ᐅ Which type of flooring is suitable for concrete with cable ducts?
Created on: 26 Nov 2021 21:07
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ChipLukas
Hello everyone,
I’m currently wondering what the simplest and most cost-effective solution would be for the following problem:
A few years ago, we built our house, but we didn’t finish the attic. We only use it for storage. The attic floor is made of concrete, with several cable conduits about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter running across it. These conduits carry the wiring for the room lighting below. Since we always track dirt down when we go up there, we thought about installing some kind of floor covering. It needs to be durable and easy to keep clean, but nothing special.
What would be the simplest solution here? Ideally, I would like to install laminate flooring, but because of the conduits, the floor isn’t level. Would it be possible to lay a wooden battens grid about 3 cm (1.2 inches) high and then install the laminate on top? Do you have any other ideas? The attic is around 70 square meters (750 square feet). A solution under 1000 euros would be great.
Best regards!
I’m currently wondering what the simplest and most cost-effective solution would be for the following problem:
A few years ago, we built our house, but we didn’t finish the attic. We only use it for storage. The attic floor is made of concrete, with several cable conduits about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter running across it. These conduits carry the wiring for the room lighting below. Since we always track dirt down when we go up there, we thought about installing some kind of floor covering. It needs to be durable and easy to keep clean, but nothing special.
What would be the simplest solution here? Ideally, I would like to install laminate flooring, but because of the conduits, the floor isn’t level. Would it be possible to lay a wooden battens grid about 3 cm (1.2 inches) high and then install the laminate on top? Do you have any other ideas? The attic is around 70 square meters (750 square feet). A solution under 1000 euros would be great.
Best regards!
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motorradsilke27 Nov 2021 04:58ChipLukas schrieb:
How far apart can the battens be spaced, or what is common practice? I think if the battens leave large gaps, the tongue-and-groove boards might give way locally, right? We installed tongue-and-groove boards in the attic, directly onto the roof rafters, which are spaced at just under 1 m (3 feet). However, with tongue-and-groove boards, the joints must also be directly supported by the battens. But that can be planned accordingly.
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ChipLukas1 Dec 2021 21:26I went to the hardware store and explained the situation. Since rough-sawn boards at 24mm (1 inch) thickness currently cost around 25 €, and even 19mm (3/4 inch) boards about 14 € (which was not recommended), I was offered the following option.
Place two layers of drywall sheets on the floor, leaving the cables exposed, and then install an inexpensive laminate floor on top. Drywall sheets cost just under 3 € per square meter, so about 6 € per square meter because of the double layering needed for the required height. The affordable laminate, which we also liked visually, was about 6 € per square meter. This way, nothing would bend under load, even with heavy items stored on top (like tiles or similar).
What do you think about this?
Place two layers of drywall sheets on the floor, leaving the cables exposed, and then install an inexpensive laminate floor on top. Drywall sheets cost just under 3 € per square meter, so about 6 € per square meter because of the double layering needed for the required height. The affordable laminate, which we also liked visually, was about 6 € per square meter. This way, nothing would bend under load, even with heavy items stored on top (like tiles or similar).
What do you think about this?
I’m also an amateur, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.
As far as I know, you can’t just use drywall panels for a floor structure. It has to be a dry screed, which is definitely more expensive than 6 EUR /m² (approximately 6.50 USD /m²).
Check online classified ads in your area—builders often sell leftover tongue-and-groove boards, or local sawmills offer direct sales. You should be able to get tongue-and-groove boards with a thickness of at least 23mm (about 0.9 inches) for around 10 EUR /m² (about 11 USD /m²).
Personally, I think 19mm (about 0.75 inches) thickness might be enough, though…
As far as I know, you can’t just use drywall panels for a floor structure. It has to be a dry screed, which is definitely more expensive than 6 EUR /m² (approximately 6.50 USD /m²).
Check online classified ads in your area—builders often sell leftover tongue-and-groove boards, or local sawmills offer direct sales. You should be able to get tongue-and-groove boards with a thickness of at least 23mm (about 0.9 inches) for around 10 EUR /m² (about 11 USD /m²).
Personally, I think 19mm (about 0.75 inches) thickness might be enough, though…
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pagoni20202 Dec 2021 16:12Or use regular spruce boards—I have them available in 5m (16.4 ft) lengths for 11 euros per square meter. The advantage is that wood is easier to work with. Underneath each board, add a batten. I would also find drywall unsuitable for this.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Or you can use standard spruce boards—I got them in 5m (16.4 ft) lengths for 11 euros per square meter. The advantage is that wood is easier to work with. Underneath each board, a batten should be placed. I also think drywall would be unsuitable for this.That works too, but then only with shoes on up there, unless you have feet like Mowgli.P
pagoni20202 Dec 2021 18:53Tolentino schrieb:
That works too, but only if you wear shoes going up there, unless you have soles like Mowgli’s Some builders’ soles are tough enough to gradually smooth those boards by repeatedly walking on them. 😀
We initially planned to install OSB in our storage space as well, but it’s definitely not cheaper, plus it unnecessarily involves adhesives, etc. A single board is easier to transport, cut, and join. On top of that, I prefer walking on wood anyway.
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