When you spend a great deal of time and money ensuring you buy the shed of your dreams, it makes sense to do the best you can to increase the life of your shed. Flooring for sheds is one of the most important elements. Above all, flooring for sheds should be stable and strong, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be functional and appealing as well.
If you’re looking for shed floor covering ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Garden shed floors are one element that takes a lot of punishment.
We’re going to look at shed flooring options, how much the best options cost, and answer some of the most common questions people looking for shed flooring solutions ask.
Why Do You Need a Shed floor?
Flooring plays a vital role in the construction of your shed. It makes no difference whether your shed is storing gardening tools, excess garage items, or used as a studio, playroom, or home office.
Shed floors are essential because they provide a sturdy surface for items you store.
A shed foundation or base is important to install the shed on even if you have a floor in your shed. If you place your shed directly on the ground it could cause the timber to rot. Check with your shed company to make sure you prepare the correct base for your shed.
What to Consider When Choosing a Shed Flooring Material
Is your garden shed an extended living space?
For example, a man cave, she shed, reading corner, exercise space, or art studio. With this kind of space, the right choice for shed floor coverings can also add to the overall aesthetics of the space. A home improvement project well worth the effort!
How Much Weight Can a Shed Floor Hold on Average?
The actual weight a shed floor can hold depends on the foundation and several other things. An average figure, 20 pounds per square foot. For a 10x16 shed this would be 3200 pounds (10 x 16 x 20 pounds).
Durability
The flooring you choose must be durable. Think about the items you might drag or roll over the floor and whether there is any possibility of leaks and spills.
Ideally, you want the flooring to be scratch-resistant and weather-resistant. You can also get flooring that is non-slippery and resistant to chemicals.
Ease of installation
You’ll find some of the shed flooring ideas in the list easier to install than others. If you plan to do the flooring yourself, look for something easy to install. Always check the installation guidelines and see what other items you might need for the installation process. For example:
Epoxy flooring is durable but complicated to install.
Linoleum tile is relatively simple to install, but you’ll have to use a latex adhesive, which is messy.
A wood plank floor, plywood floor, or OSB will be straightforward but is heavy, so you might need a second pair of hands.
Tongue and groove wood planks are not overly complicated but can be very time-consuming.
Natural cedar wood is long-lasting, and you won't need to paint it!
Price
Price is an essential factor, especially if you’ve got a tight budget. The cost of different flooring can vary considerably. OSB is much cheaper than tongue and groove flooring, for example. If you’re thinking about installing concrete slabs, remember to include the cost of various treatments when considering your options.
Shed’s Purpose
Are you going to be using it for the storage of tools?
Will you need storage space for something heavy such as a lawnmower?
Will you be using your garage or backyard shed as a home office, man cave, or similar? In this case, you should spend on a thick floor that looks good and is insulated.
If your children use it as a playroom, flooring that’s easy to keep clean is the preferred choice. Decide exactly what the intended use for your shed is before deciding on the flooring.
Style and Color Options
These two factors are critical if you plan to use your backyard shed for something other than a storage space. If you plan to spend time in your shed, look for a flooring solution that’s comfortable to walk on and good-looking.
Maintenance
Ideally, you want flooring that’s easy to keep clean. Some flooring choices are stain-resistant, which will be perfect if there’s a risk of leaks or oil spills. For a shed that doubles up as a kids’ play area, you want a surface that’s easy to clean.
Most Popular Shed Flooring Types and Materials
Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank flooring is a simple floor covering option that can easily be installed on your sub-flooring in your shed. It comes in many different woodgrain or stone colors and designs.
Budget-friendly: Medium
Durability: Vinyl plank flooring can be water and stain resistant. It will definitely outlast your softer flooring options like linoleum and cork.
Pros
Quick and easy install
Available in various patterns and colors.
Snaps together and creates a water-resistant surface (with some namebrands)
Cons
Difficult to replace a small section if it gets damaged
Epoxy
An epoxy coating protects your shed floor covering from chemicals and water, wear and tear. It will also improve the aesthetics and is usually available in several different colors.
Budget-friendly: More affordable options are available.
Durability: Epoxy coatings help to prevent penetration from water, oil, leaked fluids, or other chemicals, and at the same time offer protection against damage. There are even slip-resistant epoxy finishes.
Pros
An attractive and durable floor covering.
Excellent sealant for concrete floors.
Can resist scratches.
Resists mold.
It has a bright and shiny finish for sprucing up dark and gloomy places.
Cons
Epoxy is challenging to apply.
Expensive.
Cork
Cork is a very soft material which makes it a comfortable surface to stand on. It is also an excellent natural insulator.
Budget-friendly: Medium
Durability: Cork is not as durable as some other flooring materials for sheds. However, if you seal it regularly, it should last for many years.
Pros
Warm and comfortable material to use on the floor.
It will help insulate your shed during the winter.
Very eco-friendly flooring material.
Cons
Easier to damage than many other flooring materials.
