Garage Floors

[CheGuevara]

I'm interested in peoples experiences with garage floor coverings. I'm particularly fond of the epoxy or polyurethane coatings, and wondering about costs (diy or installed), performance etc.

Not that keen on the snap-together tiles as I think they look a bit cheezy and I suspect things like oil/chemicals/water would still drain down between the tiles? Expensive as well?

[the_lone_wolf]

Old carpet for me - Free, comfy, warm, replaceable

Given limitless funds I'd probably seal the floor ala car showrooms, at work we have a big catalogue from manufacturers giving various different types from acid resistant to antimicrobial, prices varied quite a bit but the budget ones weren't that pricy

[2hys]

got carpet in mine, keeps a bit of warmth in and easier on the knees!!

[CheGuevara]

OK - lets just say you had a brand spanking new garage, and wanted a coating that would keep it looking good, be easy to clean, eliminate the concrete dust, and not proove difficult to find small nuts or washers etc on.

Not carpet, as I could always whack a chunk of that overtop if I want warm feet or cushy knees :)

Creepers and rolling stools don't work well on carpet either.

[Wideboy]

what about lino fooring? not the kitchen crap the really thick stuff, i got some in my shed its lovely, but just plain mashed up concrete in the garage, i had two mechanics pits dug out in there but we filled then im when we moved in

[the_lone_wolf]

Some kind of epoxy coating, can't recommend brands as I've never done it

[CheGuevara]

OK I'll ask the question more directly: Has anyone here done (or had done) an epoxy or polyurethane or similar type garage or industrial floor coating who can comment on costs/ease-of-install/performance/satisfaction etc? :)

[tigersaw]

I painted mine with garage floor paint from screwfix. Looked nice, stopped all the concrete dust, but chipped from dropped tools etc.
So I carpeted it with thin tough stuff from B+Q at about £3.99 /m
No problem wheeling around my heavy duty bike lift with bike on top of it.

My mate has the garage floor tiles, as per formula 1 pits. Very nice, but still dent from sidestands.

[CheGuevara]

I painted mine with garage floor paint from screwfix. Looked nice, stopped all the concrete dust, but chipped from dropped tools etc.

In an effort to avoid a bad product choice then - do you know what it was (material-wise)?

[dizzyblonde]

My mate has the garage floor tiles, as per formula 1 pits. Very nice, but still dent from sidestands.

Not if you use sidestand pucks. My big shed is covered in those rubber floor tiles, and I need to use pucks or the sidestands of the bikes dig in a bit.
Or indeed a bit of ally plate will do.
Other than that, nuts, bolts and tiny bits don't disappear, and you can spill what you like on em, cause you can rip em up individual and give em a hose down.

[tigersaw]

In an effort to avoid a bad product choice then - do you know what it was (material-wise)?

this stuff
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/19015/Paint/Floor-Paints/No-Nonsense-Floor-Paint-2-5Ltr-Red

Its ok, just not heavy duty

[Icanopit]

Hi CHE, not cheap but exceptional in particular grey studded, I had an area 25 mt x 15 mt in my work area before I retired used to be Known as the hospital area, used trolley jacks/axle stands and vehicles up to 3 ton with no serious wear or damage issues. About to purchase enough for my own garage/workshop.

Link http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/rubber+matting/type/any/page/1

Not cheap but!!!!!!

JOHN

[tigersaw]

Hi CHE, not cheap but exceptional in particular grey studded, I had an area 25 mt x 15 mt in my work area before I retired used to be Known as the hospital area, used trolley jacks/axle stands and vehicles up to 3 ton with no serious wear or damage issues. About to purchase enough for my own garage/workshop.

Link http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/rubber+matting/type/any/page/1

Not cheap but!!!!!!

JOHN

Got some of that atop my bike lift - excellent stuff.
I find the ribbing collects the grot though

[the_lone_wolf]

Che, forget the paint and rubber matting

If you want the good stuff you want epoxy floor coating, won't chip, won't shift, won't absorb oil or other crap

If you like I'll have a look for the catalogue in work tomorrow and see if I can dig out a few brand names for you?

[Specialone]

The cheap paint type coatings wont last, the 2 pack ones last a bit longer.
But the industrial ones are expensive, i had a section of floor done of about 100 sq metres in my last job and i think it cost something like £13k.
They done it over a weekend, skimmed the floor with a concrete sander to key it, a h/d primer and then top coat (s) (didnt see how many coats as i was at home), in five years it never looked worn or chipped and there was some heavy machinery using it.
Bit ott for a domestic garage ;)

[the_lone_wolf]

The cheap paint type coatings wont last, the 2 pack ones last a bit longer.
But the industrial ones are expensive, i had a section of floor done of about 100 sq metres in my last job and i think it cost something like £13k.
They done it over a weekend, skimmed the floor with a concrete sander to key it, a h/d primer and then top coat (s) (didnt see how many coats as i was at home), in five years it never looked worn or chipped and there was some heavy machinery using it.
Bit ott for a domestic garage ;)

It would be, but you don't have to go to that extent for a lightly used garage - there are plenty of cheaper options that will do the job just as well for a domestic environment:cool:

[Specialone]

It would be, but you don't have to go to that extent for a lightly used garage - there are plenty of cheaper options that will do the job just as well for a domestic environment:cool:
I agree, but concrete dust sealer will do a good job as well.

