Rubber flooring for garage shop in houston

houston_mitch | Posted in Workshop on October 18, 2010 03:56am

I live in Houston and am building a 500 sq ft dedicated workshop (could be easily converted to a garage for resale) and want something besides concrete for my floor. I’d like to use an engineered wood or wood floor but the local flooring companies keep waving me off due to the high humidity here and since I won’t be AC’ing the shop continually. So I’m looking at using 3/8″ thick 2×2 rubber tiles. They are recycled tires and come in black with or w/out specs. Any experience with this material? Here’s the link http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/interlocking-tile/universal-rubber-tile.html The only thing I don’t care for is having black floors and the impact it may have on my lighting. I have 2 skylights and lots of flourescent lights. Your thoughts / advice? Thanks Mitch

Replies

hammer1 | Oct 18, 2010 04:29pm | #1
I have a concrete floor, it was bothering my back. I used interlocking 3/4"x3'x3' rubber mats that are available at HD, about $20 for 9SF. With any rubber mat, you won't be able to roll heavier machinery over them. Some so called anti-slip mats are anything but when saw dust is on them. The smooth surface of the product you showed makes me cautious.The mats I have are honeycombed, not only are they comfortable but I don't have to sweep the floor for weeks. When the honeycomb holes get filled up, I vacuum, You can haul them outside for a hose off. It's easy to pull one or two up if I need to move a machine. They breathe just in case you have moisture problems and won't trap moisture unseen. Can't say the color has had any effect on my lighting.
Ray | Oct 18, 2010 10:52pm | #2
I'm in South Alabama, same problem. About twice a year I pull them up, clean the floor and turn them over - they are wet on the bottom side. I only put them down where I stand and work, all the tools & benches are on the concrete floor.

A pretty good alternative is the interlocking rubber mats used in horse stalls, they are harder, have a pebbled surface and holes in them. Have a look at the Farmer's Co-Op for them.