Constructing A Wooden Floor

Building a wood floor over dirt can involve several challenges not found when constructing a wood floor over traditional constructed surfaces such as concrete sand or gravel.

Constructing a wooden floor.

Residential building codes typically specify slightly wider lumber for the sill plate typically either 2 in 5 1 cm x 6 in 15 cm or 2 in 5 1 cm x 2 in 5 1 cm boards. Osb floor sheeting is typically 3 4 thick and comes with a tounge and goove to give the spans between the floor joists strength. Because the sill plate will be in direct contact with the concrete foundation it s recommended that you go with pressure treated wood. Yet the construction of an engineered hardwood gives it enhanced structural stability and moisture resistance that allows it to be installed at any grade level.

Ceiling joists are usually 2 by 6s or sometimes 2 by 4s if it is an older home. A floor s framework is made up mostly of wooden joists that run parallel to one another at regular intervals. The final step in building a floor for a house is to sheet it with osb. Soil shifts and is affected easily by environmental conditions outside the floor area.

Floor joists are typically 2 by 8s 2 by 10s or 2 by 12s. Traditional solid hardwood flooring is not well suited for high moisture areas such as bathrooms or below grade installations. The osb or plywood must be staggered like stacking bricks to give it strength. Some newer homes have manufactured i beam shaped joists.

Step 1 go around the room with your stud finder and your roll of masking tape.