Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I finished completely framing out my herp room today. Well, I still have to frame around a pre-hung door BUT I'm not going to actually install the door until I have the floor in. I have done a little research on subflooring and I am thinking DriCore.
Does anyone have any experience with it? It has what looks like sneaker cleats on the bottom which allows air to flow beneath the floor. It also has insulating properties and is especially nice if a basement floods (you wouldn't have to rip up the floor). Anyway, I don't plan on any flooding but you never know. These subfloor pieces snap together and seem to be the way to go despite their somewhat higher cost but after my thoroseal incident...easy is better considering my lack of patience with difficult projects.lol.

I will put the finishing touchs on framing tommorrow once I get the door. Next two steps will be to insulate and scope out electricians for the best deal on increasing power. Anyone have any ideas of what it should or could cost for adding a few extra 20 amp circuits with about 20 or so outlets?

I have been taking pics to show a before and after of this project and will try to post some tommorrow (with more as I progress). If anyone has ever had doubts about framing walls....it is EXTREMELY easy with metal studs, which cost around the same as wooden studs (maybe a little more but for the extra few bucks...no sawdust = major happiness).
Also, I bought a level but didn't really even need it...the metal studs are so straight...no warping or odd pieces. No knots like in wood...just need to invest in a decent pair of sheet metal sheers for cutting...

well..thats my ad for metal studs...any questions feel free to ask..otherwise, I'm going to bed and hittin home depot early tommorrow. lol
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Happy Holidays, Jason
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My Website: www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes
My collection...
BOAS: 0.1 Solomon Island Ground Boa, 1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas, 1.1 Argentine Boas, 2.2 Nicaraguans, 1.1 Sonoran Desert Boas, 1.1 Cay Caulkers, 1.0 Columbian Boa 100% het Kahl Albino, 0.1 Anery boa, 0.1 Salmon OTW, 1.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Hog Island Boa poss het patternless.
PYTHONS: 1.2 Green Tree Pythons, 2.2 Bismarck Ringed Pythons, 2.8 Normal Ball Pythons, 1.0 Ball Python 100% het Piebald, 1.1 Spotted Pythons.
COLUBRIDS: 1.1 Black Pines, 1.1 Northern Pines, 2.2 Bairds Ratsnakes, 1.2 White-sided Black Ratsnakes.
CORNS: 1.0 Blizzard, 1.2 Bloodreds, 1.2 Butters, 1.0 Ghost, 0.1 Sunglow, 1.0 Hypo het Amber, 1.1 Lavenders, 1.1 Miami Phases, 1.2 Reverse Okeetee, 0.1 Snow, 0.1 Striped Amel, 3.2 Okeetees.
OTHER: 0.0.3 N. Diamondback Terrapins.

Hi Jason,

A few questions...

>>Well, I still have to frame around a pre-hung door...

I've worked with metal studs but never framed a door with them. Do you frame the doorway in the same way or do you have to sturdy them up somehow?

Also, how do you attach them to a concrete floor? When I used them I was build a partial dividing wall and there was a wooden floor to tie into.

I assume Tapcons?

>>I have done a little research on subflooring and I am thinking DriCore. Does anyone have any experience with it?

You know I totally forgot about these products. I don't know that specific brand but I've heard some of them are pretty good. Does this product have vinyl finish to it or is it just bare wood?

I'm fretting on what to do with the floor in my garage. I don't have a big collection and don't plan to. This might be a decent compromise for providing a bit of insulation to the floor.

Sorry, no idea on the electric stuff.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

I've worked with metal studs but never framed a door with them. Do you frame the doorway in the same way or do you have to sturdy them up somehow?

I am not too sure. I will try attaching the metal studs directly to the wooden studs that come pre-framed around the door. It shouldn't be a problem though especially since the metal studs seem pretty sturdy right now.

Also, how do you attach them to a concrete floor? When I used them I was build a partial dividing wall and there was a wooden floor to tie into.

