wonder if I'm the only one that has struggled with a ceramic tile project in the past? I laid 100 sq. ft of porcelin tile down in my entry way last year and I've sworn to never do a tile project again. It looks amazing..this is true...but it took me a several days to do 100 square feet! Thinset, backer board, thinset, tile, grout, clean. And the cutting was a pain without a nice wetsaw.

If I paid myself $2 an hour to install porcelin tile in my garage I suspect my Racedeck would have ultimately been half the price. ha. But I will admit...I'm no tiling expert!!! My back hurts just thinking about tiling my entry way again...

no backer board.

 

[slickgt1]

I build transmissions... and was reticent to get into tiles because I was worried that the ATF would soak into the grout.

the ATF stuff can dye anything that it touches, very easily!

Adam

I have about 3 gallons (joint compound bucket for used oil) of ZF lifeguard6 flow over my tile. Don't ask. It was not pleasant to get all that up. Plus it smells like I don't know what. Not nice. After I used up about 20 rags, a bucket of kitty litter, and a my jeans to stop the damn flow towards my door, and drain. I then took out a can of brake cleaner, and sprayed my everything. Maybe multiple cans, not sure those fumes were something else also. I have epoxy grout though, so that probably helps a lot. You can't tell I had ATF Mississippi here.

For the OP, and everyone else who is worried about tile. Look here.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95966&highlight=floor

I try to update it when I do stuff here.
Last epic damage causing incident that I had here was the ZF ATF fluid, but you can understand my hesitation to grab a camera at that point. I wan't exactly clean.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Then you would have GLOSSY black grout in some areas

Adam

I doub't you would notice it. Seriously, no flooring surface is 100% perfect for all circumstances. If you are worried about your grout going glossy, then you will be SOL for pretty much any flooring type for your application.

Jim

 

[Olyar15]

I was in the exact same position as you. I have a newly-constructed house with an attached 26'x24' 2-car garage. I've been thinking about what kind of floor I wanted, and have been going back and forth between epoxy/polyaspartic coating, porcelain tile, VCT, or plastic tiles. I ended up choosing porcelain tiles for the following reasons:

1. Appearance. My garage is really a garage, not a shop. I have always wanted a "nice" garage. However, I am not a handyman. While I enjoy working with my hands and enjoy tinkering with cars and tools, I just don't have the skills or the particular aptitude that some people have. So I do basic maintenance on my car, and plan on doing some woodworking, but I don't see myself doing any welding (would probably burn down my house if I did). I do plan on getting a MaxJax 2-post lift, so I may be able to do more involved jobs on my cars in the future. Therefore, appearance was important to me. I like the look of tiles, especially since there is such a variety of colours and patterns that are available. While I don't mind the appearance of epoxy floors, they do look rather boring and pretty much all the same. Basically shades of gray or tan, with or without flake. I have seen some pretty amazing epoxy floors but they are definitely done by professionals with probably a pretty hefty price tag attached to it. I do not like the appearance of plastic tiles. They just look too...plasticky. So that eliminated plastic tiles.

2. Durability. Again, from what I've read, porcelain seems to be quite durable. Epoxy and polyaspartic also seems pretty durable, but seems like they will eventually become scratched and dull, and there is the ever-present concern of hot tire lift. Of course, the grout is always the weak point with tiles. I also had concerns about the durability of VCT in the long run. So that eliminated VCT in my eyes.

3. Cost. Being in Canada, all the options seemed to be expensive, so I was probably going to have to spend a bundle no matter which product I chose. I looked at the cost of hiring a professional vs. DIY, and it was a tossup between epoxy and tiles. I did want to do it myself, not only for the savings but also just the satisfaction of doing it myself.

4. Ease of installation/repair. This was really the deciding factor for me. I am under no illusion that I could lay down either tile or epoxy as well as a professional. So, I thought about the potential difficulties of either product, the cost of fixing the inevitable screwup, and the cost of repair down the road from wear and tear. The biggest advantage that I saw with tile was that it could be done a bit at a time. This was important to me because I already had a bunch of stuff in my garage. While I could move some of it out of the garage, with tiles I could do half the garage, then move the stuff over and do the other half. With epoxy it sounded like it really needed to be done all at once, and I really did not relish the idea of completely emptying the garage.

