Interlocking garage floor tiles have fast become popular as a viable garage flooring option. You may have seen pictures of these tiled floors, but what do you really know about them? After all, how durable can plastic garage tiles really be? You may be surprised by the answer.
What makes interlocking garage floor tiles so popular is they create a custom garage floor look that is available in a variety of colors, textures, and functions. They are extremely durable and most importantly, easy to install. Undoubtedly, the most fun is creating your own unique design that matches your style and requirements.
In fact, most garage tile vendors have floor designer pages on their websites that allow you to key in the exact size and parameters of your garage floor. You can then pick and choose colors, styles, and surface patterns to insert into the design in order to create a custom looking garage floor just for you.
Most installations take only a few hours if you are doing it by yourself and even quicker if you have a helper. Very little tools are required since the tiles are interlocking and snap in place. No experience is necessary.
As popular as interlocking tiles are however, they do create quite a few questions among those interested in this type of garage flooring. Doubts and concerns range from their durability and weight ratings, to how well small wheels roll over the tiles.
With two different materials to choose from, hard plastic construction versus rubber-like PVC, we will review the benefits of each of these tiles. We will also address some of the drawbacks that each material has in order for you to learn the true facts about this popular garage flooring option.
Hard Plastic Garage Tiles
The rigid, hard plastic tile is by far the most popular and versatile of the two construction types. They are made of high-impact polypropylene which is a thermo plastic polymer. Some manufacturers even claim to mix in a small percentage of rubber for anti-slip and anti-fatigue properties as well.
Depending on brand, standard sizing is either 12”x12 or 13”x13”, while some manufacturers offer sizes as large as 18”x18”. Thickness is 1/2″ as an industry standard, though one manufacturer does produce a particular style at 3/4″ thick.
They are assembled with a peg and loop system that snaps into place with your foot or a tap of a rubber mallet. The strength and structure of this peg and loop system is one of the parameters that can help to determine the quality of one brand of tile over the other.
You also have a choice of either a solid top construction or a ribbed flow-through structure that allows for surface drainage. Popular surface patterns for the solid top construction are coined and diamonds, while some manufactures offer a levant style surface pattern as well. At last count, there was up to thirteen different colors to choose from.
The undersides of these tiles have a hollow core construction with a reinforced grid type system. This creates a much lighter tile that is very strong in order to support thousands of pounds as well as allow for the circulation of air and water drainage underneath the tile.
Due to the high-impact polypropylene construction, nothing really sticks to the tile and therefore makes them very hard to stain. Subsequently, this also makes them very easy to clean.
Besides looking good, there are a number of other benefits as well. They are resistant to chemicals, oils, grease, hydraulic fluid, road salts, acids, and other automotive fluids. If your vehicle springs a leak or you make a mess while working on your latest project, you can just wipe it right up with a rag and some cleaner.
Most tiles are also U.V. resistant so they won’t fade in sunlight. They are even mold and mildew resistant which is good if you live in a wet climate or have moisture issues in your garage. They are also easier on the feet and legs compared to concrete when standing for long periods.
Another benefit is the added slip resistance from the various surface patterns. You no longer have to worry about a hazardous floor when tracking in water or snow from your vehicle. Like any other flooring however, you still need to use caution around oil spills.
There is one other added benefit that is achieved with the flow-through self-draining tiles. They are excellent for self-draining garage floors or floors with drains. In fact, some people actually wash their cars in the garage when using this style of tile. Since water and snow melt from wet cars can pass through and eliminate the issue of standing water, these can make for a good winter snow tile as well.
The quality and selection of interlocking garage tiles can range from your budget tile options to the more expensive premium brands. Warranties run from 3 to 15 years depending on the product.
How tough are interlocking garage tiles?
So how tough are they? Well, these plastic garage tiles are plenty strong enough to stand up to the rigors of an active garage. They are designed to withstand pressures of heavy vehicles and equipment, jack stands, rolling tool boxes, car jacks, and whatever else you may foresee in a busy garage. Some are rated as high as 5,000 pounds per square inch with a rolling rate for vehicles up to 80,000 pounds.
Floor lifts and car hoists can be bolted through the tile to the concrete below with no worries about deforming the tile. Storage racks and cabinets can sit on top of the tiles as long as they don’t have a very narrow or small footprint.
They will also withstand sub-freezing temperatures as well as floor temperatures up to 250 degrees. That means indirect or radiant floor heating is not an issue.
Drawbacks to hard plastic garage tiles
As nice as these tiles are however, there are some drawbacks that you need to be aware of. Buckling or tenting of the tile floor when exposed to direct sunlight for a period of time is the one problem that gets the most attention, though occurrences are rare. This only happens to the solid top tiles near or at the garage door when it is open and the floor is exposed to direct sun.
