Rubber Garage Floor Tiles - Recommendations please
Discussion
Morning all, I'm part way through renovating our garage in a block (painting brick walls white, adding a stud false ceiling below the old concrete/asbestos corrugated roof which will be covered in reflective white pvc tongue and groove slats) and am now thinking about the floor (concrete base, pretty level and nice and solid, just a bit dusty).
It is mostly going to be used to keep my motorbikes in and I was going to use 'garage floor paint' but after some web browsing I'm tempted to go for some of those interlocking rubber floor tiles (typically c47cm x c47cm) to stay looking nice for longer and give a softer surface to sit on when needed.
Has anyone got any recommendations for a particular brand/supplier that they have used? Also for finish type/construction?
They seem to come as either checkerplate, buttons, or smooth finish and one review I read said the checkerplate is uncomfortable to kneel on if fettling a bike so I'm leaning towards buttons or smooth. Another review said that the ones with a grid construction as viewed from the underside aren't ideal for motorbikes due to the single weight point of kick stands/centre stands creating a dip unless you use a stand puck underneath so a fully solid one may be better for bikes.
I also note that colours other than black are more expensive, sometimes a lot more, so for my basic single garage which I don't want to spend much on I'm wondering whether I should stick with black although I thought a light grey might be better for light purposes.
With the garage in a block 2 roads from the house I have no power but have bought a small generator off the bay of E-ness for if needed and intend to fit some 12v lights run from a battery I can recharge.
Incidentally I have ordered one of these for security (I did have a previous post asking for options and thanks to those that replied which gave good food for thought) and am just awaiting an install date https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gGczzLRri0
You can't drag a bike under it and you would need a lot of big lads to get one over it even if there was space. I like the fact it is inside the door and nothing visible from the outside and by also chaining the bikes to the optional metal loops I'm having added (like a ground anchor) I'm happy that any opportunist who gets through the garage door may just give up at that point.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling, any company/type suggestions or web links for garage floor tiles (for DIY fit) you have any experience of would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Jules
It is mostly going to be used to keep my motorbikes in and I was going to use 'garage floor paint' but after some web browsing I'm tempted to go for some of those interlocking rubber floor tiles (typically c47cm x c47cm) to stay looking nice for longer and give a softer surface to sit on when needed.
Has anyone got any recommendations for a particular brand/supplier that they have used? Also for finish type/construction?
They seem to come as either checkerplate, buttons, or smooth finish and one review I read said the checkerplate is uncomfortable to kneel on if fettling a bike so I'm leaning towards buttons or smooth. Another review said that the ones with a grid construction as viewed from the underside aren't ideal for motorbikes due to the single weight point of kick stands/centre stands creating a dip unless you use a stand puck underneath so a fully solid one may be better for bikes.
I also note that colours other than black are more expensive, sometimes a lot more, so for my basic single garage which I don't want to spend much on I'm wondering whether I should stick with black although I thought a light grey might be better for light purposes.
With the garage in a block 2 roads from the house I have no power but have bought a small generator off the bay of E-ness for if needed and intend to fit some 12v lights run from a battery I can recharge.
Incidentally I have ordered one of these for security (I did have a previous post asking for options and thanks to those that replied which gave good food for thought) and am just awaiting an install date https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gGczzLRri0
You can't drag a bike under it and you would need a lot of big lads to get one over it even if there was space. I like the fact it is inside the door and nothing visible from the outside and by also chaining the bikes to the optional metal loops I'm having added (like a ground anchor) I'm happy that any opportunist who gets through the garage door may just give up at that point.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling, any company/type suggestions or web links for garage floor tiles (for DIY fit) you have any experience of would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Jules
Thanks for the suggestions so far, much appreciated and I'll check those out.
The Costco roll I actually have on part of the floor in my workshop/shed in the back garden where the bikes currently live (I have to use ramps to get them through the house side extension which is my office as no rear access hence now wanting to use the garage instead rather than leave one chained out the front when using regularly). It's good stuff but I want something I can fit fully in the floor without having to stick it down/find a way to cover a long join, which is the only reason I've ruled out the mat. I also like the thickness of the tile systems for some cushioning. Good plan otherwise though.
