What would be the least expensive way to do a repair of the flooring that would last? The flooring is totally exposed to the sun and rain. Thanks I am a DIY person.
2007-07-30 14:09:26 · 7 answers · asked by Steve R 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Remove the plywood and replace it with proper decking boards. These are thicker and more resistant to weathering. Plywood was never made for this purpose. Pressure treated (green tinted ones) aren't quite as good as natural cedar, but much less expensive. And all exposed wood should be at least weather treated every year or two to stop it from rotting.
Where I live the pressure treated board 2 X 6 X 12 ft long is around $15. To get the same size of plastic board is anywhere from $30 to $50 and up.
http://www.backyardamerica.com/decking.htm
2007-07-30 14:15:38 · answer #1 · answered by Susie Q 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would NEVER use plywood as a floor to an outdoor deck. When it rains, the water has nowhere to go but off the edges. If that plywood is not PERFECTLY flat, water will puddle on it and eat it away. I would say definately use treated deck boards or 2x6 lumber with small gaps between each board. Could be 2x4, 2x6, 2x8...etc. Just make sure that it is treated wood. Untreated lumber will need painting just about every year to fight decay.
2007-07-30 14:18:50 · answer #2 · answered by Double B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
6
2016-03-16 03:21:43 · answer #3 · answered by Erica 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd think plywood to be least suitable option due to poor ability to drain. Depending on the underlying area I'd look at using 75mm x 19mm timber slats ( or 100 x 19mm) treated pine might be your cheapest but how about second hand hardwood flooring. Would need to be drilled for fixing, sanded and oiled with decking oil but would last well. Advantage of using seasoned timber I would think best due to lack of shrinkage - also promotes recycling!! Have fun
Alternate option could be to consider overlaying with tiles - however success of this would depend on status of plywood ie how badly weathered - also consider underlying supports vs weight of new materials.
2007-07-30 14:33:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
totally exposed? cedar planking 2 or 3 inch thick would last ya, but that is fair pricey. Pressure treated lumber would last longer than non but again probably more in cost. If you put up ply again, be sure to put on good quality paint. Do not just leave bare wood. You want to prime it let dry 2 days and then a coat of porch and floor enamel and let it dry for 2+ days and again with the enamel and 2 days and again. And add another coat each spring when it is dry and clear weather-wise. And DON'T cheap out on the paint - you get what you pay for-
BTW it would help immensely if you got it covered with a roof of some sort (metal is good)
2007-07-30 14:26:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, I would use the new plastic wood that they have out now. It will cost you more, initially, but you won't have to worry about it warping or shrinking, or staining it in the future. So looking at it like that, it is cheaper.
Even if you are a DIY kind of guy, you could have better things to do, than stain the deck every year. Good luck.
2007-07-30 14:14:12 · answer #6 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1- remove exposed floor
2- install pressured plywood 21/32" exterior(screw it no nail )
3- install building paper ( stapled)
4- cover floor by asphalt sheathing and if you want paint floor by epoxied (kind of pool or garage paint).
2007-07-30 15:08:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