Plastic garage tiles expand and contract with temperature and are why manufacturers recommend leaving a 1/2” gap between the tile and any wall or structure. Tiles expose to direct sunlight for a period of time can expand faster than the rest of the floor causing the buckling if they are not installed correctly.
Sharp objects that are dragged across the surface can gouge and scar the tiles as well. If you are using jacks stands, it’s important to use quality stands with the flat bottom plates. If you use stands with the “L” shaped angled legs, the high load on such a narrow surface can damage the tile. It’s best to set them on a piece of plywood if that is the case.
Floor jacks will not damage the tile unless you leave the car sitting on the jack for a length of time. If you do, it can leave an indentation in the tile that will eventually relax and smooth out in most cases. Wide jack wheels can alleviate this however.
If you weld or use torches in your garage, it is recommended that you cover that part of the floor with a welding blanket to protect it. Sparks and slag from these kinds of projects can melt or permanently scar the tiles.
In the case that you do damage a tile or two, you can easily replace the tiles one at a time. This is one of the great advantages to this type of garage flooring system.
Lastly, plastic garage tiles are sometimes known to create some noise while walking on them. Though it doesn’t happen often, the hollow core construction can create issues with sound bouncing off the hard concrete underneath and cause a clicky clack sound. The remedy for this is to lay down inexpensive landscape fabric to prevent this from happening.
Flexible interlocking garage tiles
The other material of choice for interlocking garage tiles are polyvinyl chloride, otherwise known as PVC. Combined with plasticizers, these tiles are a softer and more pliable synthetic rubber. In fact, they are sometimes referred to as rubber garage tiles or vinyl garage tiles.
Sizes range from 12”x12” to 24”x24” and are 3/16” to 1/4” thick depending on brand. They are much heavier than the rigid plastic tiles however due to their solid body construction. This is required due to the flexibility of the tile in order to achieve their heavy load ratings.
PVC tiles connect to one another via a jigsaw style pattern on the sides of the tile. Some of the premium brands allow for a system that hides this pattern and creates a straight seam similar to their hard plastic cousins. The straight seam system is also known for being water tight and can be an advantage at keeping road salts and deicing fluids off of your concrete.
Surface patterns can be limited with PVC tile however. Coined and the smoother levant style are the industry standard, with the diamond and self-draining surface patterns less common.
There are a couple of advantages with PVC garage tiles over their rigid plastic counterparts. First, they are whisper quiet due to their rubber-like construction. They also do a great job of absorbing sound which can eliminate that hollow resonance some garages project.
Another advantage is they provide for a surface that is more conducive to garages that are used more for home gyms and entertainment purposes such as pool tables, ping pong tables, and furniture. Parking the car in the garage is done, but may not be as important.
They also do just as well as the rigid plastic tiles at supporting weight from tool boxes, floor jacks, cabinets, car lifts, and etc. It is not uncommon to see PVC tiles installed as industrial flooring for warehouses as well.
Drawbacks to PVC garage tiles
Price can be the first consideration when comparing tiles. Entry level PVC tiles are about 25% more expensive than plastic polypropylene tiles. And though PVC garage tiles can be just as tough and durable as the hard plastic tiles, they do have one issue that can be a deal breaker for some people.
Car tires can stain the lighter color tiles and leave a black or yellow tinted print on the surface that will not come all the way out – even with the best of cleaning. Black and dark gray are the best colors to use for cars.
In fact, rubber wheels in general from items such as rubber casters, chairs, and tool boxes as an example, have been known to leave marks in the lighter colored tiles. Black rubber soled shoes have been known to leave marks as well. Though easier to clean and remove than marks left from car tires, it is still something to consider when choosing colors. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
It is also recommended not to let liquids that can stain sit for long periods. It is best to clean them up as soon as possible. The surface of some PVC tiles has a texture that tends to hold onto the offending liquid substance and requires some scrubbing to get out if left to sit.
One answer to the staining issues with tires and rubber products is to apply an acrylic coating over the tiles. Most manufactures and vendors have product they sell or recommend. Not only will it protect the tiles from car tire stains, it will give them a glossy finish as well.
Of course just as their hard plastic cousins, dragging sharp objects, welding, and heavy loads from extremely small surface areas can damage the tile.
Lastly, most PVC garage tiles are designed with a solid bottom construction. This does not allow for air or water circulation and can be a problem if you suspect that you have moisture issues with the concrete in your garage.
