How to make a wooden floor in the garage
The garage can be either a separate independent structure, or attached or built into the building of the house. Regardless of the size and shape of the building, everything inside should be properly equipped, in particular the floor. In most cases, a concrete base is selected for the floor, but many also prefer to make wood floors. If you follow all the rules of installation and use of quality materials, you can build a solid foundation with your own hands. This article will discuss how to make a wooden floor in the garage with your own hands.
Special features
In spite of the fact that many consider wood to be unsuitable material for arranging the floor, it is worth noting some of its advantages. So, wood is a durable and high-strength material.
Before proceeding with the arrangement of the floor of wood, you need to pick up the material and become familiar with the installation technology, while adhering to the basic requirements:
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- impact resistance;
- increased water resistance;
- convenience, ease of use and care;
- esthetic appearance;
- affordable price.
Wood selection
An important step in the installation of the floor is the choice of wood. The best option is to buy ready-made boards from a reliable supplier. Consultants and managers in hardware stores will be able to help make the right choice and calculate the required amount of materials, as well as fasteners. You should not choose too dry or wet wood. It is important to verify the absence of deformation: cracks and knots. It is necessary to adhere to the basic requirements for size: thickness - from 2.5 cm, length - from 2 m. In addition to the main boards, you will also need supporting transverse lags, which will be installed at a certain distance. All material must be taken with a margin.
When buying transverse lags, it is better to choose a standard size, namely 10x10 cm. Before laying in the garage, you need to treat logs with a special compound and dry them.
Preparatory work
First, the base is prepared, namely, a pillow from a mixture is laid: sand, clay, gravel (equal proportions). It is very important to make tamping pillows, before carrying out subsequent work.
The base should have a flat surface, since the entire device of the wooden floor rests on the posts, which can be arranged from bricks or concrete piles. The choice must be made according to the availability of materials or in accordance with personal taste preferences.
When placing the posts should be guided by the future location of the car to maximize the strength of the wooden floor. The distance between the pillars should be about 1 m.
Lags are laid on the prepared base, this is done perpendicular to the entrance. All bars are placed at the same distance (from 30 to 50 cm) from each other in the same direction. Anchors are used for fixing the log to concrete or brick posts.
When choosing a lag, the height of which will raise the entire base of the floor, it is important to consider their size. Otherwise, at the entrance to the garage is formed too much difference or step.
Floor insulation
Laying the insulating layer on the floor is optional, but if you warm the garage, you should not skip this stage. First you need to hem the rough floor, and on top of it waterproofing is carried out using plastic film or roofing felt.
Insulation is placed between the beams and only then laid wooden floor. Among the most common insulating materials can be identified:
- Styrofoam;
- mineral wool.
The process of mounting boards
After all the logs are installed, you can proceed to the direct installation of boards. They need to lay on the movement of the car, in this case, the floor will last much longer.
You can fasten the floor racks to the logs using screws. To do this, it is very important to follow the correct fixation pattern: in each board, drill holes of a slightly larger diameter than the self-tapping screws used, thanks to which the installation process will be faster. As a result, the fixed wooden boards will be attracted well to the lags, and during operation no curvature and unevenness will form on the floor.
The garage has high air humidity, so it is worth treating all the sawn timber with special antiseptics, as well as fire fighting compounds.
Floor Treatment
After completing all the installation work of the wooden floor, the surface should be treated with protective agents in order to maximize the operating period. Among the most common paints and varnishes for the protection of wood are the following:
- varnishes;
- paint;
- antiseptics.
Lucky will preserve the natural texture and pattern of the tree, due to the formation of a transparent film. This remedy has a large number of bioprotective properties that protect the wood from rotting or insect infestation. With the help of paint, you can give the floor any shade, as well as protect it from moisture, condensation, minor mechanical damage. Antiseptics belong to innovative multifunctional tools that will protect the floor from moisture, fungi, as well as improve fire-fighting properties.
Video
You can learn more about laying lag technology by watching the video: