Dirt Floor

[Mollard]

Looking for a good alternative to a concrete. Situation: have a 40 x 100 drive shed available, and we are going to insulate/heat about 40x30 of it. This project will be done on a tight budget, with most of the budget going towards electricity, partition wall, and heating. Don't mind dirt floor for awhile, but concerned about dust. Shop will be used for welding/fabrication and mechanical.

Looking for a reasonable way to keep dust to a minimum, and create a reasonable work space. Tar/chip, recycled black top, compact dirt and oil or something? Plan is to use something that we can eventually pour concrete on top of.

Thanks fellas,
Chris

 

[JimVonBaden]

One way is to add a layer of crushed rock, compact it, then add a layer of sand mixed with concrete powder similar to how you would do a paver base. Mix in a 90# bag of concrete mix to every yard of sand. Mix it pretty dry (slightly damp, then compact it, then smooth it. Won't last forever, but it will stay firm and low dust.

In the old days we would just dump used motor oil on it, but that doesn't cut it these days, especially with the enviro-nannies!

I'm sure others have better ideas.

Jim