Thread: New House and New Workshop - Need help with flooring

You will have to get the concrete pumped in by the look of your location ,adds a few more hundred to the cost.

Missed the commentary!

What acreage it seems you have to turn into a "shed". I woulod suggest a concrete floor, and yes a pump would be a "must". Much easier and quicker, and the additional cost will be well spent in the final result.

You will have to consider whether you are going to remove any piers and replace them with steel RSJ's too. If they are left there it could interfere with the layout. The underhouse soil will have to have a well drained buttress wall on the high side of the new floor also.

Just a couple of thoughts. What space though!

Thanks.

The other option is to get a shed but I figure why not use the space under the house and leave the backyard uncluttered.

Originally Posted by two40

Thanks.

The other option is to get a shed but I figure why not use the space under the house and leave the backyard uncluttered.

Definitely the way to go. But consider the concrete. The saving from having to buy a shed will be more than compensated by the fact that you don't need 4 walls and a roof, only sound insulation if you value your marriage, life or anything else dear to you. You will also save on the electrical cost by not having a run to another building.

Not too many of us are fortunate enough to have the facility that you have. Make the most of it andd enjoy it.

Great Space.

Definitely concrete. Some of those brick piers look a bit close but a few well placed RSJs should clear the space nicely.

Originally Posted by BobL

Great Space.

Definitely concrete. Some of those brick piers look a bit close but a few well placed RSJs should clear the space nicely.

Cheers.

I was thinking of using these Uni-Pier Australia on just the middle piers to give me more room.

Great location. I see that you got the house so the shed would have a view.
If you go concrete think about putting some 50mm pvc tubing under it if you want any power or plumbing coming up in the middle Like Bob did in his shed reno

Russell

I would go the concrete way.

Then again I would also put in a shed knowing that the wife will want me to move into the shed. Or was that my dream?

Originally Posted by two40

Cheers.

I was thinking of using these Uni-Pier Australia on just the middle piers to give me more room.

Itwould be besst to have a large uncluttered area in which you can do mostg of youjr work, particularly with longer and wider stock, and you would achieve this by using RSJ's and removing the piers. You could then use Uni-Piers around the outside to allow more room where unimpeded space is not a necessity.

You've got a great foundation for a good workshop; it would be a shame to waste any of it unnecessrily

OK, so with the RSJ's, would they be installed across the bottom of the joists and then the middle piers can be removed? I'm a bit when it comes to this.

Flooring could be fiber boards either MDF or cement fibre with ducting under for dust extraction the footings create the floor level..

I have been into my uncles under house shed although not into woodwork there can be a haven of rooms and wood storage. some hard yakka digging out and leveling.

Originally Posted by two40

OK, so with the RSJ's, would they be installed across the bottom of the joists and then the middle piers can be removed? I'm a bit when it comes to this.

First you would need to get a structural engineer to calculate the size of the RSJ's, then check with your Council whether any approval is required before proceeding further.

RSJ's would run the same way as the existing bearers. The easiest way to replace the bearers would be with some "acrow" jacks under one at a timr. Lift the area using asubstitute bearer, just enough that the weight is off the existing bearer, remove it and lower the height of the pier(s) by removing bricks sufficient to enable the RSJ to be inserted. When done, lower the jacks and ensure that the weight of the floor has the joists firmly on the RSJ. Then go to the next and repeat. No big mystery, just care, and getting the right size RSJ.

No big mystery, just care and take time to do it.

I would recommend concrete. I have done concrete for 3 years and know that it is well worth your investment to save your structures foundation compared to using wood. It just depends on your investment cost.

Good Luck

Mike

Concrete above ground level with a concrete spoon drain accross the back and sides below the height of the slab. A retaining wall 500mm from the slab with ag pipe drainage and ventilation.

Oh and make sure they use at least one layer of builders plastic under the concrete.