The Costco roll I actually have on part of the floor in my workshop/shed in the back garden where the bikes currently live (I have to use ramps to get them through the house side extension which is my office as no rear access hence now wanting to use the garage instead rather than leave one chained out the front when using regularly). It's good stuff but I want something I can fit fully in the floor without having to stick it down/find a way to cover a long join, which is the only reason I've ruled out the mat. I also like the thickness of the tile systems for some cushioning. Good plan otherwise though.
I ordered some rubber tiles, think it was Mototile.
They rang me up the next day and asked me what I was putting in the garage and when I said a motorcycle they said they wouldn't be suitable and refunded my money.
There wasn't really any arguing with them.
Went with non-slip porcelain in the end, which while more hassle to fit was actually cheaper and looks better IMO.
They rang me up the next day and asked me what I was putting in the garage and when I said a motorcycle they said they wouldn't be suitable and refunded my money.
There wasn't really any arguing with them.
Went with non-slip porcelain in the end, which while more hassle to fit was actually cheaper and looks better IMO.
I went with PlasFloor, the recycled version. I've jacked vehicles up numerous times on them without issue. Black ones where the car sits as the tyres mark the lighter colours. The penny version is grippy and comfortable to kneel or lie on and creepers work fine. They can cope with minor underlying surface imperfections but may allow fluids to penetrate if they are not completely level at the interlocking joints.
I did the garage (double) in Duramat about 9 months ago, wanted grey but they were out of stock so had to go black.
Ripped up oak laminate that had blown, then a plastic damp layer, then chipboard (it was horrible and mouldy), lastly a foam layer and more damp proof. Got back to concrete, sealed with 50/50 pva/water mix twice before laying.
Thoughts on duramat….. easy to cut with jigsaw, easy to lay. BUT, it went down cold and when the sun hits it you see it lift with expansion, so leave a decent gap around the edge.
Not easy on the knees, has the sheet steel effect for grip but that doesn’t go well on bare skin!
Otherwise, works a treat!
Ripped up oak laminate that had blown, then a plastic damp layer, then chipboard (it was horrible and mouldy), lastly a foam layer and more damp proof. Got back to concrete, sealed with 50/50 pva/water mix twice before laying.
Thoughts on duramat….. easy to cut with jigsaw, easy to lay. BUT, it went down cold and when the sun hits it you see it lift with expansion, so leave a decent gap around the edge.
Not easy on the knees, has the sheet steel effect for grip but that doesn’t go well on bare skin!
Otherwise, works a treat!
I've had a look at all the suggested now and Plasfloor is the winner for me. I like the smaller size tiles and the designer on their website so I can do a different coloured border around the outside like 5s Alive has done with it calculating my tile needs.
Sadly some of the colours are out of stock (the way of the world at present I know with lots of things) but I'll monitor their site and get ordered up as soon as I can.
Thanks all,
Jules
Sadly some of the colours are out of stock (the way of the world at present I know with lots of things) but I'll monitor their site and get ordered up as soon as I can.
Thanks all,
Jules
As the tiles come in packs of 25 you will end up with spares. Handy as a sharp bit of 20mm golden gravel from our drive got wedged in the tread of a winter tyre and cut a shallow groove in a tile. Wheelspin while easing backwards! Easy to replace by working in from an outer edge.
I cut the perimeter tiles with tin snips but it was hard work so probably better using a jigsaw unless you have forearms like Popeye. Much easier to cut when warm. Dust and debris sweep up a treat too. A mop and soapy water cleans them up like new after a mucky winter.
I cut the perimeter tiles with tin snips but it was hard work so probably better using a jigsaw unless you have forearms like Popeye. Much easier to cut when warm. Dust and debris sweep up a treat too. A mop and soapy water cleans them up like new after a mucky winter.
[quote=5s Alive]As the tiles come in packs of 25 you will end up with spares. Handy as a sharp bit of 20mm golden gravel from our drive got wedged in the tread of a winter tyre and cut a shallow groove in a tile. Wheelspin while easing backwards! Easy to replace by working in from an outer edge.
