Hi All,
I need some advice please.
I have a customer who wants to have a painted plywood floor installed in her retail store. I’m considering using 1/2″ Baltic Birch with an epoxy paint. I would seal the edges prior to installation. There will be area rugs over the high traffic areas. I intend to screw it down to the existing 3/4″ T&G plywwood sub-floor. Anyone have any experience with this type of installation?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan
Replies
I sealed and polied sheets of 1/2" birch plywood and tap-conned them to a concrete floor over a foam vapor barrier. I did this for a client as a temporay floor in her kitchen. It's been 3 years and she liked it so much she hasn't taken it up yet. She even decopauged little garden veggieson it.
I don't think you'll have a problem. You could add black bowties at the joints ocassionally for looks if they wanted or rout a pattern in the surface. Depending on her traffic use it should wear ok.
One issue is there has developed two holes I had to fill. I think these were voids in the plywood just under the veneer. Hard to know where they will show up but just get ready with a cat's eye jig for an inlay.
First, see this is your first post, so Welcome!
A query? Color of the paint may be a factor. Would the customer consider stain and polyurethane? _ seems a waste to paint Baltic Birch at the price it is even wholesale these days. Although, i've used it for a roof with just latex paint and has lasted over 15 years. (I get 1.8 cm marine grade baltic birch free off shipping containers which is why it was used as a painted roof)
You could also consider a polyurethane based paint. Not sure which of the epoxy paints would be flexible enough to not crack with wood movement, someone else may know epoxy pint details.
What kind of store? Maybe regular paint that wouold show wear patterns would be more appropriate. Use brass or stainless screws sunk just enough for the heads to be flush. If you set the screws in a good pattern they can be part of the ambiance.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Just a guess, but I would think porch floor paint would be more appropriate than epoxy paint. Or maybe marine grade paint.
Look carefully at the plywood before you buy it. I've noticed some balticbirch-type plywood has face veneer almost as thick as the inner plies, but some has face veneer which is almost as thin as conventional hardwood-veneer plywood.
I would also seal the backside first, and then use construction adhesive or a general purpose mastic when fastening it down. or the bostik wood flooring adhesive.
The epoxy paint will take care of the wear pretty well. I wouild probably prep for that by using Minwax wood filler ( two part mix) to fill edge joints and nail/screw holes and sand it smooth, carefull not to sand too deep.
For fasteners, use Screws or ring nails and set them slightly so you can fill the heads and amke them disappear. use more than plenty. A store get s alot of traffic. At least we hope so - she needs to make her investment back more than enough to buy you for another job in the future, and enough to keep her busy raking in the customer's money instead of sitting there bored and nit-piking the floor job.
;)
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fill the heads and amke them disappear
That depends on the desired look. Exposed, but flush, brass screws heads could add to the decor.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Not bad!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the responses! I'm not new to the site. I've retired and have started a new business. This first job is a natural fit, as I had a career as a retail project manager. I will seal the bottom as well as the edges. Any reason I shouldn't use deck screws, since the floor will be painted? I do intend to use a template to create a screw pattern and intend to let them be apparent under the paint. I'll drive the lay out off the corner of the most important piece of permanent furniture ( cash register counter) and the 5'x5' sheets will have a square and diagonal screw pattern. I'll be meeting with the designer and owner tomorrow and I believe they will want to have some sort of "creative" coloration, Which should be no big deal as long as the base coats takes care of the plywood.
Thanks again for all the help!
Dan
I recommend that you drill and countersink for all screws that are near the edge of the plywood to prevent poochies and delamination.
Thanks Mark,
I have already begun this work, as of today. Rolling stones gather no moss, but they still get the girls. As with most retail work, the opening date never moves. I am using a counter sink bit and am sealing edges and the bottom side prior to installation. If I can figure out how to post pictures , I will, when done.
Dan