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Strip flooring used outdoors – what now?

Bdub | Posted in General Discussion on May 19, 2004 06:00am

My friend just purchased a circa 1900 brick house here in Denver. The house is a “Denver Square”, or “four square” to everyone else. This question concerns the front porch which is covered, but not enclosed. The prior owner put interior oak strip flooring, (t&g) down for the porch floor. I haven’t seen it, but I think it has a oil based poly on it.

The floor will take on water when it rains, and drainage is a problem since the floor butts up against a three foor high surrounding brick wall. The only egress for water is the stairs, which does not allow all of the water to escape, some will puddle.

My buddy wants to know what he should do – the floor has not been maintained for at least three years, and looks gray from UV, weather, dirt etc. My thought was to sand it down to fresh wood, stain with a UV oil based product such as Pennafin, and plan on restaining every year like one would a deck. Is that a good idea? Should a coat of spar be used over the Pennafin – And then reapply spar periodically? Other ideas?
Thanks

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Replies

  1. Bdub | May 21, 2004 02:21am | #1

    Is there anybody out there?

  2. User avater
    artacoma | May 21, 2004 02:26am | #2

    Maybe you can put drains in next to the wall or wherever the low spots are? It's critical to get the water off as fast as possible ......................Rik........

  3. UncleDunc | May 21, 2004 02:56am | #3

    I don't think it makes much difference what kind of finish you put on it. There's no finish that will consistently keep water from getting between and then under the boards. In Denver it will dry out faster and therefore last longer than it will in a lot of other places, but eventually it will rot. Just tell him to use the cheapest, easiest to apply finish until it starts feeling spongy and then tear it out and do it right.

    In my not too terribly humble opinion, there are only two correct choices for porch floors. If you can't put in a wooden deck and let the water drain down between the boards, the only reasonable alternative is concrete. But that's just my opinion.

    1. VinceCarbone | May 21, 2004 01:18pm | #4

      Uncle Dunc,

      here in the north east tongue and grove wood floors on open covered porches is common.When properly framed,drained, finished and maintained these floors have lasted the live time of these houses.Do we find rot or sagging, of course, but to say that only wooden decks with the water draining between the boards or concrete are the only reasonable alteratives is just all wet.Vince Carbone

      Riverside Builders Franklin NY ICQ #47917652

      1. UncleDunc | May 21, 2004 01:54pm | #5

        >> When properly framed, drained, finished and maintained these floors have lasted the life time

        >> of these houses.

        I have no slightest interest in expending the time, money, and effort that it takes to properly maintain a T&G floor that gets rained and snowed on. That obviously influences my views on what materials are appropriate for porch floors.

        If I'm going to spend that kind of money and effort on a wood floor that's exposed to the weather, I want it to be teak, and I want a boat under it.

      2. Bdub | May 21, 2004 05:39pm | #6

        So what do you use to finish them? A Penofin type product and/or a spar varnish?

        1. VinceCarbone | May 22, 2004 01:40pm | #8

          Bdub,

          I find that most of these floors are painted,mostly on older homes.

          When we do a new one we prime all sides of the t&g before we install it.If the floor is to be clear we do the same. I think any quality exterior grade finish will work better if you do at least the bottom and two sides before installation and the top surface after.Vince Carbone

          Riverside Builders Franklin NY ICQ #47917652

  4. edwardh1 | May 21, 2004 05:48pm | #7

    the ones I have seen to not wear well.

    kinda in the same thought of using any wood directly exposed to the weather but in the Us we do it all the time like wood siding when there are many other choices.

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