I cut the perimeter tiles with tin snips but it was hard work so probably better using a jigsaw unless you have forearms like Popeye. Much easier to cut when warm. Dust and debris sweep up a treat too. A mop and soapy water cleans them up like new after a mucky winter.
[/quotside]
Thank you. I rang them today as some colours are out of stock - spoke to a very helpful guy who is getting the relevant person to call me back tomorrow to confirm what the lead time is. I was thinking spares are a good idea and working my design on that basis. Been painting more of the walls again this evening, getting there! Cheers for the jigsaw tip too, I have one. Also dimensions wise it looks like I should be almost spot on with the width to use full tiles with a few mm spare each side so possibly avoid any full tile cutting other than some edge tabs. Once I get to the stage of fitting I'll pop some pics up.
I cut the perimeter tiles with tin snips but it was hard work so probably better using a jigsaw unless you have forearms like Popeye. Much easier to cut when warm. Dust and debris sweep up a treat too. A mop and soapy water cleans them up like new after a mucky winter.
[/quotside]
Thank you. I rang them today as some colours are out of stock - spoke to a very helpful guy who is getting the relevant person to call me back tomorrow to confirm what the lead time is. I was thinking spares are a good idea and working my design on that basis. Been painting more of the walls again this evening, getting there! Cheers for the jigsaw tip too, I have one. Also dimensions wise it looks like I should be almost spot on with the width to use full tiles with a few mm spare each side so possibly avoid any full tile cutting other than some edge tabs. Once I get to the stage of fitting I'll pop some pics up.
Thanks Biggy.
I've gone with the Plas ones and order is now in. First coat on all walls now finished and tomorrow I'm hoovering the floor so I can paint the very bottom row of the wall and around the edges of the floor prior to then clearing half the floor to seal it and then switching to seal the other half.
Also ended up buying another bike as a great one came up locally (Hayabusa) and the seller is storing for me for 10 days so I can get the space ready for it and my security barrier installed.
Pic of current position as well as design for floor tiles I have ordered. The back 2 rows will have storage units on casters over them and I went for black at the front so easier to clean for any muck that gets under the door.
I've gone with the Plas ones and order is now in. First coat on all walls now finished and tomorrow I'm hoovering the floor so I can paint the very bottom row of the wall and around the edges of the floor prior to then clearing half the floor to seal it and then switching to seal the other half.
Also ended up buying another bike as a great one came up locally (Hayabusa) and the seller is storing for me for 10 days so I can get the space ready for it and my security barrier installed.
Pic of current position as well as design for floor tiles I have ordered. The back 2 rows will have storage units on casters over them and I went for black at the front so easier to clean for any muck that gets under the door.
andy43 said:
Don’t want to come across as an H&S nutter but if there’s any chance the roof is asbestos I’d hose the garage out rather than sweeping it or stirring it all up with a badly filtered hoover. Just sayin’...
Not nutty at all. It's why I'm putting a false ceiling in and yes I will be wetting it down before a sweep so the Hoover will only be for any tiny bits of dust left. Garage is in a block 2 roads from the house so no water supply there but I'll be taking some bottles with me. I've bought a second hand generator for power for our old Hoover and it will be staying in there and not coming back to the house. Good point well made, asbestos is nasty stuff indeed although all seems sound and I haven't touched it at all and won't be.Liking the colour scheme and design, I did the same at the shelving end.
Attempted to service the car yesterday and discovered that the creeper moves rather too well, pivoting underneath the car in a graceful arc as I applied torque to the ratchet bar.
Didn't actually manage to change the oil as I discovered that I had used the last of my batch of oil filters, fortunately before I drained the oil. Doh!
Attempted to service the car yesterday and discovered that the creeper moves rather too well, pivoting underneath the car in a graceful arc as I applied torque to the ratchet bar.
Didn't actually manage to change the oil as I discovered that I had used the last of my batch of oil filters, fortunately before I drained the oil. Doh!
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