OSB Subfloor - Final Covering

[65Goat]

The loft in my shop is OSB Subfloor. I probably only go up in the loft twice a week, but as one would expect the OSB is splintering. Other than cosmetic, any reason to cover it with a final finish? Perhaps a vinyl garage flooring or something else?

Example of vinyl garage flooring:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-C...l-Grade-Vinyl-Flooring-HK70CN10X1SG/204820743

 

[duneslider]

What do you do on the floor? Just storage? OSB mostly starts to do this do to moisture. I have just painted it with good results in areas that aren't high traffic. If you have higher traffic needs then maybe a covering makes sense but paint has worked well for me.

 

[benjy]

What do you do on the floor? Just storage? OSB mostly starts to do this do to moisture. I have just painted it with good results in areas that aren't high traffic. If you have higher traffic needs then maybe a covering makes sense but paint has worked well for me.

Painting or sealing sounds like the right idea even if you cover it. If it starts getting traffic, maybe a roll of cheap vinyl flooring would work unless you need the look of the stuff in the link.

I bought quite a bit of cheap luan underlayment & used in my mezzanine over really crappy plywood.

 

[65Goat]

^^^

 

[duneslider]

Just storage. Almost everything is in plastic bins. Then foot traffic from me two or three times a week.

I don't think it's moisture, I live in a dry climate and no roof leaks.

I think it's just an expected amount of splintering, but I didn't know if it was something I should get in front of.

I have had osb as shelving and such for 15 years and it occasionally has "splinters" that come off or peel off but not big deal. I have some that is painted and it has held up better. Mostly I don't care and find it holds up just fine.

By moisture I was also just referencing humidity. It doesn't sound to me like what is happening to yours is a big deal though. I have a loft area with totes and such like you describe and it is doing just fine. I originally thought I would paint it but got lazy and haven't bothered.

 

[CSRPenFab]

At my prior house, I had a "Tuff Shed" with an OSB floor. They had applied some sort of coating to it and it held up just fine. It was like a thick "deck paint" that had a bit of grit in it. You might call your local Tuff Shed place and see if they'll tell you what they use.

 

[Jayman17]

How about applying a water based polyurethane floor finish? Will quickly roll on and dry quick too. I’ll bet 2 coats will do.

Jay