Metal conducts heat, noise, and electricity better than wood; it also expands and contracts a lot more due to temperature. This makes it more likely to create strange or annoying little problems. Others are more qualified than I to suggest which type of wood or recycled planking (plastic decking?) is best. But I definitely recommend against metal.
If you can, wait until election season is over and then recycle some of the larger political signs. They are made of very nice plastic, with layers like in good cardboard.
The Stokbord MDPE cost about £32 UK inc tax per sheet.
Try local farmers’ merchants: I couldn’t get anything similar from building material suppliers or building plastics suppliers, although I’ve been 30 years in the building trade!
I think this is what you’re thinking of; basically corrugated cardboard, but made of plastic instead of paper. I think it would collapse as soon as you put weight on it.
As others have said, if you’re getting 15 years out of OSB, why reinvent the wheel? $/year of use is pretty good payback.
The only cost difference to consider versus other options is the cost of buying a gallon of good exterior paint (maybe +$50?) if you don’t have it sitting around. Options like the PT plywood, deck boards 2x4’s or 2x6’s don’t need to be painted. For those it’s just a matter of cheapest cost per sq foot from Home Depot or Lowes. Look for a spring sale when the shit’s off the fan.
Regarding the plastic-type options some are suggesting, before you buy any plastic-type decking or sheets, you should double check with the manufacturer for recommended spans relative to weight capacity. Plastic sags in the heat. If I read your situation correctly and there’s only one centre support in the trailer, any plastic will likely bow and sag out over the 48" unless you add additional supports.
For example, with composite deck boards (which are pretty thick), supports are minimum 16" but recommended every 12" in heavier weight capacity applications.
If you do paint the OSB, exterior gloss is best and then paint all 6 sides to keep water out of everywhere.
I vote for 3/4" plywood with thick exterior paint. It lasted how long?
If you watch the freebies in your local area, you often can find both the wood & the paint free. Here, the landfill has a hazardous waste area that has gallons & gallons of exterior paint. I can pick up any of it free of charge. The only problem is the lack of color choice. Its a utility trailer, who cares what color the deck is.
When I replace the deck on my double axle 20’ trailer, I will try to do this. Even if I buy the plywood at market prices, I will use the free paint. The last trailer I did this to ended up with a sh*t brown colored deck. It works fine.
Do not use sheet metal for the deck as it can be very slick, especially when it is wet, & stuff slides around way too easily. Of course, YMMV.
Great point and on that note - if you really want to save money, you could always grab some free pallets and use them. You’re only 4ft wide, the standard pallet dimension. In my area, there’s a few industrial parks and many places have pallets stacked along the curb for people to take for firewood or whatever. It saves them the disposal cost.
Add a couple lengthwise pieces of wood strapping along the bottom to add rigidity and keep them tight and Bob’s your uncle…
You wouldn’t even need to paint it. It’s free, just replace it every 10 years.
@48Willys
Also, regarding the paint - good idea, but my only concern is how do you tell if the paint is useable? The stuff I’ve dropped at my local centre was unusable due to it having frozen (after I forget it in the garage over the winter). So, not to hijack the thread, but do you know a way to tell good paint from bad?
[quote=“GMANCANADA, post:27, topic:851246”]
@48Willys
Great point and on that note - if you really want to save money, you could always grab some free pallets and use them. You’re only 4ft wide, the standard pallet dimension.
Actually, standard pallets are 40"x48", the top and bottom pieces being the 40" length.
Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. The reason I originally put this in GQ is that I had a pretty straightforward question, that I lost when my OP definitely went into IMHO territory (YMMV, IANAL, etc.)
Is CDX or other pressure treated plywood better than OSB for this application? It is about twice as much as OSB, but still less than $30, so affordable if worth it, but if not, I’d rather use the money on the trailer fixing beer necessary for the job.
Having replaced the decks of our sled and quad trailers last year I wouldn’t even consider OSB. I am really amazed it lasted that long. Marine grade plywood, and some poly stain or spar varnish and I think you’re golden. There are places where you can dispose of used paints and stains, often you can get them free or for very low cost and since colour isn’t an issue with a utility trailer you’ll save some money potentially. As far as slippage, there are anti-slip additives or stick on anti slip laydowns you could put on if needed. Spend a little more and buy a cheap diy roll on bed liner and that floor should last a coouple of decades.
What ever happened to Linoleum? I grew up in houses with Linoleum floor coverings.
[quote=“Son_of_a_Rich, post:28, topic:851246”]
Here, the folks at the landfill have already sorted this paint & they have disposed of the bad paint. This way any paint or stain or paint thinner that they offer is known to be good.
I also get many of my auto liquids from them. Last time I was in there, I scored 2 unopened quarts of DOT-4 brake fluid, 2 quarts of ATF, & 1 pint of power steering fluid. I also got 5 semi-full quarts of 10W-40 engine oil. These I use in my old junk, er umm, classic autos! Yeah, yeah that’s it.
[quote=“Son_of_a_Rich, post:28, topic:851246”]
Here, the folks at the landfill have already sorted this paint & they have disposed of the bad paint. This way any paint or stain or paint thinner that they offer is known to be good.
I also get many of my auto liquids from them. Last time I was in there, I scored 2 unopened quarts of DOT-4 brake fluid, 2 quarts of ATF, & 1 pint of power steering fluid. I also got 5 semi-full quarts of 10W-40 engine oil. These I use in my old junk, er umm, classic autos! Yeah, yeah that’s it.
**@48Willys **
Your landfill folks definitely offer a value added service, its great to have an option for others to reuse.
Each municipality in Canada does their own thing. Mine has a special “recycling centre” which takes batteries, paint, automotive and other chemicals etc. When I’ve been there they just have a pallet with all the gallon cans stacked on it. Nothing sorting as far as I know. I’ll double check next time I’m in.