In A Garage should the loor be poured before or after the walls are erected?
Question:I was planning to build some years ago but couldn't get an answer to this question. I was hoping to build a pole barn style structure at the time! My thinking was that in a pole barn It would have been more effective to pour the floor before (especially now in NC) to prevent termite damage later on. Thank you for your answers.
Answers:
In pole construction, you stick the poles in the ground. The poles will have to be treated to prevent termite damage. I recommend that you put the poles in first. Then use the poles as guides to lay out the framing for the concrete floor. Pour and finish the floor. Then erect the rest of the pole building, after the concrete cures.
before
its always a good idea to treat the ground before construction for termites. for a pole barn its usually the custom to build the structure then pour the concrete. that way you wont run into problems when your drilling and setting poles
In a conventional garage, the floor is poured as part of the foundation with a curb around the 3 wall sides. It was previously thought that the floor was put in last, but the floor would sometimes rise or fall causing problems at the entrance to the garage. Another 'advantage' is that you have less of a water problem on the floor as it's part of the wall, and there's no seam. Also the floor, being connected to the walls, help support the wall's foundation so there's less chance of the foundation moving causing problems with the floor.
ALWAYS POUR CEMENT FLOOR BEFORE ERECTING WALLS. SEE-YOU NEED TO PLACE 1/2 INCH BOLTS (HEAD IN CEMENT) EVERY 2 FEET--TO ATTACH TO WALL BOTTOM PLATE. THIS KEEPS GARAGE FROM BLOWING AWAY IN A KANSAS WIND.
I pole barns they pour the floor after the barn has been constructed normally because the poles are set into the ground. It's much easier to place the poles and pour the concrete once the poles are already in place.
However, for some pole barns they place the wood or steel structure on top of concrete pilings and attach the poles via metal brackets. In that case, I think they normally pour the concrete first.
It can be done either way. If you don't have the money up front you can wait to pour the floor after the building has been erected but it is a little more work.
More Related Questions & Answers...