Alternative to concrete slab?

[Danno1]

Does anybody know if theres such a thing as a fireproof paint or some kind of fireproof material that can be applied to pressure treated lumber?

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Having said that, I'd go w concrete painted with a good epoxy !


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[tallyho8]

I've posted this photo of my barn floor in other threads. It is 3/4" thick belting from a grain elevator. It's easy to clean and virtually indestructible. You can drive a loaded dumptruck over it with no ruts. They also have 1/4" and 1/2" but they are not as tough. Just pack your dirt down well and put down the mat.

If there are grain elevators in your area, they replace their belts ever so often and give away or sell cheaply their old ones.

 

[davkir]

I've been in several OLD auto plants. (The Oldsmobile complex in Lansing comes to mind.)
The older buildings have wood floors made of oak blocks with the end grain up. They are practically indestructible if you had a local source for oak scraps.

 

[Iowachild]

My vote would be to stick with concrete; if you can't afford to do it now then leave it gravel or stone dust. You (or the next owner) then have the option of doing it right in the future. If you the floor in wood then that limits how you can use the shop for and makes it a lot more difficult to fix. I would think that a wood floor would affect the resale value because the next guy would want concrete.

This would be my humble opinion also!

 

[whitedogone]

I once heard or read of a guy adding bags of portland cement to an existing sand/gravel base in a pole barn. As I remember, he would then use his tiller to mix the portland with the sand and smooth / pack the surface. Then lightly water the mix. Presto....instant floor with dust reducing qualities.

Always wonder how this would hold up. Not too sure it would work in our freeze / thaw conditions here...but may work in the south for a storage barn situation.

I do not plan to do this....but it's a novel concept and it's always made me curious. Has anyone seen this done?

that's exactly how a LOT of basement floors in houses were done in the late 30's and 40's and into the 50's