[DarrenSV650S]

I've got old carpet scraps in mine. Why not get the really thin carpet for in kitchens. I'm sure it will be thin enough to roll things over

[Ed]

I have some flattened out cardboard boxes on my garage floor. Vey cheap, and if I drop oil or whatever - easy to replace.

[CheGuevara]

I'll have an area (if all goes well) about 17'x17' (289 sq ft or 27 sq metres) to cover. Specialone's industrial suggestion sounds nice but impossibly expensive -even if it were affordable I think the wife would kill me long before I had a chance to enjoy the beauty of it :)

Two-pack I assume means it's epoxy and mixed with catalyst just prior to application? Are these generally available to the public? Reasonable expectation that they could be self-applied by a with careful/adequate prep? More or less equivalanet between brands?

I think what I might be looking for is something of robust quality, but available to the public, and possible to apply as a DIY project, even if it required a fair bit of careful prep.

I know where I could go to get these answers and products at home, but not a clue here.

I'm not keen on the textured or patterned mats/tiles but if it did become an option I think I'd still be sealing before putting them down anyhow. I can just see a lot of crap being caught in the patterned surface (dirt, grease, metal filings etc), or oil or chemicals being spilt on a seam and getting underneath.

I like the idea of an epoxy type surface than can be easily swept or mopped out and will withstand a reasonable amount of abuse (on a domestic scale).

I'm planning a fair bit in advance here, as the space is not mine yet, but if it works out it'd probably be one of my first projects.

[CheGuevara]

I have some flattened out cardboard boxes on my garage floor. Vey cheap, and if I drop oil or whatever - easy to replace.

LOL thanks Ed. Is this your official advice as my solicitor? I'm grateful that you are not padding your rates so you can floor your garage in marble tile upon which to park a Ferrari :)

Given we are electing to forgo the flash sink and granite worktop for now (assuming we get the place of course -don't want to jinx it!), you should have seen the glare I got when I mentioned I wanted to do something with the garage floor before I let her park on it! Like laser beams I tell ya.

[Viney]

You tried http://www.buyfloorpaint.co.uk/WaterBasedPaints.html?gclid=CO_Bgb3zsqACFSIslAodDU 2-UQ ?

Sikafloor 2530W is the cheapest they do.

[STRAMASHER]

My man-cave floor is covered by 5mm rubber.

Just on the floors mind, not the walls.;)

[chasey]

The cheap paint type coatings wont last, the 2 pack ones last a bit longer.
But the industrial ones are expensive, i had a section of floor done of about 100 sq metres in my last job and i think it cost something like £13k.
They done it over a weekend, skimmed the floor with a concrete sander to key it, a h/d primer and then top coat (s) (didnt see how many coats as i was at home), in five years it never looked worn or chipped and there was some heavy machinery using it.
Bit ott for a domestic garage ;)

Slightly OT - Sounds exactly like one of the products the company I work for produces! Any chance you can remember the name of the product/company? ;)

[Specialone]

Slightly OT - Sounds exactly like one of the products the company I work for produces! Any chance you can remember the name of the product/company? ;)
Aint got a clue tbh mate, was a while ago ;)
My company shut down now as well, it all f**ked off to hungary.

[embee]

I renewed my (attached) garage floor last year, various issues so dug the whole lot out and started again.

I used the heavy duty satin two pack epoxy from http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/ . I chose the solvent version due to cost.

There is plenty of info on application techniques. If on fresh concrete, ensure it has cured/dried for long enough. If necessary use an etch to key it.

I applied the sealer, then the 2-pack. It must be done in the right time-frame, but it's straightforward. I used normal medium pile 9" synthetic rollers, use once throw away.

Their suggested coverage rate is about right for smooth concrete, but if yours is at all rough, reduce it by maybe 25% or so.

The solvent is very powerful, the area must be extremely well ventilated and it's strongly recommended to get a respirator/facemask for organic vapour.

You get a fairly short time to apply the epoxy once it's mixed, once it's set that's it.

Mine has yet to show any chips, seems very tough. 10 times tougher than regular floor paint.

I then picked up some heavy perforated rubber workmats very cheap from a brilliant little place in Birmingham, all they do is rubber matting (found them on ebay, went round to collect). Swarf drops through the holes so you don't walk it into the floor, then pick up the mat and sweep. Warm to stand on too. Can probably dig out the details if you're interested.

[CheGuevara]

First rate info. Thanks for that!

[beabert]

Same, i painted ours with rubber paint stuff, it chips when things are dropped on it. Generic big tin off ebay.