Opinions on this garage floor tile

Looks okay to me.

 

I am not sure if you are familiar with this site. It is a terrific resource for garage projects and upgrades. Sme of the projects are very large ("garage mahal" types), others very modest. Check out Jack Olsen's 12-gauge garage thread.

As you will read there's everything from epoxy, to plastic / synthetic to ceramic and porcelain and discussion of why one one flooring material has been chosen over another. If I were going to put down tile, I'd use porcelain in my garage as, to me, the finished look is great and durability is high but it is a personal choice.

Have fun. The site is quite intoxicating, as his one is!
Philip

 

Yes, it is a great site and there are some terrific threads. I think Jack Olsen's 12-gauge garage thread is up to 150 pages! Anyway, I did not mean to add too many choices and produce the "school boy in the candy store" effect. Good luck.

 

i used the peel and stick 12x12 tiles i bought for a quarter each. been down for eight years now with no problems.

 

Jedi,

I am thinking of acid staining my back patio and possibly my garage floor. I have contemplated different flooring for my garage but I think anything I put down will get chewed up/destroyed by my scissor lift.

Is acid staining and sealing the current concrete an option?

 

I went with those same Motofloor tiles. I like them, and they are easy to maintain...however, they are not perfect for everyone.
I want to start by saying that I do a lot of work in my garage, but it's mainly maintenance type light work. For example, all fluid changes, tune ups, suspension work, brake and tire work, exhaust work, etc. just to name a few. One damage prevention step that I take is that I put down an old shower curtain to protect the floor from splashes, under the area where I'm working.
After-work maintenance is also fairly easy. When I'm done working, or when necessary, I vacuum and mop the floor. It cleans up nicely, but the white tiles may need a little extra care maybe once or twice a year. Extra care means that I have to litterally get on my hands and knees with paper towels, and clean each white square with simple green spray. It's a little bit of a pain, but not too bad, it only takes about 1/2hr to 40 min. (20'x26' garage) once or twice a year. With the way I use the floor, it's not a bad product. If used differently, it may not work out that great for you. For instance if you need to do welding on it, or if you have to drag jacks or other heavy equipment on it, I would not recommend it. Another BIG deal killer for that floor would be if you are using the garage daily, in all kinds of weather. If you did that, I would imagine that the floor would become a mess in no time. If it gets wet all the time, or if it gets melted dirty snow, it wouldn't look attractive at all. In that case I think you would be better off with a good epoxy (that's what I'm going to do for my daily use garages).
Another hint if you use the black and white tiles. Try to plan a design where you can use all black tiles where the car tires roll. I've had mine installed for about 3 years and the paths where the tires go, gets very dirty. I can clean those areas with simple green, but it gets a little rough on the surface, and it's impossible to get them perfectly clean. It's not too bad, but it still bothers me a little. If I planned to put dark tiles in the tires path, the floor would still look 100% new!
All things considered, I'm glad I used it in my garage,I love the look, and I would do it again!
I attached a picture of it after I installed it, but before the cabinets and tools were added.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I almost spit out my drink when I read this! Porcelain!?! Who knew?!!? I will look into it, and can't wait to have time to dig into the Garage Journal site!

 

I would stick with Racedeck. I think their tiles are better quality and they will replace damaged tiles with no questions asked (even if you melt a few while welding). Yes, they are a big more expensive but not much and their support makes it worth it.

If you are going to be welding a lot, then ceramic is the best way to go, otherwise for normal car work the plastic tiles will work great, I have had my Racedeck down about 12 years now, pulled many a engine/gearbox on them and they still look great when I clean them.

Racedeck will send you out free samples and if ever in SB feel free to come and take a look at my garage floor. Oh yeah, Jorgen (Racedeck owner/CEO) will give Garage Journal discounts when you order.

 

Can you tell us the description of what you ordered?
The link doesn't take me to a specific product. You've inspired me!

 

Hello we use these same tiles in our show display for our car. The tiles are very durable, clean easy and snap together while come apart for the next show. Thanks Norm
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Norm, forget the floor tile. Sell me the woman!!!!!

 

I just saw the new floors at Redline Restorations's site. they are a sponsor here. They went with stained concrete. Abolutely stunning. A friend of mine does these floors in commercial spaces of every conceivable use. They are virtually indestructible and last for years. Plus you can change themes down the line. Some of them even have shower type drains with a sump so you don't have a stroke if you "actually" spill something. Inexpensive to do at this point, and you will think of yourself as the smartest guy on the planet. Plus..they cean up nicely with a floor squeegee. Jq.

 

Apparently it is a lot harder than ceramic!

 

IIRC Racedeck makes the Motofloor product.
I ordered samples from both and compared. They are VERY similar. However, if you look closely, Racedeck is a little better constructed. I don't remember the exact difference, but I think that the plastic was thicker (very slight difference) on the support ribs or something like that.
After looking at them carefully and considering the HUGE price difference (I think it was <$2 VS $6), I went with the Motofloor, and they work perfectly, I love them. There is no logical reason that I can think of, where the extra plastic thickness was needed.

 

Hey Jedi
I made the same decision you did--ordered 440 red and black--from another company at a similar price--supposed to arrive tomorrow. Hope we like it--