Plywood questions?

Question

Hi, I am going to build a small storage shed. I have enough scrap recycled wood to do this. I have 4X6 treated posts for the skids under this building. I have plywood for the floor. So my question is if I put plywood on the floor and it sets on the skids will the plywood rot? I will have about 6 inches of space (thickness of skid) between the ground and the plywood. I thought about laying a layer of plastic or roofing felt on the skids and putting the plywood on it, making a moisture barrier but I am sure that wont last long with mice and squials etc.

Answer 1

It should last many years if kept dry

Answer 2

the moisture barrier will help, as well as the treated timbers, but to plan for it to last, you really need to have treated plywood as well

Answer 3

For a storage shed, I wouldn't worry about it.  Just keep the plywood from contacting the ground, and you'll be okay for the expected life of your average outdoor storage shed.  Those 4x6 skids will have to rot before the plywood becomes a problem, and the shed will probably fall down before that happens.

I would put the skids themselves on about 6" of gravel, however.  Just trench under the skids to a depth of 6", and a width of about 10" (2" out from either side of each skid).  Fill that with gravel and put the skids on that.  It will help keep water from sitting against the skids and make them last longer.

Note, however, that you probably have a code requirement where you live governing "unattached structures".  That should determine how you approach this project, not us.  For example, if you're in a tornado zone, there may well be code requirements for anchoring structures that would make your skid scheme unsuitable.

Answer 4

Plywood is not a good flooring material its to soft.

try pine its much stronger and will hold a heck of a lot longer

Get some iron for the roof as well from a second hand place

Answer 5

almost any plan you download from the internet - reputable sites - have tongue and groove plywood as the floor.  about any premade shed that you go into at lowes, home depot, etc. also have plywood as the floor.  as long as it is not in contact with the ground, it'll last a good while.  ensure it's at least 1/2" thick.  i'm constructing a 10'x16' shed within a month or two and am using 3/4" tongue and groove.

Answer 6

hmm, it will rot eventually, but it should last a decent amount of years without plastic or something underneath it