Installing interlocking garage tiles
One major advantage of interlocking garage floor tiles over other garage floor systems is the free-floating design. This means that the tiles sit on top of the floor with nothing to affix to. As a result there is very little floor preparation required prior to installation other than cleaning the heavy grime from the concrete.
Mildly pitted concrete, surface cracks and other imperfections in the floor do not need to be repaired prior to installation unless it is a structural issue that needs attention.
This is a good video that will give you an idea of how interlocking tiles are installed. We do not recommend a rubber underlayment if you live in a wet climate or have moisture issues with your concrete. Synthetic landscape fabric should be used instead.
Depending on which tile you choose, you will need a saw, plastic tile cutter, or heavy duty utility knife for cutting the tiles. Jig saws and circular saws are the most common for the hard plastic tiles. The utility knife is best for PVC tiles.
Most manufacturers require a 1/2″ gap between the tile, walls, and permanent structures to allow for expansion of the entire floor system. They also offer a separate beveled edge for the entry of the garage to give it a clean look.
All of the manufacturers provide for easy installation instructions. Installation usually begins by assembling the first row at the garage door and along one wall. You then can fill in the floor from there, saving pieces that need to be cut or trimmed for last.
Final thoughts
In general, if you are someone who frequently works on cars or other projects in your garage, then the ridged plastic garage tiles are most likely best for you. They provide for the greatest options and function over the flexible PVC rubber garage tiles with no worries about tire stains or staining in general.
However, if you are just using your garage for small projects or to park your vehicles, then PVC garage tiles can have some nice advantages over the hard plastic tiles.
Either way, interlocking garage floor tiles will provide an abundance of protection for your garage floor for years to come. They will also make your neighbors envious, so be prepared for the comments. And don’t forget, you can have your entire flooring project completed in less than a day.
I am somewhat dismayed that your review does not mention the problems I had with PVC flooring from Race Deck. After installation, and leaving the recommended 1/4″ on the sides, the floor shifted when driving onto it, and the floor warped (bulged upward) from engine heat. To Race Deck’s credit, they sent a rep representative to my home who spent a lot of time on the problems and had many conversations on the phone with Race Deck engineers. They tried anchors to stop the sliding, but could never correct the warping problem. In the end, the told me to return the flooring at their expense, and they refunded my money. I still have not found a flooring that will work, but would welcome your suggestion.
Thank you,
Pres
Hi Preston. I think the reason you didn’t read about the problem you encountered with tile expansion from engine heat is because it is extremely rare. We have only ever heard of one other case like that and it was with a lowered sports car with a big block V8. Do you have a similar type of car? The problem with tile shifting can happen on occasion but that is usually easily remedied. It sounds like RaceDeck lived up to their reputation of taking care of their customers however when they refunded your money.
It sounds to us like you may be better served with a quality epoxy coating or even a porcelain tiled floor if you still like the idea of tile.
I have had a consistent problem with the Racedeck flooring. Whenever the sun hits it, an area of about 2′ x 4′ bulges upward about 3″ tall. There is an expansion area around the perimeter which does nothing to alleviate the problem. The room measures 26′ x 32′. Any suggestions? I’ve contacted Snaplock about the problem without any resolution.
Hello Bob, we are guessing that you are using the solid top tiles and not the Free-Flow design. Is this area at the opening of the garage door? Do you have a south or southwestern facing garage? How much of the sun is hitting the tile? Also, how much of a gap did leave for the perimeters?
I need to know where I can buy interlocking tiles from and D.I.Y brochures ?
Hi Carmelo. Most garage floor interlocking tiles are purchased online, not in stores. Just do a google search and you will find many. Most of the sites do a good job of detailing the benefits of their tiles and how they work. Some even have fun-to-use online floor design tools that allow you to pick and choose the color of tiles you want and see what they look like on the floor dimensions you input.
Is TrueLock the best PVS tile on the market for a consumer garage? Does the acrylic sealer need to be reapplied regularly?
Any other manufactures that you recommend looking at, besides TrueLock?
Hello Rick. TrueLock is probably one of the best values in PVC garage tiles today. It’s a premium quality product at a good price. Norsk would be another consideration as well. One the finest available would be Tuff Seal garage floor tiles, but they are considerably more expensive. They do offer a nice clean line edge however (similar to the polypropylene tiles) without the puzzle look. Plus, they create a good water tight seal as well.
The acrylic sealer will need to be reapplied from time to time, but it depends on how much abuse your floor gets. If you are just parking your cars in the garage, then it’s not required very often. We recommend giving Justin Krauss from Garage Flooring LLC a call if you have more questions. He actually sells quite a bit of these tiles and at a very good price. You can find the tiles here. He also has quite a bit of experience with the acrylic sealer as well. He uses it on his own PVC garage floor mats at home.
