If you have a concrete floor then porcelain may work but you have to be careful that every tile has absolutely complete coverage of the base before setting it down. They are a real pain if the cement is incomplete and or there is any possibility of water ingress as the tiles lift with any hint of frost and crack when any significant load is put on them unsupported by adhesives. Ceramics are far too soft and will chip if you drop a size-able spanner. I severely doubt whether ceramics would survive the point loading caused by a bike stand. Both ceramics and porcelain (particularly porcelain) whilst very nice to look at and very easy to clean oil spillages etc are very cold and very hard to work on. My garage has a painted floor - "Ronseal does what it says on the tin" - worst decision I ever made - absolutely useless - lasted about 10 minutes and only because I was careful with it. If I had my time again, and that is not easy to contemplate once the garage is chokker with everything that goes into mine I would endorse carpet tiles
That’s another good idea. Get a resin floor professionally laid over your concrete, complete with “skirting boards”. They’re used a lot in the food industry and are as tough as nails, easily taking the stress of heavy equipment being moved on them do will handle bike stands/work benches. Plus they’re oil and everything else resistant and can be easily cleaned. I speak from experience.
Sorry, I meant the resin bound driveway such as these But I suspect the flooring you mean is like that heavy industrial vinyl like they use in kitchens, hospitals, commercial toilets etc
Rob, I have tiles.... THEY ARE LETHAL IN THE WET! Also - you need to either remove your paint and get back to concrete - or bond the paint and tile adhesive with PVA.. I went the latter - but missed a few spots... all still down - but you can hear they are hollow - not bonded to concrete floor. in places.. My floor as laid was extremely rough and not level I first epoxy painted it - then a year later went to tiles as I was not happy with rough finish and used up to 25mm thick tile adhesive... in places.. I have not cracked any - other than where I dropped hammer and the like - but then fill the chip (no cracks) with epoxy filler. Mine were just ones from Wickes - nothing special... but meant for shower / bathroom with a slightly rough finish. But shoes and lots of water - mean the rough finish is covered and skating rink... I have a stainless steel plate on the floor where I used to lift the bikes on centre stand for chain maintenance - but now have a hydraulic lift... The tiles look good, easy to clean - but I would not repeat and do it again...just too dangerous in the wet I have slipped and landed on my back maybe 3 times and the wife once...
If I was to do it again - I would pay the extra and have a fully epoxy floor laid - basically lay around a 10 to 15mm screed of epoxy and it looks like paint - high gloss but does not wear... BUT... its very expensive - £30 to £50 a square meter - depending on prep needed - those were prices 10 years ago... Its the sort of finish used in High End CNC machine shops... resists chemicals, wear and fork trucks..
I've decided I'm going to use industrial grade vinyl like Noobie posted a picture of. Something like this. https://www.altro.co.uk/Quick-sample-chooser?s=3696
covered my floor with these 3 x Non Slip Washable BLUE 10ft x 3ft Dirt Trapper Runner Mat Car Van Garage | eBay
I use one of those by the door and a large square version by the workbench The one by the door is in an attempt to reduce the water - so slippiness... The one by the bench is to minimise the effects of dropping hammers and the like...
They are similar to mine... cant say its the same finish... I suggest you get a sample tile... These are the ones or similar to the ones I got.. I had 40M2 to do when I did mine - 32M in garage and 6M in what was the dog lounge. https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Urban-Grey-Ceramic-Floor-Tile-330-x-330mm/p/166276 Really test the sample before you buy and fit.. Apart from the slipery surface.. all else with having tiles is fine....
Rob,This professional setup looks very rewarding,but i have to say my eyes are doing strange things at the minute
