Worth $2000 to RACE DECK my shop?

[FinishingTouchA]

These sales are killing me haha, 15% off no exceptions. Makes me want to get a RACE DECK floor for my 26'x26' shop. Right now I'm dealing with the previous tenants shoddy floor paint job. It's peeling up everywhere and looks horrible. Every time I set a floor mat down the back side gets covered with pieces of floor paint. I really think it would clean up the shop but is it worth dropping 2 grand? Being a business owner I want to see ROI on everything and I just don't with this idea. Thoughts?

 

[DaveT435]

These sales are killing me haha, 15% off no exceptions. Makes me want to get a RACE DECK floor for my 26'x26' shop. Right now I'm dealing with the previous tenants shoddy floor paint job. It's peeling up everywhere and looks horrible. Every time I set a floor mat down the back side gets covered with pieces of floor paint. I really think it would clean up the shop but is it worth dropping 2 grand? Being a business owner I want to see ROI on everything and I just don't with this idea. Thoughts?

I would have to say it depends on your clientele, or the clientele your going after. IMO anything that improves your image, and first impressions will help your business.

 

[FinishingTouchA]

I would have to say it depends on your clientele, or the clientele your going after. IMO anything that improves your image, and first impressions will help your business.

Agreed, I've always embraced this and it definitely works. I'm just not sure a floor in the shop will make any difference to my demographic. I know it's not throwing money away, as I can move it to another location if I leave at the end of the lease. But I need more to justify the purchase than just "it will make me happy" lol

 

[Docpeanut]

Spend money to make money

 

[FUNX650]

What does your lease (legally) say
about: "improvements"?


Bob

 

[DARK HORSE]

I had epoxy once upon a time, but choose to go with Garage Track flooring this time. It's just like Race Deck (actually made in the same plant by the same manufacture as Race Deck) but costs MUCH less. It's on sale right now for as low as $2.15/sq. ft. plus edge pieces. This stuff looks fantastic, was easy to install, and is a pleasure to work all day on (no fatigue or dread of laying on cold concrete), and cleans up with Ultima Waterless Wash and a mop. I love the stuff! I will never look back again. Here's what my floor looks like...

 

[Mike lambert]

EDIT: Link removed.



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:rulez:

 

[jarred767]

I'm thinking about it too Ryan, I'm debating what route to go though. The fact that you can take the racedeck with you is a huge bonus over epoxy, and might just make it worth it. It is tough knowing whether or not you'll see an ROI on it, but it could be beneficial, especially if it can be moved to your eventual long-term location.

I'm trying to get my landlord to add in an epoxy floor since they've drug me through the mud and cost me thousands of dollars by being late, and it now being winter, but who knows. Epoxy or not,, I think I'm gonna do a racedeck mat over my wash/main detail area to catch the water and add traction using their free-flow tiles. (One slip on the wet concrete and it will have been cheaper to go with the Racedeck). Keep us posted on what route you go.

 

[OCD-tailing]

I had a painted floor and debated long and hard about epoxy but I went with the RaceDeck and it is awesome. My garage is almost 1000 square feet and it was worth every penny. Better traction, less strain on legs and back and it looks fantastic. It is expensive but it seems to be high quality and after 18 months mine still looks great.

 

[FinishingTouchA]

Spend money to make money

I know what you're saying. I'm just wondering if the money would be put to better use somewhere else. Like building somewhat of a carport over my wash bay area. Or getting a sign put on the big sign post in front of the shop.

What does your lease (legally) say
about: "improvements"?

Bob

What are you getting at? I'm avoiding putting money into the place that I can't get back out.

Big floors. Com

Yeah, was just looking here. looks like I can get the green free flow tiles I want for 2.49 a foot. (For future reference, avoid mentioning outside links to products sold on AG.

I'm thinking about it too Ryan, I'm debating what route to go though. The fact that you can take the racedeck with you is a huge bonus over epoxy, and might just make it worth it. It is tough knowing whether or not you'll see an ROI on it, but it could be beneficial, especially if it can be moved to your eventual long-term location.

I'm trying to get my landlord to add in an epoxy floor since they've drug me through the mud and cost me thousands of dollars by being late, and it now being winter, but who knows. Epoxy or not,, I think I'm gonna do a racedeck mat over my wash/main detail area to catch the water and add traction using their free-flow tiles. (One slip on the wet concrete and it will have been cheaper to go with the Racedeck). Keep us posted on what route you go.

Good reasoning Jarred, didn't really figure in the slipping on a wet floor risk. I'm all about insurance. Hope the shop gets back on track btw.

I had a painted floor and debated long and hard about epoxy but I went with the RaceDeck and it is awesome. My garage is almost 1000 square feet and it was worth every penny. Better traction, less strain on legs and back and it looks fantastic. It is expensive but it seems to be high quality and after 18 months mine still looks great.

Hadn't thought about the reduced strain on your body as I only average 2-3 hours a day in the shop. But makes sense. All you guys are pushing me to make the shop pretty haha, might make the investment.

 

[FUNX650]

What are you getting at?

I'm avoiding putting money into the place
that I can't get back out.

•Are you sure?
•Is that what the lease says?
•Is that what the property owner says
is going to happen when you move out?


That's some of what I was getting at.