Thanks for the article very informative. i am intrested in the drainage tiles. Trapping moister in with a solid tile would concern me. Although i do alot of woodworking in my garage would sawdust and mud from boots clog up the drainage holes ? Has anyone experinced this? Also would this drainage channel below the surface of the tile become a home for every moister seeking incect known to mankind?
Hi Joe. The polypropylene tiles are ventilated on the underside to promote air flow. This allows for the concrete to air dry and not retain moisture. The drainage tiles even more so as they are obviously ventilated on the top as well. As far as saw dust goes, a good shop vac will suck it right up through the tile. The drainage or free flowing style tile is actually a great tile for sawdust because it allows much of the saw dust to fall through and not create a slip hazard.
I live in Minnesota where we have a lot of ice and road salt falling off of the cars in the winter. How will these tiles hold up and any suggestions as to which ones are the best? I also have to consider how slippery they are.
Hello Jim. We suggest you read this article here about choosing interlocking tiles for winter climates. It should answer most of your questions.
Considering these tiles to cover an aluminum deck on my pontoon boat. Any thoughts?
If you do Tommy, it’s important that it is anchored down so that it does not move. Since these tiles can expand in direct sun, the free-flow style is best since it expands very little in direct sun.
Hi Shea,
Can you offer an opinion on Supratile 4.5mm PVC tiles (20″x20″) for an attached 24 x 25 ft garage. Primary use is daily drivers with one car moved infrequently an the other in and out daily. Located in NJ so we do get a good deal of slush, salt, sand, etc caught up in the wheel wells during winter storms.
Thanks in advance.
Hello Frank. Supratile is considered one of the top premium interlocking PVC floor tiles available and works very well in most garage environments. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that though the interlocking seams provide a tight seal, they are not water proof. Heavy snow melt and deicing fluids can work their way onto the concrete below if allowed to sit. You may want to treat the concrete to an easy to apply penetrating sealer before you install the tiles. Another consideration is that some PVC tiles can develop tire stains that are extremely hard to remove. This may be a concern with the car that will sit for long periods of time. It may not be an issue with Supratile, but we recommend contacting them to ask about it.
Thank you for responding Shea. I will take your advice and seal before installation.
I just learned they also have 6.5mm tiles available but only in texture or coin, whereas 4.5mm is available in diamond. The difference in price is very small for the thicker product.
Any opinion on the style..,diamond, texture, or coin.
thanks again, your a great help
You are welcome Frank. In terms of pattern styles, it’s really just a matter of cosmetics and does not provide much of an advantage either way.
Hi Frank,
Curious to know if you have the tiles installed. I’m form NJ too and looking to get the free flow ones from RaceDeck.
If you have these installed, how are they holding up?
Neil
I’m curious if anyone has had any experience with the manufacturer “armorgarage”?
I found them in a search for stout tiles with a solid surface and hidden joints. They make solid PVC tiles, which sounds better than hollow plastic to me. The one thing bugging me is that I can’t find reviews on them anywhere except their site and the BBB.
Their thickest tile goes for around $5.7 sq.ft.
Forgot to mention too that they offer a lifetime guarantee on their tiles.
Nevermind it. I just found out that Armorpoxy, Armorgarage, and some other companies all operate from the same distribution center in NJ. So it seems that Armorpoxy is the mfr and many others are reselling their product.
Can these tiles be layed partially in a garage. I just want to cover an area big enough for my car to park on?
Will they move?
Yes they can Phil. It’s not uncommon at all to make a parking pad out of interlocking tile and attach the ramp edges all around the perimeter. Unless you have a real slick floor, they do a good job of staying put.
I have a new construction 2 story building/ADU where the garage is underneath a living quarters. We are in Oregon so we deal with rain but not a ton of snow nor freezing temps., nor do we have extreme heat. I would like to know what type of product you would recommend for the concrete. We have done nothing with it since it was poured, it does have paint on it or spray from the walls for the orange peel finish but that is it. No cars have been in and so there are no stains or cracks or anything. I don’t know if I should just seal it, use an epoxy or have floating tiles or sheets? I just don’t know what to do about it and want what will be the best for an area that is more storage than anything else.
Hello Andrea. If the area is more storage than anything else, sealing it would be the least expensive and most logical option. Epoxy seals as well, but it’s also a decorative option. It doesn’t sound like that is what you are looking for. Interlocking tiles do not seal the concrete, but they will provide an easy to clean surface that is decorative in nature as well. You would need to remove any paint that is on the surface though in order to seal it properly. Take a look at siliconate sealers. It just might be what you are looking for.
