OSB flooring

[Triathlete]

I'd like to lay down OSB flooring as a finished layer in my garage and would like to know if there are paints or stains that would provide a tough, durable coating.

[astidham]

Hi Triathlete,
is this over concrete, or a subloor?

[Triathlete]

Hi Triathlete,
is this over concrete, or a subloor?

I just built a garage with a dirt floor.  It's too late in the year to pour concrete so I want to put in a wooden floor over the workshop area.

[Danfish]

I have had good luck with Sherwin-Williams Super Deck waterborne solid color products on OSB flooring.  You will experience flaking with OSB and the need to touch-up. 

[GaryT]

You're going to have problems if you're just laying OSB down over soil, if you're talking a permanent floor.  Moisture Moisture Moisture.
Gary

[NathanS]

Gary is right. It will only take a few days of OSB laying on the ground before you will have mold growing on it. If you lay down poly on the ground, then the OSB, you have to be careful with what kind of sealant you use on top. If you have the OSB sandwiched between two vapor barriers, any water that gets in won't be able to get out..

It might not be a bad idea to just wait until you can pour a slab. Maybe just tamp the dirt down to have a solid surface for the winter?

[Triathlete]

You're going to have problems if you're just laying OSB down over soil, if you're talking a permanent floor.  Moisture Moisture Moisture.
Gary

Oh no.  I have a frame built for the flooring already.  I might be dumb but I'm not stupid.

[akwoodchuck]

My old man has an OSB floor in his shop....from bottom to top, the sequence is:  gravel pad, treated sleepers, rigid insulation, poly sheeting, osb, two coats polyurethane porch/ floor paint. Works like a dream.

[UK4X4]

I would have thought an outside grade plywood wood serve better as a usable floor in a workshop, as the surface is easy to seal and does not flake off like OS,
Definitely either way a damp membrane below is required and preferably an air gap above the membrane and below the joists

[GaryT]

I recently did some renovation work for friends' camp in New Brunswick...just changing the location of an exterior door.  Standing inside, checking out the project, I noticed the floor was spongey.  Long story short:  non-treated 2X4 sleepers (on their sides) laid directly on concrete pad.  3/4" OSB subfloor.   Sleepers were completely rotted in the hall where the door was, as was the subflooring.  no way for moisture to get out (plenty of ways for it to get in).  No poly over the concrete, no ventilation, yada yada.  Camp less then 10 years old.  Just a thought.
Gary

[Dave Sparks]

I used an elastomeric coating (I can get the make) on a temporary exterior deck 10 years ago. I have done nothing to it. It gets rain and snow on it occasionally and still looks new. There is not any damage to the 5/8" OSB.  My wife still has it on my list of honey doo's but I keep crossing it off.

[firefox]

Hi Dave, It would be nice if you could post the make of the coating.
Thanks,
Bruce

[Dave Sparks]

http://www.gaco.com/gacodeck----the-complete-solution.html

This is it above.  It has been really good and the OSB deck has been under the eaves but open to rain and snow for 10 years. 
They do not list OSB but it has been fine in my application. Even with puddling water for a week!

[firefox]

Thanks Dave! This will really help a project I am working on.
Bruce

[Dave Sparks]

You are welcome. I think I used a regular exterior wood primer from the Depot with the Gaco kit.
In your signature, what is MVPA please?

[firefox]

Military Vehicle Preservation Association

We restore old Military Vehicles and display them at Veterans events.
Give vets rides in them.

Visit SteelSoldiers.com for lots of events and info as well as outstanding help in
bringing these old beasts back to life.

I'm an old Jarhead from 1962.

[Dave Sparks]

Cool ! Thanks!
My A-- Rides in Navy Equipment.