I’m in the planning stages of building a new shop and I’m working over the flooring options. I really want a wood floor, but I’m pretty sure concrete will be cheaper. <!—-><!—->
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Here is why I want wood:<!—->
- easier on my feet;<!—->
- I’ll probably put the table saw near the middle of the floor and a wood floor would make it easier to run electrical and dust collection;<!—->
- I can change locations of electrical and dust outlets if necessary; <!—->
- Wood is easier on dropped tools.<!—->
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Are these wants worth paying a little more for, or is a concrete floor OK?<!—->
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Thanks for any ideas.<!—->
Replies
I hve a concrete floor. When I build my "dream shop" it'll be wood, pretty much for the reasons you've specified. I especially like running ducting and wiring to where its needed without it becoming a tripping hazard. Pretty important, to me, around tools where 4000 rpm is "slow,"
> 1. easier on my feet;
Yes and no. What type of structure is under the floor? Is it sleepers on a concrete slab or ....
> 2. I’ll probably put the table saw near the middle of the floor and a wood floor would make it easier to run electrical and dust collection;
Just cast a utility trench in the floor with a recess to receive a plywood cover. Even easier to change things in the future. Lay out the shop well enough in advance and put your electrical in the slab. Do you anticipate having a crawl space under the wood floor for access to change this stuff? Rip up the flooring to change it?
> 3. I can change locations of electrical and dust outlets if necessary;
This is true. But how often do you anticipate changing things this drastcially?
> 4. Wood is easier on dropped tools.
Be more careful (grin). Or ... use floor mats around the areas where you'll be using hand tools.
> Are these wants worth paying a little more for, or is a concrete floor OK?
My opinion, which is what you asked for, is - a concrete floor is preferable to wood. Others have their opinions which are as well founded as mine to be sure. A well insulated and well drained concrete slab with radiant heating is wonderful for a shop floor. Easier to clean, essentially zero maintenance. But I don't suffer from back or leg problems. I also don't worry about the weight or placement of my machines.
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From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
Thanks for the quick reply and good info. This is going to be a useful forum.<!----><!---->
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I agree that the reasons I want to go with wood can be addressed in a concrete floor, but I’ve worked in shops with both wood and concrete floors and felt better at the end of a day spent working on a wood floor. <!---->
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If I go with wood, it would be joists over a crawl space with a poured foundation. I’m building on a sloped lot, so one wall will be a 3’ retaining wall and this is part of the reason I think a complete concrete pour will be less expensive. Make sense?<!---->
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I’ve got rough plans for both a wood and concrete floor option drawn up and am about to get some bids. That will probably be the final word.<!---->
Mac2,
As much as anything else, its the dam cold and dampness of concrete that is an issue also....but as Dennis indicated, in floor heating systems (hot water) can really help that.
I've always thought a wood floor on manufactured I-beams would be a good system to consider. The I-beams include pop out areas for running dust collection, heating (hot air), electrical and plumbing. In pricing out the cost of this system you need to consider the total cost of all the services because the I-beams can reduce the installation cost of other services...now and in the future for modifications.
If you do go with concrete, you might want to consider the Dri-cote wood flooring that easily go down over the concrete..in the areas where you would be on your feet a lot and use hand tools (workbench, lathe, etc). I've had some for a few months now and it really makes a difference
I hope you get to read this before you make a desision. My Father built his pole building with a wood floor and he has never complained about any sagging or any other problems, Can't remember the year it was built. He has been retired about 17 years and always worked at a job on his feet most of the day and the maine reason he put in the wood floor is that it will be easer on the feet and easer to heat. Lives in Michigan . I have heard that concreat here is over $100. a yard. Due to rebuilding Iraqu.
Good luck, on desidiing. BUt if you use wood , Treat it with wood preservative or wood sealer, before you fill up you shop with equipment.
You might want to consider using both -- a concrete pour with enough space to run a set of 2x6 or so joists and a wooden floor. That way you've got the best of both -- a concrete floor to keep the bugs out and a wooden one to help with the arches and dropped chisels.Good luck.Leon Jester
I like the idea of both but the cost is nearly doubled. I prefer wood floors to concrete but if I were building a shop I would likley use concrete with radiant floors. You can always add wood over concrete to chase ductwork and electric. If your shop size and layout is well established you might consider running under concrete but I would not because future changes are inevitable. Concrete would be more desirable for other uses like parking a car. If it is a dediacted shop and small (not large enough for a car)then I wood go wood and still adding radiant heating. A well vented crawl space with a vapor barrier under wood make for a very comfey, dry work space. Keep heavy equipment (table saw) well supported under lightly built wood floor.
I hadn’t really thought about using both. Interesting idea. I don’t think it would be necessary up here in the <!----><!---->Pacific Northwest<!---->, however. The winters don’t get cold enough and we don’t really have much of a bug problem. I love the idea of radiant heating (used it in a house addition a few years ago) but think it would be overkill in this area. Most friends get by with a little insulation and good electric heater in their shops. Thanks for the good ideas.<!----><!---->
Yea ! I agree with a cocreate sup floor first, because all he did first is laid flat patio blocks on the ground, then laid 2 X 4's across. then tongue and grooved exterior plywood. But didn't decide to treat it until after most of the equipment was moved in. Over the years he has had animals living under the floor.
Are you sure concrete is cheaper? Even if it is you will be working in your shop for years to come, go with wood floors, for all the reasons you stated.I have 3/4" t&g OSB over engineered joists 16" centers,span is less than 10'-0". My shop is 20'-0" x30'-0" with a built up beam down the middle of the 20'-0" span.The foundation is concrete filled sonotubes , built up beams at perimeters.24" deep crawlspace ,insulated and vapor barrier on dirt.The shop is very comfortable to work in, I would not consider concrete for myself, not if the stucture is a single use building. I stapled 1/4" plywood underlayment on OSB and installed vinyl tiles. The floor is easy to keep clean, I worked without the vinyl tile floor for four years, glad I added it last year.
mike
For about 20 years I've b*****ed and complained about the concrete floor in my "shop". I compained even more in the winter!!!
This fall I finally broke down and laid a plywood on sleepers and foam panel floor.
I think I'm in heaven...
One other item, in my "back" "shop" I've got sawhorses screwed to ply floor. Hard to do that on concrete!
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