Hello,

There is a thread on floor epoxy which is not the way that I plan on going. Does anyone have experience with the garage floor tiles. There are quite a few options out there but they all seem to be a variation on plastic tiles with snap edges.

Do they hold up to floor jacks, jack stands, spilled oil, gas, and all the other things that challenge a floor in a garage where real work is going on?

They are not cheap, so some feedback from real world experience would be much appreciated before I take the plunge.

thanks,

They would hold up in my garage but most certainly not in my shop. Think red hot pieces of steel when you cut or weld, spilled solvents and oils, gritty dirt, over spray, spilled paint, dropped tools, blood, beer, tears and curse words........Bob.

I have no personal experience with them but I've heard that moisture can accumulate underneath those plastic tiles. The chronic dampness attracts mold & mildew, & also can deteriorate the underlying concrete slab.

Chuck Tuma

When I redid my existing garage...I used tiles made by Sport Court. They are very similar to any of the other snap together tiles. If memory serves me, they have a 10 year warranty.

This garage is used as storage for a "special" car as well as my detailing area. (I also put up tileboard and slatwall, etc...it was not meant to be a mechanical garage) I can post a pic if it's within the forum rules.

I did lots of research on how to best do the floor in this garage. I considered many different things, like the roll-out mats. I decided on the tiles.

They cut easily, and after install, I put that roll cove moulding around the walls too. I did a black and gray checkboard pattern. They sit on little plastic "feet" that allows moisture to drain out...the tiles do not sit flat on the floor. I have no moisture issues.I use small jack when detailing sometimes, and with the weight of a car on the jack, it can dent the tiles. To stop this, I got a piece of metal to sit the jack on.

I have cleaned my tiles in areas with Brake-Clean with apparent damage.

When the other garage gets built, I will likely simply have the concrete stained. This seems to hold up very well, even with mechanical use. I would not recommend the plastic tiles for heavy mechanical use.

You can also have the floor epoxied. I would recommend having this done professionally. I have not heard good reports on durability from those that used products from Lowe's or home Depot. Preparation is the key here.

Hope this helps..

I wouldn't worry about moisture accumulating under the tiles. I think one of the points is to block moisture from rising up through the concrete and rusting your cars. You might get a few sample tiles and experiment with them: jack a corner of your car up on one, pour on gas, etc. I like the roll-type garage flooring for my use (a regular 2-car garage). Lowes sells it, and it's on the internet. You can pull it outside for cleaning... after removing all the junk on top!

Phil Jamison

61Oldsguy said: "I've heard that moisture can accumulate underneath those plastic tiles. The chronic dampness attracts mold & mildew, & also can deteriorate the underlying concrete slab."
HE IS RIGHT! I have some of that hook together rubber matting runing the length of my work bench. While it's great for my kness and for dropping stuff on, it does hold mositure underneath. With mositure I get mildew and discolored concrete. For some reason workshops and old cars attract water and it stays forever under those mats or tiles. I like them anyway, they help my legs and back when I spend the day on my feet out there in "Dobbin's Barn".
Another idea for the area where you store cars is carpet strips.
Yep carpet! I take 4' wide strips and put them between the finished cars to keep from tracking floors dirt into the cars. It does require vacuming a couple times a year, but it keeps dust and noise down. (not to mention the joy of laying down on it to reach under the cars) Plus if you watch for it, it's easy to find replacement pieces whenever somebody gets new carpet. (they take it out in 4' strips).
I put it between cars in the house garage too, for all the same reasons and change it about every three years. (keeps the house cleaner too & catches all the suprises on my shoes before the house carpet does)