We are buying a home in Los Angeles with a finished 2 car garage that functions as a family room. The garage is insulated, hvac equipped and has a tile floor. I intend to use this space as a work shop for auto and home projects. However we want to preserve the finished surfaces so the space can be used as a family room or whatever in the future. I’ve begun researching options for covering/protecting the floor but I wonder if the tile floor presents some considerations that a concrete floor does not. Keeping it clean and unstained is a requirement. I’ve been assured by the home owner/contractor that the tile floor can be driven on.
What type of tile is it Bill? If it’s porcelain then you are good to go. Take a look here at the benefits of a tiled garage floor.
How do Gladiator interlocking tiles compare to Racedeck and some of the others that you have discussed as premium brands? Gladiator is what I see sold most often in the brick and mortar stores as well as online. I was about to purchase their tiles but wanted to research about them first, but I’ve not read anything about them, so far, on this site.
Gladiator interlocking tiles would qualify as a premium brand tile James. However, they typically tend to be more expensive than other premium brands and in our opinion are not worth the additional expense, unless you can find them for a good deal. We are not sure who actually manufactures their tiles, but the interlocking tabs look suspiciously like a product of SnapLock Industries. They are the same company that manufacture RaceDeck interlocking tiles as well as tiles for other major brand companies.
Hi,
I have a hose in my garage and wash my car inside most of the time. I want to buy the plastic interlocking tiles but am concerned if the water seaping through the tiles to the floor would cause any damage to the floor or mold etc.? Also, is it recommended to lift these tiles up and clean the floor underneath for maintenance once in a while?
Detailers and home owners use the self-draining tiles for that all the time Abhishek. Most interlocking tiles are designed with channels under the tile that allow for air movement. This prevents mold and mildew from forming and lets the concrete underneath dry.
Hi,
My husband and I are thinking of doing something of this nature to our garage floor. Like the idea and ease of installation. We sometimes entertain in our garage when we have a large number of people. My question is will sitting up folding tables and chairs be an issue if using the ribbed flow type flooring? Are the holes big enough that a leg to the folding chair could fit through? Also, can you mix the two (solid top and ribbed flow) in your pattern? Thanks for your response to these questions.
Hello Ruthie. The self-draining, ribbed style interlocking tiles will work great for entertaining in your garage. In fact, that exact style is popular for businesses to use at trade shows. Displays, folding chairs, card tables and variety of items can be set up on these tiles. High heels are not an issue either. Most brands do allow mixing the solid top and self-draining tiles together to fit your needs.
I’m looking into this product for the basement area of my townhouse )that connects to the garage) and found this article very helpful. As I plan to install it myself, my concern is cutting the tiles to fit. Should I consider renting a tile cutter from a hardware store? If so, what kind of tile cutter would you recommend?
Great question Tina. An actual tile cutter is for porcelain, ceramic, and stone tiles. What you need is either a circular saw, jigsaw, or table saw. Just make sure to use a fine tooth blade. A jigsaw, such as these here, are not very expensive and real easy to use.
I am in th process of redesigning my 2 car garage which has been used as a woodworking shop for 20 years with assorted and ugly storage and benches. The floor is cracked due to poor prep before the floor was poured. The concrete is settling to the sides and causing cracks. This type of tile seems to be the answer. My concern is the tools I have are very heavy with cast iron table and bench tops. I have wheels on the bottom of the tools. But I am concerned that they may sink into these tiles and be very hard to roll from a position they may have been sitting for sometimes months. I am partial to the PVC but after reading now, I am thinking the polyvinyl. Your thoughts? I do not like the zig zag edges though.
The quality polypropylene (hard plastic) tiles will take a lot of weight, Randy, providing that the wheels of your tool carts and benches are not real small. People place large metal cabinets and heavy rolling tool boxes on these type of floors all the time. We’ve seen cars rolled around on casters and engines pulled with hoists. It’s all just a matter of square inches. Where PVC tile does not do well is with heavy objects that create a sharp or very narrow footprint. Angle iron legs are an example. You can install polyvinyl tile without the zipper edges, but they are the more expensive premium versions of that type of tile.
Hello
I’m interested in doing just 2 strips of tile where the car tires lay and not my whole garage. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Scott
Hello Scott. Two strips for just your tires will not work. Interlocking garage floor tiles are a floating floor system and designed to run from wall to wall. Your car will cause the strips to move after you drive up and off of them a few times since there will be very little weight to the strips. You can build a full size car mat with the tiles and it will stay in place much better.