Garage Floor Tiles or....
#31
07-12-2007 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by chadhaas
To deputydog95, if your epoxy floor coating delaminated from the concrete it likely was the result of the installation. There is a real dis-service within this industry at the moment by installers who offer low-cost installation of their flooring systems by skipping several important steps in the process. Floor preparation is the most important step to the installation process, yet it is the only step that is not seen in the finished result. You could have the best floor coating in the world, but if the concrete has not been adequately prepped to accept the coating, it can fail.
Here is an analogy: Lets say you want to paint your kitchen. You could purchase the best paint in the world for your home and hire the best painter, but if your walls have not been prepped to accept the paint, it can delaminate. Just as grease splatter on a kitchen wall will limit the effectiveness of whatever paint is applied to it, the same can be said about a garage floor.
In short, don't skimp on the floor prep work. Take a pass on chemically etching the concrete and have it mechanically shotblasted instead. The cost will add $0.75 to as much as $1.25 per square foot to the overall cost, but it is worth the investment.
Here is an analogy: Lets say you want to paint your kitchen. You could purchase the best paint in the world for your home and hire the best painter, but if your walls have not been prepped to accept the paint, it can delaminate. Just as grease splatter on a kitchen wall will limit the effectiveness of whatever paint is applied to it, the same can be said about a garage floor.
In short, don't skimp on the floor prep work. Take a pass on chemically etching the concrete and have it mechanically shotblasted instead. The cost will add $0.75 to as much as $1.25 per square foot to the overall cost, but it is worth the investment.
#34
08-16-2007 | 06:37 PM
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guys, this is a great thread. i am at some major crossroads with my garage flooring current... btw, bruno/deputydog -- got pics of your garages yet?
i am having a very hard time deciding what to get for my garage in terms of floor. here is my dilemma:
1. who knows how long i will live in this house, hence i dont want to get the most expensive flooring out there and move in 2 years and having to get expensive floors and pay again
2. it sounds like with plastic racedeck tile there is potential for dirt to get in between the tiles and considering my OCD, it would drive me nuts.
3. it sounds like doing epoxy has its problems too (scratches, floor preparation, etc.)
maybe getting basic porcelain tile at the local tile store at $5 sq/ft and doing the tile install with a friend is the best bang for the buck (if i can seal it with epoxy chad mentioned above to prevent staining)
i am having a very hard time deciding what to get for my garage in terms of floor. here is my dilemma:
1. who knows how long i will live in this house, hence i dont want to get the most expensive flooring out there and move in 2 years and having to get expensive floors and pay again
2. it sounds like with plastic racedeck tile there is potential for dirt to get in between the tiles and considering my OCD, it would drive me nuts.
3. it sounds like doing epoxy has its problems too (scratches, floor preparation, etc.)
maybe getting basic porcelain tile at the local tile store at $5 sq/ft and doing the tile install with a friend is the best bang for the buck (if i can seal it with epoxy chad mentioned above to prevent staining)
#35
08-16-2007 | 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by jkb
btw, bruno/deputydog -- got pics of your garages yet?
no, not yet. this weekend. i promise. i've just been really busy lately. terrible excuse, i know....
1. who knows how long i will live in this house, hence i dont want to get the most expensive flooring out there and move in 2 years and having to get expensive floors and pay again
This is a great reason why I would go with the plastic products. Very cheap and easy to install.
2. it sounds like with plastic racedeck tile there is potential for dirt to get in between the tiles and considering my OCD, it would drive me nuts.
I suppose. Are you going to be popping your tiles up on a regular basis and looking underneath? Dirt doesn't collect in the cracks. These things snug up very tight.
3. it sounds like doing epoxy has its problems too (scratches, floor preparation, etc.)
Epoxy is really expensive if done right. The prep is insane. If you do it yourself I can almost guarantee the first time you turn your tires you will peel it up. A professional job is very nice, but very costly. Not to mention you'll have to leave your car outside for a few days.
maybe getting basic porcelain tile at the local tile store at $5 sq/ft and doing the tile install with a friend is the best bang for the buck (if i can seal it with epoxy chad mentioned above to prevent staining)
no, not yet. this weekend. i promise. i've just been really busy lately. terrible excuse, i know....
1. who knows how long i will live in this house, hence i dont want to get the most expensive flooring out there and move in 2 years and having to get expensive floors and pay again
This is a great reason why I would go with the plastic products. Very cheap and easy to install.
2. it sounds like with plastic racedeck tile there is potential for dirt to get in between the tiles and considering my OCD, it would drive me nuts.
I suppose. Are you going to be popping your tiles up on a regular basis and looking underneath? Dirt doesn't collect in the cracks. These things snug up very tight.
3. it sounds like doing epoxy has its problems too (scratches, floor preparation, etc.)
Epoxy is really expensive if done right. The prep is insane. If you do it yourself I can almost guarantee the first time you turn your tires you will peel it up. A professional job is very nice, but very costly. Not to mention you'll have to leave your car outside for a few days.
maybe getting basic porcelain tile at the local tile store at $5 sq/ft and doing the tile install with a friend is the best bang for the buck (if i can seal it with epoxy chad mentioned above to prevent staining)
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#37
08-23-2007 | 12:23 AM
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Originally Posted by deputydog95
XXXXX no, not yet. this weekend. i promise. i've just been really busy lately. terrible excuse, i know....XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
*nudge*
so i am 99% decided to go with 18x18 racedeck. my next question is figuring out what to do for baseboard. i want it to fit nice and tight over racedeck, so dirt wouldn't get under it.
#38
08-23-2007 | 07:28 AM
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From: North Dakota
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Originally Posted by jkb
*nudge*
*nudge*
so i am 99% decided to go with 18x18 racedeck. my next question is figuring out what to do for baseboard. i want it to fit nice and tight over racedeck, so dirt wouldn't get under it.
*nudge*
so i am 99% decided to go with 18x18 racedeck. my next question is figuring out what to do for baseboard. i want it to fit nice and tight over racedeck, so dirt wouldn't get under it.
If I get home early enough tonight and there is still light, I will take some. I can't believe I forgot again...
#39
08-23-2007 | 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by jkb
*nudge*
*nudge*
so i am 99% decided to go with 18x18 racedeck. my next question is figuring out what to do for baseboard. i want it to fit nice and tight over racedeck, so dirt wouldn't get under it.
*nudge*
so i am 99% decided to go with 18x18 racedeck. my next question is figuring out what to do for baseboard. i want it to fit nice and tight over racedeck, so dirt wouldn't get under it.
#45
09-11-2007 | 10:03 AM
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From: Charleston, SC
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Have you looked at conrete etching/staining/stamping? This is something I am considering. You can do any design you want (not just plain jane), you don't have to worry about cutting odd shaped tile, and it's as durable as well... concrete.
You can even do the driveway to look like stone, brick or something unique like this (not my taste but it shows you what is possible)
You can even do the driveway to look like stone, brick or something unique like this (not my taste but it shows you what is possible)