VCT flooring?

[Dadillac]

Hey there. New here. Have a question about VCT as a garage floor. My garage is 22x25 unfinished concrete floor. Floor has some staining and some areas that look like there is some paint. The floor has 3 slabs that are about 8x10 and another that is roughly 25x14. The floor has some cracking a few major. There are elevation differences in the slabs but nothing major. So laying down epoxy is out as it will look like ****. So I will be needing something like Race Deck. But then I remember that we use the VCT tiles at my job. Not for garage duty but for interior flooring. It is rather easy to lay down and not too much $$$. But I have no idea as to the durability of these tiles as a garage floor. Can anyone provide insight on these tiles so I can make a major decision. Thanks in advance

Don

 

[Munich77]

There should be plenty of threads on them. From what I recall the issue with VCT is staining/yellowing from tires. Some people put them in and a clear coat on top of it.

 

[Colin Len]

There should be plenty of threads on them. From what I recall the issue with VCT is staining/yellowing from tires. Some people put them in and a clear coat on top of it.

Yup, quite a few posts here as well as some other places (google is your friend). In addition to staining for many situations VCT may not be durable enough. And some have experienced tiles lifting when lowering a car with sticky tires back down off of jack stands.

If the floor is damaged it'll need some repair to do the job right. Any unevenness of the surface will telegraph through the tile and show up in your finished surface.

I did a bunch of research and found some very cheap locally on craigslist and decided to jump on it. I haven't done the install yet as I've been waiting for it to warm up enough for the adhesive. But I'm pretty confident I will like the results and very much looking forward to this cheap solution to my terrible looking floor.

 

[bdamico]

There are many, many threads although hard to search for just vct -- this is "vct tile" in title only

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=34531632

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

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[Ch3No2]

I went with VCT about 4 years ago and have no regrets. I used Tarkett spray adhesive as that is the glue mandated by Wal Mart when a sub does their floors. Good Luck!

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

...

 

[Dadillac]

I went with VCT about 4 years ago and have no regrets. I used Tarkett spray adhesive as that is the glue mandated by Wal Mart when a sub does their floors. Good Luck!

Whoa that looks amazing. Is the floor just sealed or did you add some sort of clear to it. I am strongly considering the VCT over Racedeck. Figure spills and what not will be much easier to clean and more complete. Can you elaborate on the spray adhesive? And is that adhesive good for bare concrete? Thanks

Don

 

[stage20]

if the concrete is marginal, it will need prep for vct just like it would for epoxy.

in my opinion, i would still epoxy. with the floor prepped, youre only out the difference between the tile and the epoxy.

most vct sells for around a dollar a foot. you may get better deals depending. dont forget, glue will cover around 600ft and will cost 40 bucks a bucket. figure that in your costs.

 

[Ch3No2]

Whoa that looks amazing. Is the floor just sealed or did you add some sort of clear to it. I am strongly considering the VCT over Racedeck. Figure spills and what not will be much easier to clean and more complete. Can you elaborate on the spray adhesive? And is that adhesive good for bare concrete? Thanks

Don

Thanks, but I figured if it was good enough for Supermarkets and Wal Mart I couldn't abuse it more than that...but to be fair I do my welding in my bare concrete floor attached garage. No clear was added, just a buff and polish with a HD rented machine and yes it is user friendly for cleaning spills with just a wipe. Google "Tarkett" and yes I used it over bare concrete.

 

[Dadillac]

Thanks, but I figured if it was good enough for Supermarkets and Wal Mart I couldn't abuse it more than that...but to be fair I do my welding in my bare concrete floor attached garage. No clear was added, just a buff and polish with a HD rented machine and yes it is user friendly for cleaning spills with just a wipe. Google "Tarkett" and yes I used it over bare concrete.

Awesome thanks. I think I will do my research and get to work. My local Lowes sells the Tarkett tiles. If I remember right they are $.66 each. I have about 500-550 square feet. I am on vacation in three weeks and might just do this at that time.

Don

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

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[SteveB]

I am coming up to 11 years with an Armstrong VCT garage floor. My garage was already 15 years old, oil stained and grubby, minor cracks only and fairly level.

Its all explained, with photos, on this site. Yes, I am still very happy with it. Yesterday I washed it with a sponge mop and used the same mop to apply a single layer of polish, good for the summer.

