Epoxy garage floor coating vs floor tiles vs vinyl rolls

[SDGT3]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

I have experience with Racedeck and epoxy garage floors, and this is my take. Racedeck looks great when it's new, but it's a pain to clean and starts to show wear and tear over time. I think it's a great floor to use in a man cave or to display a car collection, and the creative options are endless. I just don't think it's the best for a garage that cars are getting moved in and out of daily, with hot tires, dirt, stuff spilling on it, etc.

2 years ago I went with a high-end epoxy with a multi-color flecked finish. It was professionally installed over a 3 day period on an older floor that had some cracks and the moisture issues common in Houston. It still looks like new and it is so much easier to clean than any other floor I've had. I've spilled all kinds of nasty stuff on it wrenching on my sports cars and motorcycles and nothing seems to hurt it. It has a lifetime warranty too. It was around $2,500 for a large-ish 2 car garage.

I think epoxy is the way to go, but it's only as good as the company installing it. After seeing the grinding, crack filling, priming, and final color flake/clearcoat process that went into my floor, I don't see how a DIY install can possibly come close to the final result and longterm durability that a good specialist can give you.

Here's a pic:

That floor looks great and love the color on the GT3!

We went the epoxy DIY route and it came out ok - really can't complain about it since it's been about 15 years. Some of the epoxy weakens from hot tires or after bringing in your car after it rains and the floor says wet for hours or days eventually peeling up off the slab floor. As with anything, the prepping is most important if DIY.

[BroncoOne]

I haven’t had much luck with epoxy flooring in 2 different garages. It seems to flake up where tires commonly sit or turn.

[Tricolore66]

It’s Miami Blue. Use a good company with a lifetime warranty, it’s not the cheapest route but you’ll only pay once.

Originally Posted by SDGT3

That floor looks great and love the color on the GT3!

We went the epoxy DIY route and it came out ok - really can't complain about it since it's been about 15 years. Some of the epoxy weakens from hot tires or after bringing in your car after it rains and the floor says wet for hours or days eventually peeling up off the slab floor. As with anything, the prepping is most important if DIY.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by sleddog

In my limited experience, Epoxy has been the best.
Extremely durable, easy to clean, and looks great.
As Tricolore66 said above however, if it's done by a pro, doing the correct prep before hand, it will last a lifetime. The home handyman will never get the same results.

I'll add, not all pros are pros. Case in point:

My neighbor hired a professional to do it, however said professional bought the "home kit" from a place like Home Depot and either didn't do the prep right, or the material was substandard, or both. It started to peel up within months.

I hired a real professional to do it (at a high cost, natch) and instead of using acid to prep the cement like most folks do, they actually used a grinder to give the surface some tooth. Then they used a highly toxic material (all using respirators and such) for the primer, base color and clear coats. Then I let it cure for 4 days before driving on it. It's fabulous.

My neighbor then hired my guy to redo his garage.

[beshannon]

I did the Home Depot kit, it lasted a long time, never looked great and finally just started to look tired.

I hired a profesional and could not be happier, grinding, sanding, epoxy, chips, top coat. It looks awesome and cost far less that I would have thought.



Finished floor, missing trim



Finished with cabinets and trim

[rr.igreid]

Originally Posted by Mendota

In the spirit of car related threads, I want to get some opinions regarding doing a professional epoxy garage floor coating versus something like an interlocking floor tile system or vinyl rolls. Do you have opinions about one versus another as far as aesthetics are concerned, and also longevity or durability?

I have a 3 car garage and the double car bay floor is experiencing some chipping and crumbling on the surface. It was poured in 1989 so it has seen a lot of cold winters. My concrete guy is going to look at it for me and let me know what kind of repair coat might be needed before they could do a professional epoxy sealant over it.
garage floor coating tampa
It just got me thinking that if I were to go with a floor tile system or with some of the vinyl roll systems, I could skip the repair process all together and just go right to the tiles or the roll out mat. It would be a somewhat easy weekend project and I wouldn't necessarily need to do the entire floor, either. I could just do the parking bays if I wanted to.

