ᐅ Leave existing wooden floor in bathroom without additional layers?
Created on: 8 May 2017 16:17
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Altbau1930A
Altbau19308 May 2017 16:17Hello everyone, I’m new here (please forgive any beginner mistakes).
We are taking over a house from the 1930s from relatives, which is in good condition and has always had any necessary repairs done promptly.
The house has two floors plus a basement. The ceilings on the first and second floors are wooden, so the original floorboards are still in place there. Their condition is good, but of course we need to sand and seal them all again to make them look nice.
On the first floor, we want to build a bathroom in a room that has so far been used “conventionally” (office/children’s room, etc.). The necessary water pipes can be easily routed from the next room, and the entire house’s electrical system will be updated by a professional company anyway.
In some instructional videos, I saw that you can build a bathroom on a wooden floor with various floor build-ups (impact sound insulation, OSB boards, Fermacell boards, sealants, possibly tiles). What concerns me is the height of the entire structure, which would end up about 100mm (4 inches) higher than the original floor. Also, there would be a small step at the transition. Additionally, the extra load on the ceiling should be kept as low as possible.
Is it not possible to sand and treat the original floor (so it looks nice in the end) but also seal it to install the bathroom there? Of course, no moisture should penetrate the floor later, that’s obvious. The walls will be tiled.
Does anyone have tips for my plan, or is this simply not feasible? How have you solved similar issues?
Thanks in advance!
We are taking over a house from the 1930s from relatives, which is in good condition and has always had any necessary repairs done promptly.
The house has two floors plus a basement. The ceilings on the first and second floors are wooden, so the original floorboards are still in place there. Their condition is good, but of course we need to sand and seal them all again to make them look nice.
On the first floor, we want to build a bathroom in a room that has so far been used “conventionally” (office/children’s room, etc.). The necessary water pipes can be easily routed from the next room, and the entire house’s electrical system will be updated by a professional company anyway.
In some instructional videos, I saw that you can build a bathroom on a wooden floor with various floor build-ups (impact sound insulation, OSB boards, Fermacell boards, sealants, possibly tiles). What concerns me is the height of the entire structure, which would end up about 100mm (4 inches) higher than the original floor. Also, there would be a small step at the transition. Additionally, the extra load on the ceiling should be kept as low as possible.
Is it not possible to sand and treat the original floor (so it looks nice in the end) but also seal it to install the bathroom there? Of course, no moisture should penetrate the floor later, that’s obvious. The walls will be tiled.
Does anyone have tips for my plan, or is this simply not feasible? How have you solved similar issues?
Thanks in advance!
B
Bastelstevie10 May 2017 15:13Basically, it is possible to make wooden floors "water-tight," but there is always some risk that moisture will eventually seep through, especially in the joints and corners.
However, there are some really nice floors that visually fit well in an older building. Also keep in mind that most bathrooms in older buildings don’t have wooden floors! It may actually be cheaper to do a traditional bathroom renovation with a floor replacement than to experiment with sealed wooden floors.
However, there are some really nice floors that visually fit well in an older building. Also keep in mind that most bathrooms in older buildings don’t have wooden floors! It may actually be cheaper to do a traditional bathroom renovation with a floor replacement than to experiment with sealed wooden floors.
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Altbau193010 May 2017 15:55Great, thanks for the tip!
I’ll take a look.
I’ll take a look.
Hello questioner.
People here might provide answers that come close to what you intend. However, that is not effective!
Your question: "Isn’t it possible to sand and treat the original floor (with a nice appearance in the end) but also seal it to install the bathroom there?" can be answered technically with a clear NO.
Without any ifs or buts.
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Regards, KlaRa
People here might provide answers that come close to what you intend. However, that is not effective!
Your question: "Isn’t it possible to sand and treat the original floor (with a nice appearance in the end) but also seal it to install the bathroom there?" can be answered technically with a clear NO.
Without any ifs or buts.
-------------------------------------
Regards, KlaRa
In shipbuilding, there is also the challenge of sealing wood to make it waterproof; otherwise, boats could only be built from highly oily tropical hardwoods rather than local woods. The traditional method involved clear varnishes based on turpentine, such as Le Tonkinois or International Schooner Gold. More modern options are mono urethanes, offered by brands like Hempel or Epifanes. These varnishes are more durable against foot traffic with shoes. In both cases, the application process is labor-intensive, requiring about eight coats starting with a 50/50 mix of thinner and varnish, gradually ending with a 10% thinner dilution. Any damage must be repaired immediately. The final surface is not particularly slip-resistant, rather very smooth when wet. In conclusion: it works, but it is not really practical for use inside a house. Karsten
What nonsense! (Sorry)
Our task in this forum is not to derive exotic solutions as alternatives for residential construction, but rather—where we have the expert knowledge—to provide answers based on established professional standards that allow safe, damage-free building.
Anyone who tries to apply principles from shipbuilding to old wooden floorboards intended for use even in a wet room clearly does not know the professional rules.
If you are unsure when answering, please simply refrain from commenting. In cases of uncertainty, leave the answers to those who are professionally experienced with the subject and familiar with the technical standards.
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KlaRa
Our task in this forum is not to derive exotic solutions as alternatives for residential construction, but rather—where we have the expert knowledge—to provide answers based on established professional standards that allow safe, damage-free building.
Anyone who tries to apply principles from shipbuilding to old wooden floorboards intended for use even in a wet room clearly does not know the professional rules.
If you are unsure when answering, please simply refrain from commenting. In cases of uncertainty, leave the answers to those who are professionally experienced with the subject and familiar with the technical standards.
-----------------------
KlaRa
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