I bought a gun at Home Depot for around $60 and I got the charges and nails from a guy who knew exactly what I was doing and was knowledgeable on the subject. I lucked out b/c this past week has been hit/miss with respect to finding informed h.depot employees.lol. But the gun simply shoots nails right through the track for the metal studs into the cement floor. I then used self-drilling sheet metal screws to attach the top track to the wooden joists that run across ceiling. Then I snap the metal studs into place and screw them together.

I assume Tapcons? Not sure what Tapcons are.

You know I totally forgot about these products. I don't know that specific brand but I've heard some of them are pretty good. Does this product have vinyl finish to it or is it just bare wood? Yes, dricore some sort of ...well...I'll post the link so you can check it out. Its kinda expensive but I really think its worth the extra money that I'll be saving on doing this whole project myself.

www.dricore.com
I'm fretting on what to do with the floor in my garage. I don't have a big collection and don't plan to. This might be a decent compromise for providing a bit of insulation to the floor.

They sell Dricore at H.Depot and it really looks quick and easy to do. I am not sure what to put down over top of it...maybe either some sort of thin,industrial grade carpet or linoleum.
But thats last on my list of stuff to do in this room. Maybe I'll get to flooring in the spring if I have the money.lol.

Sorry, no idea on the electric stuff.
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Happy New Year, Jason
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My Website: www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes
My collection...
BOAS: 0.1 Solomon Island Ground Boa, 1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas, 1.1 Argentine Boas, 2.2 Nicaraguans, 1.1 Sonoran Desert Boas, 1.1 Cay Caulkers, 1.0 Columbian Boa 100% het Kahl Albino, 0.1 Anery boa, 0.1 Salmon OTW, 1.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Hog Island Boa poss het patternless.
PYTHONS: 1.2 Green Tree Pythons, 2.2 Bismarck Ringed Pythons, 2.8 Normal Ball Pythons, 1.0 Ball Python 100% het Piebald, 1.1 Spotted Pythons.
COLUBRIDS: 1.1 Black Pines, 1.1 Northern Pines, 2.2 Bairds Ratsnakes, 1.2 White-sided Black Ratsnakes.
CORNS: 1.0 Blizzard, 1.2 Bloodreds, 1.2 Butters, 1.0 Ghost, 0.1 Sunglow, 1.0 Hypo het Amber, 1.1 Lavenders, 1.1 Miami Phases, 1.2 Reverse Okeetee, 0.1 Snow, 0.1 Striped Amel, 3.2 Okeetees.
OTHER: 0.0.3 N. Diamondback Terrapins.

Hey Jason

sounds like a great project. As far as hanging that door, wait until you rock the wall, because those studs will move on you. Once you have put the sheet rock on the wall, that will keep the studs nice and rigid. then just make sure the door is SPL.As far as Electric good luck and I agree shop around it shouldn't be to bad and when getting prices you may want to supply your own material and jus thave them do the labor. Again Good Luck.
Bill
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Leos
1.0 Blizzard "Mr.Freeze" AKA " SID VICIOUS"
1.0 SHCT Baldy "Thor"
0.2 Tremper Albinos "Betty & Pinky"
0.1 SHCT Baldy "Lemon"
0.1 Hypo Tang "Sherbert"
0.1 Hypo Golden "Dott"
0.2 juveniles " Spot & White Stripe"
0.0.4 hatchlings wooo hoooo
Boas
0.1 Nicaraguan "Peaches"

Domestic Livestock

0.1 WIFE "PAM"
0.2 Daughters "Haleigh & Chloe"

Canines
1.0 Beagle "Chance"
0.1 Pit rodesian ridgeback mix "Missy"

Sounds like you've been busy! Dricore is definitely the way to go. Easy to install, insulates and keeps everything dry. May not be the cheapest, but IMHO the best!

Metal studs...grrr....never liked em, but again, thats just me. I must say they are easy to work with though. Be cautious if you are doing your own wiring through them. I know you asked about an electrician, but just incase you go it alone

Electricians aren't cheap either, but highly recommended especially with metal studs. Add a 20 amp and 20 outlets...shouldn't be that much as long as all the outlets are in your unfinished room. Definitely shop around for an electrician and check references. I'm just speaking from experience.