I mainly want to make it look nicer while at the same time protecting the floor. I think that will cut down a lot of the dust that we get in there. What I like about tiles is I can do checkerboard patterns and there are many color options. Rolls seem to be the easiest. Epoxy would cover the entire floor so there would be more uniformity.

For example, here's a floor tile system. It wouldn't have to be this specific brand, it just came up in a search. Lots of colors and style options.

Just curious to get opinions.

When considering professional epoxy garage floor coating versus an interlocking floor tile system or vinyl rolls, the choice depends on various factors. In terms of aesthetics, interlocking floor tiles offer versatility with checkerboard patterns and a wide range of color options, allowing you to customize the look of your garage. Vinyl rolls, on the other hand, offer simplicity and ease of installation. In terms of longevity and durability, a professional epoxy garage floor coating tends to be highly durable and long-lasting, capable of withstanding heavy use and providing a uniform appearance across the entire floor. However, if your existing floor has chipping and crumbling issues, a repair coat might be needed before applying the epoxy sealant. The advantage of using a floor tile system or vinyl rolls is that you can skip the repair process and install them directly, making it a convenient weekend project. Additionally, focusing on specific areas like the parking bays can help save time and effort. Both epoxy coatings and interlocking floor tiles can provide protection and reduce dust accumulation in your garage. It ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, desired aesthetics, and the condition of your existing floor. Considering multiple options, exploring color choices, and consulting with your concrete professional can help you make an informed decision for a garage floor that looks great and performs well.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Mendota

In the spirit of car related threads, I want to get some opinions regarding doing a professional epoxy garage floor coating versus something like an interlocking floor tile system or vinyl rolls. Do you have opinions about one versus another as far as aesthetics are concerned, and also longevity or durability?

I have a 3 car garage and the double car bay floor is experiencing some chipping and crumbling on the surface. It was poured in 1989 so it has seen a lot of cold winters. My concrete guy is going to look at it for me and let me know what kind of repair coat might be needed before they could do a professional epoxy sealant over it.

It just got me thinking that if I were to go with a floor tile system or with some of the vinyl roll systems, I could skip the repair process all together and just go right to the tiles or the roll out mat. It would be a somewhat easy weekend project and I wouldn't necessarily need to do the entire floor, either. I could just do the parking bays if I wanted to.

I mainly want to make it look nicer while at the same time protecting the floor. I think that will cut down a lot of the dust that we get in there. What I like about tiles is I can do checkerboard patterns and there are many color options. Rolls seem to be the easiest. Epoxy would cover the entire floor so there would be more uniformity.

For example, here's a floor tile system. It wouldn't have to be this specific brand, it just came up in a search. Lots of colors and style options. https://www.garageflooringinc.com/ga...tro-tiles.html

Just curious to get opinions.

I think it's all garbage.
It costs more than any advantage gained.
Clean, well kept concrete is the best though I do have one area that's painted white (kept as a clean room area)with concrete paint to help with clean up and suppressing dust.
I also don't recklessly drop or scrape heavy items and chip my concrete either.
The paint can be touched up myself in a heartbeat if it's getting a bit worn after a good clean up and it does the job.
Also it's less disturbing to the use of the space when it's touched up at my own convenience in sections or spots as required. If one drops a small part and it bounces away and or rolls away, it's easier to find as opposed to the speckled finishes commonly found with other fancy coatings.
No fumes, no fuss, very cost effective and entirely fit for purpose. Concrete paint wins

[DavidSB]

I had a big problem with epoxy. The slab cured (important to get all moisture out) for about 1 year before professionally epoxy installed. No one knew at the time that the local concrete plant used some small sandstone aggregate in the concrete mix and with the surface epoxy sealed normal moisture couldn't escape and the sandstone expanded and spalled the surface - think small craters on the moon. I had a soils testing company examine the floor and that's their conclusion. I ended up installing a RaceDeck black/grey tile pattern over the expensive pock-marked epoxy and it's been a great surface that cleans up easily and only dents if I forget to up an extra piece under my floor jack. Easy to replace at tile though. Check on your local concrete before going the epoxy route.

