Options for garagecade flooring?! Advice and opinions wanted!!

Vabeachrunner3

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Options for garagecade flooring?! Advice and opinions wanted!!

Hey all, I'm in the process of planning a garagecade for the kids and I although not big at all (24x10), it's the only space I can squeeze into that's not being used:). Anyway, it's going to be in an existing attached garage that currently has cement floors. I'd originally wanted to go with a commercial grade black light carpet but since I've been looking I can't seem to find any options under $1500. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places but that seems high to me? Then I was thinking maybe some type of paint on epoxy. Not sure of the durability and or look? I've also seen interlocking rubber floors similar to what you might see in gyms, etc. but not sure on the feasibility for an arcade? Anyway, if anyone out there has done anything similar and or has some suggestions I'd love to hear/see them!

Thanks!

Attached is a pic of what I'm working with.
 

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There are a couple posts about using an epoxy and black Light reflective chips mixed in. Seemed cheaper, durable and looked cool!
 
I saw a fellow member post a video doing this technique and it looked to turn out nice! It was even a very similar setup to what I'm looking to do (although larger) so I need to find that video and hit him up and see how he likes it



There are a couple posts about using an epoxy and black Light reflective chips mixed in. Seemed cheaper, durable and looked cool!
 
Thanks! Those are just some of the ones I had room to post! I've been running races for over 30 years and have some of my Dad's bibs up there from the early 70s. So all these years later I'm still addicted and still at it everyday! Now I'm trying to go farther (I'm training for a 50 miler in the fall) bec I'm not as fast as I used to be so I figure I can slow down and just go further and still be competitive! Or at least try:)



Cool collection of race bibs!
 
Try this for about $600 shipped:

Get 6 of these, it fit the space you described, there is a special going for free shipping and 25% off:
http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/gym-mat/tough-mats.html

At the time, I actually bought rolls, which they also offer as there was a special going, and I cut it with a box cutter and straight edge. I used it to cover 400+sq ft.

I have the black with light gray/tan speck. There is also black with multi colored specks.

Straight forward install:
-You don't need to buy tape or adhesive, or at least I didn't as I have games on it everywhere. If you were constantly driving a car in and out, you'd probably want an adhesive or talk to them about it.
-Simply roll a strip which is 4ft wide and then roll another strip next to it. You won't see gaps or lines if you do it right and your games will hold it down just fine. The stuff is heavy so it lays down.
-If you decide to get rolls, which they also offer, just get a box cutter and a 48"+ T Square to cut it in strips.
-Call a rep online if you have questions.

I originally outfitted a cement floor with this for a fitness room, and then moved my fitness room to another room after deciding my arcade would better fit in here and that the flooring I had already put down would work great.

Look around for the variety and different price points on the site if you want something else, but at that price with FREE SHIPPING and with the ease of install I would seriously consider it if I were you.

Before purchasing I was told the strength was fine for driving/parking a car on.

Here's a bit of the the floor in my arcade. This was just before a mop up so it appears a bit grayer than normal. I find moisture does not build up underneath and I don't have to worry about scratching it etc as it is so tough. I love it.
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How does the flooring stand up to moving games around? Do you use specialized feet (nylon?)... is sliding games difficult?
 
How does the flooring stand up to moving games around? Do you use specialized feet (nylon?)... is sliding games difficult?

The flooring stands up very well, no chunks or gouges anywhere in mine after a lot of use and dropping things on it. I have 25+ games in there, and occasionally I move around something for a repair. This is not a foam, but solid, thick rubber. Most of my games just have the factory metal castors on the bottom. The floor is very grippy for sure, so I just pivot them on the corners and they move just fine. You aren't going to be sliding any cabs on this unless they have wheels simply because the floor provides so much grip. A few of my games like StarWars cockpit and Pole Position cockpit have wheels and they roll just fine. I have a Super Off Road that I put on wheels and a STUN Runner also and I just move them slow so as to not bunch up any of the flooring. It otherwise stays down flat as the rubber itself is quite heavy and thick. I think it was one of the best arcade investments I've made.

They will send you a free sample if you like, and that's what I did first, and then I was sold on it.
 