Here is the link to my VCT install from July 2006.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=57250#post57250

 

[Dadillac]

Update:

Went and ordered the tiles. Went with Armstrong Imperial Textured tiles. The Lowes near me that sells Tarkett could not get me red tiles. Bought an angle grinder (because I have never had a need to get one) and a diamond cup. I am on vacation from work for 2 weeks starting May 15th. So plan to tackle this then. Ch3No2 hope you don't mind but I stole your design. I had a similar one in mind but your color scheme was more to my liking. I will try to remember to take pics along the way. This is my first attempt at this and hope it comes out at least acceptable

Don

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

...

 

[Ch3No2]

Update:

Went and ordered the tiles. Went with Armstrong Imperial Textured tiles. The Lowes near me that sells Tarkett could not get me red tiles. Bought an angle grinder (because I have never had a need to get one) and a diamond cup. I am on vacation from work for 2 weeks starting May 15th. So plan to tackle this then. Ch3No2 hope you don't mind but I stole your design. I had a similar one in mind but your color scheme was more to my liking. I will try to remember to take pics along the way. This is my first attempt at this and hope it comes out at least acceptable

Don

Don, All Good! I have had the normal checkerboard but this time I wanted something to go with the wall colors. Please post pics! Just FYI...I started in the center and placed the first six tiles up against a six foot straightedge/level and it worked out and stayed straight during the 44' length...Good Luck!
Thanks

 

[Toomanytools?]

Never thought about the VCT tile, this could be a viable option in my wood working shop just wondering how slick it may be with sawdust on it?
So for prep other than smooth, clean, dust free what else? I'm guessing if it's real rough or has some lumps you would need to grind that down. But you wouldn't need to diamond grind the whole surface even if it was a shiny new concrete? I have done sheet vinyl and troweled on "Henry's" adhesive this is about the same procedure.

Main negative I see is deciding on colors and a pattern then being on my knees for almost 1000 sqft.
GJ is a wealth of info if you dig long enough thanks.

 

[Dadillac]

Don, All Good! I have had the normal checkerboard but this time I wanted something to go with the wall colors. Please post pics! Just FYI...I started in the center and placed the first six tiles up against a six foot straightedge/level and it worked out and stayed straight during the 44' length...Good Luck!
Thanks

My garage measures roughly 22 feet deep and 24 feet wide. My plan is to begin at the garage doors. Strike a line so I have full tiles up to the bottom of the door. Just so that the door seal misses the tile. Also to line it up so that the tiles should fall out full tiles to one side. This way I "should" only have to cut two sides instead of three. Just haven't decided if I want to lay out the entire surface glue in one shot or do it twice. From what I watched online it seems that the tile lays down very quick once the glue is ready.

Don

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

...

 

[Toomanytools?]

I went with VCT about 4 years ago and have no regrets. I used Tarkett spray adhesive as that is the glue mandated by Wal Mart when a sub does their floors. Good Luck!

So when you say "spray" is it an aerosol can or like spray contact cement that comes in like a propane tank.What is the delivery method is what I'm asking? I am use to a trowel on glue.
Thanks Jeff

 

[Ch3No2]

So when you say "spray" is it an aerosol can or like spray contact cement that comes in like a propane tank.What is the delivery method is what I'm asking? I am use to a trowel on glue.
Thanks Jeff

I am quite sure glue on a trowel will be just fine but I went with a Tarkett aerosol because it was available when I was doing a Wal Mart. Flooring sub did mention it is a little pricey but it is mandated in Wal Marts HANDBOOK.
I used it many years ago to install my floor with no problems to date.
You will be fine with glue!

 

[Dadillac]

So I spent the weekend grinding the floor. Bought a Dewalt 7 inch grinder and a diamond cup blade. After getting a bit more than half way done I had to buy another cup. They are $90 each (not happy). Knocked down a lot of high spots and leveled out the misaligned slabs. The floor is in really bad shape that is why I wanted to top it with VCT instead of having the major expense of replacing the floor. So when I was done grinding it was in way better shape but nowhere near perfect. So I got to work today laying tiles. Put in an 11 hour shift and goit them laid down. Came out decent for a first timer but I was limited in success due to the poor floor condition. Here are the pics of the finish





Now I have to seal and wax them. How long do I wait to do that? I couldn't find any info on that on any of the containers.

Don

 

[Ch3No2]

Nice Pattern!....lol
Looks Good!

