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Laying Floor Joist directly on conctrete

91K views 49 replies 25 participants last post by  JCthatsme  
#1 ·
Hi,

I am a painter by trade but would like to add a room to the back of my garage. I would like the floor to match the same height as my exisiting floor inside my house. This would require me to raise the floor off the cement garage floor. I have to raise it about 10 inches. Can I just lay my floor joist directly on the concrete?
 
#45 ·
Depending on your soil/moisture conditions, a vapor barrier may cause problems too. Remember, vapor comes up and then stops on the underside of the vapor barrier...but then where does it go? To the edges of the room typically where it collects, finds a way in and causes mold. Before you put on a vapor barrier, cut back on the vapor coming up from the concrete to begin with. I like Kryton. THEN put your VB and treated sleepers down.
 
#47 ·
what most are suggesting is a sleeper floor. another thing you can do is scribe 2x12's or 2x10"S to the floor accounting for sub and finished floor. personally i would install a computer floor. they are easy to install using hand tools and a hammer drill along with a laser. it is a commercial floor product, but you will thank me in the long run trust me
 
#49 ·
I think with the VB laid down (taped and sealed), there will be no issue...no moisture laden air to condense under joists.
Can always scope it after a while to see if there is any moisture issues.
I had a house once that was on piers, and the underside of joists were sheathed and seams caulked (i.e. airtight from below...well, the perms may not have been 0 given it is plywood, but you get the picture...;) )
At any rate, after three years, I had to remove a piece of sheathing. Everything was bone dry and no signs of moisture issues.