Interesting... I wonder if nylon sliders would help for moving. My concern is that I have some seriously large cabinets that move around from time to time...
 
Before you choose, youtube "metallic epoxy"

This is something that you could potentially do yourself and it's insanely durable for our games. You will still need to change your feet to nylon but it's a great option!
 
Interesting... I wonder if nylon sliders would help for moving. My concern is that I have some seriously large cabinets that move around from time to time...

Maybe under the large cabs you could slide some clear thick laminate plastic film (that printers use to laminate) cut into strips under the castors. Or slide under a plastic clear office chair mat when moving.
 
Thanks for all the detailed info! I've looked into this and it seems like a great option. One of my initial thoughts was moving super heavy games (JP III and GT Live come to mind) and it bunching or folding although you seem to have had luck in that situation. How much lighter is the color in person? I like the darker look I think but wonder how hard it'd be to keep clean?






Try this for about $600 shipped:

Get 6 of these, it fit the space you described, there is a special going for free shipping and 25% off:
http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/gym-mat/tough-mats.html

At the time, I actually bought rolls, which they also offer as there was a special going, and I cut it with a box cutter and straight edge. I used it to cover 400+sq ft.

I have the black with light gray/tan speck. There is also black with multi colored specks.

Straight forward install:
-You don't need to buy tape or adhesive, or at least I didn't as I have games on it everywhere. If you were constantly driving a car in and out, you'd probably want an adhesive or talk to them about it.
-Simply roll a strip which is 4ft wide and then roll another strip next to it. You won't see gaps or lines if you do it right and your games will hold it down just fine. The stuff is heavy so it lays down.
-If you decide to get rolls, which they also offer, just get a box cutter and a 48"+ T Square to cut it in strips.
-Call a rep online if you have questions.

I originally outfitted a cement floor with this for a fitness room, and then moved my fitness room to another room after deciding my arcade would better fit in here and that the flooring I had already put down would work great.

Look around for the variety and different price points on the site if you want something else, but at that price with FREE SHIPPING and with the ease of install I would seriously consider it if I were you.

Before purchasing I was told the strength was fine for driving/parking a car on.

Here's a bit of the the floor in my arcade. This was just before a mop up so it appears a bit grayer than normal. I find moisture does not build up underneath and I don't have to worry about scratching it etc as it is so tough. I love it.
attachment.php
 
It's rubber so your only real option is a mop.

Also, it's a bitch to move heavy games. I serviced a shore front arcade
which had the floor done with these. I loved the durability but the machines
do not "slide".

JD

Thanks for all the detailed info! I've looked into this and it seems like a great option. One of my initial thoughts was moving super heavy games (JP III and GT Live come to mind) and it bunching or folding although you seem to have had luck in that situation. How much lighter is the color in person? I like the darker look I think but wonder how hard it'd be to keep clean?
 
I'm really starting to think to go this route also. Moving will be a pain but I always have a dolly. The concrete in my garage is going to require a lot of prepping if I wanted to do epoxy.
 
I think I have mopped my rubber floor about once every 6-7 months, and in the photo I think it was at least that long since it was mopped. Yes, a bit lazy on that aspect. The light speckles go a long way to making it look clean.

I don't move games around a whole lot except for when I've done restores or brought games to shows. The ones I need to move around have wheels on them. Midway cabs easily roll on their back wheels and I have a couple of dollies too.

Heavy games like Outrun and Asteroids Deluxe can just be pivoted on the corner castors back and forth to move, and without ruining the floor.

If I move homes I can take this rubber flooring with me or sell it so it will keep some value. I like the fact that I don't have to worry about damaging it as it is so durable.

It is a decent option to consider anyway for covering a cement floored room or even maybe a wood floor that you don't want to ruin.

Some earlier photos before some rearranging and shown with all lights on, usually have neon and track lighting going.
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Before you choose, youtube "metallic epoxy"

This is something that you could potentially do yourself and it's insanely durable for our games. You will still need to change your feet to nylon but it's a great option!


I always wanted to do an epoxy floor; there are so many options. The newer methods (faux granite/marble, faux metal) are pretty awesome. Seems really messy potentially, but the end results are stunning and durable.
 
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