Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering & Product
Q: What is G‑Floor® made of?
A: G‑Floor® vinyl flooring is constructed of 100% polyvinyl throughout the entire product without any layers or laminates. It does not contain paper, clay or foam fillers, like many competitive products, which can deteriorate quicker, especially if it becomes wet. G-Floor's solid, seamless construction makes it the most durable PVC flooring on the market.
Q: Where is G‑Floor® made?
A: G‑Floor® is Made in the USA, in the heartland of America, in Emporia, Kansas. Learn why it is a good idea to buy American-made vinyl flooring in our blog post "100% Solid Polyvinyl Made in the USA – Why is that so important for you?"
Q: Does G‑Floor® come with a warranty?
A: Of course! Better Life Technology, the manufacturer of G‑Floor®, believes so strongly in the superiority of its durable vinyl flooring product that they back it with a Limited Lifetime Warranty under normal use. At GFloor.com, we also have your back with 30-Day Money Back Guarantee. See what's covered in our 30-Day Money Back Guarantee & Manufacturer's Warranty.
Q: How do I know if my product is going to ship via Small Package or Truck Freight?
A: Most orders (with the exception of 10' wide product) will ship via Parcel Service. All 10' product will ship via Truck Freight. You must be home at time of delivery for orders shipped via truck freight.
Q: What are the sizes of G‑Floor® roll out flooring?
A: Most flooring rolls are available in the following practical sizes: 5' x 10', 7' 6" x 17', 8' 6" x 22', 8' 6" x 24' and 10' x 24' depending on the specific product. For determining sizing in all inches, view this link for our helpful conversion table: You may also refer to this blog post, "How Wide is This Product? How Long is G‑Floor®?"
| Typical Widths | Typical Lengths | ||
| Feet | Inches | Feet | Inches |
| 5' | 60" | 10' | 120" |
| 7.5' | 90" | 17' | 204" |
| 8.5' | 102" | 20' | 240" |
| 9' | 108" | 22' | 264" |
| 10' | 120" | 24' | 288" |
Q: What G‑Floor® product works best for my specific application?
A: Designed as a multi-purpose flooring for almost any application, some G-Floor products work better for specific circumstances and environments. We encourage you to read this blog for the best uses for all five G-Floor surface textures: "Best Uses for G-Floor Coin™, Diamond Tread™, Levant™, Ribbed™ and Small Coin™ Textured Vinyl Flooring Rolls and Mats."
Q: What is the thickness of this flooring?
A: Better Life Technology, the manufacturer of G‑Floor® vinyl flooring, refers to the thickness of their products in mil as do many other manufacturers. mil means a thousandth of an inch (0.001"). All flooring is manufactured to within +/- 5 mil (.005") of the base thickness.
Q: How long will it take to receive my flooring and/or accessories?
A: The size and weight of your order will determine the shipping method, ground or truck freight. Most orders leave the factory within 3 days and depending upon your location you could receive your order anywhere from with a week to 10 business days if your delivery address is toward the coast or in a remote area. Truck freight orders could take a few more days, but you will receive a call from the trucking company to set an appointment for delivery (on truck freight orders only). You must be home at time of delivery for orders shipped via truck freight. Find additional shipping info, see our Shipping Information.
Installation
Q: How long will it take for G‑Floor® to relax?
A: In most cases, G‑Floor® should completely relax within 72 hours. In colder temperatures, below 60 degrees, G‑Floor® may take up to one week to fully relax. During this relaxation period, you are able to park your vehicle on the mat.
Q: How do I prepare the floor before installation?
A: The floor must be clean and completely free of debris. It should also be level and free of any major cracks or defects. Full instructions are available in the G-Floor installation guide.
Q: What floor preparation is needed other than cleaning? Are there tools or any other materials, i.e. adhesive, trimming, seaming or other sundries needed to join mats or finish edges?