Good luck and get some pics up here so we can see!

I have been super busy and will definitely not finish this project anytime soon...esp since I have inlaws coming to visit this weekend.ugh. Otherwise I could probably get the insulation done...but hey, thats what weekends are for.lol.

The more I read up on this Dricore stuff, the more I feel its definitely the way to go. Its about 5-6$ for a 4'x4' section so it could cost me around $6-800 to floor this room but if I save up and do this by spring, it might be ok.

How can you NOT like metal studs? Wow, I was building a rack and covered almost every square inch of my basement with sawdust from using my router and table saw a few times and it SUCKED!lol. Also, I had some extra lumber in my basement since last week and its already starting to warp.

My dad, who (IMO) is a master wood-worker, told me so but I didn't listen. I look back on all the projects my father did when I was young and I can't believe how foolish I was to not take an interest and get involved. I really missed out on learning a TON of stuff. He is out of that now and no longer has an interest in wood working but occassionally throws a few tips my way. The worst part of it all was that he sold all of his workshop stuff dirt cheap to the buyers when he sold his home. Overall, I don't get along too well with lumber.lol.

Anyway, back to metal studs....I bought plastic Grommets which snap into the pre-cut holes in the studs, which are made for running wires, pipes, etc through them. HOWEVER, I may return them if the electrician already has them. The plastic grommets were not very expensive...I think $4-5 for a pack of 20 or more. I'll def take pics tommorrow and post them.
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Happy New Year, Jason
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My Website: www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes
My collection...
BOAS: 0.1 Solomon Island Ground Boa, 1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas, 1.1 Argentine Boas, 2.2 Nicaraguans, 1.1 Sonoran Desert Boas, 1.1 Cay Caulkers, 1.0 Columbian Boa 100% het Kahl Albino, 0.1 Anery boa, 0.1 Salmon OTW, 1.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Hog Island Boa poss het patternless.
PYTHONS: 1.2 Green Tree Pythons, 2.2 Bismarck Ringed Pythons, 2.8 Normal Ball Pythons, 1.0 Ball Python 100% het Piebald, 1.1 Spotted Pythons.
COLUBRIDS: 1.1 Black Pines, 1.1 Northern Pines, 2.2 Bairds Ratsnakes, 1.2 White-sided Black Ratsnakes.
CORNS: 1.0 Blizzard, 1.2 Bloodreds, 1.2 Butters, 1.0 Ghost, 0.1 Sunglow, 1.0 Hypo het Amber, 1.1 Lavenders, 1.1 Miami Phases, 1.2 Reverse Okeetee, 0.1 Snow, 0.1 Striped Amel, 3.2 Okeetees.
OTHER: 0.0.3 N. Diamondback Terrapins.

can't wait to see the pix,BTW do we get to grade you?...think you'll make the honor roll? have fun!

Inlaws...grrr....I feel your pain! lol!

I do believe that DriCore is the way to go. I have worked with it before and it was super easy to work with, easy to instal over it, insulator and keeps everything up. Problem with most good things is they come at a price. Like you said, save your pennies and do it in the spring.

As far as not liking the metal studs, I guess I'm just old school on this one. They are very easy to work with. But I can't help but think of metal studs, plus electricity in your walls...add some water equals problem. Not to mention cutting my hand...but that was my own fault .

You definitely need grommets. Your electrician may not charge you for them or he might charge extra because he had to take two seconds to pick some up. I guess the best thing is just to ask.

I now do almost all my cutting in my garage because of the saw dust. I feel like half my time is spent using my shop vac! Cutting is very messy. I've replaced ALL my power tools and shop equipment over the past year or two. I'm so spoiled!

You have a great resource, that being your Dad. Should try to get him involved. Experience is a great teacher. My Dad taught me lots and the rest was trial and error. For a while it was more error than anything! lol!

Can't wait to see the pics!

Happy New Year!