Replies

1. 
   esch5995 | Sep 13, 2020 12:37am | #1

   As long as you choose a waterproof version not an mdf base one it's a very good choice. The biggest downfall I might see would be some potential for seams to open if you are moving heavy equipment frequently. I'm assuming you used a floating version not a glued down one. Some of the imported big box products are more prone to this.

2. 
   john_c2 | Sep 13, 2020 02:06am | #2

   I have a vinyl plank floor, glued down, over concrete. It's held up well, though it's not in a shop. It is prone to scratching though.

3. 
   _mj_ | Sep 13, 2020 06:31am | #3

   I have some high end vinyl in a tennant's apartment, glued down over plywood. It takes denting where furniture sits long-term and never quite makes it back to flat. Nice underfoot but I don't think heavy rolling things would be good for it.

4. 
   rob_ss | Sep 14, 2020 03:58am | #4

   I have a medical centre with fleixble vinyl on concrete. It takes very heavy wear day in day out. It does not mark up with heels or couches, and though it does cut if sharp things are dropped on it, it sort of self-heals enough. What we have is over 20 years old in parts and with a buff-up looks as good as new.
   Ours was installed professionally and seams are welded rather than butted, which may make a difference to the endurance.

5. 
   mikaol | Sep 14, 2020 03:40pm | #5

   I live in a 60 year old rental house with a concrete basement floor. I like it. It's not much for temp or humidity control, though. But even if we owned the house I doubt I'd cover the floor. Equipment's easy to move on concrete, it's easy to clean and I don't have to worry about what gets dropped on it.
   It doesn't have heat or a/c but there are ways to get around those. I have a dehumidifier that runs 24/7 and keeps the room dry. In winter I use a good shop heater from Northern tool. And rubber mats around the heaviest work areas save wear & tear on my 70 year old knees.
   Or I'm just too lazy to cover the floor. Regardless, do the research then decide.
   John, In response to a post of yours a week or so ago; teak oil does exist. How can it not, teak's one of the oiliest woods. Unless, of course, you were referring to an oil designed just for teak. In that case I don't have an answer. I don't work with teak, it's too plain.
   Mikaol

6. 
   lusses | Sep 17, 2020 03:49am | #6

   It is prone to scratching though :( basketball legends

7. 
   [email protected] | Sep 17, 2020 08:15am | #7

   Actually the floor exists in the house we purchased.As to working on concrete,anyone who has spent 8 hours a day on concrete will reject the idea of going raw.Also drop your best carving tool on concrete will quickly decide to upgrade the floor

8. 
   john_c2 | Sep 17, 2020 08:34am | #8

   People always talk about dropping chisel s, planes, etc on concrete floors. Is that actually a thing? I've never dropped a tool like that, not once.

   How often do you guys drop stuff, anyway?

9. 
   [email protected] | Sep 17, 2020 02:24pm | #9

   Depends.If you are at it 6 to 8 hours a day do the math.If you putter a few hours on the weekend then not so often.Also standing on concrete 6 to 8 hours a day does wonders for your back

10. 
    esch5995 | Sep 17, 2020 04:36pm | #10

    Paul I guess I hadn't read your original post close enough when I replied and didn't grasp that the floor was already installed. While I stand by my assertion that a quality LVP floor with a waterproof base such as Manningtons Aduramax which is 8mm thick with a thin cushion backing would make a good shop floor. I've sold and installed a lot of this and it wears pretty well. If your floor is a 2mm Big Box glued down version you are still standing on concrete it's just has a pretty face to it. I've also seen the imported floor wear and scratch much easier than some of the better brands.

    As for dropping tools I agree sooner or later something is going to hit the floor and few surfaces will cause more damage to your tools than concrete, although floor damage is minimal. On the other hand wood or LVP will provide some measure of protection for your tools at the expense of damage to the floor. Again I will say if you have glued down vinyl flooring that protection is minimal, the floor is just too thin to provide much cushion.

    As a basement shop owner myself with a concrete floor, I am well aware of the drawbacks, moisture, cold, hard on the legs and back for extended periods of time, etc. but your options are limited. Solid hardwood can't be installed below grade or over concrete, engineered woods that are plywood based could be an option but I would avoid any that are MDF based. Just don't expect much in the way of wear and scratch resistance since the veneers are often paper thin and the backing is usually softer hardwoods like poplar so denting could be a problem. Specialized flooring often sold for garage flooring might be an option but I've yet to see one live up to their claims and I would suspect that many would dent under heavy machinery and be difficult to roll equipment around on since many are textured. Conventional glued vinyl tile, but again you are still standing on concrete, it just has a little lipstick on it. Hence my recommendation that a waterproof, cushioned, 8-12mm thick LVP is probably as good an option as you have, maybe with glued seams if you will be rolling equipment around frequently. I assume we are ruling out wall to wall carpet. ;-)