ᐅ Which type of flooring is suitable for concrete with cable ducts?

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!

Battens and tongue-and-groove boards or OSB panels on top.

Mycraft schrieb:

Battening and tongue-and-groove boards or OSB panel on top.

Yes, the whole system installed as a floating floor. In my opinion, tongue-and-groove boards or standard planks are the most cost-effective and practical solution. We installed floorboards throughout the house this way, laid on slightly higher joists that rest loosely on the subfloor. If needed (for soundproofing, insulation, etc.), you can place insulation material between the joists (battens) and under the joists you can add roll insulation strips like edge insulation strips typically used under screed. A 50-meter (164 feet) roll costs about €10.

Why choose boards/tongue-and-groove over OSB?
OSB is quite expensive and has joints that need to align with or rest on joists. With tongue-and-groove boards, you have more flexibility, and it immediately looks like a proper living space floor.

… or simply just a trip to the shelves and boxes with rolled flooring. Leave the cables free. It doesn’t have to look nice, just clean.

pagoni2020 schrieb:

Yes, the whole thing is installed as a floating floor. In my opinion, tongue and groove boards or regular planks are the most cost-effective and practical solution. We used this method throughout the house, laying floorboards on slightly raised battens that rest on the subfloor. If needed (for soundproofing, insulation, etc.), you can place insulation material between the battens, and underneath the battens you can add edge insulation strips in roll form. The 50 meters cost about €10.

Why choose boards/tongue and groove over OSB?
OSB is quite expensive, plus you have joints that need to rest on or meet at the battens. With tongue and groove boards, you have more flexibility, and the floor immediately looks more like a finished living space.

How far apart can the battens be spaced, or what is common practice? I would think that if the battens leave large gaps, the tongue and groove boards could flex locally, right?

ChipLukas schrieb:

How far apart can the battens be spaced, or what is common practice? I think that if the battens leave large gaps, the sheathing board might flex locally, right?

Depending on the board thickness and the load from above, but I think around 60cm (24 inches) spacing should be fine; plus, it’s not a constant load. It’s best to try it on site to see what works.