Vinyl Tiles - Yes or No!?

[logixrat]

Doing a little research I understand Race Deck is very popular. There is even a guy I work with that has a similar type floor and gives it 2 big thumbs up.

Problem is my garage is roughly 25' x 25' and I don't have a large enough budget to go Race Deck, or similar. I would like the black & white check floor. The primary purpose of my garage will be to house the vehicles, perform occassional maintenance on the vehicles and light wood working.

Given my "light duties" would a commercial grade vinyl tile suffice? It's almost embarrassing to ask, but the price is very affordable. Here are a few links:

http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details_toolbox_magnify.jsp?item_id=47164

http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details_toolbox_magnify.jsp?item_id=47155

Both colors run about $32/carton at Home Depot. The HD site does not indicate how many tiles, but I'm guessing around 30ish.

Disadvantages I see is I must apply adhesive and I imagine it will be a PITA if I ever have to remove it. I think it will hold up to my light work activities, but I do have concerns about how well it will stay stuck to the concrete when a vehicle with such weight is driven on the tile, and if the heat from the tires may warm up the adhesive and cause slipping.

Anyone have any experience/opinions they are willing to share. Thanks!!

 

[kartracer55]

The only thing Id be worried about is if your doing any grinding, welding, heating... that sorta thing. Vinyl and heat dont really get along all that well. If your olnt going to be doing woodworking and no metal fab or anything, it should be ok. The only other thing Id consider is that wih age, vinyl starts to yellow.

Car tires dont get all THAT hot, at least compared to a kart tire or something, so I dont thnk that would be an issue. if your really worried, leave the car out side afte rlong road trips on the highway befor epulling it in.

Jim

 

[SteveL]

Vinyl tile will eventually stain wherever tires sit over time. You can replace them but you would still have a color difference just from the UV light changing the tile gradually. Also not that great of a choice if you are going to have a lot of water on the floor as moisture will eventually get in to the seams and loosen the tile.

 

[camarojoe]

Hi there, just discovered the site and this is my 1st post... I am just about finished with my first ever garage project, and am about to install the above mentioned tile... My question is, what do they make as an "ending strip" for the tile where it stops at the overhead door openings? Do you just let the edge of the tile exposed? I seem to recall seeing some sort of rubber strip that ends tile where it makes a transition from tile to carpet, such as in a store... but what about tile to concrete? I looked at Home Depot and didn't find anything... Does anyone know what this strip I'm referring to is called, and/or a good place to get it? Thanks in advance... I'm just starting to sift through all the categories and threads and have already picked up a TON of useful info! Great site... I thought I was the only garage junkie out there... man was I wrong!

 

[JasonK]

I worked at Lowe's for a bit this year, in Flooring. A guy special ordered 2000 square ft of black and white to do his evidently "LARGE" garage. I'd love to seen how it turned out.

 

[Evil_C5]

im also new here and this is my 1st post. i really like the armstrong floor, and before it i had the home depot epoxy which pulled up and looks really bad after 3 years. i have had the armstrong down for about a year and a half and it still looks really nice. i need to get it stripped and rewaxed and polished, but im happy with it for the price.

great site! i will be sticking around.

heres one to show that i do actually do some work in the garage, i get alot of **** at work because they call my garage a showroom and not a garage.

i was detailing the undercarrage of one of my past gn's before the buick nationals.

 

[joecaver]

evil C5, do you have any problem with the jack stands causing damage to the tile? I'm planning on using tile on mine this spring and was wondering. BTW I love the look of your garage. I like the jack stands lined up on the wall.

 

[Evil_C5]

evil C5, do you have any problem with the jack stands causing damage to the tile? I'm planning on using tile on mine this spring and was wondering. BTW I love the look of your garage. I like the jack stands lined up on the wall.

to avoid problems, i have a few extra tiles and put them under the stands and when i jack the car up.


worst case if you might cause a dent in the floor. the GN sat on jack stands for about 2 months and didnt cut thru the spare tile under the stand.


the garage has been a work in progress for almost 2 years and the last year i have been working 80 plus hours a week so i havent had time to finish much and its a battle just to keep the clutter out.

i recently cut back a bunch on work and plan on getting my garage back up to speed like the one i saw in the phot section with the yellow porsche in it!

 

[camarojoe]

What did you do to end the tile where it stops under the garage doors? Nothing? is there any type of end strip or anything there or just the raw edge of the tile?

 

[Evil_C5]

What did you do to end the tile where it stops under the garage doors? Nothing? is there any type of end strip or anything there or just the raw edge of the tile?

it worked out perfect, the tile came to the edge of the door when its closed and theres a rubber strip under my door that meets the cement.

i still have to get the dremel out and cut a few tiles around my steps coming out from the house, but it came out pretty nice for a garage.

everyone that sees it says i cant imagine why anyone would go to that trouble for a garage.

