What do you guys know about this?

[dboat]

I have been debating whether to go with a removable floor tile (i.e. kiwitile, tuffdeck, gridmat, motormat, etc..) or to go with an epoxy paint job...
Let me put a few important facts out here.. 1) my other hobby is woodworking so there are sawdust considerations, 2) my vocation is such that I end up moving every few years (3-5)

So now I am thinking of going with a floor tile since I can take it with me.. however, I am concerned about the sawdust issue..

Has anyone really priced all this stuff? and with the racedeck and gridmat products, you have either no holes or very little holes.. or should I get the perforated stuff and just vacuum up after I finish cutting and sanding the wood very very good?

looking for a few opinions and some real hard facts - especially those that have had experience with the floor tile products..

Thanks
Dana

[dboat]

I must have started one of those loser threads..

well this will put it back out there in case anyone cares to post..
thanks
Dana

[Redcar GUY]

Sorry I dont use the saw much in my garage, I try to do all my cutting outside. The reason I have stoped looking at flooring is the cost and me detailing in the garage the floor is nasty in no time. But the removeable floor sounds like the best way to go for you with the dust and moving all the time

[dboat]

Thats probably what I will do after the 1st qtr next year.. it'll last me until retirement in 5-10 years..
Dana

[billium]

I just installed TuffDeck in my garage on Friday. This product has a diamond plate style solid surface and male tabs on two sides and female slots on two sides. Duffdeck snaps together very tightly, but most likely you will have sawdust work its way into the small cracks over time unless you use some type of dust collection system. Also, the manufacturer recommends leaving a 1/2" gap between the product and any sidewalls to allow for expansion. Again, unless you use a dust collection system or vacuum them out regularly, they will fill in with sawdust.

I also looked at and received a sample of their Duragrid product. Basically the same product but the tile has dozens of small square holes to allow water/dirt to pass through the tile. My guess is that all these little holes would plug up from the sawdust quickly.

I'd recommend you contact the manufacturer/distributor of the products your interested in, provide them with details of your particular application and ask them for recommendations and samples. You'll be better able to assess their benefits/drawbacks by actually seeing the product.

For what it's worth.

Bill

[dboat]

Originally posted by billium
I just installed TuffDeck in my garage on Friday. This product has a diamond plate style solid surface and male tabs on two sides and female slots on two sides. Duffdeck snaps together very tightly, but most likely you will have sawdust work its way into the small cracks over time unless you use some type of dust collection system. Also, the manufacturer recommends leaving a 1/2" gap between the product and any sidewalls to allow for expansion. Again, unless you use a dust collection system or vacuum them out regularly, they will fill in with sawdust.

I also looked at and received a sample of their Duragrid product. Basically the same product but the tile has dozens of small square holes to allow water/dirt to pass through the tile. My guess is that all these little holes would plug up from the sawdust quickly.

I'd recommend you contact the manufacturer/distributor of the products your interested in, provide them with details of your particular application and ask them for recommendations and samples. You'll be better able to assess their benefits/drawbacks by actually seeing the product.

For what it's worth.

Bill

Bill,
great post.. as a matter of fact I do use a dust collection system.. I usually do try to do most of my cutting outside of garage.. I usually hook up my vac to any tool I am using plus I run an overhead dust filter as well..
I can always run my vac over the tiles after I work..( I bought a floor kit for my Fein) so it sounds like I would be in pretty good shape.. I plan on parking my truck on this stuff along with my wifes SUV.. my truck weighs about 5000 pounds.. according to them the product should hold up..
I am leaning toward the TuffDeck product.. The Duragrid just didnt interest me with all the holes..
Do you find it easy to install? also, does it provide some semblence (sp?) of insulation? at least you arent on the cold concrete right?
Thanks again
Dana

[billium]

Dana:

I installed a fairly complex pattern on my floor (used three different tile colors) and it took me approx. 5 hours from start to finish (alone). That included the time it took to unbox and assemble the tiles, measure and cut all the perimeter tiles for a good fit, sweep up, etc. Very simple installation. A table saw with a new carbon "plywood" blade and an accurate fence for cutting tiles and a rubber mallet for snapping the tiles together will save you much time. I'm sure I would have saved at least an hour if I would have gone with a solid color scheme. A second person will save at least an hour as well.

I didn't look into the weight ratings as we only park cars in the garage (truck stays in the driveway). I did purchase 18 extra tiles (10 of the main color and 4 of each of the accent colors) in case I have any problems down the road. Ordered extra's so they came from the same batch (no color variance). TuffDeck carries a 10 year warranty so I don't expect problems, but you never know.

Floor is noticably warmer than concrete.

On another thread someone discussed Duramat product. One of the posts was from someone who has both TuffDeck and Duramat installed in their garage and they preferred the Duramat. I'd run a search for the details as to why (I can't remember).

Good luck!!

Bill

[Cork]

Detailbarn has both Motormat and Racedeck in his garage. I believew he likes the solid (racedeck) for the dry areas and the motormat (holes) where he washes vehicles. Im also trying to decide which to use.