Vinyl sheet as sacrificial flooring over concrete?

[bark-eater]

Not strictly a garage question but... I'm sealing up a large screen room as a second work and storage space. I may want to convert this space back to living space at some point so I would like to keep the original concrete clean. I was thinking of laying down the cheapest available vinyl roll flooring and calling it good. The space will be weather tight, well ventilated but unconditioned. The floor is an elevated slab 3" up over I'm hoping over sand or gravel fill. I'll be working on bicycles in this space, so there will be some oil and grease floating around as well as some light fabricating, so some bench grinder sparks and brazing drips. I can put some sheet metal down to catch the brass and silver drips, but there will be some sparks hitting the floor. Is this a terrible idea?

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

I think that could work. It would be a floating floor method where the vinyl is only secured on the edges. Some of that vinyl material can be rather thin and you may want to go with slightly heavier material so that it does not "curl up" or "walk on you". I would also make sure that the pattern on the vinyl was not too busy so that you can find parts when they are inevitably dropped on the floor.

 

[dfiler2]

I think it's a good idea and will work just the way you want it to. Probably use a little glue around the edges but it probably won't take much to keep it in place.

 

[JR 42]

Sure, you could use a fiberglass- backed vinyl that doesn't need adhesive, and some double- stick tape if you're worried about it sliding around. Sparks will definitely melt the vinyl a bit, though. What are the dimensions of the room?

 

[JRC3]

I'd probably look for some vinyl plank on the clearance rack at a box store. Way more durable than sheet and no need for adhesive or taping the edges.

I have some 18" tape together squares in my laundry are and have seen others use snap together in weight rooms and maintenance areas. Lays perfectly flat and makes for a nice durable edges. Comes in a tile or wood look.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I would think that would be pretty slippery, OP.

 

[johnnyradiant]

With the mention of storage I'm thinking curl up maybe fairly close to a moot point, except around doorways. I'd be careful with adhesive use depending on how unscathed you want to keep the concrete. You may want to use a bit molding to hold down the vinyl at the doorway if you can tack it to the threshold, or some other carpet/vinyl molding tacked down to the floor. A few little patched nail holes at a doorway may yield a cleaner look than the glue residue.

 

[ford33]

OP post your location. Are you in a warm or cold climate?

If the space is not conditioned will you have mold problems under the vinyl due to high moisture levels in the concrete and condensation build up when you have warm days and cool nights?

Maybe instead of covering the entire floor now, use some flooring mats for a few months. You can lift the mats up and see if mold is growing or if the concrete is getting nasty underneath. If all looks good, then put in a nicer floor. This will also help you decide upon a final floor when you finish and condition the space.

 

[jk952]

In a Canadian climate I did this in my garage under the house, the air in the garage is generally just above freezing in the worst of winter and no problems with the (low cosy vinyl backed) vinyl, I sealed just the edges near the opening and man door. Did not curl up, and was much nicer than the cold concrete when lying under a car. Old house and high water table, but concrete always dry. The vinyl would track across the floor however if one moved a car on a service jack, or moved heavy tool boxes so not good for that.
Lasted several years until (not surprisingly) I power washed the floor, vinyl since removed, if moisture gets under will not dry (figures).