I am building a new house which will house my woodworking shop in an attached, heated, 2 car garage with an insulated concrete slab floor. I plan to install some form of wooden floor over the concrete to increase comfort while standing all day and to be kinder to dropped edge tools. There would also be some increased warmth but I do not think this would be significant over an insulated slab.
I am considering installing either a plywood floor over 2 x 4 sleepers similar to that reported recently my Michael Pekovich or using DriCore panels. I am having difficulty getting information on the suitability of DriCore as a finished shop floor (a post on Knots produced no replies). I would appreciate any feedback you can give me re the suitability and durability of DriCore as a shop floor and which of these two options you feel would provide a superior shop floor both functionally and long term durability.
Replies
DriCore Flooring
Ross,
I posted a similar inquiry and finally got a direct reply from anatole Burkin. He has this in his shop and has been very happy with it. He did not put any additional finish on it. In one place the wood swelled as he left his yard tractor dripping water from melting snow.
If you are going to install 2 x 4 sleepers and insulation you do not need the DriCore. Regular OSB would do. The DriCore is designed to go directly onto a concrete floor. Regular 5/8" subfloor should do well for you. While the surface is not totally flat, there are no voids. Todays plywoods have very thin layers and voids unless you want to purchase baltic birch or similar.
Don
Dricore Flooring
Thanks for the feedback, Don. I was not planning to put dricore over sleepers and insulation - it was an either / or consideration. What I am now thinking I will do is put down pressure treated sleepers on 2 foot centers with extruded foam in between and 5/8" subfloor over top. This will mean that I do not have to insulate under the slab which was originally planned. This option is less than half the cost of dricore ($430 vs $1000 here in Canada) when I consider that I would be spending money on the extruded foam with either option. Also, I feel the subfloor/ sleepers/foam option will provide a superior floor. I will also probably use a couple of coats of polyurethane to protect the floor and increase its durability.
By the way, I am surprised and a bit ticked off that I have not heard from John White. What is the point of an "Ask John White" forum if he never answers??
Ross
Editor's Responses Not So Timely
Ross,
Yes it is disappointing. The editors have stayed away from this forum pretty much since the heady days leading up to the new improved software implementation, leaving the bulk of responsibility to John White. Better to put your inquiry into one of the specific topics. Also post in Sawmill Creek and Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement forums for a good cross section of information - and opinions :-)
Back to DriCore. I noticed that the product being stocked at Home Depot and Home Hardware doesn't have the same glossy hard surface that regular OSB has. This might suggest that while adequate in some applications, the product is not intended to be exposed - just an underlay.
You solution is far better. I live outside of Edmonton and know the long term value of good insulation.
Don
Cold experts
I hadn't realized how many Canadians were on the forum.
Robert (Thunder Bay Ontario)
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