[Krash]

I have an epoxy coating in my garage. I like it a lot, but I do have a couple stains on it now that I can’t seem to get rid of.

I’m not sure if I should use stronger cleaning agents on it (bleach, for example). Any advice?

But overall, I’m happy with it.




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[BraveBold]

Exploring options in a decent size 4 car + 4 post lift. Polyurethane vs polyaspartic vs porcelain vs polished concrete.

Anyone do polished concrete?

Racedeck / plastic tiles are problematic (I think) for cars that may be turning? Buckling of tiles? Of course not turning wheels while stationary but still… concerned about the SUV side.

Poly floors are my default. I have epoxy now but it is past due for replacement.

[1st amg]

I just ordered a stone composite vinyl tile for my garage. It’s supposed to be the new product many dealerships are using now. Once I have it installed I will take pics and let you know first impressions

I have seen it installed in a few custom homes around me and it is stunning. Looks very very durable to all elements as well.

https://shopnewage.com/collections/l...31586488647746


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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Exploring options in a decent size 4 car + 4 post lift. Polyurethane vs polyaspartic vs porcelain vs polished concrete.

Anyone do polished concrete?

Polished concrete is another option that seems ok in a showroom situation.
It's relatively easy to recoat but how it turns out at the end of the process is dependent on the aggregate used.
I have seen some interesting outcomes where the reo has rusted and it has left an interesting red rust stain in the pattern of the reo where the concrete has been ground down to where it's a bit closer to the surface than is desired.
Naturally this is dependent upon the setting and the natural environment and the age of the pour.

It's still a problem when one drops something small on it and it rolls or bounces away and one has to look for it and try and find it in a working space

[East Bay Rider]

I have no experience with any of these options but I have heard that epoxy floors can cause the water dripping off the wet car to pool and become slippery to walk on. They claimed that you have to squeegee the water off the floor as it wont soak in or drain. They also claimed that if you're working on something it can be difficult to locate dropped parts on the floor because they'll blend in with the design. I guess that depends on the design though, doesn't it.
Can anyone speak to the accuracy of this? I always imagined the epoxy to be the most durable way to go.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I have no experience with any of these options but I have heard that epoxy floors can cause the water dripping off the wet car to pool and become slippery to walk on. They claimed that you have to squeegee the water off the floor as it wont soak in or drain. They also claimed that if you're working on something it can be difficult to locate dropped parts on the floor because they'll blend in with the design. I guess that depends on the design though, doesn't it.
Can anyone speak to the accuracy of this? I always imagined the epoxy to be the most durable way to go.

I have epoxy and it’s sometimes a catch-all for other coatings like polyurethane. In practice some similarities and some differences.

When requesting quotes on polyurethane / polyaspartic floors I always include an extra grit layer to help provide grip, especially in foot traffic areas that may get wet (the “daily driver” side.

As for losing things on the floor, many coatings have plastic or metallic flakes. Definitely would be harder to find a dropped bolt…

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

As for losing things on the floor, many coatings have plastic or metallic flakes. Definitely would be harder to find a dropped bolt…

My Dad, taught me the trick of laying a torch (flashlight) on the floor so that the beam, when swivelled, picks out, the lost item.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

My Dad, taught me the trick of laying a torch (flashlight) on the floor so that the beam, when swivelled, picks out, the lost item.

As someone with two very small kids, that trick has saved me (and my bare feet) many times!

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

I have experience with Racedeck and epoxy garage floors, and this is my take. Racedeck looks great when it's new, but it's a pain to clean and starts to show wear and tear over time. I think it's a great floor to use in a man cave or to display a car collection, and the creative options are endless. I just don't think it's the best for a garage that cars are getting moved in and out of daily, with hot tires, dirt, stuff spilling on it, etc.

