Wood plank flooring

[kadoka]

I am looking for ideas for a basic wood plank floor in a work shop area. Looking for something that doesn't need a lot of maintenance and won't mind a little abuse. What do they use in basic rustic type cabins for floors?

[CThomp]

The wood you're thinking of is generally a very hard wood and an 1 to 3/4 of an inch thick. Its often tongue and groove and costs a whole lot of money. It was used on pretty much all floors becuase it was cheap at the time and hard as heck. Its not cheap any more. You may want to consider something else. There is a flooring out there called Metro Flooring. I guess its supposed to be really tough stuff. Or you could go with cork. That stuff is supposed to be really hard too. Neither of those are probably inexpensive options.

[kadoka]

Never heard of cork floors. Just looked at them on the internet. Sounds like a nice product but the work ugly comes to mind. :)

I only need to cover about 150 sq ft so price isn't such a big problem.

I have seen the plank flooring that is available. It almost looks too nice for what I need it for.

[CThomp]

Yeah most of it is kind of high end and high priced. What you could do is call up one of the company's that restores this kind of flooring and ask if they have any scraps they'd be willing to part with. 150sqft. isn't that big of an area. Just make sure you poly the crap out of it if you want it to last.

Do a google for antique wood floors. There are quite a few companys that do this stuff.

[CThomp]

Or you could get a few sheets of 3/4in oak ply, rip the sheet to the size plank you want and install according. I think a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 red oak is about $60.

[CThomp]

Actually $46 here locally.

[VALENT]

I would truly consider a snap together laminate wood flooring. The finishes on these are very good. If you drop something heavy, it probably will crush the fibers. I think I would get some cheapo laminate floor and just plan on replacing as needed.

[CThomp]

I hadn't thought about laminate. You can get 12mil laminate for about $2 per sq/ft.

[VALENT]

shoot we have some here for around a $1 per sq ft. Of course you get what you pay for.

[CThomp]

Exactly. But it sounds like this floor will be expendable any how. I like muy idea of the 3/4" Oak ply. I'll last longer than most other things. Even if does sound weird and jerry-rigged.

[kadoka]

The laminate floors won't be tough enough. I have a heavy cart that gets roller around. I don't think they would last long. The plywood idea is interesting though.

[CThomp]

If you are meticulous enough with the install you could always cut them at uneven lengths to give them a more genuine look, oil it up with tong oil and then slap a super thick layer of poly of them. You'll need 5 4x8 sheets. Thats $230. Not to bad for floors that'll serve there purpose and probably last a really long time.

[kadoka]

Cthomp

I like your thinking. With a little care you could put down a pretty nice floor and it would be unique. Thanks

[CThomp]

Not a prob. Let us know how it turns out.