Hi Everyone,
I’ve been thinking about either covering my shop basement cement floor with one of those epoxy paints (which I did to my garage floor several years ago, and it’s wearing out), or a laminate engineered floating floor. Two reasons, first off the cement is just ugly, and secondly I wanted some sort of cushion for my slowly aging knees. 🙂 Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks, Lisa.
P.S. I have the house heater/ a/c in the same room so it stays cool in the summer and comfy in the winter.
Replies
Gee. I'm cheep so I would think rubber pads where you STAND most often!
I have always liked solid wood floors, and hate laminate floors. Personally I think they sound and look a bit cheap. I would also suggest rubber mats and paint the floor, it does not have to be an epoxy coating.
Rubber mats would be the most economical but my shop is really small 180 sq ft, and I have to roll out pieces of machinery towards the center to do varies milling. The mats would get in the way and have to be moved every time......
for that sze shop, a pvc roll covering or thos rubber mats that lock together and cover the entire floor would be good
I'm just sayin'
Thanks for the input.....
Sawdustlisa,A few years ago FWW did a 'Best Choice' article on flooring materials and recommended a product that is available at the big box stores...unfortunately my mind is aging faster than your knees and I can't remember the name. At any rate I bought some to try out in my small shop.The product comes in 2' squares that T&G into each other. It is about 3/4" thick and is composed two parts laminated together. The top 1/2" is oriented strand board, the bottom is 1/4' nubby plastic. It's very comfortable to work on and the plastic allows for some air flow if moisture is a potential issue. I find it to be much warmer than the concrete and easier on the tools. It cost about $1.25 a square foot.To try it out I bought enough pieces to make a platform in front of my workbench and lathe...this is where I do most of my standing and spend most of my time. For the past three years it's made a big difference.
Hi BG,
Yesterday I was at one of the stores your speaking of.....The product I think your talking about is called Dri-Core. It comes in 2' x 2' sections. The cost on this product was $5.76 per peice, meaning it would cost around $1,300.00 for me to cover the entire floor. A little on the $$$$ side for me, plus I'm concerned about the osb top delaminating after me rolling around machines on it daily. Does anyone have the laminated "cheapy looking" flooring in there shop. Reason I'm asking about this perticular item is it looks real easy to keep clean, cheap to install, and I would be able to put down on half the shop, and roll the machines to the other side, and then roll them back. Also, my work bench is not very mover freindly so if I only have to pull it over a few feet and push it back that would be a real plus. Sorry for rambling.
Lisa
sawdustlisa,Yes, Dri-core, thanks for info.
I think your goesinta calculation is a bit off. $5.76 is for 4sq.ft. that equals about $1.44 a square foot...and if your shop is 180 sq. ft. then teh cost would be (1.44x180)about $260.
Edited 10/2/2008 2:00 pm ET by BG
Opps! I was trying to do the math at 6:30 this morning. Can't really add until around 9ish :)
Thanks, Lisa
I just completed my basement shop. As working on concrete kills my back, I put in a plywood floor -3/4" tongue & groove painted with porch paint. So that the floor would not be resting directly on the concrete I cut plywood sheets into strips to make sleepers to support the plywood. I am very, very happy with the end result.
I did exactly the same, but put 3/4" closed cell foam in between the 'sleepers'. I've been using it for about two years, rolling tablesaw, bandsaw, drillpress, and jointer over it with no ill effects.
If your really want to go with the dricore, you can further cut costs (and ease installation) buy buying the dricore in a roll. I've used the tiles, and they're a pain. You can buy the stuff in a roll, then just put tongue and groove board over top.In the end the insulation value of this stuff is poor, though it does add cushioning.
Change the wheels on the equipment for larger diameter and they will roll very easy.
I use the pads from Pepboys and they help big time. Look around because the pads vary in price, pepboys was the best for me.
This last week I have been working in a basement and the concrete pulls on my legs. I had forgoten how bad!
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