Reinforcing Shed Floor

[Smbevma]

I'm purchasing a 12x24 shed with a garage door and a wood floor to store scooters, motorcycles and some other things. A shed that size could conceivably be used as a garage for a car if I ever sell my house.

I checked the span load of the 2x6 joists and they are more than adequate for a 50lb floor load (what code says you need for a passenger car in a garage). The plywood floor is only 5/8", so I'm concerned about deflection.

My options are 12 or 8" OC joists which will cost $100 and $432 respectively. Another alternative is substitute a layer of 3/4" PT plywood at $432, or add a second layer of 5/8" CDX plywood at $432.

I'm thinking 2 layers of plywood would be best, but would be interested in hearing other opinions.

thanks,
Shawn

 

[James-W]

If it were me, and I was going to store several large motorcycles in the building, I would go with the floor joists 8" on center and then I would use 5/4 treated deck boards as a sub-floor and then you can put the plywood on top of that. That way you will have a nice flat floor.

Another option would be the 5/4 treated deck boards and then Racedeck flooring on top of that. Actually, I think the Racedeck flooring would look nicer than the plywood although the plywood would add a lot of strength to the floor. But with the 5/4 treated deck boards and floor joists 8 inches on center, the floor should be plenty strong.

 

[hammlm]

I bought a 12x20' shed and selected the upgrade to 12" O.C. floor joists. However, mine are only 2x4, not 2x6. The deck is 5/8". I'm glad I upgraded, but it's very solid. I thought about adding the 3/4" upgrade and didn't do it -- and I have "no regerts" on that decision.

I notice no deflection, but then again I don't have a mori-seiki lathe in there, either.

What I think is strange is the large difference in price to go from 12" to 8" O.C. in your situation. ...to upgrade to 12" centers, you'd have 6 more joists, or $17 per additional joist. to go to 8" centers you'd have 18 more joists (than on 16"), or $24 per additional joist. I'd think the upcharge would be ~ $300. Must be something I'm not considering.

Good Luck to you.

 

[The Cobbler]

for 12x24, I would cough up & pour a concrete pad.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Personally I would lay down 5/8 OSB and 1/2 plywood on top and it should be good...

 

[NuthinFancy]

Be wary of plywood less than 3/4" thick. Any thinner and it's tough to find sheets that are (and stay) flat. T&G helps too.

 

[rburke65]

If you do concrete that only comes to 4 yards of concrete.