Wanting to make my own flooring

[Thompmd]

Let me explain:

My woodworking shop is part of a barn, the woodworking portion is actually a log cabin added on that was insulated, wired and used for the previous owner who built log cabins( he used for his shop). It has a concrete floor.

The area I’m putting the Kiln dried Walnut flooring down in is adjacent but has no heat/air although it does have a door I keep open so it doesn’t freeze but definitely has. Temp swings throughout the year being as low as 40-50 in the winter and probably 80 in the summer.

The current floor is the original concrete floor and sitting on top of that is 2x10 joists and 3/4” osb.

I’m looking for a rustic look and wondered about putting down visqueen then the flooring?

The flooring itself I’m thinking of making 1-1 1/4” flooring

Thought about just butting together and leaving a gap around the perimeter for movement and covering a/trim and let the gaps be what they are??

I thought I would vary the width from 3-4” up to ?? I was thinking 12”

Room is about 180sf

Thoughts

 

[Holzhacker]

No visqueen, use 15# felt paper over the concrete, much better.
As far as making the floor, just my jaded opinion, waste of time. Buy some flooring, put it down and move on to projects that make money.
sorry.

 

[Ron B]

It is not about the money.  I think this guy wants to make his own flooring because he gets to look at it each day. I made my own trim in my house.  I bought kiln dried rough saw lumber from a sawmill, planed it down in my little 12" planer, ran it through a shaper or router, made the rosettes on a drill press, made mistakes, but it is mine.  I made my own risers and treads the same way.  I have no training, just a desire and interest in woodworking. 

A few years ago I cut a bunch of 8x10 and 8x8 posts with an Alaskan chainsaw.  The ash trees are from my yard, and now I have 11 posts for a post and beam project.  I bought an antique adze to give them a hewn look (not willing to try a broad axe) but ash got too hard.  I don't to this for money.  It is a learning experience.

The owner of Ikea has made millions, and in 10 years most of that furniture is landfill.  So make that walnut floor.  If you make money, the government will just end up with it anyway.

 

[Thompmd]

It’s not a money thing although I do have some of my Walnut from our property which we have used to make things for ourselves as well as family/friends.

I want to do it myself, with my own hands... I’m a journey guy. I’ve never claimed to be a carpenter, woodworker etc. but I’m as good of a “rustic” carpenter and woodworker as their is

Peoples opinions are fine with me, I like them, want them and as long as someone doesn’t make it personal then I’m ok with it.

Why the felt paper vs visqueen?

I stumbled into the slab thing a couple years ago and buy/sell some to make a little money on the side and yes it pays for the tools, wood and all my wood is free but the best thing about having done this since I retired a couple years ago at 53 is meeting all the people along the way because we all have a similar interest

 

[Sparktrician]

No visqueen, use 15# felt paper over the concrete, much better.
As far as making the floor, just my jaded opinion, waste of time. Buy some flooring, put it down and move on to projects that make money.
sorry.

I think I'd rather use red rosin paper than 15# felt.  Concur on buy vs. make, though. 

 

[Cheese]

I don't know what visqueen is however, like Sparky...I'd use and always do use red rosin paper when installing hardwood floors.  I've also repaired some older floors in 90 year old apartment buildings and was surprised to find they used felt paper.  [scratch chin]

 

[Sparktrician]

I don't know what visqueen is however, like Sparky...I'd use and always do use red rosin paper when installing hardwood floors.  I've also repaired some older floors in 90 year old apartment buildings and was surprised to find they used felt paper.  [scratch chin]

Visqueen is the same as 6 mil poly, [member=44099]Cheese[/member].  I think it's too delicate over time for use under floors. 

 

[johnredl]

Your shop sounds like to looks quite nice. Feel like sharing a pic? I’m only using our double car garage and I’m quite jealous of you’re barn, log cabin and walnut floors!

 

[mkasdin]

No visqueen, use 15# felt paper over the concrete, much better.
As far as making the floor, just my jaded opinion, waste of time. Buy some flooring, put it down and move on to projects that make money.
sorry.

 

[Thompmd]

Thanks everyone for the advice, any thoughts on what is a durable low mtce finish. I’ve used Odies so far but not a something that will get the use of a floor .

I’ll see if I can post some pics . I’ve never even had a garage, yard barn etc to have my own space so anything is pretty nice to me.

The “shop” was actually suppose to be a concession stand! He got his logs from a business in Montana(that went off of business)and all the logs were hand hewn, built on site in Montana then shipped to the build site. The “concession stand aka my shop” was ordered by someone then cancelled so he was asked(the log cabin builder that built our cabin and cabins) if he would be interested and he got a great deal and used the logs to build his workshop and now mine.

Sorry to be long winded.

 

[denovo]

I've heard of using red rosin paper under hardwood flooring but it isn't a common practice locally and I've never heard a good reason to use it.  Is it to protect the flooring from moisture below? 

 

[Thompmd]

Yes, it’s to protect from moisture

The room sits on the original barn concrete floor, then the previous owner added 2x10” joists and 3/4 OSB on that. It’s not wet now or shows no signs of moisture.

I also assumed it would add another barrier from the Flooring.

I know it’s just a barn and not perfect I just want as nice and long lasting as I can reasonably make it

 

[Cheese]

Red rosin paper is waterproof but I don't know how good of a vapor barrier it makes because successive sheets are stapled to each other, they're not taped.

I've used the stuff more as a slip sheet between the subfloor and the hardwood strips so that each layer can expand and contract as they need to and to reduce the amount of squeaking that might occur.

 

[Sparktrician]

I've used the stuff more as a slip sheet between the subfloor and the hardwood strips so that each layer can expand and contract as they need to and to reduce the amount of squeaking that might occur.

That's exactly how I've used red rosin paper.  Since you've said that there's OSB on 2x10" joists, I'll suggest that you ensure that the OSB is screwed to the joists, and not just nailed.  Nails want to back out over time and cause squeaks that the red rosin paper cannot eliminate.  Now is the perfect time to do it right.  [smile]

 

[Thompmd]

I hadn’t thought about that!! I’ll definitely verify.

Thanks

 

[Sparktrician]

I hadn’t thought about that!! I’ll definitely verify.

Thanks

Be sure to completely remove all nails when you add screws, if that turns out to be the case.