VCT (Vinyl Composition Tile)

[CaptainRay]

Anybody had any experience with VCT (vinyl composition tile) for a shop floor? Read where one guy used it for 10 years with no real problems in a general purpose shop... would be cheaper than most floor covering and easy/cheap to fix... VCT at Lowe's was about $.70 for a 12x12 inch tile... but no black and white.

 

[The J]

There are several great threads on here with guys that have done VCT.

It seems the real issue is the maintenance (waxing, polishing), and the risk of lifting tiles from tires turning on a tile while parking in the garage.

Some have posted about a best of both worlds option, using the VCT tile with a layer of Epoxy on top.

 

[slickgt1]

Or you can just use regular tile and not worry about for the rest of your life.

 

[hula37]

Our local Lowes carries cool white vct but they ordered classic black for me also. Got them for .70 a tile. Took about a week to get in. Putting Bondtite 1115 clear epoxy over the vct.

 

[Chetter]

Our local Lowes carries cool white vct but they ordered classic black for me also. Got them for .70 a tile. Took about a week to get in. Putting Bondtite 1115 clear epoxy over the vct.

Be sure and post some pics when you have it done. I am very interested in soing the same thing after I get my lift this winter and doing a floor this summer. I really want to do something that isn't too expensive where I park my hot rod and dress that side of the garage up some. I never thought of the clear epoxy over it, so I will be curious to see how it looks and how it went doing the job.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Yep, document like crazy, then post here. What you're doing is exactly what I'm hoping to do.

Mark

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[rwhite692]

I have VCT and I love it so far. I was able to find all of the tile on craigslist, new in boxes, from two different sellers.

I did around 840 square feet for less than $300. And I have plenty left over for eventual repairs.

Also, Lowes or Home Depot both have this tile available at their special order desks and will get it for you. Before I found mine on craigslist, I checked and both of them had the same pricing on it.

I have no illusions about this material holding up as well as a 100% solids epoxy floor. But, it's certainly good enough for me. It's easy enough to sweep and occasionally mop clean. It seems to take quite a bit of abuse without issue. I have car dollies and engine stands on it all the time.

I used Armstrong Imperial Texture series tiles in gray, white, and black. Contrary to the name, it has no texture. Adhesive used was Henry 430 from Lowes, a local tile guy recommended it. I got the Henry 430 from Lowes and put it down with the trowel that was recommended on the bucket of adhesive, I think it was 1/16" rounded notch.

Prep was to vacuum, damp mop, vacuum again.

You lay down the glue w/trowel and then wait for it to "dry" to a translucent yellow (about 30 min) then you start laying tile. The tile sticks like mad to the adhesive, so you need to be careful and take your time laying them down.

It is also easy, if a bit time consuming, to do some custom designs using VCT tile....When doing so, the table saw is your best friend.

Some pics

 

[JohnK007]

Wow! That looks sharp!

 

[Chetter]

Wow! That looks sharp!

I 2nd that,

Those pics have sold me on doing that with my floor where I park my car. Nice job and garage!!!

 

[Thruxton]

^+! Very good looking install!

 

[Chuck W.]

Great job.... I wonder if I could do a Porsche emblem (the answer is no way!).

 

[Thruxton]

Great job.... I wonder if I could do a Porsche emblem (the answer is no way!).

If you figure that one out let me know!

 

[CamarosRus]

Do the VCT installers (here) reccommend renting a HEAVY roller to apply to the newly set tiles ???? I would think doing so is a good practice.

 

[chevelle67]

After debating the very same epoxy vs VCT I did VCT in black and white and it came out looking the same as rwhites, which is the selling point of VCT in my opinion. It's a **** load tougher than I thought it would be and after three years of engine hoists, a four post lift, tractors, welding etc etc. I've replaced three tiles out of 1200 due to stupidity on my part with a replacement time of 15-20 minutes a piece. I'd do it again without hesitation.

 

[rwhite692]

Do the VCT installers (here) reccommend renting a HEAVY roller to apply to the newly set tiles ???? I would think doing so is a good practice.

I didn't do that, just walked on them...I suppose it couldn't hurt.

 

[rwhite692]

Great job.... I wonder if I could do a Porsche emblem (the answer is no way!).

It really would not be all that hard, just time consuming. If you had the design printed out at actual size, you would just need to cut and make all of the individual "puzzle pieces"....even the Chevy logo was a bit tricky to get the angles at each end exactly right (they are not 45s) and also the proportion of height vs. width...But, once you have the design locked down, the actual making of all the tile pieces is more "time" than anything else....

 

[Chuck W.]

Do the VCT installers (here) reccommend renting a HEAVY roller to apply to the newly set tiles ???? I would think doing so is a good practice.

I used a rolling pin.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Great job.... I wonder if I could do a Porsche emblem (the answer is no way!).

WAY!
The company is called Amtico. Their N. American HQ are here in ATL.
Their products are phenomenal. My first experience with them was about 10 years ago- had a client that wanted a huge compass dial for the center of the foyer and they had found this company. The material is vinyl, and depending on what you want or need it can look just like stone, travertine, hardwood, etc. First time I laid eyes on some, I'd have bet the farm I was standing on travertine.
Anyway, they also have just solid colors- intricate designs are done on a CNC machine. They have trained installers that do the installation.

Give them pic (Like the badge below) and they make it any size you want (within reason).
Their website kindda sux- you really have to talk to someone to get something done.

 

[Thruxton]

Wow!

