so I have the opportunity to turn a barn basement into a workshop. The barn is pretty old thus it carries with it the usual old barn basement issues. I have included a couple pics of the way it is at the moment.
My hope is to be able to replace the existing concrete with a new slab containing radiant heat, and upgrade the drainage system around the entire foundation. Then tackle the electrical issues.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience in a project like this. Am I crazy or can this be accomplished? What would it cost to have a 26’x36′ slab removed and replaced. Anyone know of a good concrete guy in eastern massachusetts?
My other hurdle is the low ceiling height (7′) whcih makes DC a challenge but I think there is enough space that machines can be relegated to outside walls.
I’m sure there are other things to concern myself with but my head is spinning with ideas and issues I can’t really keep them in order.
Replies
bldean,
That is a sizable project you have there. On a Bob Villa show a couple of months ago he waterproofed a basement in Melrose (I think). The basement walls were like yours, fieldstone. He put the drainage on the inside and covered the walls with some new stuff (fabric) specific for the purpose. He then built new walls inside about 4" away from the old walls. I don't remember much more detail than that, perhaps Breaktime can help?
Based on your photos and description, my first impression is that you will be spending a lot of money to create a shop that will not be practical or comfortable to work in.
John W.
If it is really a bank barn and you have an open side, go for it. If it is a true basement forget it. A jackhammer and a "bobcat" will make quick work of the floor. If you put a footer around the inside of the wall, you can then excavate the floor to get more headroom before you pour a new floor. You'll want an interior perimeter drain. Another way to generate head space is to drop your DC pipe into a trenchor tuch the pipes up into the joist bays. Don't forget to powerwash everything before yoiu rip out the floor.
You didn't say what the main floor was to be used for. Is important. The easiest way to insulate the ceililng of the basement is to lay 4' x 8' x 2" foam insulation over the main floor, glue the pieces together and then float 4' x 8' x 3/4" T&G plywood glued together with polyurethane adhesive over the top; and biscuitted ends. If you think that you'll be using the main floor for something, go with high density foam and 1" T&G.
I did all of the above except for the footer and then found out that you can do big projects in a barn and took over the main floor as well. To screen out the weather, the easiest way it to cut faced insulation to fit between the bents and glue them in place along their preiphery with foam in a can.
Tossing in my .02 worth here. Is there any reason why you cannot use the main floor of the barn for the shop? Viewing the photos, the first thing that came to mind is the amount of moisture present in this space. Both from the walls and the floor. You will be constantly fighting rust on saw/jointer/planer surfaces, as well as tool surfaces.
From the photos, the floor looks sturdy enough to support tools/machines; just add a layer of 3/4" T & G plywood, screwed to the subfloor, with a coating of poly with a sand-like mixture added for traction.
If you have to use the basement, be sure to coat the walls with a water proofing coating such as Dry-Loc, and on the exterior install perimeter drains and gutters.
Good luck and watch those fingers.
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