2 years ago I went with a high-end epoxy with a multi-color flecked finish. It was professionally installed over a 3 day period on an older floor that had some cracks and the moisture issues common in Houston. It still looks like new and it is so much easier to clean than any other floor I've had. I've spilled all kinds of nasty stuff on it wrenching on my sports cars and motorcycles and nothing seems to hurt it. It has a lifetime warranty too. It was around $2,500 for a large-ish 2 car garage.

I think epoxy is the way to go, but it's only as good as the company installing it. After seeing the grinding, crack filling, priming, and final color flake/clearcoat process that went into my floor, I don't see how a DIY install can possibly come close to the final result and longterm durability that a good specialist can give you.

Here's a pic:

I'm in Houston too, well, Katy. What company did you use? I have a great painter and all around handyman who could probably do it. But, do you think it's worth hiring a company that specializes in this? Are there specifics a professional painter wouldn't know to do? Thanks!

[Kowaco]

Professionally installed epoxy is the way to go.

[joli160]

I had epoxy floors professionally installed on three different projects. First one more than a decade ago. It looks great but they all failed after a 3-5 years of intense use. Starts with a crack or bubble.
Only real option to repair is to re do completely.

Using tiles nowadays. These last forever

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by joli160

I had epoxy floors professionally installed on three different projects. First one more than a decade ago. It looks great but they all failed after a 3-5 years of intense use. Starts with a crack or bubble.
Only real option to repair is to re do completely.

Using tiles nowadays. These last forever

Yes tiles can be fine until a tool is dropped on them and they're either chipped or cracked.
Cracks can happen when jacking a car up due to point loading.
Unless they're outdoor tiles with some reasonable amount of grip, they can become dangerously slippery depending on what's spilt, sprayed or dribbled on them which is my pet peeve with them.
If they have some grip like outdoor tiles, they leave marks when dark things scuff on them so keeping them clean and tidy is a little hard especially as they can be looking so nice otherwise.
Not necessarily so great in a fully functioning space

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Yes tiles can be fine until a tool is dropped on them and they're either chipped or cracked.
Cracks can happen when jacking a car up due to point loading.
Unless they're outdoor tiles with some reasonable amount of grip, they can become dangerously slippery depending on what's spilt, sprayed or dribbled on them which is my pet peeve with them.
If they have some grip like outdoor tiles, they leave marks when dark things scuff on them so keeping them clean and tidy is a little hard especially as they can be looking so nice otherwise.
Not necessarily so great in a fully functioning space

Porcelain tiles are really durable. I was strongly considering them (still sorta am) except: a) pricing (I think something like $30k for my 1,200 sq fr garage) and b) see a.

Just don’t think the price difference vs poly or polished is worth it (not epoxy, polyurethane).

[VictorGMT]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Swisstrax floor tiles were an easy DIY project so I went with that. It’s only been 2 months so can’t comment on durability but I love the look. The tiles can also pop out easily if there are spills that need cleaning.

Three years with Swisstrax, love it. Far nicer than my previous garage, which was Modutile.

With the first garage I made the mistake of a black and white pattern. Whew. The white was a nightmare...

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by VictorGMT

Whew. The white was a nightmare...

Lol. I bet it was
It would've looked the part in terms of the old chequered flag look though

[Tricolore66]

Sorry, I must have missed your reply. I just PM'd you the info on the Houston company I used for my floor.

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

I'm in Houston too, well, Katy. What company did you use? I have a great painter and all around handyman who could probably do it. But, do you think it's worth hiring a company that specializes in this? Are there specifics a professional painter wouldn't know to do? Thanks!

[VictorGMT]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Lol. I bet it was
It would've looked the part in terms of the old chequered flag look though

Yeah, looked great day one.

I learned. New Swisstrax is gray, with a blue "divider" line and yellow edges. Looks new at year three.

Dropping a tool? I'd have to drop an engine block to noticeably damage it. Then I'd just pop in a new tile in five minutes.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by VictorGMT

Yeah, looked great day one.

I learned. New Swisstrax is gray, with a blue "divider" line and yellow edges. Looks new at year three.

Dropping a tool? I'd have to drop an engine block to noticeably damage it. Then I'd just pop in a new tile in five minutes.