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Today I researched local and not so local concrete polishing companies. Sadly, the only local polisher has retired, his equipment is for sale and his base price without acid wash, fill or hardener was $7.00 sq ft. The closest polisher is 75 miles away and his base would be $10.00 +++ and he made it clear that he did not want the job. So polished concrete is out.
The Race Deck has the issue with expansion and contraction soooooo - - - I asked my engineer if I ran the heated floor at 71 degrees and the AC at 70 degrees would it be stable? His answer was probably...
I'd be a crash test dummy on this concept!
That leaves Poly Aspartic (another no-local vendor product) and Life Proof vinyl faux wood or ceramic tile with epoxy grout. I know the Life Proof works because one of my neighbors has it in his VW dealership in Texas and in his big garage at his summer home across the street from our big house. I had ceramic tile in a garage in Florida and it was hard on the feet plus anything you dropped on it either broke or bounced a mile away.
Long story short? I'm leaning toward a combination of Life Proof on the large flooring sections and in the wetter work bays it will be the Race Deck with the open grid. So now it is on to the design... OR... any additional options that can be shared? Thanks!!!
Todays progress! Tomorrow the roofing starts! Yeah!
Burned finish on the concrete. Very smooth and easy to sweep. When I plan to finish my floor I will scatter loads of scrap ferrous metal scraps around, wet the floor, cover with plastic to let the rust stain the floor. Any tire stains will remain. Last thing I want is a floor in my garage that requires guest to wear clean room booties to walk around. FLOOR. Something you walk on, drive on, spill schit on, drop heavy stuff on, sometimes do a burnout on.
Burned finish on the concrete. Very smooth and easy to sweep. When I plan to finish my floor I will scatter loads of scrap ferrous metal scraps around, wet the floor, cover with plastic to let the rust stain the floor. Any tire stains will remain. Last thing I want is a floor in my garage that requires guest to wear clean room booties to walk around. FLOOR. Something you walk on, drive on, spill schit on, drop heavy stuff on, sometimes do a burnout on.
Great philosophy! Have to love honest practicality...
Here is a shot of the Bituthene Ice and Snow Shield on the roof. It is remarkable stuff because whenever a screw from the metal roof penetrates it it bonds to the screw and is waterproof. This roof should last over 40 years!!!
I know you don't need the constant approval - but keep it up!!! And keep posting pics - i for one am keen to see the finished product!
On Floors - I have had polyurethane and plastic tile, I used to be a distributer of WeatherTech in Au - and supplied a UK product as well as epoxy.
All have their pros and Cons, it just depends on which suits your needs better!
Most of the Garages I have fitted out - are true garages - yours is much more than that and you need a better and if i was advising you - multi format solution.....
Even with the best floor tile / burned concrete / whatever you chose - a multi format will enable you to segregate areas into what you need. Lounge or working or turning bays etc.
Were upgrading our 2 car to a 3 car garage and decided to take the swisstrax with us. It took about 1.5 hrs to remove, sweep, pack in boxes, and load my car. As mentioned, there are pros/cons to everything. I like the tiles because theyre significantly less effort to look/feel clean, easier to slide things on, and I just really like them. I maintain all my cars (brakes, fluids, plugs, and bolt on mods) and use a quickjack without issue. I need to order more tiles
Originally, I was going to epoxy the concrete underneath but received these coin top mats for free. My intent was to create a waterproof layer under the car for easy cleanup.
Great philosophy! Have to love honest practicality...
Here is a shot of the Bituthene Ice and Snow Shield on the roof. It is remarkable stuff because whenever a screw from the metal roof penetrates it it bonds to the screw and is waterproof. This roof should last over 40 years!!!
As far a floors are concerned. Make sure it's a safe non slip surface especially if you plan to do a lot of projects on it. Just talked to a friend that broke his leg on an epoxy floor that got wet.
As far a floors are concerned. Make sure it's a safe non slip surface especially if you plan to do a lot of projects on it. Just talked to a friend that broke his leg on an epoxy floor that got wet.
Already ruled out epoxy... Too slippery and it loves to peel off even when professionally applied. Plus it stains over time.
I am pretty well set on a combination of Life Proof, Swisstrax or Race Deck. Would have loved polished concrete or poly aspartic but they are not available here.
I really do prefer a softer floor so this is a good solution for my taste.
Already ruled out epoxy... Too slippery and it loves to peel off even when professionally applied. Plus it stains over time.
I am pretty well set on a combination of Life Proof, Swisstrax or Race Deck. Would have loved polished concrete or poly aspartic but they are not available here.
I really do prefer a softer floor so this is a good solution for my taste.
Agree, i had pro install of epoxy and it still peeled. Unless it is perfect fresh concrete it rarely does not peel. I went with Swiss trax for the current garage and have been very happy with it.
Here is my work in progress. Still needs some finishing touches but it's getting there. We have a very small lot so this is all we could fit. Best part is it's climate controlled.
Last edited by achenator; 09-21-2021 at 09:41 PM.
Reason: add pics
09-17-2021, 09:56 PM
