Tile floor in garage

[P8riot]

Yeah, weird place to put tile I know! This is for my wife's grooming salon. I sectioned off one of the bays in my garage for my wife. It is coming along really nice! Surprisingly no issues yet.

The floor is sloped to a center drain and the finish is kind of rough. Brush type finish on the cement, but no pattern...just a diy brush type. I was wanting to put tile down, my wife was wanting epoxy. I have seen horror stories with epoxy peeling, etc. I don't want to deal with that for the rest of my life! I also don't want to hire it out because I don't trust anyone.

I was thinking of grinding down any high spots with a diamond cup on my grinder, putting down a primer/sealant for any moisture coming from the concrete. That floor hasn't shown any issues, but I know it still happens. I was going to thinset 2"x2" tiles on the 1'x1'sheets. This would be more forgiving than large tiles with the uneven floor that I don't want/can't level.

Any issues you guys see with that? I'll use a pre mix latex grout. I think that should hold up to some decent abuse.

 

[Sauger]

It's all going to be on the prep. I would not put down anything unless it's designed for thinset/ mortor. If you don't get the proper bond your going to wish you did epoxy. If the concrete has a broom finish I would go right to that with thinset if tile is what you want. I can tell you that I have done 4 garage floors with the epoxy and all have had zero issues. Just like the tile it all comes down to the prep for anything to last.

 

[Mickey Merrie]

Grooming? Asking for an @giles...

 

[Mickey Merrie]

Grooming? Asking for an @giles...

Actually asking (be) fore an @giles...

 

[P8riot]

It's all going to be on the prep. I would not put down anything unless it's designed for thinset/ mortor. If you don't get the proper bond your going to wish you did epoxy. If the concrete has a broom finish I would go right to that with thinset if tile is what you want. I can tell you that I have done 4 garage floors with the epoxy and all have had zero issues. Just like the tile it all comes down to the prep for anything to last.

What brand did you use? I'm not entirely opposed. Way easier than tile!!

 

[P8riot]

Grooming? Asking for an @giles...

Dogs...only dogs There's an upcharge for fleas and ticks anyway!!

 

[5Cent]

NatureStone

 

[Sauger]

I have used all of them from kits at lowes and HD to Shermanwilliams. For coverage wise I think SW is the better bang for the buck.
I don't know how your floor is but I used muratic acid to etch the concrete, then installed a primer, 2 coats of epoxy, last coat gets the flakes and finaly I put 2 coats of clear with silica beads in it. Just enough to give it some grip.

If your wanting to go with the fancy epoy that you see pictures of, I have never done that. The prep would be the same, mixing and application methods are a little different.

I recommend cleets so you can walk over it when wet. It's easier to get your flakes uniform when your over top throwing them. Standing from a distance for me was hard getting it uniform.