Concrete Paint
If you’ve chosen a concrete floor, you can improve its appearance and provide more protection by using concrete paint. Although this paint is expensive, you can apply concrete paint directly without a primer or other treatment.
Budget-friendly: No
Durability: Concrete paint dramatically improves the durability of a concrete shed floor and also makes it look more attractive.
Pros
Improves the appearance of concrete.
Doesn’t require a primer.
Protects from UV light and is resistant to chips and scratches.
Cons
Concrete paint can be pricey.
Interlocking Tiles
Interlocking tiles are a versatile and easy way to change your shed floor covering. They simply snap together, and you can place them on any surface.
Budget-friendly: Very budget-friendly.
Durability: The tile surface is resistant to water and spills and is also very easy to clean, which helps it last longer.
Pros
Quick and easy to install.
Available in various patterns and colors.
Their weight means they won’t shift, and they are resistant to spilled fluids.
Cons
Only the tile surface is resistant to water and spills.
Rubber Matting
Rubber matting is another quick and easy option that will also increase the longevity of your shed floor. You can buy rolls or sheets. To install, you simply roll the rubber sheet out. However, it’s not one of the most attractive options.
Budget-friendly: Very budget-friendly
Durability: You will significantly increase the life of your shed flooring if you add a rubber mat. In addition, because rubber matting is so easy to clean, it will help protect your floor from long-term damage.
Pros
Quick and easy installation.
Resistant to stains and water.
Very affordable option.
Cons
Not the most aesthetically appealing.
Carpet, Outdoor Rugs or Runners
If you’ve already got some carpet lying around, this could be one of the most affordable options. However, using carpet as flooring does have many downsides. For example, carpet is not very durable as it absorbs water, stains, odors and can allow mold to grow.
Budget-friendly: The most budget-friendly option.
Durability: Carpet is not very durable, as it offers little protection from moisture or dirt. It is also likely to wear very quickly in high-traffic areas.
Pros
Carpet can create a soft surface.
Your shed will feel warmer.
Carpet could make your shed more colorful.
Cons
Not resistant to stains, liquids, water, or odors.
Laminate
This is a practical and attractive solution for your shed floor, but it will require underfloor insulation first.
Budget-friendly: Affordable wood flooring
Durability: Laminate wood floors are a very durable option, but only if you can keep the moisture level to a minimum.
Pros
Available in a wide range of styles, colors, and woods.
Scratch-resistant.
Longer lasting than wood.
Cons
Not an appropriate floor covering if there is excessive moisture, as it can be slippery.
Hard to repair and prone to warping.
Linoleum
You can buy linoleum as tiles or rolls. Tiles are better if your shed floor is small. A roll of linoleum is better for a large area.
Budget-friendly: Yes, very!
Durability: Linoleum flooring is a very durable option for your shed. Many linoleum products come with warranties of up to 25 years.
Pros
Simple to install.
Inexpensive solution.
Available in many attractive designs.
Cons
Likely to be damaged if dragging heavy-duty items across it.
Vinyl
Vinyl rolls are an all-around good solution for the floor of a shed. Vinyl is waterproof, slip-resistant, and can withstand most household chemicals. Plus, it's effortless to clean.
Budget-friendly: Yes
Durability: Vinyl flooring is very durable. It's waterproof, resistant to staining from oil and various fluids, and can withstand weather and extreme temperatures.
Pros
Vinyl is comfortable and affordable.
Withstands extreme temperatures.
No adhesive is necessary.
Cons
Vinyl is not eco-friendly and is difficult to recycle.
Normal Floor Tiles
Normal floor tiles are available in a wide range of colors and styles.
Budget-friendly: Not expensive for a small space.
Durability: Normal floor tiles can easily break if you drop something large, or store heavy tools on them.
Pros
An attractive and stylish addition to your shed.
Waterproof and stain-resistant.
Cons
Easy to break.
Grouting will need regular cleaning.
Interested in available options, ideas and materials for other parts of your shed?
Check our dedicated guides on:
Conclusion
Nobody wants a shed floor that looks ugly or is stained, and uncared for. If replacing an existing floor, choose a covering that suits your needs. Among an endless variety of options for your shed floor, we’ve listed some of the most popular.
If you can’t decide, our team of professional advisors will be happy to help you pick the best flooring solution for your new Urban Shed.
FAQs
1. WHAT BASE DO YOU PUT UNDER A SHED FLOOR?
The starting point for any shed is to create a firm, level foundation. There are different options. For example, a timber, plastic, paved or concrete base. All of these solutions will prevent water from collecting on the floor of your shed and damaging it.
Concrete and paved bases can’t be installed directly on soft ground and will need a sub-floor. You’ll also need to construct a frame or edging around a concrete base to support it while it sets. Choose your base according to the intended use of the shed.
2. DO YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED A CONCRETE FLOOR FOR A SHED?
3. SHOULD A SHED FLOOR BE PAINTED?
4. WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST FLOORING FOR A SHED?
5. WHAT IS THE BEST MATERIAL TO PUT ON A SHED FLOOR?