Also, epoxy just did not sound very forgiving in terms of preparation and application. The floor needed to be prepped very well, and you had a set amount of time once the epoxy was mixed to apply it. That really worried me, since I am a bit of a slowpoke. With tile, you can mix a bit of mortar at a time and apply the tiles at your own pace.

Finally, if and when I screwed up, it seemed that tiles can be fairly easily removed and replaced, whereas epoxy floors were more difficult to spot repair and make it look good.

So in the end, the appearance and durability of tile, plus the seemingly less daunting task of applying them, won it for me.

Now having completed the floor, I will say that, whatever the professional tilers charge you, they earn every damn penny of it. It is quite a back- (and knee-) breaking job, and quite painstaking. And if I never have to grout again, it will be too soon. Still, it can be done as a DIY, but it will probably take much longer than you anticipate, especially for such a large area. Good luck in your decision.

If I had to do it over again, I would still choose tile, but I might consider hiring someone to do it.

 

[mothgrey]

I was in the exact same position as you. I have a newly-constructed house with an attached 26'x24' 2-car garage. I've been thinking about what kind of floor I wanted, and have been going back and forth between epoxy/polyaspartic coating, porcelain tile, VCT, or plastic tiles. I ended up choosing porcelain tiles for the following reasons:

1. Appearance. My garage is really a garage, not a shop. I have always wanted a "nice" garage. However, I am not a handyman. While I enjoy working with my hands and enjoy tinkering with cars and tools, I just don't have the skills or the particular aptitude that some people have. So I do basic maintenance on my car, and plan on doing some woodworking, but I don't see myself doing any welding (would probably burn down my house if I did). I do plan on getting a MaxJax 2-post lift, so I may be able to do more involved jobs on my cars in the future. Therefore, appearance was important to me. I like the look of tiles, especially since there is such a variety of colours and patterns that are available. While I don't mind the appearance of epoxy floors, they do look rather boring and pretty much all the same. Basically shades of gray or tan, with or without flake. I have seen some pretty amazing epoxy floors but they are definitely done by professionals with probably a pretty hefty price tag attached to it. I do not like the appearance of plastic tiles. They just look too...plasticky. So that eliminated plastic tiles.

2. Durability. Again, from what I've read, porcelain seems to be quite durable. Epoxy and polyaspartic also seems pretty durable, but seems like they will eventually become scratched and dull, and there is the ever-present concern of hot tire lift. Of course, the grout is always the weak point with tiles. I also had concerns about the durability of VCT in the long run. So that eliminated VCT in my eyes.

3. Cost. Being in Canada, all the options seemed to be expensive, so I was probably going to have to spend a bundle no matter which product I chose. I looked at the cost of hiring a professional vs. DIY, and it was a tossup between epoxy and tiles. I did want to do it myself, not only for the savings but also just the satisfaction of doing it myself.

4. Ease of installation/repair. This was really the deciding factor for me. I am under no illusion that I could lay down either tile or epoxy as well as a professional. So, I thought about the potential difficulties of either product, the cost of fixing the inevitable screwup, and the cost of repair down the road from wear and tear. The biggest advantage that I saw with tile was that it could be done a bit at a time. This was important to me because I already had a bunch of stuff in my garage. While I could move some of it out of the garage, with tiles I could do half the garage, then move the stuff over and do the other half. With epoxy it sounded like it really needed to be done all at once, and I really did not relish the idea of completely emptying the garage.

Also, epoxy just did not sound very forgiving in terms of preparation and application. The floor needed to be prepped very well, and you had a set amount of time once the epoxy was mixed to apply it. That really worried me, since I am a bit of a slowpoke. With tile, you can mix a bit of mortar at a time and apply the tiles at your own pace.

Finally, if and when I screwed up, it seemed that tiles can be fairly easily removed and replaced, whereas epoxy floors were more difficult to spot repair and make it look good.

So in the end, the appearance and durability of tile, plus the seemingly less daunting task of applying them, won it for me.

Now having completed the floor, I will say that, whatever the professional tilers charge you, they earn every damn penny of it. It is quite a back- (and knee-) breaking job, and quite painstaking. And if I never have to grout again, it will be too soon. Still, it can be done as a DIY, but it will probably take much longer than you anticipate, especially for such a large area. Good luck in your decision.

If I had to do it over again, I would still choose tile, but I might consider hiring someone to do it.

How about some photos of your floor...

 

[mbatarga]

A local tile supplier has some discontinued porcelain at 0.59/sq ft.
It's an industrial gray color - that I might consider using on my new garage floor.