<----this guy would!

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

What did you do to end the tile where it stops under the garage doors? Nothing? is there any type of end strip or anything there or just the raw edge of the tile?

There is a small vinyl piece called a transition strip that is the same thickness as the tile and tapers down to nothing. The strip is about one inch wide and comes in three or four foot lenghts. You glue it down with the same adhesive used to attach the floor tiles. I used it in the garage door area of The Hot Rod Grille Garage and it gives a nice finished edge to the tile. The strip also helps protect the edge of the tile from chipping when the car is driven over it.

Jim
The Hot Rod Grille Garage

 

[camarojoe]

Yes... the transition strip is what I'm talking about... where can you buy it? I asked at Home Depot and they looked at me like i was speaking greek....

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

Yes... the transition strip is what I'm talking about... where can you buy it? I asked at Home Depot and they looked at me like i was speaking greek....

I purchased the tiles, transition strips, adhesive and cove base moulding from a local flooring supplier (not one of the "big box" stores). Check your local yellow pages for flooring materials suppliers in your area.

Jim
The Hot Rod Grille Garage

 

[camarojoe]

Thanks... I will start calling tomorrow..

 

[DaveH]

Isn't the vinyl tile pretty slick when wet? That would be my primary concern here in Indy.

I'm pulling the trigger on RaceDeck myself, but am wincing a little on the economics as my garage is 22x40. Really like the look though. I'm laying three seperate bay grid patterns that I think will look pretty sharp. Already got the Gladiator fridge and am in the process of ordering some cabs and bench. I can't frickin' wait! There's definitely going to be a metalic theme to my finished product.

 

[Evil_C5]

Isn't the vinyl tile pretty slick when wet? That would be my primary concern here in Indy.

I'm pulling the trigger on RaceDeck myself, but am wincing a little on the economics as my garage is 22x40. Really like the look though. I'm laying three seperate bay grid patterns that I think will look pretty sharp. Already got the Gladiator fridge and am in the process of ordering some cabs and bench. I can't frickin' wait! There's definitely going to be a metalic theme to my finished product.

it is kinda slick, but i keep cheap carpet runners along the edge so the wife dont bust her azz.

 

[camarojoe]

While we're on the subject of this tile... how flexible is it? I had 2 floor drains with a taper towards the drains, my idea is to run the tile right over the drains and cut a piece to fit on the "lid" of the drain, to be removed whenever i need the drain... i have no water source in the garage, but i had the drains put in "just in case" and would like to keep them. Anyone install this stuff on anything but a completely flat surface? I'm pretty sure with a little heat i can flex them enough to conform to the floor in the drain areas... Do they ever have a problem with cracking or splitting once installed?

 

[Evil_C5]

While we're on the subject of this tile... how flexible is it? I had 2 floor drains with a taper towards the drains, my idea is to run the tile right over the drains and cut a piece to fit on the "lid" of the drain, to be removed whenever i need the drain... i have no water source in the garage, but i had the drains put in "just in case" and would like to keep them. Anyone install this stuff on anything but a completely flat surface? I'm pretty sure with a little heat i can flex them enough to conform to the floor in the drain areas... Do they ever have a problem with cracking or splitting once installed?

it is flexable, but i dont know if it will work in that situation

 

[Cajundude]

it is flexable, but i dont know if it will work in that situation

What's up Evil! Good to see you on this board as well as CF. I've purchased all the materials to do my garage but am wondering, did you start from dead center or where? Thanks!

 

[joecaver]

What's up Evil! Good to see you on this board as well as CF. I've purchased all the materials to do my garage but am wondering, did you start from dead center or where? Thanks!

Welcome aboard to another CF member. There are several of us over here now.

 

[Cajundude]

Welcome aboard to another CF member. There are several of us over here now.

Thanks! You wanna know the worst part? We just moved into this house and I decided to finish the garage out before unpacking tools and stuff. Insulation, sheetrock, the whole 9 yards. Now for the worst part...I can't do my awaiting mods until I get this done. Cartek clutch kit and a STS twin kit. Needless to say, I'm bustin' **** to get it done! Oh yea, I'm also running copper lines for the compressor I put in the garage attic. I'm 75% done with the sheetrocking.

 

[Donzi4me]

Welcome aboard to another CF member. There are several of us over here now.

I agree...

 

[T1000]

I was also considering the vinyl tile option but was concerned that in the winter months the snow and salt that drips off the car would cause the tile to loosen? anyone have any experience with this?

 

[OldCarGuy]

Indeed drippings from cars of salt, road grit, oil, and particularly gasoline will cause the tiles shrink, discolor, and come loose. I have Armstrong VCT tiles in one of my older 4-car garages for 10 years. It is year round climate controlled and I do not park any daily drivers and use it mainly to store cars. Still I have to be very careful if one of my oldies leaks. The upside is if an area gets ruined, it’s easy to take up the damaged tiles and replace them with new ones.

