31. 5. 2023
Fortelock Tiles: The Ideal Floor for Your Garage
You have surely wondered at some point which floor to choose for your garage. It is an important decision, because the right choice can fundamentally affect not only the practicality and functionality of the space, but also its aesthetic appeal. In this respect, we would like to introduce you to one of the best options on the market – Fortelock PVC flooring.
Fortelock is a high-quality, proven brand of PVC flooring that boasts a long service life, resistance to mechanical stress and easy maintenance. These tiles are the ideal choice for garages, workshops or storage areas – simply anywhere a strong, durable floor is needed.
Simple installation without gluing
One of the main reasons to choose Fortelock PVC flooring for your garage is its simple installation. The tiles are designed to slot easily into one another using an interlocking system, which allows the floor to be laid quickly and effortlessly without the need for glue or any other materials. This system also makes it easy to replace damaged tiles without having to take up the entire floor. Even a novice can handle the installation with ease.
Always install the tiles on a level, hard surface, and before laying them, let the tiles acclimatise thoroughly for at least 48 hours. Do not forget to keep the recommended 10 mm expansion gap from any fixed point! (shelving unit, wall)
High mechanical and chemical resistance
Another advantage of Fortelock PVC flooring is its resistance to moisture and industrial chemicals. So if you work with oils, greases or other chemical substances in your garage, you do not have to worry about damaging the floor. The flooring also withstands the load of heavy vehicles or machinery, which is especially important in a garage environment. Its compressive strength is 520 kg/cm2! Fortelock PVC flooring is highly resistant to mechanical damage such as impacts, falling heavy objects and other external influences. Moreover, the tiles are made from a high-quality material with high strength and durability.
Easy maintenance and the option of disassembly
When it comes to maintenance, Fortelock PVC flooring is very easy to maintain. Simply sweep or vacuum it regularly and occasionally wash the floor with a cloth or mop using water and detergent. This keeps the floor clean and safe for your everyday activities. If you need to disassemble the floor or replace some of the tiles, that is no problem thanks to the interlocking system.
A choice of colours
Aesthetically, Fortelock PVC flooring is also a match for the other options on the market. It offers a wide range of colours and patterns that everyone can adapt to their taste and the style of the space. In addition, the surface finish of the flooring has anti-slip properties that increase safety when walking or manoeuvring vehicles.
Insulating function for more comfortable work
Fortelock PVC flooring provides an insulating layer between the subfloor and the surface, which makes working on the floor more pleasant at lower temperatures.
Ramps for easier entry into the garage
Fortelock also offers ramps that make it easier to drive into the garage. Our tip: it is advisable to glue the ramps down together with the first row of tiles for better stability.
Easy purchase and delivery
Use the online configurator to design your floor easily and get a clear calculation of the final price. We will deliver the tiles on a pallet right to your garage, so you do not have to worry about transporting them.
Cleaning and maintenance
Regular cleaning and maintenance is very important for all Fortelock floor coverings, both in terms of appearance and hygiene and to extend their service life. You can clean a Fortelock floor simply by wiping it with water and an ordinary detergent. For cleaning and maintaining floor coverings, we recommend using products from the Dr. Schutz brand. They draw on many years of experience and reflect current trends in the field of cleaning. The cost of cleaning, or rather the cleaning intervals, depends on the frequency of use and the degree of soiling.
Suitable products for your garage
- For an uneven subfloor or higher loads, the Fortelock Industry tiles
- For a level subfloor and lower loads, the Fortelock XL tiles
- For a look with no visible interlocks, the Fortelock Invisible tiles
How to try the floor before you buy
Before you decide, there are three ways to check the material. Order an 8 × 8 cm tile sample in your chosen colour and type. For a test directly in your garage, you can borrow up to 5 m² of tiles for one month and try them out, for example with your own car. If they suit you, you order the rest and keep the borrowed tiles; otherwise you return them cleaned and packed. The online visualiser, into which you upload a photo of your garage, shows how the colours will look in that particular space.
Fortelock on YOUTUBE
Follow the Fortelock YouTube channel, where we regularly add new content. You may be interested in:
- A guide to laying Fortelock INDUSTRY tiles
- How to install edge trims
- Laying Industry tiles in a garage
- Cleaning Fortelock tiles
Frequently asked questions
Do Fortelock tiles have to be glued in a garage?
Usually not; the tiles click together and are laid loose. They are only glued where the sun shines in or where another heat source acts, such as the catalytic converter of a parked car, because PVC expands with heat. Gluing is also necessary if the indoor temperature fluctuates by more than 15 °C.
How long do the tiles need to acclimatise before installation?
At least 48 hours in the room where they will be laid, at a temperature of 18–26 °C. The tiles need to be taken off the pallet and spread out in smaller stacks, for example of 10 tiles, or 6 for XL. The substrate must not be colder than 15 °C, and the temperature should remain constant for 24 hours after installation.
Why is an expansion gap left at the walls?
Because PVC naturally expands with temperature. A 10 mm gap is left at every fixed point, i.e. a wall, column or shelving unit, and it can be covered with a skirting strip. If the tiles are laid below 15 °C, the gap needs to be wider. What happens if it is missing is explained in the article Expansion gaps in PVC flooring.
Why do tyre marks remain on the garage floor?
Some tyres contain the antioxidant 6PPD, which reacts with the plasticiser in PVC and can create brown stains. This is not damage to the material; the floor is neither degraded nor deformed by it. To prevent staining, a two-component PU lacquer is recommended, such as Dr. Schutz PU Anticolor, which is applied by our protective coatings service.
Can Fortelock tiles be laid in a garage with underfloor heating?
Yes, but with conditions. With water-based underfloor heating, the water must not exceed 28 °C and the heating is switched on gradually from about 20 °C, with the temperature raised over 7–10 days. With electric underfloor heating, the tiles are fully glued with PU adhesive, as they are wherever the temperature changes by more than 15 °C.
How is a Fortelock garage floor cleaned?
Simply sweep or vacuum regularly and mop the floor with water and an ordinary detergent. For a perfect finish, ForteClean cleaners are recommended, and deep cleaning with Forteclean Intense Cleaner is advisable after installation. Do not use solvents or abrasive pads, and remove oil stains as soon as possible.
