Do I want to use fiber reinforced concrete for the basement floor slab and garage floor slab? Someone told me that it doesn't finish as nice as concrete with no fiber.
The basement floor will mostly be carpeted and I intend to paint the garage floor with an epoxy paint made for garage use.
Gary
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Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working?
My new shop has the fiber reinforced cement, it does not have as nice as finish as regular concrete, but I think a lot of that has to do with who is doing the finishing.
Far less cracking than regular cement, I would highly recommend it. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
When you say it doesn't have as nice a finish, is it suitable for painting? I mean it's not like a broom finish or anything like that, right. Just maybe not as smooth as a steel trowel would leave?
Gary
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Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working?
Gary, my new workshop has a slab floor with fiber reinforced concrete. The finish is not as rough as a broom finish but somewhere inbetween that and a smooth finish. It's good for traction when slick but you probably wouldn't want it as a finished floor in a house.
But it's suitable as a garage floor?
Did you paint or seal your slab?
Gary
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Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working?
It is very suitable for the garage, I have not painted or sealed my yet, still finishing off the inside.
OK, thanks for the information. I think that I'll spec. fiber reinforcement for all the slabs. Basement, garage and patio etc.
Gary
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Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working?
I have just finished within the last year, a garage floor and the 30' x 30'
apron in front of the garage. Both have fiber reinforcement, and
I would not want it for a basement floor (at least not with as much
fiber as the garage has). It brooms off well in the garage, and I did
NOT let them put a broom finish on the apron outside (they wanted to, but
I think that is mainly because they don't have to trowel it near as
well when they put on a broom finish!). I like the finish outside as well.
I do not think it is slippery with the fibers, and it is much easier to keep
clean.
What is advantage to fiber? Does it hold up better to resist cracking? Reason I'm curious is I have a !8x20 shed I'd love to get a floor in but I'm afraid with cocrete it will get all busted up by frost(live in western Pa) any ideas? Thanks
The fiber reinforces the concrete, giving it more tensile strength. If you want to add yet more strength, put reinforcing fence (wire) in the concrete as well. Do this on a good base and you should be able to keep the concrete from busting up. If concerned, I would also pour at least 5" thickness. The entire floor should act as a single piece, and float with any frost that might occur. If the shed is heated, adding insulation around the perimeter of the concrete pad will help hold the frost back too.
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