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Topic: RV barn update (Read 4922 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: RV barn update

Reply #20 –
My experience with concrete is the only thing guaranteed is a crack.  What happened to pricing concrete work by the yard?

Re: RV barn update

Reply #21 –
Concrete is ordered by the yd, hauled by the yd, and priced by yd. Most homeowners can only relate to $ per sqft, besides it sounds cheaper. Polished concrete is a horrible idea, it always looks terrible, and nothing can fix it.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #22 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
. Polished concrete is a horrible idea, it always looks terrible, and nothing can fix it.

Until you need to sweep it, then it looks great.  It can be quite handsome in itself or stained, built several houses with it to rave reviews.  But it all depends on the skill of the finisher. Or the eye of the beholder I suppose.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #23 –
My shop is hard machine troweled, easier to keep clean. 
Downstairs in the house steel machine troweled, acid etched and stained, looks like marble.
The barn is lightly brushed. Not slippery.  I use a leaf blower to clean it out

Re: RV barn update

Reply #24 –
I would like a smooth finish for a couple of reasons.  I would like to be able to wipe up any oil, rather than have it seep into the concrete - this might require an epoxy paint or some other sealer.  Also, I'd like to easily sweep or blow out debris without it sticking to the surface.  I have decided to do without the grooves.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #25 –
I just put in a 10 x 40 slab for the coach to sit on, and we are not allowed here to have a garage or barn. It is 5" with 1/2 rebar in 16" squares I did all the forming and steel and the concrete is machine trowel finish and I have kept a sprinkler on it for over a week unless it rained and 32 mpi strength concrete. Cost here for 7 cu yds was $160.00 each yd and $550 to lay and finish. I had a plastic expansion strip every 10 ft of length and was laid 2 weeks ago and as we will be gone for at least 3 more weeks it will be 5 weeks before the coach goes on it.
I am going to do a latex finish on top as I have done with garages when building homes, and what I do is mix  paint with 25%water and apply then let dry then another layer at 10%water then a final coat of concrete paint. This will have soaked into the concrete and never wear off. No oil will stain the slab and allways washes clean.
Tried tested and proven for me.
JohnH

Re: RV barn update

Reply #26 –
John,
Looks good, however I will have to 'inspect' it when we get there in July :D
Don
Quote from: John Haygarth –
I just put in a 10 x 40 slab for the coach to sit on, and we are not allowed here to have a garage or barn. It is 5" with 1/2 rebar in 16" squares I did all the forming and steel and the concrete is machine trowel finish and I have kept a sprinkler on it for over a week unless it rained and 32 mpi strength concrete. Cost here for 7 cu yds was $160.00 each yd and $550 to lay and finish. I had a plastic expansion strip every 10 ft of length and was laid 2 weeks ago and as we will be gone for at least 3 more weeks it will be 5 weeks before the coach goes on it.
I am going to do a latex finish on top as I have done with garages when building homes, and what I do is mix  paint with 25%water and apply then let dry then another layer at 10%water then a final coat of concrete paint. This will have soaked into the concrete and never wear off. No oil will stain the slab and allways washes clean.
Tried tested and proven for me.
JohnH

Re: RV barn update

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
Until you need to sweep it, then it looks great.  It can be quite handsome in itself or stained, built several houses with it to rave reviews.  But it all depends on the skill of the finisher. Or the eye of the beholder I suppose.

Sorry I was speaking about polished concrete in large commercial multistory buildings, small residential construction may yield decent results

Re: RV barn update

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
Sorry I was speaking about polished concrete in large commercial multistory buildings, small residential construction may yield decent results

No worries Phred, in fact I agree.  It's hard to make it an appearance material its real beauty is in its incredible structural versatility. 

Re: RV barn update

Reply #29 –
They poured the foundation on Tuesday, so we are ready for the building to be delivered from Arizona.  Hopefully it will get here next week sometime.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #30 –
Very nice. Now... some assembly required.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #31 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
I just put in a 10 x 40 slab for the coach to sit on, and we are not allowed here to have a garage or barn.
JohnH
Aren't you in central V.I. B.C.? I'm kind surprised at that kind of restriction. Is there a particular reason for the ban?

Sorry! My mistake on your location.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #32 –
Sven, I see you didn't use a vapor barrier.  That means your slab is very  unlikely to develop surface cracks, believe it or not.  That's one reason  driveways typically don't develop surface cracks and house slabs do.  No idea of what the mechanics are other than possibly the barrier inhibits hydration below, and surface cures more quickly leading to stress in  the surface.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #33 –
I had never heard of a vapor barrier contributing to surface cracks.  I asked the contractor about it and keeping it wet, but he said it would not make any difference.  The half inch rebar and six inches of slab should minimize any cracking and if any occur, it would likely be a hairline crack, cosmetic at worst.  I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out: it is uniformly white and very smooth.  I would like to more about sealants and floor paint to prevent oil absorption. 

I talked to Absolute Steel and it looks like my building should arrive the week of the 17th.  With the floor in, I'm getting antsy.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #35 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
I had never heard of a vapor barrier contributing to surface cracks.  I asked the contractor about it and keeping it wet, but he said it would not make any difference.  The half inch rebar and six inches of slab should minimize any cracking and if any occur, it would likely be a hairline crack, cosmetic at worst.  I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out: it is uniformly white and very smooth.  I would like to more about sealants and floor paint to prevent oil absorption. 

I talked to Absolute Steel and it looks like my building should arrive the week of the 17th.  With the floor in, I'm getting antsy.


Good move on the polished surface.  You may find you really don't need any coating at all.  The comment about vapor barriers referred to curing surface cracks only, not structural.  Being the founder and former owner of a major foundation drilling company near Houston has given me perspective on some of the unusual characteristics of concrete. I'm not surprised you never heard of this  one,  most people haven't.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #36 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
After the concrete has had time to fully cure seal it with a good sealer.

PS110 Siloxane Water Repellent WB-10 Penetrating Sealer (5 gal.) - Concrete...
 
The sealer you linked is not an oil or stain repellant.  The company does offer another product which would cost about $500 for 4 gallons and shipping!  Ouch. 
Shop Concrete Sealers - Product Type - Oil & Stain Repellents - Concrete...

Re: RV barn update

Reply #37 –
That stuff is mostly to help protect the concrete from salt and winter crud.  It works pretty well, I am not sure anything is going to be entirely effective against oil spots.  I save big cardboard pieces an slide then under the motor and transmission. Low tech.  works fine. If I get a drip it helps pinpoint it.

Your perfect new floor will have scratches and a spot or two before you get the barn done.  It's a barn. :)

Re: RV barn update

Reply #38 –
The garage frame and roof is finished and ready to ship.  I was recently notified that a boom truck (for unloading) would not be available and that they were going to ship it in a box truck with a lift gate (!) with me unloading it by hand.  I attached a photo  of my building on the ground in Arizona at Absolute Steel.  Needless to say, I'm pretty unhappy with this development, considering that I contracted with the company with the understanding that load would be put on the ground.
I am going back to the original estimate that shows a semi with trailer would be delivering it, but I will have to rent a forklift to do the heavy lifting.  We'll see how that goes.
The reason for my sharing the process (from beginning to end) is for anyone contemplating such a project.

Re: RV barn update

Reply #39 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
The reason for my sharing the process (from beginning to end) is for anyone contemplating such a project.
Your "sharing" is MUCH appreciated by me, and I am sure many others.  I HOPE to pursue a similar project some day, and seeing all the many steps in getting it done really helps me get a clear mental picture of what exactly is involved.

You should title that photo (above):  "Some Assembly Required"  (no reference intended to the stupid TV series)