We have a new floor! Seeking suggestions...

[harryball]

Wow... it's been a busy week. We finally have new concrete in our shop! Ended up doing an over-pour on the existing concrete. Used 4000# test, fiber re-enforced, Re-wire, bonding agent with a minimum 3" thickness and poured on top of the existing floor. Due to the existing floor thickness of the new pour ranges from the minimum of 3" to about 6" thick.

Of course we've had a surge of orders too! Why not? Let's make it interesting.

Ideas needed:
1) I took my two 10' garage doors down and had planned to raise them and reinstall. However... I really like the open ceiling and before I throw those doors back in I was thinking about swinging doors. Anyone got any photos/suggestions/resources about building 5'x9' doors? They'd be HEAVY and I don't know if it'd be a good idea. In the end I might just put the doors back... but while it's open I want to give it some thought.

2) Ceiling / reinforcing 36' trusses. The shop (36x36) was built using two 36' trusses and has an open ceiling. For reference, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJZkeh5yHx4&list=UU-rFKk3uUUPhRfU0vzvvpkQ&index=2&feature=plcp

I'll be adding a wall to make a room for the bot in the back corner so that will offer some support. But I'm reluctant to throw up some rafters and put up sheathing without adding support. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I have video of the actual pour, I hope to get that online this weekend.

/RB

[Brady Watson]

Unless the building had trusses all the way down, you're going to spend a lot effort trying to close that ceiling in. My advice (from personal experience) would be to TekFoil the whole inside and rock the lower portion if you don't like the look of the TF. You can install a commercial ceiling fan to stir the air to heat or cool. Those trusses are meant to hold the weight of the roof and that's about it. I would not put one blessed thing up there...it just isn't rated for the weight. If the building was rated for snow load, there would be trusses at least every 4'. I stapled and taped TekFoil to mine and then rocked the whole thing out with 5/8 to get the fire rating. TF is cheap and makes a HUGE difference no matter what the season. You *may* be able to reach the peak to insulate with a 2nd baker's scaffold.

-B

[bleeth]

You can build swing "barn" doors from T&G Planking pretty easily. There are hinges made for them and once hung won't really feel that heavy at all.

[Rob Gunn]

If I had to do it over, I would go with the horizontal bi-fold garage door (see attached photo). I have seen these and they are great. 1.) They don't take up any room inside the shop (open or closed). 2.) When open they create a nice overhang to the building.

[Ajcoholic]

If I had to do it over, I would go with the horizontal bi-fold garage door (see attached photo). I have seen these and they are great. 1.) They don't take up any room inside the shop (open or closed). 2.) When open they create a nice overhang to the building.

You see those on a lot of small airport hangar buildings up here.

AJC

[gene]

As for the cieling they have on e bay a foil bubble sheet roll insulation that is reasonably priced and is suppost to reflect 90% of heat transfer. It works like one of those sun visor things you put in the windsheild of your car. I have seen them in metal pole barns like yours and it does a great job. I have used the spray foam and it also does great it just cost too much

[bruce_taylor]

radiant barrier is a good start they even have some radiant reflection coatings or paint you can use. sheet rock will be way to heavy you may be able to use some sort of drop ceiling like many commercial buildings use with the 2x2 squares and put in some lighting sometimes you can find it used from a demo company or craigslist etc. any way you go you will need to mkae sure the structure will hold the weight properly, often a truss company will share the specs for what you have you may be able to have a few made to install around what you have to support what ever ceiling you decide on. The scissor hanger doors are nice but very pricey, sliding barn doors may be an option. My shop is open with large commercial rollup doors and high ceilings which make it bearable in the heat. You may get by with a small a/c ed area and well ventilated area for the rest depending on how much room you really need.
I would love to have a large a/c ed shop but is not very cost effective.
Let us know how you make out.

[jerry_stanek]

When I was building pole barns we used the same sheeting for ceilings that we used for the roof only in white

[GlenP]

Good to hear progress is being made on new location Robert. When you paint your floor you should get a big bat logo printed off and put in middle and then paint around it. Couple guys have done that up here and looks awesome. As far as your doors go do you really need garage type doors or could you reduce size for some nice entrance doors that both open up? I have seen insulated garage doors that roll up above the opening and don't obstruct ceiling. I'll try and find pic of one to post. As far as insulation goes in my opinion bite the cost and spray foam it. It will insulate the area, create a sound barrier and also NO chance of condensation or mold in any cavity. What about a heavier density spray foam to help with r value? It comes in different lb ratings.....doesn't it? I know it costs more but up here in Ontario Canada it is awesome (but expensive) for insulating as we get cold winters and hot summers so condensation and air ventilation in attic spaces is a must. If you don't spray foam would you need to create an air space and have cross ventilation in the ceiling?
Good to hear you are busy. Weird start to a year here. I am steady and some guys are busy- steady and others are DEAD. Guys that have worked for themselves for years are out looking for employment. :eek:

[harryball]

Good suggestions. I'll do something with them when this heat ends.

I did get the floor pour done, check out the time lapse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CXJ_-IRKCw

It turned out well. I'll get the next vid up showing the finished product... when it COOLS OFF! Suppose to be 102 today and 104+ tomorrow.

/RB

[Brady Watson]

Supposed to be 102 today and 104+ tomorrow.


I know...it's disgusting...

-B

[harryball]

I know...it's disgusting...

-B

No by dang it -- it's HOT Disgusting would be raining dead fish... this is just dang HOT. I don't like HOT... well unless the word is being used metaphorically. But this is just plain HOT.

Henry and Barskii (our two Huskys) have filed a lawsuit against Georgia for not being closer to Alaska, that's how hot it is.

A woman told me today that I looked hot and it was my SECOND thought that she was referring to how good I looked.

I was on the firing range and thought I was missing the target but then realized the lead in the bullet was melting before it got there it's so hot.

I heard several guys calling their ex-wives just to get the cold shoulder it's so hot.

/RB

[gene]

My chickens are laying hard boiled eggs. I drove past the wet weather pond in the cow pasture , all the cows were standing in it . I got out and told them to MOOOve over. it is so hot my brown cow is giving hot chocolate.. dang its hot