New garage in CA, ceramic tiles or water based epoxy?

Hello from California. We just moved into our new home with a huge (for CA that is) garage. The front part is standard 20x20 two car garage. The rear of the garage is raised 4" and is 11x20. So, basically I am looking at close to 600SF of floor space that I am now debating on how to finish it. Since most of the $$$ went to the downpayment (it is CA afterall), race deck tiles are too much for my budget.

So, the question is, since the rear of garage would be used for my motorcycles only, would it be ok to put ceramic tiles? I noticed that the floor has some hairline cracks so I am concerned that ceramic tiles may crack in the future. My other option is to use epoxy for the entire area but so far I could only find water based epoxy here in bay area. Can I purchase out of state solvent based epoxy and have it shipped to CA or would I violate some state laws?

Anyway, thanks everyone for your inputs. I really enjoy coming to this site and getting ideas on what to do with my new garage.

Dan

I have seen ceramic tiles in a garage and it looks fine. The problem is- what do you use your garage for? If you use your garage for storage/showroom- fine, but if it is a working garage- not so great. If you drop a wrench or hammer- kiss the tile goodbye. I would also worry about the weight of a car on the tiles. If you have a "dry" spot where no mortar is- you have a high risk of cracking. The grout is another issue- maybe someone can chime in on how well it holds up to auto fluids. If you "use" your garage, I vote for a quality coating.

Re the CA law thing, I'd suggest you contact the manufacturer of the VOC-based epoxy and ask. You could also try a Benjamin Moore paint store or similar - I recall that Moore has its own VOC-based epoxy coatings. If you've only looked in the big-box stores, that's not much of a sample.

Another possibility is vinyl composition tile. VCT will be tougher than ceramic tile, easier on the budget, and surprisingly durable. Lots of past posts on VCT if you search.

stain the concrete

bob

timgr said:

Another possibility is vinyl composition tile. VCT will be tougher than ceramic tile, easier on the budget, and surprisingly durable. Lots of past posts on VCT if you search.

Click to expand...

I concur on the VCT and I am planning on doing thruout my new 6 bay.

I'd put down ceramic tile before I'd use waterbased epoxy... staining is a good idea... and so is VCT... Just about anything is a better idea than waterbased epoxy. There are issues with Solventborne products not complying with the C.A.R.B. (http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm) regulations.

In California, you should be considering a 100% solids, zero V.O.C. epoxy... There are tons of options...

if going ceramic I would suggest Porcelin Tile and using a very modified latex thinset. Something from Mapei like Ultra Flex 2 or Latacrete 254. Another great one is Hydroment PM. Hydroment should cost less but still meets the same ASNI standards.

Epoxy-coat.com (not waterbased ****)

Did it, love it, in Cali.

My fear with tiles is dropping something on them and having them crack.