Everything on a garage.
Driving, driving lessons, vehicles...
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Everything on a garage.Question is primarily for those who have a garage or barn at home and do a lot of work on the cars.
What type of surface do you have?
Am trying to build a garage and wondering what kind of surface is best?
Previous barns I just loaded it up with a bunch of pebbles but those pebbles are rather expensive here in Switzerland.
Thinking of using something other than reinforced concrete as it is rather ugly grey
Thinking of using slate or ceramic tiles, wondering which would be less susceptible to motor oil stains etc.....since spills are bound to happen.
Thinking of doing some restoration work in there.
Any times on building one?Last edited by Herr; 12-05-2012 at 10:16. -
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?Don't write off concrete completely, acid stain or epoxy coating, or even concrete paint, can completely alter the appearance and it's probably the best floor (depending on what you want to do). There are also companies that produce plastic floor tiles (Race Deck or similar) but they're not cheap. My big worry with ceramic tiles would be that unless they are laid perfectly (no voids below them, which you can't check as it depends on the flow of the adhesive) then as soon as you try and jack on them or put something heavy on them they'll crack. Drop a hammer or something similar on them and you might get chips as well, and slate would probably be even worse.
If you want lots of views on different coatings (bordering on the obsessive) take a look at Garage Journal. -
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?Concrete and painted with epoxy. The car then sits on a foam mat to keep oils and stuff off the paint, although it would just wipe off if needed but easier to keep it contained in a foam mat that absorbs it!
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?Painted concrete covered in cheap n cheerful carpet tiles.
When you drop oil and other crap on carpet tiles you can just replace them. They are only a pound or so each!
Doesn't matter what colour they are either as they'll soon be changed!
Nice to lay on too! -
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?Carpet? Won't that get all wet when you drive the car in after a drive in the rain? How do you tolerate that damp carpet smell?(Original post by JC.)
Painted concrete covered in cheap n cheerful carpet tiles.
When you drop oil and other crap on carpet tiles you can just replace them. They are only a pound or so each!
Doesn't matter what colour they are either as they'll soon be changed!
Nice to lay on too! -
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?My garage has a floor of textured concrete painted bright red. I have no idea why, it was like that when I moved in, but I rather like it.(Original post by Herr)
Thinking of using something other than reinforced concrete as it is rather ugly grey
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?You can get industrial rubber flooring... It's resistant to oils and acids and won't be quite so noisy when you drop a spanner on it... But really just concrete it and paint it bright red with concrete floor paint.
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?I took a look at those Race Deck stuff, there isn't a ready stockist for it anywhere in Switzerland and it seems like a special order product that will cost around £40psf after taking into account freight charges, for £25psm I could use products from this UK company called EcoTile whose products are well known for industrial applications all over Europe and my own factory which is an air-tight and dust-free environment uses it under reinforced concrete. The only thing is their heavy duty stuff still looks like concrete(Original post by CurlyBen)
Don't write off concrete completely, acid stain or epoxy coating, or even concrete paint, can completely alter the appearance and it's probably the best floor (depending on what you want to do). There are also companies that produce plastic floor tiles (Race Deck or similar) but they're not cheap. My big worry with ceramic tiles would be that unless they are laid perfectly (no voids below them, which you can't check as it depends on the flow of the adhesive) then as soon as you try and jack on them or put something heavy on them they'll crack. Drop a hammer or something similar on them and you might get chips as well, and slate would probably be even worse.
If you want lots of views on different coatings (bordering on the obsessive) take a look at Garage Journal.
That Garage Journal site has some big time followers though it becomes LOL worthy when someone starts saying Craftsman tools are better than SnapOns just because one has a lifetime warranty from Sears. -
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?Another option might be to look at the high density foam tiles you can get - often sold for exercise mats. They're not particularly expensive and they're obviously not as durable as other options, but might be worth looking at for 'work' areas such as round a bench rather than 'car' areas. Should be nicely insulating too - concrete can get really cold!
Yeah Garage Journal has some useful info but there are people there who are really a bit too obsessed by their garages.. -
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?I think that is what we use(Original post by CurlyBen)
Another option might be to look at the high density foam tiles you can get - often sold for exercise mats. They're not particularly expensive and they're obviously not as durable as other options, but might be worth looking at for 'work' areas such as round a bench rather than 'car' areas. Should be nicely insulating too - concrete can get really cold!
Yeah Garage Journal has some useful info but there are people there who are really a bit too obsessed by their garages..
Good stuff...
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?Concrete painted with 'garage floor paint' in the garage - gives a decent looking finish, no dust, durable, etc
Unsealed concrete in the barn. It would take forever to paint/seal 4000 sq/ft and it would get destroyed by various heavy equipment within a month. -
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?Rough concrete floor and concrete block walls for a double wide garage (about 2.5 cars wide and 1.5 cars deep, so you can sort of work on two cars inside). We're hoping to get the floor two part epoxied, either white wash walls or a white tiles/white wash. White wash the pit, decent lighting and a white ceiling. With constantly breaking cars to service/modify/restore we have big plans
Last edited by Fuzzed_Out; 11-05-2012 at 23:34. -
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Re: Those with a garage or barn, what kind of floor surface do you have?That's a good size for a garage. "white wash the pit" You have a garage pit?? How deep is it?(Original post by Fuzzed_Out)
Rough concrete floor and concrete block walls for a double wide garage (about 2.5 cars wide and 1.5 cars deep, so you can sort of work on two cars inside). We're hoping to get the floor two part epoxied, either white wash walls or a white tiles/white wash. White wash the pit, decent lighting and a white ceiling. With constantly breaking cars to service/modify/restore we have big plans
By the way do you know what was the specification for the concrete floor? As in what was mixed together and the type of steel reinforcements are in it?
We haven't quite decided what materials to use for the walls yet, thinking of using prefab corrugated steel with fibre insulation but will have to wait till the local authority gives their approval.
Where do you get those stuff from?
Well it is somewhat within the American culture where the middle age blokes start obsessing about the garage and their big pickup trucks(Original post by CurlyBen)
Another option might be to look at the high density foam tiles you can get - often sold for exercise mats. They're not particularly expensive and they're obviously not as durable as other options, but might be worth looking at for 'work' areas such as round a bench rather than 'car' areas. Should be nicely insulating too - concrete can get really cold!
Yeah Garage Journal has some useful info but there are people there who are really a bit too obsessed by their garages.. Midlife crisis you see Anyway they do tend to use their garages quite a lot, though usually it is to store worthless junk
Any source for those HD foam tiles? I haven't seen those sold anywhere around here. The types I've seen most of it are meant for usage in a nursery or children play area, I doubt they would survive the weight of a car especially if jack stands are to be used on them.
Interesting idea, might look into it as well.(Original post by Joinedup)
You can get industrial rubber flooring... It's resistant to oils and acids and won't be quite so noisy when you drop a spanner on it.
An interesting idea regarding carpet on the wall. Never quite thought of that part to it.(Original post by DaveDavids)
concrete with a very thin layer of fabric that the car is stationary on.
Also half way in the garage there is old carpet positioned on the wall either side, thus when opening car doors there is no concern for hitting the wall :-)
Good stuff...
