A garden shed serves a multitude of purposes, from storing garden tools to creating a personal workspace or even a play area for kids. One crucial aspect to consider when setting up a garden shed is the flooring. The flooring material you choose can greatly impact the shed's functionality, durability, and comfort. In this guide, we'll explore various shed flooring materials and their suitability for different uses, as well as important considerations to keep in mind.
Different Uses for Garden Sheds
Before diving into ideas for shed flooring, let's look at the different purposes a shed can serve:
Garden Storage and Tools: Storage sheds can store gardening tools, lawn mowers, and other equipment such as garden furniture. Well chosen shed flooring can help to keep equipment neatly organised and free from dust or damage.
Workshop Shed: A workshop for DIY projects, woodworking, or other hobbies. In terms of shed flooring, you want to make sure the shed base/surface is slip resistant, easy to clean and able to store heavy items.
Home Gym: The shed flooring in a dedicated space for exercise equipment and workouts should be shock absorbent to protect joints and muscles from impact stress. It should also be able to withstand free weights and gym equipment protecting your osb or concrete subfloor.
Home Office: If you plan to create a quiet and comfortable workspace away from the main house, your shed floor should be comfortable and insulating.
Kids Play Space: Sheds are great spaces for kids play. To avoid potential accidents or premature wear, you want to ensure the osb ground is covered with a layer of protective flooring that is long-lasting and easy to maintain.
Shed Flooring Materials and Their Suitability
Rubber Tiles
Rubber floor mats are an excellent choice for shed flooring. With easy installation and very simple to maintain, rubber tiles create a solid and protective surface that withstands heavy items and equipment without damage to the subfloor. Unlike wood, osb flooring or carpet tiles, rubber mats will avoid rot issues to the surface and under layers as well as insects infestation and bacteria buildup. They can be fitted to various subfloors including concrete and plywood.
Benefits:
- Durable
- Slip-resistant
- Simple to clean and easy installation
- Provides good shock absorption and protection against spills and breakages
- Come in various Thickness options
- Easy to repair/replace
Best Use: Home gym, workshop shed.
Considerations: Ensure you opt for rubber mats that are UV resistant if exposed to sunlight. Also opt for a thicker tile with a studded underside for extra stability and moisture drainage, a thickness of 40mm above is recommended.
Outdoor Playground Rubber Floor Mats
Widely used for outdoor play spaces, Outdoor Rubber Playground Tiles also work work well for a shed floor solution. As well as protecting your subfloor from damage, they provide an anti-fatigue and protective surface for a number of activities. They can be installed onto a shed base or ground, concrete subfloor or plywood structure and will not absorb moisture into the surface. These tiles also have built-in drainage channels on the underside to prevent water damage or water pooling underneath the base layer.
Benefits
- Cushioned Surface
- Built-in Drainage
- Weather Resistant
- Provides Insulation and Noise Reduction
- Designed to be suitable for outdoors
- Simple to lay DIY
- Low Floor Maintenance
- Various thickness options
Best Use: Workshop Shed, Storage Sheds, Kids Play Area
Considerations: Select interlocking outdoor tiles which come with hidden pins which connect the tiles together and help to retain their position.
PVC Interlocking Tiles (Similar to Garage Tiles)
When choosing garden shed flooring you want to source a shed floor which is simple to install without the need for expensive labour or extra tools. Interlocking PVC tiles are constructed from a heavy duty plastic vinyl that connect together for a quick and DIY installation. These tiles are popular for garage applications and work just as well as shed floor surfaces due to their versatility and ability to tolerate heavy weight loads.
Benefits:
- Easy to install
- Solid and Durable
- Resistant to oil and chemicals
- Low Maintenance
- Non-Slip
Best Use: Workshop shed, Storage Shed
Considerations: Ensure they are UV resistant and weatherproof.
EVA Foam Tiles
Depending on the intended use, garden shed flooring doesn't need to be expensive or elaborate. Maybe you want to create a small space for kids to play or an area for yoga and relaxation. Eva Foam tiles are a cost effective shed flooring option which still provide all the fundamentals needed to create a comfortable and safe leisure space.
Benefits:
- Lightweight and compact
- Inexpensive
- Protective
- Various Styles & Colours Available
Best Use: Kids play space, Hobbies, Home Gym
Considerations: May not be as durable for heavy equipment or sharp objects.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a versatile and aesthetic option for a garden shed floor. The tongue and groove engineered planks available in todays market are much more robust and able to tolerate moisture and temperature change. With that being said, installing a hardwood floor to an outdoor building such as a garden shed is risky without consistent heating. If the shed is heated and watertight with no roof issues, there is minimal risk of warping and other damage to the flooring. If you like the idea of a wooden floor for garden shed use then it's important to make sure the space is properly insulated, ventilated and the proper conditions are in place to avoid damage.
Benefits:
- Adds a stylish look
- Hardwearing
- High Comfort
- Wide choice of designs and colours
- Different width/length options
Best Use: Home office
Considerations: It is essential that the space is watertight, there is a fully contained roof with no open walls and there is running heating to prevent damage, rot and warping. Wood flooring requires more maintenance than other surfaces and if a board should break or there is damage to one area, it usually requires the whole floor to be replaced.
Other Material Options
Aside from the most popular and durable floor options for a shed, you might want to consider alternative materials. Many people make do with a concrete floor for garden shed use as they may not want to spend money on flooring for a space they don't use all of the time. If your shed is mainly used for storage then sticking with basic materials or recycled/upcycled items makes sense.
Important Considerations When Choosing Garden Shed Flooring
- Moisture Resistance: Ensure the flooring material is moisture-resistant, especially if your shed is not completely weatherproof.
- Weatherproof: If your shed is exposed to the elements, choose a flooring material that can withstand outdoor conditions, including UV rays, rain, and temperature fluctuations.
- Insulation: If you plan to use your shed year-round, consider flooring materials that offer some insulation to keep the space warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Durability: Depending on the shed's use, opt for a durable material that can handle heavy equipment, foot traffic, or playtime activities without wearing out quickly.
- Safety: Choose slip-resistant flooring, especially for kids play spaces and home gyms, to reduce the risk of accidents.
- Maintenance: Opt for a lower maintenance surface which is inexpensive to upkeep and worry-free in terms of damage and wear.
- Installation: You want to consider a floor option that is simple to install without complicated preparation work or costly installation costs. Aim to choose a floor surface that you can fit by yourself and can be laid onto concrete, plywood or directly onto osb subfloors. Most manufacturers will provide installation guides you can follow without using specialist fitting services.
Conclusion
Choosing the right flooring for your garden shed involves considering the shed's purpose, the durability and maintenance of the material, and its suitability for your specific needs. There are many garden shed flooring ideas but the the importance lies in taking stock of how you plan to use your shed and how often. Whether you're setting up a workshop, home gym, or play area, there's a flooring option that's perfect for you. Keep these considerations in mind to ensure your shed's flooring is functional, comfortable, and long-lasting.
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