A: In addition to cleaning, your floor should be dry and any large holes, cracks, etc. should be filled so they won't show through flooring. You may need a utility knife and straight edge to trim if needed. This flooring can be used free floating or adhered depending on your preference. To adhere, use an acrylic base vinyl adhesive suitable to your substrate or tape leading edge only with an acrylic based double sided tape. If you want to seam two mats together you can use a seaming tape that is one sided or Center Trim. To finish off the edges, use an edging trim for exposed edges. Take a look at the variety of different finishing accessories.
Q: What should I do if my floor is severely spalled, cracked or has holes?
A: If there are any large gaps, they should be filled or they may show through after vinyl mat is laid flat. If you are installing with adhesive, you will want to start with a clean, dry and smooth subfloor for the best adhesion. If you are not adhering the mat to substrate, you do not need to level the floor surface. The vinyl flooring mat is flexible and will contour to the floor to some extent. If you can start with a smooth, filled surface your end result will be better.
Q: Does the garage floor need to be level for this product to work?
A: If you are installing with adhesive, a leveling compound should be used to repair the floor before installation to ensure a good bond. For a loose lay application, the vinyl flooring can be unrolled over deteriorating concrete. The concrete floor should be clean and dry and larger damaged areas should be patched to provide a smooth substrate before installation. Over time the garage floor mat protector will conform to the subfloor, so the smoother the better.
Q: Does the product need to be glued down?
A: No adhesive is needed with DIY G‑Floor® rollout vinyl flooring. Simply unroll, trim to fit and you are good to go! Only use adhesive should you wish to have a more permanent, finished installation. If installing outdoors, G‑Floor® must be permanently installed.
Q: What is the best product to glue the floor down? With concrete? With plywood?
A: The recommended adhesive for this material is an acrylic based vinyl adhesive. You will need to make sure that your adhesive is appropriate for your subfloor. For concrete, you will want a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) designed specifically for this use. Gfloor.com sells Marine & Outdoor adhesive for plywood and wood substrates only. You can also read our blog post detailing Everything You Should Know About Using Adhesive to Install G-Floor®
Q: Can this product be installed over an aluminum substrate?
A: G‑Floor® vinyl flooring can be used on an aluminum substrate, but you would need an adhesive that sticks to both aluminum and polyvinyl.
Q: Can this be used on a dirt floor that has concrete footing?
A: Ideally, the subfloor should be a hard, flat surface for best vinyl flooring installation and long term results.
Q: If I'm doing a full wall-to-wall installation, how much space do I need to leave around the perimeter?
A: When not using adhesive, we recommend a 1" gap between the flooring and walls or large, heavy stationary objects, such as shelving/cabinets or workbenches. Vinyl will expand/contract as temperatures change, so the gap allows the flooring room to expand without being inhibited. Not allowing this space can lead to the mat pushing against the object and causing buckling and rippling.
See our installation instructions.
Q: What do I do if I have a drain? How about a pole?
A: Depending on the type of drain you have, here are three simple ways to accommodate for a drain in the center of your floor:
- If your drain cover has removable screws, remove and purchase longer screws. Cut a hole in your mat smaller than the drain cover and using the longer screws, screw the cover on through the mat or tile. This method is recommended when using adhesive for a permanent installation. Keep in mind, without the use of adhesive, you are binding the flooring to one spot on the floor and may experience wrinkling over time.
- For a less permanent bond, mark the location of the drain on the underside of your tile or floor mats. Use a 1/4″ spade bit and drill holes from the underside in the center area of the drain.
- Simply cut around the mat around the drain. For poles and posts, you will need to measure and cut around it.
Q: Should I leave a gap when using any trimming product?
A: When using any of our featured trimming products, you should leave an inch (1") after inserting mats into the trim. This will allow mats to "float" or expand and contract within the trim during seasonal temperature changes.
Q: Can G‑Floor® be molded up/installed on the wall a bit?
A: This product is not a rigid product and can conform to contoured surfaces, however it will not fit flush up against the wall, and must be permanently adhered. This is not part of the recommended installation process.
Q: How do I put two or more mats together?
