Jonathan McCully Posted July 9, 2020 Report Share Posted July 9, 2020 Preparing to move into a new 3 car garage, and my amazing wife is going to let me use all of it to serve as my woodshop. As such, I’m thinking of covering the existing concrete flooring with something a bit more hardy and aesthetically pleasing. I’ve thought about an epoxy or polyaspartic floor covering, but also looking at vinyl tiling. I want something durable but that will allow the space to be resold (if necessary) as a garage someday, so hardwood flooring is out of the question. Was wondering if any of you have finished your garage floors for use as your shop and what you have liked/disliked about what you chose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 My workspace was formerly in my garage, with a concrete floor. It is a KILLER on the lower back. I suggest you look at the "horse stall" mats sold at Tractor Supply Co. Firm enough that most caster-mounted machines can still roll without bogging, they offer a thick, tough surface that is pleasant to stand on for hours on end. Dropped tools are well protected, too. About $1.95 per square foot. There are companies that offer a similar product with interlocking edges, but the price rises accordingly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 I have had these 8mm strong rubber tile down for over a year and wish I had done it years ago. I can work in the shop all day and not feel wore out. You can get it in locking tiles or custom cut rolls. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 My floor is epoxy coated and a large portion also has the same rubber tiles @Chet linked above. The epoxy makes sweeping up a breeze and the rubber tiles allow me to work out there for extended periods with out getting a sore back especially at the benches. FWIW the tiles actually sweep up better than I would have thought too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan McCully Posted July 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 22 minutes ago, pkinneb said: My floor is epoxy coated and a large portion also has the same rubber tiles @Chet linked above. The epoxy makes sweeping up a breeze and the rubber tiles allow me to work out there for extended periods with out getting a sore back especially at the benches. FWIW the tiles actually sweep up better than I would have thought too. That’s helpful. I think if I do rubber tiles, I’d likely do the whole floor for ease of movement, and my next question was how hard it is to sweep them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Askland09 Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 My father and I were recently able to pick up a couple rolls of rubber gym flooring from a school surplus auction that we put down in his garage shop which has concrete floors. It appears to help him work quite a bit longer in the shop w/o getting fatigued or having issues with his feet. I've taken a couple squares and set them in front of my bench (unfortunately have to share the garage with the fiancé's car, real shame I know) and its worked out pretty well. Clean up of dust and chips is pretty easy with the shop vac. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 11 hours ago, Jonathan McCully said: That’s helpful. I think if I do rubber tiles, I’d likely do the whole floor for ease of movement, and my next question was how hard it is to sweep them Sorry I cannot speak to moving anything on them as I only put them where I don't typically roll things around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan McCully Posted July 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 3 minutes ago, pkinneb said: Sorry I cannot speak to moving anything on them as I only put them where I don't typically roll things around. Not expecting to move tools around much on them, but with my movement, I don’t want to risk tripping going from concrete to tile or vice versa. I noticed in Mark’s most recent shop tour that he has them everywhere except for under the tools. Would that make a big difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 Gotcha. As long as you don't need to move anything it would work great. In my shop I do move the bandsaws, J/P, and drum sander on a pretty regular basis which is why I didn't do that side of the shop. FWIW they are pretty thin like 5/16ths, I think and I don't ever recall tripping on them, my own feet yes but not the floor tiles lol. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 I haven't had any kind of tripping problem at all with mine. They sweep up pretty well and vacuum even better. If you are thinking go doing the whole garage floor you might want t olook at their rolls, I think that is a lower price per square foot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 The Tractor supply mats are 3/4" thick, and firmer than most of those interlocking floor systems. Smooth surface, so cleanup is simple, unless you let stuff under the edges. If I were in a dedicated space, I would cover the entire floor with them before adding any equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 36 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: The Tractor supply mats are 3/4" thick, and firmer than most of those interlocking floor systems Just to share with you Ross, the tiles from Rubber Flooring Inc are light years better then most of the other interlocking floors. They are a pure joy to work on all day. But they probably cost more then the Harbor Freight type tiles. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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