Garage flooring is one of the best ways to protect your garage floor from wear and tear, whether it’s for aesthetic or functional purposes.

It is important to choose the right type.

Swisstrax and Racedeck are two of the most popular materials that offer a secure flooring solution for your garage which you can consider.

Swisstrax is a modern product that has received significant industry acclaim because of its high performance-to-price ratio, while Racedeck is also one of the leading options on the market with hundreds of satisfied customers.

Both of these options are made out of recycled material and do not require adhesive, but they have different benefits to their own unique applications. Swisstrax is preferable if you live in an area where it gets very cold during winter, whereas Racedeck would be better suited for warmer climates.

Racedeck is also five times as thick as Swisstrax, so it can provide a more long-lasting and robust solution.

It is important to take the time to do your own independent research on each of these two options, as well as other alternatives such as Porcelain Porous Point System or Utracold Garage Flooring.

However, the information below will allow you to make an informed decision and ensure that you purchase the best solution for your garage.

Pros of Swisstrax:

• Very popular and well known, high performance-to-price ratio;

Cons of Swisstrax:

• More difficult to install than some other options such as Racedeck;
• Does not work in low-temperature climates (Racedeck is better suited for these situations).

Pros of Racedeck:

• High performance at a reasonable price;
• One of the more rigorously tested garage flooring solutions on the market (with some customers having their floors installed for over 10 years with no signs of wear or tear).

Cons of Racedeck:

• Can be difficult to install because of its thickness.

Difference in sizes

Swisstrax is available in two different thicknesses (6mm & 12mm), which relate to its durability and performance.

Racedeck, on the other hand, is only available in one thickness (10mm). As noted above, however, this makes it more suitable for warmer climates where the surface temperature may be higher. Racedeck has five times as much material as Swisstrax but otherwise looks almost identical (it also does not require adhesive).

Colors

There are three different colors of Swisstrax available; grey, white, and black. This ensures that there is an option for every taste and preference.

Racedeck offers grey as standard with a choice between grey or black being offered at an extra cost.

Difference in price

These two options are both very competitively priced, with Swisstrax ranging between $1-2 per square foot and Racedeck coming in at around $1.75 USD per square foot (although it can be up to double this price depending on the supplier).

Temperatures

However, if you’re looking for a product that will suit your garage specifically due to its geographical location or because of its specific dimensions, paying more money for an alternative may be worth it. For example, if you live in an extremely cold climate then Swisstrax would not be viable as it is unable to deal with sub-zero temperatures; consider Racedeck instead.

Swisstrax would be ideal for garages that are not exposed to harsh weather conditions or where the garage is used frequently.

Racedeck is also considerably more expensive than Swisstrax, although its thickness enables it to stand up to wear and tear better. Meanwhile, because of its thickness, Racedeck can sometimes be difficult to install.

Differences in design

Both Racedeck and Swisstrax come in a long strip format which is easy to cut and install. Whereas Swisstrax comes with groves on the top surface for vehicle tires to grip, Racedeck only has a smooth finish which makes it suitable for pedestrians but not necessarily vehicles. Both of these products are made from recycled materials, however larger quantities of discarded tires were used during the production of Racedeck as opposed to smaller pieces used for Swisstrax.

Cleaning tips

As both Racedeck and Swisstrax have a flat surface, they are relatively easy to clean. Both of these products do not require any specialized tools or chemicals in order to maintain their condition.

Racedeck and Swisstrax (as well as most other garage flooring solutions) can be swept with regular household tools such as a broom and dustpan; if necessary non-abrasive cleaners can also be used although it is best to avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach.

To clean both Swisstrax and Racedeck, a damp mop can be used with regular household cleaners.

In regards to adhesives, Swisstrax requires the use of an activator whereas Racedeck does not require any adhesive since it is designed to interlock by design. In order to gain maximum grip from both these products, they must be installed on a surface that has been primed and painted using the correct primer/paint system.

Durability

In regards to durability, both Racedeck and Swisstrax are very hard-wearing. In fact, although neither of these products can be marked as fully anti-slip without the use of a specialized infill solution, they can significantly reduce the risk of slipping in comparison to unsealed concrete floors.

Swisstrax’s warranty protects against UV degradation whereas Racedeck contains various elements that protect it from degrading due to ultraviolet light. Swisstrax also contains an element that protects against infill degradation whereas it is built into the design of Racedeck.