A: With G‑Floor® multi-purpose flooring, you have the choice of using just one roll out vinyl mat or combining multiple mats for larger areas or wall-to-wall coverage. When using two mats together, you may butt together without adhering or you may use seaming weld, one-sided seaming tape or center trim accessories. For more than two mats, we suggest using only Center Trim to bond mats so any center mats won't buckle, or you can permanently install. To decide which seaming product is right for you, see the available installation accessories. For a visual guide, review our installation diagrams
Q: Will the pattern align if I am ordering multiple rolls?
A: Due to the manufacturing process pattern match is not guaranteed. Across the floor the pattern will look uniform, but the factory seams will not have a perfect pattern match.
Q: Is G‑Floor® flexible enough to lay on steps?
A: G‑Floor® is suitable for a stair tread or step platform, but is not recommended as a seamless transition between multiple steps. This product should be fully adhered to avoid safety issues as with any flooring on stairs.
Q: Should I overlap two G‑Floor® mats together?
A: Overlapping two mats is possible, but not recommended. If you have two mats, we would recommend trimming to fit and using either center trim or seam tape.
Q: Are these mats difficult to cut? Can I cut it into strips?
A: G‑Floor® is easy to cut. We recommend using a utility knife and a straight edge. For custom fit, allow product to relax in place before trimming around edges and corners.
Q: Can I use double-sided tape with a G‑Floor® installation?
A: Double sided tape should only be used on the leading edge of the mat, at the entrance of the garage, if needed. Most of the time, the parking pad is heavy enough and tape is not needed. We do not recommend using double sided tape around the perimeter of any parking pad, as it can cause the center of the mat to buckle.
Q: Can G‑Floor® roll out flooring be used outdoors?
A: This product is recommended for use indoors. If used outdoors, permanent installation is required, and must be fully glued down. A suitable acrylic based, outdoor, vinyl adhesive, appropriate for the subfloor should be used. This product is extremely durable and can withstand extreme temperatures. However, direct sunlight may cause the color to fade. Please be aware the warranty does not cover UV exposure. When using on patios, decks, etc. underneath outdoor fixtures, you can find some helpful information in our blog post about "How to Use Vinyl Flooring Outdoors."
General
Q: Are G‑Floor® colors always the same? If I didn't buy enough flooring the first time, will all my mats match?
A: Like most flooring manufacturers, Better Life Technology® products are made in batches where they might run thousands of feet of say Midnight Black Diamond Tread™ at once. When we pull orders for shipment, we are careful to pay attention that we send products from the same batch so they match whenever possible. If you come back to Gfloor.com a week, month or years down the road to match or replace a segment of flooring, it is likely you will be purchasing from an entirely new run or dye lot. It is absolutely normal to find some differences in color shade from your previous order. In most cases the differences are so minor you might not notice much. You will also notice color variations over time if your vinyl flooring gets direct sunlight due to fading, so your new G‑Floor® mat that is brand new and has never been exposed to the sun will not match exactly. Unfortunately, there are those times when the difference in colors may be quite noticeable. This is why it is always best to purchase your vinyl flooring all at one time. If you are in a situation where you need a second order, it is helpful to save the dye lot number printed on your G‑Floor® product to more closely match existing floor mats.
Q: Can objects on rollers be moved easily over this flooring?
A: Most G‑Floor® flooring rolls do have a raised pattern (with the exception of our Levant™ surface) so you would be moving over a bumpy area. The larger the casters the easier it will be to move objects over the flooring.
Q: Do the mats lay flat?
A: Yes! The product will initially have a bit of curl at the end after first being unrolled—this is normal. It can take up to 72+ hours to lay completely flat depending on temperature conditions. For more installation help see our installation guide.
Q: Is G‑Floor® durable in extreme hot or cold conditions?
A: Manufactured to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions, properly maintained G‑Floor® is a durable flooring protection under almost any application. As with all vinyl flooring products, you may experience contraction and expansion if temperatures fluctuate drastically.
Q: Does G‑Floor® expand or contract depending on the weather?
A: Yes. G‑Floor® is 100% polyvinyl in its construction and is prone to expansion and contraction due to temperature extremes. In free floating applications, adequate space must be provided for the mats to expand and contract. We recommend leaving a 1" gap around the perimeter to allow for expansion and contraction. Adhering the flooring properly will mitigate expansion and contraction issues.
