Material costs... wood vs concrete

[innerspace]

I will soon be building a counter for a cafe/bar/reception and trying to determine what materials to use.

2 main ideas are concrete blocks or wood, seen both before and both can work well and look good if finished properly.

Guessing that the cost of plastering concrete would be similar to the cost of sheets of plyboard (for front) and tiling concrete on the top counter probably similar to a glass or granite surface on wood.

So I guess the biggest cost difference is in the structure.

I have 2 similar designs that are about 4m long on 1 piece and 3m on the other (between posts in double shophouse).

Top counter for customers plus internal lower shelf.

Can anyone please advise on the prices of the following.

170 blocks+cement (39cm×19cm type).

75m of solid wood (2"×1" or maybe 2x2)

Anything else worth considering?

Removal option of wood is an advantage, as is not having to take up existing tiles. Plus I have more experience working with wood.

But want something affordable, strong enough that will end up looking good and stay good for many years.

[fabphil]

Well unless u have work permit, u wont be around long enough to see how long it lasts if immigration nab u

[chiang mai]

Ignore the post above, go ahead and do your construction, most homeowners do the same without problem.

As for wood vs concrete: the major consideration for me would be the durability of the product, wood often doesn't last very long in Thailand before bugs eat into it. For that reason I have tried to use as few natural wood products in my house with the doors being the only item that is and even they are all made from hardwood. I'll soon be replacing my kitchen and when I do I'll go through a similar debate and almost certainly I'll come down on the side of concrete with a granite top, for me it's a no brainer.

[bob strutt]

definately go for the concrete, the way they throw water around here, wood will last no time, concrete is most likely cheaper as well

[bendywire]

For a price on the materials I would go to your local builders merchant. Pretty obvious don't you think?

[Capt Rob]

definately go for the concrete, the way they throw water around here, wood will last no time, concrete is most likely cheaper as well

Check out pre-cast hollow core concrete. Could save time/effort on setting up a lot of formwork. Some may be required for topping. Plastering and finnishing is not so difficult and follow some online instructions

Precast is topped with concrete for extra strength ( including reo fabric - steel there are tables giving load limits ) you can finish with a wide variety of materials or polish the cement topping.

Check any large concrete company for cement products, a large range available in precast - a start link : -

" www.hollowcore.com.au/pdf/DetailingManual.pdf

[gerry123]

For a price on the materials I would go to your local builders merchant. Pretty obvious don't you think?

+1 get off your butt

[GuitarKatar]

We paid, last month, ฿ 4,5 per block, and for cement ฿ 120per bag....

[Gentmartin]

I built counters for my wifes ice cream shop. Used MDF and 3x2 and 2x1 softwoods NOT coco lumber....for the counter tops, (insidecounter) I used Ikea counter top, and for the customer side counter top, used boonwood from Home pro, shelves were mdf.

ALl had a quick coating of timber treatment to prevent rot and insects and painted (rollered) with 3 coats of watered down cheap emulsion and finished with 3 coats of the wipeable semi gloss. Use proper wood filler for joins as opposed to wall putty as this is too brittle and cracks as the paint and wood dry out.

3x2 were i think about 400B for 6@ 2.4m lengths and the MDF was 250 for 9mm and 400 for 18mm.

You can get a decent finish if you ignore the wife asking 'when will it be finished' and ' why more than one coat ?' etc etc lol....

Its not a top pro job but a number of neighbours have asked if I'll make them stuff !...(NO) !!

Another alternative is 'conwood' as the name suggests is a mix of wood pulp and concrete. Its big plus is its actually straight, but youll need an angle grinder to cut it, its heavy and a lot more expensive. It also soaks a lot of paint in.

Have fun, I really enjoy 'knocking stuff up' !!

Edited January 22, 2015 by Gentmartin

[Gentmartin]

PS DONT use Plywood for anything. The odd time Ive bought plywood here it was full of gaps, cheaply glued and generally bloody rubbish !! Unless you find a very good merchant and know a lot about checking plywood and its source, leave it alone !!

[TomYumpoochai]

I stupidly went 400m to the building shop today to price up some blocks and wood to build a deck by our river. I could have just sat in the shade and asked a bunch of foreigners on the interweb instead.....oh hum....

[innerspace]

Thanks for the constructive comments from half of you!

Concrete seems cheaper from the 2 price guides received and certainly would have the strength advantage.

Though since the building is rented the permanent nature of concrete is a slight disadvantage.

I have seen the bug and weathering effects on wood but less significant for an inside structure - though a few layers of treating would add to the cost a little.

Gentmartin, thanks for the detailed post and pics, very similar to what I am planning.

Will keep MDF in mind over ply if going the wooden route

[thailand49]

I did the same thing never thought about the cost... if in Thailand? use concrete because of the termites! But of course like another person said you most likely wouldn't be around to see if all the termites do to the wood.

[IMHO]

@OP, here are a couple of threads you might want to read:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729561-termite-resistant-cabinets/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/201757-local-wood-varieties/

[canuckamuck]

I want to know who would build a counter out of 1x2's. Would look a bit like it was built out of popsicle sticks wouldn't it?

[Seastallion]

I want to know who would build a counter out of 1x2's. Would look a bit like it was built out of popsicle sticks wouldn't it?

Ever heard of parquet?

Can look quite good.