Alternative to wood?

Question

Generally plywood is used to make trailer floors and walls, but is there a better material that is lightweight, strong, no slippery, rust resistant, easy to cut etc? It has to be economical and possibly environmentally friendly.

Answer 1

Not to my knowledge.  All the criteria you cited are reasons why plywood is so popular.

Answer 2

Not sure what kind of PVC foam board you had in mind, I have not seen any that is strong.  A trailer to be used at construction sites for hauling debris and materials, I would choose plywood, there is not a viable alternative that is less expensive.

OSB will not hold up in the weather, the glue will deteriorate.  Sub floor is fine, once you build walls and a roof.   To put it in a trailer that gets wet and is exposed to the elements, it would not last for more than a few years.

Answer 3

Are you talking about producing on site type construction trailers? Trailers used to haul material? Travel trailers? Camper trailers? Semi tractor trailers? Obviously you state NOT Mobile homes.

  I have to assume that PVC foam board, wouldn't be substantial enough to take much abuse, under 3/4 inch thick, and PVC is not at all environmentally friendly in the strict sense, NO Plastic based material is.

   Beyond that even as a subfloor it would need a finish floor over it, and as a finish floor would be very slippery, especially when wet.

   Beyond that, and with no offense, I'll still use Plywood every time, on every project, even if I have to eat a higher cost.

Steven Wolf

Just my two "sense"

Answer 4

Actually, most trailers (Im assuming you mean mobile homes) are made with either OSB, or particle board as the sub floor... not plywood.  Plywood costs more than either of the other two sheet goods.

OSB is a good alternative to plywood... it costs a bit less, and is made of wood shavings, as opposed to layers of wood .... which means they can use parts of the tree that would otherwise have been unusable.  Lowe's carries a special type of OSB made specifically for sub floors, it is tongue and groove, and moisture resistant.  I think the name is Advantech.  Its about 23/32" thick (just a shade under 3/4")

We're in the process of installing some of this now, as a replacement for some flood damaged sub flooring.  While it is not lightweight, it is strong, and easy to use.  

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