Q: How does G‑Floor® compare/contrast with painting my floor or other flooring applications?
A: One of the defining differences in G‑Floor® flooring over other flooring products, including epoxy, stains, paint coatings, tile, etc., is its ease of installation. If using vinyl mats free floating, no adhesive is necessary; just roll out and trim to fit easily with a utility knife. Permanent installation is also DIY simple. With G‑Floor®, there is little down time, unlike coatings which take extensive prep and can take hours to days to complete and dry. You can drive and walk on the product within a few hours and G‑Floor® is lower maintenance and lasts longer. Visit our blog to read Pros and Cons of 5 Popular Garage Floor Coverings.
Q: Is G‑Floor® approved for use in kitchens/food prep areas/food trucks, according to health codes?
A: This flooring is appropriate for nearly all commercial applications. G‑Floor® passes variety of ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) testing and is FloorScore® approved for indoor air quality. Most patterns have a raised texture for increased traction and all are slip-resistant. The flooring is easy to clean and resists stains and kitchen chemicals. It is also OSHA and ADA compliant. If you require a specific test for your application, please contact Customer Service at 1-833-801-9334 to speak to a representative or email customerservice@gfloor.com
Q: Is G‑Floor® FDA approved?
A: The FDA does not require that walls and floors of facilities be covered with food contact substances because they are not considered food contact surfaces. Current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) require that facilities be constructed in such a manner that floors, walls, and ceilings may be adequately cleaned and kept clean, kept in good repair, and do not contaminate food. The complete cGMP regulations can be found in 21 CFR Part 110. G‑Floor® has not been approved for use on food preparation surfaces.
Q: Is it slippery when there is water on it?
A: G‑Floor® is slip-resistant flooring that has passed a variety of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) requirements on both wet and dry surfaces. As with any flooring, always use caution when flooring becomes wet as it may be slippery.
Q: Is the surface a hard plastic or is there some flexibility to it?
A: The material is 100% polyvinyl without heavy layers or fillers that make other vinyl flooring more stiff. Even the heaviest 75 mil item is not a "hard plastic" - G‑Floor® is flexible and not likely to crack.
Q: Is this flooring sustainably manufactured and recyclable?
A: Better Life Technology manufactures G‑Floor® using eco-friendly practices. And yes, vinyl is also a recyclable product. Find out more at: Better Life Technology Earth Day Blog and G-Floor Eco Blog.
Q: What does “No Adhesive Required” really mean?
A: The term ‘No adhesive required’ applies when G‑Floor® is used as a Parking Pad. Simply roll it out and park your car / boat / golf cart / motorcycle / etc. on the mat. If you’re leaving heavy objects on the mat for an extended period (such as a boat over the winter) you may experience buckling due to expansion and contraction in extreme weather changes. When using G‑Floor® other than as a Parking Pad, adhesive may be recommended. Choose an appropriate adhesive for the surface involved. When G‑Floor® is used as a full floor installation, also known as wall-to-wall installation, we would recommend adhesive be used.
Q: What is a "Parking Pad"?
A: A Parking Pad is the term used when someone simply unrolls their G‑Floor® mat, brushes the mat to remove any air from underneath, and then parks a car/boat/motorcycle/golf cart, etc. onto the mat. 5’x10’ or 7'6"x17' are the most popular Parking Pad sizes.
Q: What is the normal garage floor square footage?
A: An average size two car garage space usually ranges from 9-14 feet wide by 18-22 feet long (to get sq. ft. multiply width by length). A single car garage space could range from 162 sq. ft. to 384 sq. ft. It is best to get good measurements of the garage to determine the amount of flooring needed before shopping.
Q: What makes G‑Floor® different from competitive products?