 

[Evil_C5]

What's up Evil! Good to see you on this board as well as CF. I've purchased all the materials to do my garage but am wondering, did you start from dead center or where? Thanks!

no, i actually started at the side and ran tiles up the side and across the back and made sure it was square. then i filled in the center with tiles. it worked out well for me since my garage was pretty squate and exactly 20x20 (within an inch or less) and the center line worked out being right in the center.

 

[edl]

Welcome aboard to another CF member. There are several of us over here now.

what is CF?

 

[Truck Guy]

what is CF?

Wow, old thread revival!

CF = Corvette Forum

 

[ambenz]

Great thread!!!!
I am considering vinyl tiles too....I think this thread just made me decide to "GO for it" this spring!

 

[robsled]

My .02
Did the vinyl tile in one of my garages. Would not do it again.
First, Prep is EVERYTHING! Even when you think the floor is clean and ready to lay down the tiles.....clean some more.
Second, The peel & stick still needs more adhesive to really stay down. If you turn your steering wheel while in the garage, you will "pop" the tile that is under the tire.
Third, the tiles will shrink and grow during temp changes....from 1/16th up to 1/8th inch per tile.
It looked good for a couple years, but the white really started to look worn after that.

 

[cowboyjosh]

My .02
Did the vinyl tile in one of my garages. Would not do it again.
First, Prep is EVERYTHING! Even when you think the floor is clean and ready to lay down the tiles.....clean some more.
Second, The peel & stick still needs more adhesive to really stay down. If you turn your steering wheel while in the garage, you will "pop" the tile that is under the tire.
Third, the tiles will shrink and grow during temp changes....from 1/16th up to 1/8th inch per tile.
It looked good for a couple years, but the white really started to look worn after that.

Just curious, have you ever buffed and waxed the vinyl? You know like they do to tiles in schools and other buildings that have Armstrong type vinyl tile floors? Wondering just to see if buffing and waxing keeps the floor looking new.

 

[hades02]

My .02
Did the vinyl tile in one of my garages. Would not do it again.
First, Prep is EVERYTHING! Even when you think the floor is clean and ready to lay down the tiles.....clean some more.
Second, The peel & stick still needs more adhesive to really stay down. If you turn your steering wheel while in the garage, you will "pop" the tile that is under the tire.
Third, the tiles will shrink and grow during temp changes....from 1/16th up to 1/8th inch per tile.
It looked good for a couple years, but the white really started to look worn after that.

They are not talking about the peel and stick type vinyl tile. This stuff is thicker
almost like asphalt shingles. You use an adhesive almost like ceramic
tile adhesive. I've put some of this stuff down in low income housing
as it is durable and cheap. The light colored tile will discolor over time
but can be brought back to life with a buffer and ajax or comet to clean and
then a good buff/waxing to shine.

As far as damage from jacks or stands, use a piece of wood under the jack
or stand just like you would on your asphalt driveway.

Getting the floor up is no more difficult than pulling up a ceramic tile floor
if you have the right tools.

 

[robsled]

No, I used the recommended Armstrong cleaner-polish-sealer.
I used my garage for more than just parking the cars. I rebuilt the engine in one of my Porsches. Prepped other Porsches for Concours. AND lived in a state with very humid summers and cold winters.
I sold this house 3 years ago.....the next one (in a much dryer climate) had wall to wall commercial grade indoor/outdoor carpet. I loved it!!!

 

[TheShrine]

Armstrong VCT in shop only. Epoxy under the cars.

 

[Rickster55]

Nice set-up TheShrine!

 

[dykstra]

I love mine, but I do not use my garage for daily drivers.

 

[rwhite692]

+1 for VCT...Inexpensive, 1/8" thick...Easy to install, Easy to sweep/clean, Easy to fix.

My detached garage is just a hobby shop, so it does not get a lot of severe abuse.

I think daily driver use would be rough on it, particularly wet cars, road salt, etc.

 

[pamelascot]

Hi there, just discovered the site and this is my 1st post... I am just about finished with my first ever garage project, and am about to install the above mentioned tile... My question is, what do they make as an "ending strip" for the tile where it stops at the overhead door openings? Do you just let the edge of the tile exposed? I seem to recall seeing some sort of rubber strip that ends tile where it makes a transition from tile to carpet, such as in a store... but what about tile to concrete? I looked at Home Depot and didn't find anything... Does anyone know what this strip I'm referring to is called, and/or a good place to get it? Thanks in advance... I'm just starting to sift through all the categories and threads and have already picked up a TON of useful info! Great site... I thought I was the only garage junkie out there... man was I wrong!

it's called a threshold.