 

[motodavid2000]

It depends on how you want to maintain the VCT - waxed & polished or regular finish with normal use. Here are some recent photos after I finished waxing and running my high-speed buffer on the floor.

 

[Arthropraxis]

Wow, is there an epoxy coat over that tile? How slippery is it? I had pretty much decided there was nothing that could be done to my stained cracked floor other than racedeck. The idea of tile covered in epoxy is tempting.

 

[motodavid2000]

Wow, is there an epoxy coat over that tile? How slippery is it? I had pretty much decided there was nothing that could be done to my stained cracked floor other than racedeck. The idea of tile covered in epoxy is tempting.

Arthropraxis -

No, I do not have epoxy over the VCT. I just keep it clean, waxed and buffed.

I do have epoxy on my garage floor at my house in Florida and it IS slippery when wet.

Dave

 

[jdaallen]

It depends on how you want to maintain the VCT - waxed & polished or regular finish with normal use. Here are some recent photos after I finished waxing and running my high-speed buffer on the floor.

Who's wax are you using? That is sharp!!!!

 

[Mgrig]

Damn! These floors are exceptionally nice. I am debating the VCT or a snap together floor tile. I really like the VCT look better, but is it very slippery when wet? I have a three car garage with a lift in one bay for my classics, but the other two bays house the daily drivers. I am concerned with rain and snow dripping off the cars in winter.

Thoughts from you guys who have lived with the VCT floors?

Thanks in advance

Mark

 

[SuperSocket]

I hate VCT tiles... especially if they are not properly maintained. They are pretty much horrible if you do not plan to regularly polish and wax them (not to mention stripping them when the time comes).

If you do maintain them regularly, they look amazing and should last you just about forever.

 

[Chuck W.]

I hate VCT tiles... especially if they are not properly maintained. They are pretty much horrible if you do not plan to regularly polish and wax them (not to mention stripping them when the time comes).

If you do maintain them regularly, they look amazing and should last you just about forever.

Very well said. I have had mine for four years now. I love it. But, I also enjoy keeping it waxed and polished. If you don't plan on staying on top of it, stay away from it.

 

[motodavid2000]

Who's wax are you using? That is sharp!!!!

jdaallen -

I use Optimal Wet Look floor polish. I bought the product here after reading some very good reviews: http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/p000238.htm

Apply it with a lint free mop and then buff with a high-speed floor buffer.

Good luck - Dave

 

[tom65special]

How slick is the VCT floor when wet? Looking at the pic of the high shine on that floor triggered Marine Corps flashback to buffing floors.

 

[motodavid2000]

How slick is the VCT floor when wet? Looking at the pic of the high shine on that floor triggered Marine Corps flashback to buffing floors.

Tom -

First, God bless the Marines.

Not to be a wise-guy, but the floor never really gets wet as I have two other garages for daily drivers and other equipment. When mopping the floor, it is not very slippery.

I do know that my epoxy floor at my house in Florida is very slippery when it is wet.

Dave

 

[55chevy]

I've had a VCT floor for 10 years. Strip, wax and buff once per year. I would suggest that rubber mats be used under the tires. Hot tires will turn the tile yellow and it is difficult to remove.

 

[Chuck W.]

I would suggest that rubber mats be used under the tires.

I am shopping for something to put under the tires. What rubber mats did you use?

 

[TAMPAGT07]

THIS IS NOT A TEST, THIS IS AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY!

Motodavid2000, my suspicions were correct...I sent a picture of your garage to NASA and they confirmed that you a have a single mold spore in your garage...Please remain calm, and vacate your residence..Myself and NJHandyguy (w/ his flatbed) will be right over to correct your misfortune..Please leave the keys in each one of your vehicles and your garage door unlocked..(Just in case we have to move any of them to contain this mold spore from spreading and causing havoc to your neighborhood)..I just want you to know that we fellow GJ members will be there for you in your time of need...

When I think of a dream garage yours is in very high on my list..

 

[Chuck W.]

..Myself and NJHandyguy (w/ his flatbed) will be right over to correct your misfortune.

You will need some help.... I am en route!

 

[Mandres]

I'd like to do VCT, but I'm concerned that my 20 year-old slab is too cracked/pitched/uneven to take them well. I know the basic rule of thumb for interior tile requires floor flatness to a 1/4" over 10ft or something like that. Does VCT require the same? I would probably have to use a self-leveling cement compound first to get the floor flat enough if so.

 

[Chuck W.]

I bought the product here after reading some very good reviews: http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/p000238.htm

Thanks Dave. I just ordered up two boxes of 20 inch pad for my high speed burnisher. GREAT prices and selection and advice!

I'd like to do VCT, but I'm concerned that my 20 year-old slab is too cracked/pitched/uneven to take them well.

My garage is 24 years old. There were a lot of surface cracks and it is uneven in places. From ten feet it is beautiful. Get close or get on your hands and knees you can see the waves. It is a garage, not a kitchen or family room. I am so pleased with it after 4 years. Fill in any large cracks and go for it!

 

[JimVonBaden]

Who has the best prices on VCT, and what can I expect to spend per sq foot?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[JimVonBaden]

No one has any suggestions for where to buy it?

Jim

 

[Chuck W.]

No one has any suggestions for where to buy it?

Jim

Hey Jim.... I just ordered mine at the local Home Depot. As I recall they had the black in stock and I had to special order the white.

 

[Chetter]

My local Home Depot has both in stock. I am going to go the route of the VCT for sure. I really like the look I see with many of the floors that have been done. Right now, I need to get my compressor and lift in place so I can do the floor this summer.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Thanks guys!

Jim