skip to main content

Concrete slab porch & wood

9 years ago

Hi all!
I'm messing around with ideas for flooring in different parts of my home.
I have a ton of beautiful, wide (up to 16"!) antique pine boards, 3/4" thick.
I have gorgeous oak, again, very wide. This stuff is live edge and I believe was used for shelving somewhere.

I just picked up WIDE slabs from a tree service that mills their trees. They've been evicted by the county after 40 years and must move. The county is building an off ramp through this area, family cemetery and tributary to the Patuxent be damned.

Anyway, they're practically giving away absolutely gorgeous lumber so they don't have to cut it into firewood. I picked up a load of 36" to 48" wide oak, poplar, and cherry. I see cabinet doors in my future, but I digress.
I'm invited to come get what I want and an incredible, tip-the-laborer price and am now rethinking a lot of home things.

So getting to my point. I'm deciding what I want where. Some is going to become my porch ceilings. Some kitchen floor. My thought, since buying slate is insanely expensive, is could I do something wood on my back porch slab? It's covered, and will be closed in eventually.

If this is not crazy doable, what are the procedures, recommendations, and warnings?
Thanks for your thoughts.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
9 years ago
All of the old Victorian houses around here have wooden porches: floor, ceiling and posts/railings. And the porches are still in good shape after 100 years-- at least, on the houses that have been cared for and maintained.

The only thing I wonder is, if you are going to put wood over cement, will moisture be a problem (wicking through the cement and no air circulation under the wood)?
CEFreeman
Original Author
9 years ago
That's where "...recommendations and warnings" come in.
Related Discussions
Building Wood Porch Over Concrete Slab
Q
Comments (4)
My mistake Mike, I thought it was 1.5 ft. not inches. I've never seen a slab resting on footings, new one on me. Sounds like you would need to fasten sleeper joist to the slab, then screw 1x6's or 1x4's for decking. Each joist would have to be ripped to compensate for slop of the slab. Leave the ends open & use wider gaps than normal then maybe you won't have condensation problems. With all that said I'd be inclined to demo that slab & start from stratch. Al
...See More
fyi for installing wood floors on concrete slab homes
Q
Comments (3)
A good deal of that info has to do with preventing moisture problems BEFORE the slab is poured. For installing wood flooring for those who aren't pouring a new slab, the author recommends a "fluid moisture barrier" rather than a plastic sheeting barrier, but doesn't say much (anything?) else beyond that. Is he suggesting something like Redguard?
...See More
Forming slab under (what will be) wood front porch?
Q
Comments (20)
Colfoster that does look really good!! Mo I haven't posted a lot yet, I think I posted a copy of my layout under my original houzz username (akpick). I WISH the house above was ours - we don't even have the slab poured yet! Where are y'all at in your build? We're talking about getting a Great Pyrenees when we move in, but our last dog (a sweet rottie) was a tornado with big brown eyes who destroyed everything she touched... Including chickens. So we're a little gun shy with dogs!! Lol! Chavaz was it original to the house? I've just never seen anything other that brick or wood used on a farmhouse! Do you have pics? Here's one of our inspiration houses.. It's so much more charming in person.
...See More
Concrete slab front porch - Needs more curb appeal
Q
Comments (1)
I definitely like it with something...it could be small plants or shrubs...
...See More

Related Stories

GREEN BUILDING Considering Concrete Floors? 3 Green-Minded Questions to Ask

By Melanie Loftus

Learn what’s in your concrete and about sustainability to make a healthy choice for your home and the earth

CONCRETE Why Concrete Wants to Crack

By Matt Clawson

We look at the reasons concrete has a tendency to crack — and what you can do to help control it

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Tear Down That Concrete Patio

By Christine Tusher

Clear the path for plantings or a more modern patio design by demolishing all or part of the concrete in your yard

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 6 Ways to Rethink Your Patio Floor

By Laura Gaskill

Figure out the right material for your spring patio makeover with this mini guide to concrete, wood, brick and stone

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Couple Build Their Dream Modern-Farmhouse-Style Home

By Heather Banks

A Texas interior designer and her family combine reclaimed wood, polished concrete, built-ins and vintage pieces in their new house

KITCHEN DESIGN 5 Stunning Alternatives to the Tile Backsplash

By KitchenLab Interiors

Try Stone Slab, Glass, Steel, Concrete or Beadboard Above the Kitchen Counter

PATIOS Get the Details That Brought These 15 Patios to Life

By Annie Thornton

From a custom mural to a solid concrete slab built to look like tiles, these outdoor rooms don’t overlook the details or comfort

WORKING WITH PROS How to Commission Custom Wood Furnishings

By Tiffany Carboni

Can't find just the right table, shelf, desk or what have you? It's woodworkers to the rescue

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Wild for Wood in Central Texas

By Mitchell Parker

Mesquite, cherry and white oak harmonize beautifully in an Austin family's warm and modern home

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Inventive Takes on the Breakfast Bar

By Lisa Frederick

From simple wood slabs to sleekly sculpted shapes, breakfast bars expand eating, working and prep space in the kitchen

Sponsored

More Discussions

What type of oak is this?

8

Laminate ... wood grain or tile look

2

legacy cornerstone floor by midwest in ashen tan

0

Do I need to water pop hardwoods if I like the stain already without w

4

Coretec Hayes Oak Crackling Sounds

1