I’ve got two questions to which I’d really appreciate feedback. They are both about choosing the right materials for a job. One is my issue, the other is for a friend. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
1. We’ve torn up wall-to-wall carpet from a second floor den/playroom at a friend’s post and beam house, and she’d like to replace it with a painted surface. We can’t just paint the 3/4 inch plywood subfloor because it’s grooved for wiring for the first floor overhead lighting and aluminum flashing is tacked over the wire chases to prevent damage (or possible electrocution??!) Could we use 1/2 inch MDF to create a surface to accept paint for ease of maintenance and economy? Would sealed and painted MDF be stable enough if we included expansion space? If not MDF, is there another inexpensive product which would create a paint-ready floor?
2. We’ve installed expensive, double glazed low E windows in our three season cottage. The stain grade wood interiors need a transparent, durable finish. We were thinking polyurethane varnish or tung oil. Would either of these hold up inside where the UV rays are blocked by the glazing? Is there another clear finish that’s easy to apply and that would last?
Replies
I wonder (but don't know) if mdf would hold floor paint well.
Some folks ave cut OSB into panels (typically 2x2) for an inexpensive floor - same pant question
I'd ease the edges a squoush before installing.
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Use spar varninsh for the windows.
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In a pinch, I used a leftover sheet of MDO for a picnic table about 6 years ago.
Figured I'd use it for that weekend until I could find the time to build a proper one.
That was five years ago. Since then it has been stored outdoors, completely exposed to the elements without any type of sealers or paint applied.
Aside from some discoloration, it is absolutely fine.
I would imagine, painted and sealed it would more than hold up to indoor foot traffic just fine for a good spell.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
>>...can't just paint the 3/4 inch plywood subfloor ....... it's grooved for wiring for the first floor overhead lighting and aluminum flashing is tacked over the wire chases..... <<
I take it, this was not an inspected electrical rough in?
Aluminum flashing is definitely not an approved wiring chase protection method.
The aluminum flashing is merely providing you with a false sense of security.
>>to prevent damage (or possible electrocution??!)<<
It won't do either.
Suggest you remove the aluminum and discard, then cover the chases with steel, 1/16" thick as a minimum - enough to turn a nail or clue you in if attempting to drive a screw. Route reliefs if you have to.
Then lay whatever type of flooring you would like.
Jim
Thanks, Jim! Definitely not to code. Armoring the wire chase w/ steel is a good idea. Sam
Just about any sheet good should do OK for the flooring. It's inside, in conditioned space, and will be painted, so there should be negligible expansion. The only issue is getting a good finish that will hold up to traffic and which doesn't tend to raise the grain of the chosen material.
Re the windows, just about any finish will need touch-up renewing every 5-10 years, on the upward-facing surfaces. I'd say pick the finish you like and live with the small amount of maintenance.
Hey, Dan.. I'm sure you're right about upkeep of any finish. My experience is that EVERYTHING I do needs to be maintained more frequently than I'd thought. Thanks, Sam
1. MDO should be fine, and takes paint well. It's not a hard material like maple, so it won't take a lifetime of heavy use, but it would last until she gets tired of paint. You may have to just lightly soften the edges to minimize the chance of chipping.
Is it still a playroom? How about those colorful rubber mats that assemble like jigsaw puzzle pieces?
2. With triple glazing the UV should be minor, but not being sure, I'd go for an exterior finish. I've used Minwax Helmsman a lot on furniture, not so much for the UV protection, but because it is more flexible. It seems easier for me to get a smoother finish than I can with less expensive urethanes, though it might be my imagination.
MDO better by far than MDF IMO.
Water based poly easy to finish and long lasting for interiors.
But not as nice looking as oil based poly or varnishes.
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I'd be way more worried about correcting that wiring than I would about what to lay down for a floor.
As for a cheap floor, yeah, MDO will do, paint it with a tough porch flooring paint. Won't look all that great but, whatever.
Windows, go with the spar varnish. Something that has UV protection.
Thanks for all your responses. I think we'll go with the spar varnish. I'll also brief my neighbor on that wiring. Sam