A: Engineered differently, G‑Floor® Universal Flooring is the Gold Standard of flooring guaranteed to outlast and outperform other vinyl flooring products on the market today. Unlike competitive products using fillers, laminate or quality material only on the top 10-20% of their product, G‑Floor® is purposefully-designed and manufactured in the USA of a thick, solid, 100% polyvinyl for exceptional durability. Although the others may look fine on the surface, fragile filler materials compacted together inside vinyl flooring actually decrease product longevity. G‑Floor® won’t crack (when used within the specifically tested temperature ranges), peel, split or deteriorate like others, and is lightweight and recyclable. Read more from the manufacturer, Better Life Technology's blog post about the production process
Q: Will G‑Floor® work on heated floors?
A: It most certainly will! G‑Floor® works with heated and radiant heated floors. We recommend a fully adhered installation, and leave at least 1/2” around perimeter of the mats to allow for expansion.
Accessories
Q: What is Seam Tape and when should I use it?
A: G‑Floor® Seam Tape is 4” wide, single-sided, waterproof adhesive tape, applied on the underside of the flooring. Seam tape is commonly used two parking pads are installed side by side. This allows the entire mat to ‘float’ from contraction and expansion due to temperature changes. We do not recommend using seam tape if piecing three or more parking pads together, as it will cause the middle mat to ripple. See info on the seam tape product page.
Q: What is Edge Trim, and do I need it?
A: Edge Trim is not required unless you desire a more completed appearance to your flooring mat. G‑Floor® Edge Trim is a 4” single-slotted polyvinyl strip which has a tapered edge to help create a finished edge and look. After insertion into the edge trim piece, your mat should not fit snugly - leave one inch of room to allow for expansion and contraction with temperature changes. You'll find more information on the Edge Trim product page.
Q: What is Center Trim and when should I use it?
A: G‑Floor® Center Trim is a 4” wide double-slotted polyvinyl strip, meant to join the sides of two mats together and cover the edges for a more finished look. Center Trim will allow adjoining mats to ‘float’ and prevent buckling during temperature changes. After insertion into the center trim piece, be sure to leave an inch of room on both sides. Click here to read more about available center trim.
Q: How do I seam the floor?
A: Based on your installation method, there are two primary options to seaming two pieces of vinyl flooring together. For seaming two mats, use G‑Floor® Seam Tape or G‑Floor® Center Trim. For more than two mats, we only recommend using Center Trim to prevent center mats from buckling. Get info on both seaming products by visiting the accessories page. Need more information? See our installation guide.
Q: Do you sell matching floor trim in sandstone color?
A: Currently the Center Trim and Edge Trim are available not available in Sandstone. Instead, we offer colors that coordinate such as Midnight Black and Slate Grey.
Q: What is Threshold Trim and why do I need it?
A: Threshold Trim is adhered to the entrance of a doorway, particularly at the entrance to the garage. Threshold Trim provides a more finished look to a project and prevents drafts, dirt, bugs, debris, and water from getting under mats or into the premises. Our Threshold Trim is a 4” polyvinyl strip with a tapered edge and is sold as an independent accessory, not part of a G‑Floor® installation process. Threshold Trim comes with Liquid Nails to adhere to the cement. The ribbed section of the Threshold Trim should make contact with the weather stripping on the bottom of the garage door. G‑Floor® Threshold Trim is a 4” polyvinyl strip with a tapered edge. Check it out here: Click here to shop for garage threshold.
Q: Do you sell matching floor trim in sandstone color?
A: Currently the Center Trim and Edge Trim are available not available in Sandstone. Instead, we offer colors that coordinate such as Midnight Black and Slate Grey.
Cleaning & Care
Q: How do I clean my G‑Floor® roll out flooring?
A: One of the advantages of G‑Floor® vinyl flooring is that it is an easy care product. Routine care and maintenance is suggested to extend the life of the flooring. Cleaning is simple using a mild detergent or vinyl flooring cleaner and warm water. Read more detailed care instructions on thecare and maintenance page and this blog post about how to clean vinyl flooring.
Q: Will the product stain?
A: G‑Floor® vinyl flooring is stain-resistant, but not stain-proof. Any vinyl flooring product can stain. We recommend immediately cleaning up any spills or debris. You can use warm water and a vinyl safe cleaner. For more stain removal tips, read our blog post about "How to Clean Vinyl Flooring" or the care and maintenance page.
