Opinions on cement pad vs wood floor

[SevenCreeksSap]

Okay, give me some opinions - I've started a 24x 12 sugarhouse, and building it like a big shed, so not going into the ground with posts. doing this because I dont know if I'll want to move it someday. I've got the outside of the floor framed so far, no floor joists in yet, just a wood rectangle with a center runner down the length. What I want opinions on is should I build a cement pad on the ground for the 9 ft long evaporator, and wood floor around the cement, or just build the wood floor and cement block riser for the evap. I've seen several of those here and like the raised evap.
I dont want to cement the whole floor.
Pros and cons I can think of -
wood- no hole in floor if I do have to move it
- may bow down - I have no idea the weight of the full evap but maybe close to 5-600 lb.

Cement- can probably get more level.
- stronger, wont bow down.
- but, aint going three feet to below frost line, will a 3 x 10 pad about 12 in thick move around from freeze and thaw? seems like that would be self defeating.
Does anybody have a pad with floor built around? any issues with movement?

[red maples]

I did a wood floor in mine because for concrete I didn't have to money or time to do it!!! So I moved my joists to 12" on center in stead of 16" the floor has a extra support and doubled up the joists under the firebox and under the back feet. so its pretty sturdy!!! Then I put a bottom on the firebox and bricked and insulated it and raised the evap 4 inches off the floor and put Hardy Concrete board under the firebox and in front of the evap. So you can do it, but it requires a little more. it did settle a little the first year but it has been ok this past season no need for re leveling.

Concrete is stong I was told the stuff with the fibers is the way to go. mush stronger. The important thing is the base under it!!! need to have good stone for good drainage and you shouldn't have a problem!!!

If I could do it again I would put in Concrete at least under the Evap. Which might happen when addon in a year or 2.

[Mike Czok]

Have had cement floor in my old sugar house and just put it in my new 14x28 including my wood storage. I would never consider anything else. There are so many positives that it's worth all the effort and expense especially if you are going to stay in it for awhile

[Haynes Forest Products]

If your going with a wood floor just put in some sleepers under the area that the evap will be over. Keep in mind that when everything is up and running the weight of the evap might be 1,000 lbs but then me and the wife show up after a night at the all you can eat buffet and we all crowd around the cooker and.................SWOOSH the thing is in the basement:o. I wonder what the square foot of cement cost compared to wood with framing.

[red maples]

when I priced out a cement floor for 20 X24 (having some one do the whole thing ) I think it was like $2200 or $2500 thats all the digging stone, and fiber in cement. Wood floor although prices are almost doubled since then all Pressure treated and 3/4 pressure treated ply wood. Wanna say $600 I have to go back and check my notes. It would be alot more now I built mine in 2009.

[lastwoodsman]

If one has the funds and if I ever build a bigger shack I would go cement floor and put on a epoxy finish they put on them now days. Not the rust-o-leum one buy the professional brands they use.
From what I have seen they wear like iron.
Super easy to clean and keep all the dust out. You could hose it out with no problem.
Woodsman

[spud]

If you want to be able to move this shed/sugarhouse at a later date then frame it with a wooden floor. Make sure your floor joist are 12 inch on center under the evaporator. You will only need to buy two extra floor joist for this section of floor. Don't use rough cut lumber for floor joist. Figure out the size evaporator you are going to use. Lay 2x4s on edge for the perimeter of your evaporator. Square up your rectangle box on top of your sub-floor and then pour cement. If you ever want to move the shed a few good hits with a sledge will break up the cement so you can scrap it with ease. If your looking to save the floor under the rig than lay some plastic down under the cement and it won't stick to the floor.

Spud

[SevenCreeksSap]

Thanks for the input. I'm definitely planning on doubling up the joists in this area, and its funny that Haynes said basement, because if I ever moved it I was thinking of placing it over a root cellar type hole, but that wouldnt be under the evap part of the building. seems like that would be a good syrup storage area. I already have a bunch of flooring to re-use from a deck, so thats part of my thinking on a wood floor too. only have to buy a few more boards.
Finally made it home from storm work so can get back to construction on this and the evap.