Range of patterns

Both of these garage flooring products come in a plain format with the option to add patterned designs. Swisstrax has a variety of patterned vinyl tiles that can be used to add color and pattern to the surface. Meanwhile, Racedeck can have custom graphics printed onto it for a more personalized design.

Building standards

In order to certify compliance with building standards, both Swisstrax and Racedeck are tested using a number of different criteria including slip resistance, impact resistance, fatigue testing, and chemical exposure.

Racedeck is certified by Green Guard while Swisstrax meets or exceeds requirements set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The certification process carried out on both these products means that they can be sold in the United States.

Recyclability

Both Swisstrax and Racedeck are made from recycled materials.

Swisstrax is 100% recyclable whereas while there are variations in recyclability depending on the region, it can be said that Racedeck is approximately 80% recyclable.

However, since both of these products are made from recycled materials, they have significantly lower carbon footprints than other similar flooring solutions which are often manufactured using virgin resources.

Slippage and noise

In terms of slippage, Swisstrax has an anti-slip rating of R9 whereas Racedeck only has a slip resistance rating of R7. This indicates that while both these products have a reduced risk of slipping compared to unsealed concrete floors, asphalt surfaces will always be more slip-resistant than either of these garage flooring options.

Both Swisstrax and Racedeck absorb noise well which is particularly beneficial for garages with residential units above them. Both products also provide thermal insulation properties that can help regulate the temperature in the garage.

Asphalt driveways are still considered one of the more popular options for DIYers who do not want to pay high prices for professional installation services.

Mixing and matching

Although mixing and matching between these two options is possible, it’s recommended that you stick with one supplier to ensure that your garage flooring can handle all of the weight. Racedeck has a minimum order quantity of 10 square meters while Swisstrax only requires 2 square meters for installation, so this may be something you’ll need to take into consideration should you decide to combine them.

Tips on how to lay or install

While Swisstrax can be installed by whoever has the DIY experience, it’s recommended that professional installation is performed to ensure that no issues arise during application. It can even be installed on gravel surfaces because it contains an anti-slip element. After installation, the surface should be treated with a specialized sealant such as Swisstrol or Strupecid T which will prevent water seepage into the surface.

Racedeck is far easier to install, although it does require infill in order to be able to handle vehicle traffic. Additional strengthening using Swisstrax can be done in order to ensure that Racedeck is suitable for vehicles, however, this will depend on the supplier’s recommendations. Similar products

Both of these products are designed to provide stability and safety when used indoors or outdoors. However, they are not 100 percent anti-slip without the addition of specific cement measures such as sand infill. These two options are not alternatives if your garage flooring needs specialized protection against chemical spills or oil spillages – Swisstrax would be recommended over Reck in this case due to its anti-slip properties whereas Racedeck would not be suitable.

Types of garage owners that they are suitable or not for this flooring

Both Racedeck and Swisstrax are highly durable in comparison to other types of garage flooring, making them ideal choices in situations where you expect to be standing on the surface regularly. Additionally, both options work well when installed alongside an underlayment which is especially useful in environments with high rainfall or where there’s a possibility of flooding.

Racedeck can handle heavy-duty commercial usage whereas Swisstrax is more appropriate for lighter traffic use. Swisstrax also contains grooves on top to help grip your tires whereas Racedeck does not, so it’s beneficial only if you’re planning on parking your vehicle on it.

Summary: Swisstrax vs Racedeck

So which option is better? Of course, this will depend on your individual circumstances and requirements; however, there are certain guidelines to consider when making your decision (and don’t forget to check out our Garage Flooring sites for more information).

If you live in a cold climate, pay particular attention to weather conditions before making your decision. For garages with extreme temperatures, either product may work well for you although you should consider how well both Swisstrax and Racedeck have been tested for this. For garages that experience extreme weather conditions or are in high-risk areas, it would be recommended to consider Racedeck.

For garages where the surface is not expected to experience much wear and tear or if your main priority is keeping costs low then Swisstrax should be sufficient for most people’s needs.

For garages that are used frequently then, Swisstrax would be an ideal choice as it’s easy to clean and will enable owners to drive over the flooring without damaging it.

For garages that are primarily used as vehicles storage, the main consideration has to be durability so look at which material can better cope with vehicle traffic.