Q: Will tires stain my G‑Floor® roll out flooring?
A: G‑Floor® is stain resistant, not stain proof. Depending upon the chemical makeup of your tires, you may experience some staining. G‑Floor® is a cover/protector and therefore, it is protecting your concrete floor from tire stains. If tire staining is a concern, we recommend using a Midnight Black product, as it will hide any tire staining.
Q: Can G‑Floor® be power washed?
A: Absolutely! G‑Floor® can be power washed provided the nozzle of the power washer is kept at a safe distance (12" minimum) from the flooring. For additional cleaning tips, see our blog post about how to clean vinyl flooring.
Q: Can G‑Floor® be stored if it is not going to be used year round?
A: While we don't recommend re-rolling and storing the material, it can be stored for short periods of time between uses. The material should not be folded or loosely rolled. Doing so may cause the material to warp and develop ripples. Each mat comes rolled on a cardboard core that can be kept to use for limited periods of storage.
Resistance
Q: Is G‑Floor® resistant to chemicals?
A: G‑Floor® is resistant to most common garage, household and commercial chemicals. It resists corrosives, salts, oils, gas, battery acid, brake fluid, anti-freeze, detergents and the list goes on. Please note that leaving chemicals on the product for a long period of time may cause damage so clean up chemicals immediately.
Q: Is G‑Floor® garage flooring resistant to battery acid?
A: It is resistant to battery acid and a whole lot more! G‑Floor® was designed to be driven and parked on and is the best garage floor protection because it also resists oil, gas, brake fluid, anti-freeze, road salts of all types, most common garage contaminants in addition to withstanding extreme temperatures and weather conditions. However, chemical spills should be wiped up immediately as any harsh chemical could stain the product if left for a long period of time.
Q: How does this hold up to magnesium chloride which is the salt used on the roads in winter where I live?
A: G‑Floor® is specially-designed to protect your concrete floor from the elements as well as chemicals such as oil, brake fluid, anti-freeze, road salt, magnesium chloride and battery acid.
Q: Will G‑Floor® withstand sparks from grinding or welding? Will it catch fire if hot metal falls on it or just smoke/smolder?
A: This product passes critical radiant flux (ASTM E-648) testing from the American Society for Testing and Materials; it may melt but is self extinguishing once flames are removed.
Q: Will G‑Floor® withstand heavy objects?
A: G-Floor's unique, 100% solid polyvinyl manufacturing process makes it one of the most durable floor covering options. It will withstand heavy objects - it's tough enough to drive a car on. It is dent, and tear resistant, nor will it peel, crack or curl under the heaviest use. We have had fire trucks parked on G‑Floor® and it didn't dent. If heavy objects are going to remain stationary, (IE cabinets), we recommend G‑Floor® be permanently installed. For installation tips, see our installation guide.
Q: Will G‑Floor® mold if it gets wet?
A: G‑Floor® is waterproof vinyl flooring that resists mold and mildew, two of the culprits to flooring deterioration. As mold can grow on almost any surface if moisture is left, we strongly recommend that if moisture gets under the mat it be dried, although the product itself will not promote mold growth. Moisture coming from below or through the concrete subfloor should be addressed before the installation of any floor covering. It is recommended that the G‑Floor® mat be applied to a smooth, clean and dry substrate. Please refer to the following question for additional tips on limiting moisture and molding issues.
Q: Does this product trap moisture?
A: G‑Floor® is completely waterproof and will keep any moisture from penetrating through the product. However, if moisture exists in the concrete subfloor or underneath installed flooring, it will not be able to evaporate if trapped under the flooring. It is also possible for moisture to migrate under the flooring from around the edges if not fully glued down. The product cannot control moisture or debris from entering from around the edges or the underside of the flooring. Some possible solutions would be to have your concrete floor sealed before installing the G‑Floor® flooring mat and/or moving the mat periodically to allow the area underneath to dry, especially in areas of high humidity.