 

[Shea]

Well... you know what they say about imitation!

It's looking good so far.

 

[ROCKNMUD]

Wow! What an upgrade. Post a couple once it is waxed. I keep going back to VCT due to cost and quick install. One of these days. Thanks for posting!

 

[FJ4FUN]

Those floors look really nice, well done!

If/when you get tired of applying wax and want to take your VCT floor to the next level consider a coat of our crystal clear BondTite 1115 followed with a coat of our EnduraShield 2254. We supply this system a lot to the restaurant industry.

 

[Dadillac]

Well had to pull up 4 tiles today. Apparently (read sarcasm) I tried to get away with a hole in the floor since it was gonna end up in the center of a tile. But it ended up in a 4 corner area. Figured screw it lets see what happens. Well no good. So have the hole filled waiting for it to dry. Then place the tiles. I am mulling the idea of adding some red diamonds in the center of the checker board. But I guess I can do that any time. I will post pics once the floor is waxed and shiny. Then maybe paint the walls. Just not sure I want to spend the time for that

Don

 

[Dadillac]

So the damaged tiles are replaced. I am currently varnishing the work bench legs as I never got around to doing that. Plan is to strip, seal and wax on Friday. Then move everything back in on Saturday.Then comes the daunting task of clean up. There is a thin layer of concrete dust on everything. So little by little I will be addressing that. Fun work

Don

 

[Dadillac]

Finally done! Woohoo.

Cleaned and stripped



After 3 coats of sealer



After 5 coats of polish



First scuff


Started moving things back into the garage one hour after the last coat. Every wheel is leaving tracks. Not indentations but tracks in the polish. I am going to wait until tomorrow to continue. Even if I just need to get used to that drawback it was still well worth it. Looks way better, is WAY smoother, and clean ups will be a breeze. Thanks for all the info passed along. Couldn;t have done it without yous guys

Don

 

[stage20]

i see a few tiles prewaxed that got laid upside down. no biggie. you got it waxed. never see it now.


looks good. i like the border.

 

[Dadillac]

i see a few tiles prewaxed that got laid upside down. no biggie. you got it waxed. never see it now.


looks good. i like the border.

Yes I did that. And unfortunately they are still visible. But it doesn't matter. Especially since I did an alternating pattern and screwed that up. Even after telling myself to focus focus focus I still screwed it up. Even after correcting it by doing a row correct I still messed up the pattern . Oh well it won't affect the performance so not an issue. Plus the undulating floor is more of an eyesore than some upside down tiles.

Don

 

[rburke65]

Looks great! I still think that VCT flooring is the way I want to go. Looks good.

 

[stage20]

im just picking at you. a couple of coats of wax usually covers them up. did you mop or use a buffer. a little amount of the right heat and wax and it will blend in

looks better than my broomed slab with oil stains.

 

[mygarageone]

Question ? In general everyday lite use , how often do you need to repolish ? Or will damp moping do?
Mine will not be a working shop , mostly parking and activities .

 

[Dadillac]

im just picking at you. a couple of coats of wax usually covers them up. did you mop or use a buffer. a little amount of the right heat and wax and it will blend in

looks better than my broomed slab with oil stains.

Mopped it. Do not have a buffer and cannot get on board with renting one on a continuing basis. I do have a random orbital buffer for auto detailing. Was considering using that on the floor but decided it would be back breaking and extremely labor intensive. So no go. Pleased with how it is so all is good.

Don

 

[Colin Len]

Looks great Dadillac, I hope mine turns out this well!

 

[emmaemily]

Yes, it was a nice option. Gives a rigid quality and perfect for garage flooring.

 

[Asphalt Angel]

I am pondering flooring myself-I heard the VCT was very slippery when wet. I live in the North and snow is a reality-my garage is heated-so there will be water on the floor.
Anybody have any experience with this? Or is there a way to avoid an indoor slip hazzard?

 

[FJ4FUN]

I am pondering flooring myself-I heard the VCT was very slippery when wet. I live in the North and snow is a reality-my garage is heated-so there will be water on the floor.
Anybody have any experience with this? Or is there a way to avoid an indoor slip hazzard?

Traction additives can be incorporated into the Wolverine Coatings clear coat system mentioned above.


.

 

[ROCKNMUD]

What color is the outer tiles? They look a lot darker after the polish.