Need help with new garage..

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frank99ta

New member
Well, with our dream house comes my dream garage, so I've got a lot planned out. It's not finished yet, but I'm getting started early. I've got 10, 48inch 4bulb flourescent fixtures going in, a sink and a drain. My biggest concern is the floor. I was looking at the epoxy stuff that everybody seems to be using, but was wondering if there were other products that could be used? Also, could you put the sealer over the epoxy so it'll be almost water proof? I was planning on washing my car in the garage, so I was going to look into something kind of water proof if at all possible. Also, if anyone thinks of something I'm forgetting, please post it up. It's early enough that anything is pretty much possible. Thanks for all the help..
 
Workbench, shelving, pegboard & you can never have too many outlets. A pull down stair & trussses designed for storage is allso nice. How big will your garage be?
 
I've used the vinyl tiles in my previous garage but I didn't really like them. I do a lot of work in the garage and they got all scratched up and stained. I'm looking for something a little more durable. What other tile options are there short of ceramic? Thanks for the help, but yes I already have a workbench and yes, I've added 6 additional outlets. My garage is a little over 1000 sq ft. Thanks for the help..
 
Here's some of my friend's work. He owns an epoxy floor business and also works with tile/stone. These pictures of the checkered floor are actually epoxy, but made to look like tile. Here's the ink to his site: Calidad Total Surface Contractors





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checkers.jpg
 
frank99ta said:
I've used the vinyl tiles in my previous garage but I didn't really like them.
Click to expand...



Are you talking about the plyable thin vinyl tiles that are now 'peel-n-stick', or the brittle vinyl composite tile (VCT) that require adhesive? The latter are fragile but once they're laid (and work well with concrete) bring some pretty dependable durability. Plus they can be polished & buffed to a brilliant shine if you wanted to.
 
I'm talking about the tiles you can buy at home depot or lowes that glue down with adhesive. They were pretty durable, but, showed tire burn marks. I never waxed it though, do you think that would make a difference? I was looking at some epoxy called U-Coat it that looks pretty good. Has anybody used that stuff?
 
My brother is going to have his garage tiled next month. Tile with grout. His buddies in his car club have a great guy and several are getting theirs done. We live in Houston and that might be a different deal than folks up north but, it might be worth a look if your going for a dream garage....



Good luck.....
 
frank99ta- Give some thought to how the floor treatment will behave when wet. I'd strongly recommend some friction media if you go with epoxy/paint/etc. and even that doesn't last forever.



And I'd sure add some incandescent lights to those fluorescents. With my (many) fluorescent tubes, paint can look great...then I turn them off and turn on the incandescents and it's marring-city!



I like trench-style drains, easy to push the water in to 'em and they're also easy to clean out.



Overkill the electrical system so you don't have a huge hassle later if you decide to make things more involved. Ditto for water and climate control.



I ran air and water lines under/through the floor so I can have water on both sides of the shop and air-power stations on all four walls.



What about hookups for a washer/dryer, and a dedicated water heater?



Have fun! I'd do a few things differently if I were starting over today, but having a good garage is a huge part of why I enjoy our place so much.
 
First off thanks for all the input. I thought about going the ceramic tile route, but I wasn't sure if it would hold up with the water. I plan on washing my car in the garage and I was afraid with all the water, the tiles or grout would get messed up. That's why I'm looking into other options. I would love to do ceramic tile if you don't think the water would be a problem? My second choice was an epoxy treatment and finally the vinyl glue down tiles.

Thanks for the tip with the drain. I've got a meeting with the builder tomorrow, so I'll ask them about it. I tried to beef up the electric as much as I could. I added six additional outlets to what was already in there. Thanks again..
 
frank99ta said:
I was looking at the epoxy stuff that everybody seems to be using, but was wondering if there were other products that could be used?
Click to expand...



I used this stain on concrete floors.

Kemiko Stone Tone Concrete Floor Stain



It is an off the chart look - I used three colors: Tan, Umber and Green. It looks like a giant hunk of granite.



I was interested in a nontraditional look and something that would hold up. It cannot peel because it is a stain. Unlike the "stains" that they sell in big box hardware stores, this really works and it soaks into the concrete and chemically changes the color. The stuff from the hardware stores just sits on top and will peel.



I just wax it when I want a shine. They do have a polymer finish that I understand is really outstanding. I haven't used it, so I can't tell you. But give the company a call. They can tell you all about the product and where to buy it locally.



Good luck!



PS. The issue with ceramic tile and why I chose to not go that way is the grout is a hassle to keep clean.



Also, I live in Palm Springs where you see a lot of "carriage houses" filled with exotics. The original art they have on the walls sure looks great!
 
Wow, I like that concrete stain. Couple of questions for you.. Could you post some pics of your finished project. Also, how was it to do yourself? Is it really slick when it gets wet? I'm worried about the floor being really slick when it gets wet, as well as how well it will hold up. Thanks for the info..
 
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