Using leftover tile for flooring for shed?

[Dave Michael]

Hi gang,

We've built one of those Home Depot wood sheds in the backyard, my contractor built a platform out of pt 2x6s and 23/32 plywood sheathing. I was just going to paint the floor but the wife wants to use up some leftover tile in it and make it pretty. From what I've read I'd have to lay concrete backerboard, just putting the tile directly on the plywood would be a problem because of the different expansion of the wood/tile. The shed is resting on ~2" of gravel over weed fabric.


Any advice? TIA

 

[The Cobbler]

I think ceramic tile will hold moisture in the wood, not allowing it to breath ( moisture coming up from the ground) and cause premature rot .

 

[Dave Michael]

Thank you, that's another reason against. I was planning on just using some deck paint. Saves me at least a week of work I
d rather be using on other things.

 

[duneslider]

I could give you a bunch or reasons not to do this but to keep it simple, it just isn't a good idea. If you want it to look nice put down some sheet vinyl or VCT tile or something like that.

Deck paint is a good idea.

 

[mike93lx]

I wouldn't do it either

 

[driftpin]

I agree, no tile. I agree w/duneslider, deck paint. Two coats. And some sort of waterproofing. You might try some sort of spray head on a hose and doing the underside too. Maybe get something to hold the spray head facing up, and a rope under the floor attached to the hose, and pull it slowly across each space between the floor joists.

 

[dcg9381]

From what I've read I'd have to lay concrete backerboard, just putting the tile directly on the plywood would be a problem because of the different expansion of the wood/tile. The shed is resting on ~2" of gravel over weed fabric.

You have it right, it needs a backer and even then it's likely to have issues if the floor flexes.
I've found that polyurea goes right over plywood and works great.. You can get it in solid colors and it's great as a floor surface and it's waterproof.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, Tile, like a disease, should be avoided if possible.

 

[madison069]

I put tiles in the playhouse which is basically a shed. No heating or anything. Shed is suspended in the air so there’s air flow going under it to keep it dry. Then again this is Pennsylvania so it’s never really humid free.


This was 8 years ago and there was no issues with the floor when I was in it to clean it out last week.

I have to check but I don’t have any photos of using cement boards. So I can’t say if I did or not. But it feels like I would have used cement board though.

The finish playhouse/shed