Bob

 

[FinishingTouchA]

•Are you sure?
•Is that what the lease says?
•Is that what the property owner says
is going to happen when you move out?


That's some of what I was getting at.


Bob

It's a small town and I've known the landlord for many years, went to school with his kids even. He's pretty easy going, it's a 50 year old metal building with lots of issues. I replaced a few of the ballasts for the T8 lights in the shop and I replaced the carpet in the lobby along with repainted the walls inside the building. I know I can't take that stuff with me when/if I leave but it's what I NEEDED to do for the business. A racedeck floor isn't needed but it would be nice. And I know that if I had to I could pick up all the tiles and load them in the back of my pickup. Does that answer your question?

 

[jarred767]

It's a small town and I've known the landlord for many years, went to school with his kids even. He's pretty easy going, it's a 50 year old metal building with lots of issues. I replaced a few of the ballasts for the T8 lights in the shop and I replaced the carpet in the lobby along with repainted the walls inside the building. I know I can't take that stuff with me when/if I leave but it's what I NEEDED to do for the business. A racedeck floor isn't needed but it would be nice. And I know that if I had to I could pick up all the tiles and load them in the back of my pickup. Does that answer your question?

I would think you should be fine with RaceDeck tiles, especially with your given situation. I know for me, if I add new lighting fixtures, I can't take that with me, it's an improvement to the shop, and I can do it, but it stays with the shop unless I negotiate it first. Lots of leases are like this, which I'm sure your aware of. If I were you, I'd probably just get something in writing from the landlord that you can take it away with you if/when you move, just so you don't get screwed at the end.

 

[Charles960]

Don't do it. Sounds like you really are wanting to be in a different facility and the Deck is just a salve on your desire for a better work space.

It's like guys that add lots of bling to their motorcycles, then sell them after the last chrome bolt gets tightened.

Best of luck with your business/ decision!
Charles

 

[jms493]

Check out swiss trax...higher quailty product.

 

[KMG]

I also have the GarageTrac tiles in my garage. They do a nice job dressing up the the garage, but they are noise to walk on and can be pain to keep clean. Overall I have been happy with them though. I have had this floor for 2 years now and it has been holding up pretty well considering I have never mopped this floor

 

[addysdaddy]

Check out swiss trax...higher quailty product.

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

look at the rib trax tiles - fantastic!!!

 

[FUNX650]

A racedeck floor isn't needed but it would be nice. And I know that if I had to I could pick up all the tiles and load them in the back of my pickup.

Does that answer your question?

Oh well:
If you don't want to know how others
look at certain situations...don't ask.

These sales are killing me haha, 15% off no exceptions. Makes me want to get a RACE DECK floor...

I really think it would clean up the shop

but is it worth dropping 2 grand?

Being a business owner I want to see ROI
on everything and I just don't with this idea.

Thoughts?

Bob

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Here's a tip from someone that has worked on a number of different tiles....

If you get tile ONLY get the Racedeck TuffShield style tiles.


Racedeck TuffShield Diamond Tiles


Why?

Because the tiles have a glossy top layer that does two very important things.

1. Easy clean up. Simply wipe any spill off the tile with no risk of staining.

Any tile that does not offer this feature will become stained and impossible to clean because the tile is porous and stains penetrate INTO the plastic. Been there done that with our first tile floor and now it's NOTHING but the TuffShield model in the RaceDeck line of tile products.


2. Turn front tires without buckling the floor.

For the same reason the tiles won't stain, the glossy non-staining surface, tires on a car will turn without buckling the floor.

When we had the NON TuffShield tiles if you were to turn the steering wheel to turn the car inside the shop on your tile floor the tires will grab the plastic tiles and twist them causing the floor to buckle under the floor.

In some cases you can simply undo the jacked-up tiles and re-install. In worst case scenarios you'll have broken tiles and you'll have to replace them.





Here's an article I wrote that talks about the built-in glaze for the TuffShield model in RaceDeck tile floors.

Tile Wax

And here's a picture of the NON TuffShield version of tile floors we started out with...

Seriously.... anyone getting tiles for their floor... spend the money and get the TuffShield.

If part of your goal is to have a NICE looking floor it won't stay nice looking very long if you can't clean it.


Racedeck TuffShield Diamond Tiles

 

[FinishingTouchA]

Here's a tip from someone that has worked on a number of different tiles....

If you get tile ONLY get the Racedeck TuffShield style tiles.


Racedeck TuffShield Diamond Tiles

As always Mike, thank you for the detailed response.

I was looking at the Flow Through tiles because here in Oregon (as you know) it rains 150-175 days a year and I'd prefer to not have puddles all around the shop where I'm dragging a vacuum hose or extension cord. On top of that I feel like I'd have to mop a solid floor every day whereas I could just pressure wash the flow through tiles once a month.

About the buckling issue... Now that you mention it I think this would be a much bigger issue with the tiles I've been looking at especially in a commercial setting where I pull 3-5 vehicles in and out per day. I haven't heard about this issue anywhere else and RaceDeck seems to be pretty confident in their engineering, from what I've read it sounds like their warranty is pretty good too. I would have thought if this was a common issue it would come up more in discussions. Might hold off on the purchase instead of jumping into things because there's a sale going on.

Looking forward to your response, Thanks.